Chapter 495 Gifts
In an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness, Christina chimed in, “Ah, I wasn’t aware that you preferred to be addressed as ‘Mrs. Lazuli. Should I start calling you that as well?”
Azure grinned, playfully and gently tapping her granddaughter’s nose. “Don’t be such a tease.”
Worried that her grandmother would continue giving Nathaniel a hard time, she released Nathaniel’s hand and instead linked arms with Azure, guiding her inside the house. “Let’s go inside and have dinner. I’m famished.”
Nathaniel retrieved several bags of gifts from the trunk of the car before joining them and making his way inside.
Upon entering the residence, Christina couldn’t help but notice a few unfamiliar faces. They were dressed to the nines, and their gazes were filled with scrutiny when they saw her.
She whispered into Azure’s ear, “Grandma, did you invite them here?”
Grandma didn’t mention that there would be this many guests when we were on the phone earlier.
Azure replied softly, “Yes, I did. These are your relatives. They heard that I found my biological granddaughter and expressed their interest in meeting you.”
Many of them knew of Christina’s existence and had long since wanted to meet her.
Christina forced an awkward smile onto her lips. At that moment, she looked like a helpless child who was meeting her relatives for the first time.
A housekeeper approached Nathaniel and offered to take the bags from him. With a smile, she remarked, “Mr. Hadley, how courteous of you. The gifts you brought seem to be quite heavy.”
Azure settled herself on the couch, expressing her disapproval with a scoff. “Hmph. We don’t have space to store such gifts here. Leave them here for now, and he can take them back when they leave.”
Despite the presence of numerous relatives in the hall, Azure did not bother to hold back with her words. It was apparent that she wasn’t planning on showing Nathaniel any respect.
Naturally, Azure was well aware that her words would provoke Nathaniel and fuel his anger. She could not be happier than to watch him lose his temper, as it would provide her with a valid reason to urge Christina to leave him.
Hence, she waited patiently for his reaction.
On the other hand, Christina’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and discomfort. She found herself caught in the middle, torn between her loyalty to Nathaniel and her family ties with Azure.
I have no idea what to do if a confrontation breaks out between Nathaniel and Grandma. Given his temper, he wouldn’t sit back and allow these remarks to slide.
At that thought, Christina cast a worried glance at the man.
Fortunately, Nathaniel remained composed as he stood beside Christina. It was as if Azure’s words had no
power to affect or hurt him.
Without a change in his expression, he uttered flatly, “I apologize if my gifts are not to your liking, Mrs. Lazuli. However, since I have already brought them here and you find them displeasing, perhaps you can distribute them among the relatives who are present today.”
He was not the type of person who would take back his gifts once they had been given.
Everyone present instantly recognized Nathaniel when he entered and was well aware of his status as the CEO of Hadley Corporation. Thus, they held the belief that any gifts presented by him would undoubtedly be of the highest quality.
Christina shared the same sentiments as he did. Since they had already brought the gifts, it wouldn’t be right to retract them.
She turned toward the butler and said, “Please unpack the gifts and arrange them on a table for everyone to see. If any of our guests are interested, they are welcome to take them. Is that all right with you, Grandma?”
Azure scoffed, her gaze and tone filled with disdain. “Very well. Though I’m afraid that the housekeepers would be burdened with the tedious task of repacking them later. It would be such a waste of time and energy.”
Christina merely smiled at her grandmother’s words before shooting a look at the butler, silently conveying her instructions.
The butler called over a few housekeepers to help. They then took out the gifts and placed them on the table one by one, per Christina’s orders.
As the housekeepers unveiled the gifts, revealing the exquisite contents within, a sense of astonishment filled the grand hall. The room fell silent as eyes widened in awe. The assortment of presents included luxurious emerald bracelets, dazzling diamond brooches, elegant pearl necklaces, high–quality supplements, delicacies like abalones and sea cucumbers, as well as branded stationery.
Nathaniel had prepared everything.
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