Chapter 4: The Jewelry

"Sis, please don't buy new ones if dad gets angry and says we are wasting money. You can just lend me some of yours."

Evette didn't need more jewelry as she had got plenty from her parents. What she really wanted was to take away all that Nathalia had.

Moreover, those that Nathalia's mother left for her were the best of all, far more valuable than any items in the shop.

Nathalia sneered in her heart at the words, thinking Lend? I've lent you so many things. When have you ever returned any? The jewelry was from my mother. You don't deserve to wear them at all.

She disguised her real feelings perfectly and replied tenderly, "You are the daughter of the Carter's, my pretty sister. Of course, dad would love to see you dressed in your best at the party. Why would he get angry? It will only bring pride to him. Come, pick your favorite."

Everyone at the shop was pleased with what they heard. What a loving sister, Nathalia, was.

"The Carters? You are the older daughter of the Carter family?"

"You have never made your appearance in public. Miss Carter. You are so kind and loving and beautiful."

Rumors had it that the older daughter of the Carter was ugly, bad-tempered, mean, and academically poor.

Now that people had finally met her in person, it proved the rumors wrong.

"Miss Carter, you are so generous to your younger sister."

"Miss Carter, you are such a nice person."

Everyone was singing her praises. Nathalia blushed and lowered her head in modesty. People liked her more for that. They had seen so many spoiled rich girls, but Nathalia was an exception.

Evette was not prepared for this at all. She was angry and frustrated, yet she could show neither.

"Sis, really. We don't need to buy any new jewelry."

All this time, their parents had been keeping Nathalia away from the public. Naturally, Evette did not enjoy hearing people saying good things about Nathalia at all. She wanted to disgrace her, but could not think of anything to say. All she could do was hold her anger and compose herself the best she could.

Nathalia paid no attention to Evette and kept searching for the best piece of jewelry. Shortly, she picked a set of diamond ones. It was of superb quality and impeccable design.

"What do you think? Do you like them?"

The shop manager immediately commented with an approving smile, "You do have excellent taste. There are only two sets of the same jewelry in the world. One is in possession of Queen Elizabeth, and this is the other one."

On hearing this, anger vanished from Evette. Her eyes shone with desire. She took the diamonds in her hands and would not want to let go. Nathalia was pleased, thinking You thought you could just take my things so easily? I'm not what I used to be anymore.

A voice of surprise broke in "Evette, Nathalia, what are you girls doing here?"

A few women adorned with sparkling jewelry walked in, Ann Cater at the front.

"Mum." Evette greeted her mother with a warm smile and a hug, which pleased Mrs. Carter a lot. A great show of loving mother and daughter.

Nathalia watched quietly and sneered inside. When she used to see this, which was often, it made her jealous and upset, wondering why she could not have the same love from her mother. It was the main reason she avoided showing up in public and just kept herself to herself.

Thanks to the rumors spread by the Carter, people had a false idea that the younger daughter was stunning looking and talented while the older one, ugly, mean, and bad-tempered.

Now, in this life, she would get revenge, and the first step was to correct the rumors and the wrong impressions people had of her.

One of the ladies noticed Nathalia and questioned out of curiosity, "Who is this here?"

In a white dress, with her long black hair falling on her shoulders, unlike most other girls people were used to, her clean and innocent face stood out in the crowd, like a cool summer breeze, bringing a sense of freshness.

"This is…" Mrs. Carter's face froze for a second before she put on her smiley look. "This is my older daughter. She's a bit shy, doesn't talk much, and likes staying home. You know, I don't want to force her to do things she doesn't want to. So I never push her to go out."

At the same time, she gave Evette a questioning look, wondering, "What's going on? Why are you here?"

Evette rolled her eyes, implying it wasn't her fault, and she had no idea.

Nathalia lifted her eyebrow, knowingly, but she took her time and wasn't in a hurry to explain anything. She simply smiled silently.

With the expected crowd here, this would be a great chance for her to impress and change how people thought of her.

"You are a lucky girl to have a great mother like Mrs. Carter." They said to Nathalia.

"Indeed. Also, Mr. Carter is lucky to have you as his wife." another lady continued. Mrs. Carter loved the sweet words from the ladies.

Nathalia reacted quickly and wittily. She pointed to the diamond jewelry on the table and said, "Mother, Evette loves this set. I helped pick them. Don't you think they are pretty?"

Nathalia was plotting of going the indirect way instead of justifying herself directly.

It put a slight frown on Mrs. Carter's face. She turned to Evette with a confused look "But you are too young for this, and we shouldn't waste money."

Nathalia pursed her lips slightly, then smiled and said, "Mother, doesn't everyone love to look pretty? It's not like we can't afford it anyway. Most importantly, Evette loves them."

Mrs. Carter was more puzzled and started to grow suspicious, thinking Mother? She's never called me mother before, but mum. Why so formal now?

Nathalia was enjoying her own comeback, thinking See, I'm a generous, loving sister and I do care about my younger sister.

Mrs. Wilson was impressed, "What a great girl! So considerate and loving." Nathalia blushed and smiled, accepting her praise with modesty.

"Thank you. You see, she's my only sister. As long as she's happy, I'm happy. Mother, please, let Evette have it. And don't worry, as usual, you don't need to get anything for me. Just for Evette."

Mrs. Carter's face froze. What did she mean by 'as usual'?

It brought some murmuring discussion in the crowd. Mrs. Jones, who always said whatever came to her head, interrupted straight away "That's unfair. You two are both Mrs. Carter's daughters. Mrs. Carter, you got to love them both, don't you?"

Mrs. Carter forced an awkward smile and replied the best she could as she gently stroked

Nathalia's head, "Oh, definitely. I've always loved Nathalia, even more than Evette. Whatever Evette has, I make sure Nathalia has the same and even more."

Nathalia found it repulsive and moved discreetly slightly away from her step-mother as she defended herself. "No, mother, it's alright. I don't need any jewelry. I'm not invited to the party tonight anyway. Please, just buy it for Evette."

It sounded like Nathalia was just understanding, but she surely meant more than that.

Mrs. Carter was furious, not knowing why Nathalia had been going against her.

Mrs. Wilson took Nathalia's hands and said gently, "Nathalia, you are a sweet girl. Why don't you come to the party tonight and meet some new friends? It will do you good."