The Wife He Dumped, The Queen She Returned As novel Chapter 203

Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Jenna pulled out her beautifully wrapped Brass Astrolabe.

Someone blurted out, "Jenna, you bought an astrolabe too?"

Jenna's face immediately darkened. "Are you comparing mine to some generic piece of trash?"

"If you don't know anything, keep your mouth shut! This is a collector's grade antique from The Scholar's Trove. It cost over a hundred thousand dollars!"

"A hundred thousand?!"

Everyone's jaws dropped. They thought they were hearing things.

One person nervously chuckled, "You've gotta be kidding. It's just a piece of brass. How could it possibly cost that much?"

Jenna sneered. "With your limited horizons, of course you wouldn't understand the price. It's a genuine antique meant for private collections. What do you know?"

The crowd exchanged glances, not daring to question her further. Instead, they doubled down on their flattery.

"A hundred grand is just pocket change to her! She's not buying an object; she's buying heritage! It just shows how much she respects Mr. Goodwin!"

"Exactly! This completely blows whatever cheap trinket Chloe brought out of the water!"

Hearing this, Jenna raised a brow. "Chloe brought an astrolabe too?"

Her entourage immediately chimed in.

"Yeah! No idea how she even has the audacity to show her face. For his sixtieth birthday, she just handed over some piece of scrap metal!"

"Not like you. You knew he loved history and went out of your way to find a real antique!"

Jenna glanced at Chloe and let out a disdainful scoff. "Don't be so hard on her. She doesn't even work and relies on a man to keep her fed. It's a miracle she managed to scrape enough together for that."

With a triumphant smirk, she basked in the crowd's adoration and offered her gift box.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Goodwin. Here's a little something I picked up for you. I hope you like it!"

Mr. Goodwin didn't take it. Furthermore, his face showed absolutely zero of the shock or delight Jenna had anticipated.

Frowning, she assumed he just hadn't heard the price tag during the commotion, so she pressed on.

Jenna's stiff expression relaxed slightly as she forced another smile.

"Mr. Goodwin, you really don't need to be so modest. Back in high school, I always looked up to you. I've never forgotten your teachings."

"I don't recall ever teaching you," he replied flatly.

Just as Jenna's face froze in humiliation, he abruptly took the box back.

"But if you insist on forcing it on me, I suppose I'll take it."

"O-Of course. As long as you like it." Jenna kept her smile plastered on, but her eyes darkened with barely suppressed rage.

You decrepit old bastard!

Even back in school, he was always lecturing her from his high horse. How dare he speak to her like that now!

But remembering what was at stake today, she dug her nails into her palms, swallowed her fury, and followed him into the restaurant.

The second they stepped inside, Jenna swept her gaze over the interior and immediately scrunched her nose in disgust.