He Buried Me But I Painted My Own Resurrection novel Chapter 30

Sienna suddenly leaned down, picked up the coin, and placed it squarely into Seraphina's hand.

“Keep it.”

She met Seraphina's gaze, her voice perfectly leveled.

“If you can't afford to pay, don't pretend you're rich.”

Seraphina stood paralyzed.

The surrounding socialites exchanged nervous glances, absolutely terrified to speak.

A flicker of deep satisfaction crossed Eleanor's eyes before she reached out and took Sienna's hand, frowning as her fingers brushed over her bony wrist.

“How did you get so thin?”

Sienna gently pulled her hand back a fraction.

“I haven't had much of an appetite lately.”

Eleanor didn't press the issue. She turned to the head butler.

“Take her to the back to freshen up. Bring out the gown I prepared.”

Madeline's expression instantly darkened.

“Eleanor, aren't you saving that gown for a special occasion? Giving it to her tonight... isn't that a waste?”

Eleanor shot her a glacial look.

“They are my things. I'll give them to whomever I please.”

Madeline was silenced completely.

Eleanor patted Sienna's hand affectionately.

“Go on, Sienna. You're here to celebrate with me, not to be a punching bag.”

A lump formed in Sienna's throat as she quietly agreed.

“Okay.”

The head butler personally escorted her to the rear parlor.

Inside the luxurious dressing room, a maid opened the wardrobe.

Sienna paused in surprise.

Hanging inside was a stunning emerald evening gown.

It was tailored from flawless silk, featuring exquisite embroidery of begonia flowers across the collarbone. It lacked flashy diamonds or a massive train.

But its understated elegance only magnified its incredible value.

It was the kind of luxury that money couldn't simply buy off a rack.

The maid spoke in a hushed, respectful tone.

Under the mesmerized gaze of the entire room, Sienna walked forward.

The hem of her gown glided over the polished marble, the emerald silk capturing the ambient light, moving like dark, luxurious water.

The floral embroidery along her collarbone caught the light beautifully, an elegant substitute for tacky diamonds.

The jade hairpin rested elegantly in her swept-up hair, bringing a much-needed warmth to her pale complexion, making her look undeniably regal.

The same relatives who had mocked her working-class background mere minutes ago stood silently with their champagne glasses, completely speechless.

Somewhere in the crowd, a guest whispered, shock lacing her tone.

“Is that really Grant's wife? I've never seen her look like this before.”

“That hairpin is definitely a museum piece. Did Madam Eleanor give it to her?”

Another guest swirled his champagne, openly enjoying the drama.

“The Gauthier family really knows how to hide their treasures. She's been so quiet all these years, but the moment she steps out, she owns the room.”

Someone let out a soft chuckle.

“Hide? Just a moment ago, Mr. Gauthier was calling her classless.”

The comment wasn't excessively loud, but it drifted perfectly into Madeline's ears.

Nathaniel's grip on his teacup tightened so fiercely his knuckles turned white, the smug smile entirely wiped from his face.