Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

“Come in,” Nerissa said coolly.

She spoke casually, her tone carrying a hint of detachment.

It was none other than Nerissa’s eight aunts who walked in.

Verena Berenson brought over a dress. “Arie, this is a high-end gown and crystal shoes I had custom-made for you. They just arrived this morning, flown in from overseas. Try them on and see if they fit.”

It was a burgundy gown.

Red gemstones were set along the hem, and under the lights, each one sparkled brilliantly.

The best part? Every single gem was the real deal.

All together, it was worth over thirty million dollars.

Jessica Berenson brought over a pair of massive diamond earrings. “Arie, I picked these out just for you, they’ll look absolutely stunning with the dress Verena got you. Promise me you’ll wear them tonight, okay?”

Eliana Berenson pulled out a gift she’d been saving. “Arie, this necklace is for you. Guess what? It was once worn by the royal consort of Yorika. I’ve been saving this for ages, just waiting for you to come back and wear it tonight, you’re totally going to dazzle everyone.”

Marianne wasn’t about to let the other aunts steal the spotlight, so she quickly brought out her own gift. “Arie, this ring is for you. Trust me, it’s got quite the pedigree…”

Joanna joined in, pulling out her own gift. “Arie, this bracelet is from your fifth aunt. It’s not just any bracelet, you know, it’s got a special story behind it…”

The rest of the aunts joined in, each presenting their own carefully prepared gifts.

By now, Nerissa’s makeup was done. She gathered up all the gifts her aunts had given her and said, “Verena, Jessica, Eliana, Marianne, Joanna, and everyone else, I’m heading to the dressing room to put everything on.”

“Alright, go on! Hurry up!” the aunts urged.

Nerissa and the makeup artist went into the room to change.

The eight aunts waited outside.

About ten minutes later, Nerissa stepped out of the dressing room.

Burgundy is one of those colors that can be brutal, if your skin isn’t flawless, it’ll make you look totally drained and lifeless. But Nerissa’s complexion was porcelain-perfect, and in that burgundy gown, she looked like she’d stepped straight out of a dream.

Everyone was absolutely blown away by how gorgeous she looked.

On top of that, Nerissa was decked out head to toe in the gifts from all eight aunts.

Her hands, neck, and ears sparkled with the jewelry they’d picked out for her.

These jewels were no joke, not everyone could carry off that kind of luxury. If you didn’t have real looks and presence, all that bling would just make you look gaudy and washed out.

But Nerissa was built different. She had that rare beauty and charisma.

Even with her hair full of jewels and wrapped in a gown fit for royalty, she radiated pure elegance. The extravagant jewelry didn’t steal the spotlight-in fact, she outshone every gem on her.

She outshone every jewel in the room-no matter how brilliant the gems, next to Nerissa, they all looked faded and ordinary.

The moment Nerissa stepped out, all eight aunts sucked in a breath at the same time.

“Oh my god! Arie, you look drop-dead gorgeous in that gown!” one of them exclaimed.

“Seriously, I’ve never seen anyone dripping in this much bling and still looking like a total goddess,” another chimed in.

“If Arie ever got into acting, honestly, no other actress would even stand a chance,” one of the aunts laughed.

Jessica jumped in right away, “No way! We can’t let Arie deal with all that drama in showbiz!”

Victor Berenson ran an entertainment company herself, so she knew just how exhausting the life of an actress could be.

‘There’s no way we’d let our Arie go through all that hassle,’ the aunts thought, feeling protective.

‘Not happening!’ they all agreed in their hearts.

Chloe Berenson chuckled and said, “Jessica, I was just making an analogy, look at you getting all worked up.”

The door to the dressing room was wide open.

When Anna walked in, the first thing she saw was Nerissa in the center, beaming as her eight aunts fussed over

her.

Jealousy flashed across Anna’s face as she took in the scene.

‘Why does she get everything?’ Anna grumbled to herself.

‘I’ve tried everything to win them over, and still can’t get all their attention. But Nerissa just walks in and everyone adores her. It’s so unfair,’ Anna seethed inside.

Anna couldn’t help but feel a stab of envy as she realized, not a single item Nerissa wore or carried was worth less than 3 million dollars.

And that wasn’t even the half of it.

The Sullivan family’s uncles and all thirteen brothers had prepared even more extravagant gifts for Nerissa.

There was so much jewelry, it had to be packed in boxes.

