The Disguised Billionaire She Rejected novel Chapter 174

Chapter 174

Every guest in the banquet hall instinctively turned toward the entrance.

The two men in black suits walked with measured steps, carefully supporting the large object covered by an elegant golden cloth. Judging from its shape, it was rectangular, but beyond that, no one could tell what it actually was.

Curious whispers immediately spread throughout the hall.

“Who are they?”

“What’s under that cloth?”

Since no one recognized either of the men, everyone could only stand quietly and watch as they made their way across the hall.

Finally, they stopped directly in front of Marcus.

One of them bowed respectfully before saying, “Mr. Marcus, we’re sorry for arriving late. Something unexpected came up on the

way.”

Marcus simply nodded. “It’s fine.”

The moment everyone heard those words, another wave of whispers erupted. “So… it really a gift?”

“He actually prepared something?”

“I thought he was bluffing.”

Victoria’s expression froze. Her body stiffened as an unpleasant feeling rose inside her chest.

He really prepared a gift… For a brief second, she felt as though she had made herself look foolish before everyone. However, she quickly forced herself to calm down. Even if he had brought a gift, so what?

She refused to believe it could surpass everything already displayed in the hall.

A faint sneer returned to her lips.

“So you actually did bring something after all,” she said mockingly. “But judging from the shape… it’s just a frame.”

Marcus nodded without hesitation. “Yes.”

Victoria immediately laughed.

“A frame?” she repeated loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. “Look at that. Such a poor person’s Style.”

She folded her arms and shook her head.

“You made such a huge scene just for a picture frame? And you seriously claimed it would be the most valuable gift here? Everyone brought diamonds, antiques, luxury watches, rare collectibles, and priceless artwork, yet you’re presenting… a frame.”

Several guests couldn’t help chuckling. “I knew it.”

“So that’s his priceless gift?”

“What a joke.”

Victoria smiled triumphantly before looking at Sweedy.

“Miss Sweedy, don’t be deceived. Poor people are always like this. They wrap ordinary things with fancy words and expect everyone to believe they’re extraordinary.”

Before anyone else could speak, Sweedy calmly shook her head.

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“As long as it’s given sincerely,” she said with a gentle smile, “I’m grateful regardless of its value.”

Victoria secretly rolled her eyes but remained silent.

Marcus stepped forward, accepted the framed gift from the two men, and respectfully handed it to Sweedy.

“Happy birthday.”

Sweedy smiled politely.

“Thank you.”

Perhaps because of the argument that had taken place only moments earlier, she decided to opett Marcus’ gift immediately instead of setting it aside with the others.

She carefully removed the golden cloth. Just as Victoria had predicted… It was indeed a framed piece.

Victoria instantly brightened.

“I told everyone,” she said proudly. “Go ahead and look at it. It’ll probably be some ordinary landscape painting or a cheap decorative picture.”

Several guests nodded, already expecting nothing impressive.

However… The moment Sweedy’s eyes landed on the artwork inside the frame…

Her smile slowly disappeared. She froze completely.

The banquet hall gradually became quiet.Sweedy didn’t blink.

She simply stood there, staring at the framed piece as though her entire world had suddenly stopped moving.

Several long seconds passed.

She slowly reached out with trembling fingers and gently touched the surface of the frame.

Her breathing became uneven and her lips quivered slightly.

“This… ‘she whispered almost inaudibly. “This… can’t be…”.

The entire banquet hall gradually fell silent.

Moments ago, everyone had been laughing at Marcus. Now, every pair of eyes was fixed on Sweedy, wondering what she had seen that could leave her so motionless.

Mr. Zed frowned slightly before walking over. “Sweedy… what’s wrong?” he asked gently as he stepped beside his daughter. Curious, he lowered his gaze toward the framed painting. The moment he saw it, his expression froze. His eyes widened slightly before he slowly looked back at Marcus. “How… did you know this?”

Without waiting for an answer, he carefully took the frame from Sweedy’s trembling hands and turned it toward the crowd.

“It isn’t some expensive antique,” he said quietly. “It’s simply a painting.”

Everyone looked closely.

The painting portrayed the breathtaking white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters of Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The sunset bathed the ocean in golden light, while gentle waves rolled peacefully onto the shore. It was breathtakingly beautiful, almost lifelike.

Several guests looked puzzled.

“It’s just a beach.”

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“I don’t understand.”

“Why are they reacting like this?”

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