Chapter 406
The Olsens and the Hortons were set to be joined in matrimony. That piece of news had been announced to the public for quite some time now.

….
It started a few years back when everyone thought Christina would marry into the Horton family, but unfortunately, the Hortons disagreed, and the matter came to nothing.

Later, it was heard that Lewis had taken a wife, so there seemed even less hope for the marriage.

But no one expected Lewis’s young wife to pass away so early, and suddenly, the position of his wife was vacant again!

The Olsens brought up the marriage alliance once more, and surprisingly, the Hortons accepted it.

Yet this affair had been gossiped about in Clance for a long time now, and so far, neither family had confirmed anything to the public. Why would the Hortons suddenly come to deliver the betrothal gifts today?

While everyone was busy gossiping, Joseph pulled his daughter aside to clear the way for the butler.

Uncle Olsen raised his eyebrows, looking toward Keira.

Keira also looked surprised and turned to the butler in confusion.

The butler’s face lit up with joy as he quickly stepped inside. “I saw them bringing over a bunch of gifts, and they are unloading them from the car. Someone tipped me off, saying those are all betrothal gifts from the Horton family, and told me to inform you first!”

Uncle Olsen burst into laughter. “Good, that brat has finally come to his senses! Today is indeed a day of happiness!”

The butler laughed, too. “A day of happiness indeed!”

Upon hearing this, Ellis instinctively turned his gaze to his recently acknowledged cousin “Keera”.

He knew very well that Lewis had been staying at “Keera’s” place. Was this a move to make “Keera” his wife?

He suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

As glorious as “Keera” was today, the memory of his deceased cousin Keira was just as poignant.

Once upon a time, Lewis had loved Keira deeply and was willing to offend Uncle Olsen for her sake…

And now… it was no more than finding a substitute.

He bowed his head, suddenly picked up a glass of wine, took a sip, and then turned to look at Mary, only to see her frowning slightly, her gaze shifting toward Victoria.

Ellis then looked toward Victoria and saw her face blush with shyness. Her eyes were bright, yet she cast them downward.

People nearby immediately turned their attention to her, teasing her.

“Miss Victoria, I hear Mr. Horton is quite the catch; you’re so lucky!”

“Yes, truly! This marriage is wonderful!”

“You and Mr. Horton really are a perfect match, and…”

Their voices trailed off as they suddenly looked toward Ellis, and they each lowered their voices, afraid of being overheard by him.

“Why did Mr. Horton have to choose today of all days to deliver the betrothal gifts if not to stand by Victoria’s side?”

“You know, I hadn’t realized, but now that you mention it, I think you’re right! Otherwise, there’s really no need to make such a grand gesture of delivering the betrothal gifts.”

“From what the butler said, there are quite a lot of betrothal gifts, and they are still unloading them! How long will that take, I wonder?”

“Miss Victoria, have you met Mr. Horton? What does he look like?”

Surrounded by everyone, Victoria looked down shyly, her demeanor growing even more bashful. “I haven’t met him yet, but my family has indeed been in contact with him…” She glanced at Keira inadvertently, a smug smile curling at the corner of her lips!

What did it matter how her brothers treated her just now? Even with all the gifts they sent, it was but a drop in the bucket for the Olsen family, but if she were to marry Lewis… the Horton family would be hers!

It was said that the value of the Horton and Olsen family’s assets weren’t far apart, both being among the most famous merchant families in the city of Oceanion, Crera’s richest city! The Hortons surely wouldn’t be much less than the Olsen family, perhaps even stronger!

Joseph then quietly breathed a sigh of relief. With this event diverting everyone’s attention, his daughter could escape any trouble for the time being.

But just as this thought crossed his mind, he heard his daughter step forward with a loud laugh. “Keira, do you see? What does it matter if you are Uncle Olsen’s legitimate daughter? The Hortons have come over to support Victoria! Among the Olsen daughters, Victoria is surely the most successful!”

Having recklessly finished her speech, she provocatively looked at Uncle Olsen. “Uncle Olsen, I can understand you favoring your own daughter, and I can even understand why you had my father hit me just now, but some things need to be said!”

Joseph had already rushed up to grab his daughter’s arm. “Have you lost your mind?”

But his daughter forcefully pushed him away, “I’m not mad! Even if I don’t speak out, everyone knows very well about Keira’s sordid past! Father, don’t confuse matters here! I just have to say it, or I won’t feel relieved!”

Seeing this, Joseph, enraged, reached out to cover her mouth! But in the next moment, he heard Uncle Olsen’s chilling voice. “Let her speak!”

Joseph’s movements paused. Uncle Olsen then picked up his wine cup, staring at them. “I want to hear exactly how my daughter is so disgraceful!”

Joseph, seeing Uncle Olsen’s seemingly amused expression, suddenly felt a chill run up his spine. He understood that his daughter was doomed… With this in mind, he sighed and gave Uncle Olsen a pleading look, only to see that Uncle Olsen was not paying him any attention, clearly determined to punish Joseph’s daughter and show everyone who was in charge.

Joseph wiped the sweat from his forehead and hung his head in defeat.

His daughter, oblivious to how terrible things had become, continued to sneer. “Uncle Olsen, you might not know this, but your daughter is a hopeless romantic. She married her college sweetheart and slaved away for them at home, only to be kicked to the curb three years later when he found someone new! Apart from her face, your daughter is completely useless!”

Keira listened to these words, feeling neither pain nor irritation, but she glanced at Uncle Olsen and saw a cold aura emanating from him, his eyes heavy with killing intent.