‘And me? What do I have?’ Anna thought bitterly.

‘My most expensive bag is barely 1.6 million bucks, pathetic compared to hers.’

‘Even my fanciest necklace is just 5 million. How is that supposed to compete?’ she fumed inside.

Anna’s jealousy was about to make her lose it.

But she had to pull herself together, no matter what.

‘Whatever, it’s no big deal,’ Anna tried to convince herself, clinging to her composure.

Everyone coming to the Sullivan family tonight was from the upper crust, real blue-bloods.

‘Nerissa might be all dolled up, but she’s still just a country girl at heart. Even if she wore a crown and royal robes, she’d never look like a princess. Just wait, she’s bound to embarrass herself, Anna scoffed inwardly.

The Sullivan family might like Nerissa, but they care about their reputation just as much.

‘If Nerissa makes a scene at the party, do you really think the Sullivan family will still be so obsessed with her?’ Anna thought, a smug satisfaction rising in her chest.

‘Once Nerissa screws up at the party, the Sullivan family will drop her like a hot potato,’ Anna thought, feeling pretty pleased with herself.

With that thought, Anna felt way better all of a sudden.

A smile curled at her lips as she looked at Nerissa. “Arie, the party’s starting soon. Grandma asked me to come see if you’re ready.”

“All done,” Nerissa

did, glancing back at her with a calm smile.

With all eight aunts fussing over her, Nerissa strutted into the banquet hall. It wasn’t even six yet, but the place was already filling up as guests started arriving.

Mrs. Sullivan and Luna were at the entrance, greeting guests with warm smiles.

Selene Berenson and a few of the

erenson uncles were deep in conversation with Hunter Jamison.

The thirteen Berenson brothers were huddled around a table, totally absorbed in a game of playing cards.

The whole hall was alive with laughter and a cozy, festive vibe.

When Mrs. Sullivan spotted Arie, she immediately waved her over. “Arie, come here!”

“Grandma,” Arie called out, her smile warm and genuine.

Chapter 130

She strolled over, grinning from ear to ear.

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Mrs. Sullivan grabbed Arie’s hand, her face beaming with affection. “Arie, you look absolutely gorgeous tonight! Like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”

“Guess I got my good looks from you, Grandma!” Arie teased with a cheeky grin.

Mrs. Sullivan was already beaming, but after hearing that, her smile grew even wider.

Luna added with a smile, “Arie’s not just beautiful-she’s got a sweet way with words. She’s a natural when it comes to business, that’s for sure.”

Mrs. Sullivan nodded, her smile full of pride. “Looks like the Sullivan family finally has someone to carry on the legacy.”

Anna, who was walking over, happened to overhear the Sullivan matriarch’s words.

‘Hmph!’ Anna snorted to herself.

‘What’s that supposed to mean, finally got someone to take over?’ she fumed.

‘Doesn’t their own granddaughter count as an heir?’ Anna thought, her jealousy flaring.

‘Playing favorites, she grumbled inwardly.

Anna shoved her jealousy aside and plastered on a smile as she walked over. “Grandma, Mom, Arie.”

“Anna, you’re here,” Mrs. Sullivan smiled, glancing over at her.

Just then, the butler hurried over and leaned in to whisper something in Mrs. Sullivan’s ear.

Mrs. Sullivan nodded, then turned to Arie. “Arie, I need to step out for a bit. Just stick with your aunt and mingle, get to know everyone.” She glanced at Luna. “Luna, I’m leaving Arie in your care for the time being.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take good care of Arie,” Luna replied with a reassuring smile.

With that, Mrs. Sullivan followed the butler out of the room.

Next, Luna and Anna flanked Arie at the entrance, ready to welcome the guests as they arrived.

Suddenly, Luna’s face lit up with excitement.

She tugged on Anna’s arm and blurted out, “Anna, check it out! That’s Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy over there!”

Anna quickly looked up, her eyes darting toward the entrance.

‘Grandma really is playing favorites, Anna thought, her jealousy bubbling up.

Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy were the richest people in Faric, and actual royalty, their status was insane. The second they walked in, every single person in the banquet hall was staring at them.

When Anna had her eighteenth birthday bash, the Sullivan matriarch didn’t invite Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy

at all.

But now that Nerissa was back, even Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy showed up for her.

Luna glanced back at Arie, putting on her best “good aunt” smile as she explained, “Arie, Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy are from Faric, they’re actual royalty there, super important. Plus, they’re really close friends with your grandma.”

Then Luna grinned, “Arie, since you don’t speak Farician, let Anna go greet Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy for you. Anna, go on!”

Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy were a big deal, and having Anna personally welcome them was a perfect way to boost her standing in high society.

On the surface, it looked like Arie was the star of the party tonight, but in reality, Luna was making sure her own daughter Anna was the one in the spotlight.

‘After all, Nerissa doesn’t even know a single word of Farician,’ Luna thought, her confidence growing.

‘She can’t even say a single word of Farician,’ Luna smirked to herself.

‘Just watch,’ Luna gloated inwardly.

‘After tonight, everyone will see just how incredible my Anna is,’ Luna thought, her heart swelling with pride.

‘And Nerissa? After tonight, everyone will just write her off as useless,’ Luna sneered to herself.

“Sure thing, Mom,” Anna said, grinning from ear to ear as she walked confidently over to greet Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy.

She was feeling totally smug.

‘So what if Grandma went all out and invited Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy just to back Nerissa up?

‘Does she really think Nerissa can handle this kind of crowd?

‘In the end, she’s just making it easier for me to steal the spotlight!’ Anna thought, her confidence soaring.

Anna strode right up to Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy, greeting them in perfectly fluent Farician. “Good evening, Mr. Slime, Mrs. Andy. I’m Anna, the granddaughter of the Sullivan family.”

She gestured toward Arie with a proud smile. “This is my sister, Ariel Sullivan, who was just reunited with our family thanks to my grandma. Since she doesn’t speak Farician, I’ll be handling the introductions for her tonight.”

As soon as Anna finished, the other guests started whispering and exchanging glances, their eyes flicking over to Nerissa with a mix of surprise and skepticism.

‘The Sullivan family’s heir doesn’t even know Farician?’

‘She’s worse than an outsider!’ someone muttered, barely hiding their contempt.

A country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin,’ another snickered.

You can dress her up all you want, but you can’t change what’s underneath,’ they scoffed to themselves.

“Anna’s definitely got the edge,” someone whispered.

“The Sullivan family’s heir is just a pretty face,” another scoffed.

“Looks like Anna’s the one who’s really going to hold the Sullivan family together,” someone else chimed in.

“Someone from the countryside just can’t measure up to a born-and-bred heiress,” another guest sneered.

As the guests whispered and gossiped, Luna and Anna both looked visibly pleased, their eyes full of satisfaction.

Luna looked especially pleased, almost unable to hide her excitement.

The party

had only just begun.

Luna smirked to herself, ‘The real show’s just getting started. Nerissa’s going to crash and burn later!’

Once Anna wrapped up her intro, Mr. Slime and Mrs. Andy headed straight for Arie, with Mrs. Andy speaking up first.

Neither Mr. Slime nor Mrs. Andy spoke Maderarian, so Mrs. Andy greeted her in Farician. “Hello, Miss Sullivan. Your grandma’s been searching for you for years, and now she finally found you! Wishing you nothing but happiness and good fortune from here on out.”

Anna deliberately left Nerissa hanging, refusing to translate a single word, she just stood there, waiting for Nerissa to squirm.

with a smug grin, clearly enjoying Nerissa’s predicament.

The mother-daughter duo were obviously trying to humiliate Nerissa in front of all the VIPs.

Their scheme was working, right after Mrs. Andy finished speaking, the whole room was just waiting to see Nerissa embarrass herself.

If Nerissa were just an ordinary person, nobody would

care.

But she was the Sullivan family’s future heir.

And yet, the heir couldn’t even speak a word of Farician, how embarrassing is that?

A few seconds later, Anna put on her best “oops, my bad” face, covering her mouth like she’d just

remembered. “Arie, oh no! I totally forgot you don’t speak Farician. Let me translate for you right now!” Anna was practically glowing inside, she’d made sure everyone saw Nerissa squirm.

Chapter 130

“No need for that,” Nerissa said, sounding totally unfazed and even a little dismissive.

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Then, without missing a beat, she stepped forward, took Mrs. Andy’s hand, and greeted her in perfect, native- level Farician that left the whole room stunned. “Bonjour, Madame Andy. I’m Ariel Sullivan-Nerissa Jamison, too. Thank you for your blessings, and I wish you eternal youth and beauty!”