Chapter 7 The Difference Between Being Loved And Merely Tolerated

At Caylee's remark, Juliette merely smiled and waved a hand lightly. "That won't be necessary. Your grandmother told me I could decide for myself. She was overjoyed when she learned that I had found Katherine and kept urging me to bring her back home as soon as possible."

Juliette's undisguised affection was the final blow to Caylee's fragile hopes.

In that moment, she understood with painful clarity that Juliette no longer cared for her as she once had.

A faint shadow of resentment flickered in her eyes as she turned to Katherine, forcing a brittle smile. "Katherine, you've probably never seen emeralds of such quality before, have you?" she said softly. "I wonder... would a necklace like that even suit you?"

She had heard that Katherine had grown up in a poor fisherman's household and assumed she must be unsophisticated, unaccustomed to refinement. To Caylee, handing such a priceless heirloom to Katherine felt like an unforgivable waste.

Katherine raised an eyebrow, her expression calm yet faintly amused. "Do you want it?" she asked plainly.

She owned countless jewels of equal rarity and value, and out of respect for the years Caylee had spent caring for Juliette, she felt no desire to quarrel over a necklace.

Caylee was struck speechless by the question.

Juliette, Laurence, and Callum all turned to look at her.

Even Juliette appeared momentarily puzzled. "But when I asked you before, you told me emeralds didn't suit you."

Caylee nearly lost control of her expression. What Juliette had referred to back then was an entirely different necklace-but she could hardly clarify that now.

She quickly recovered and replied, "I was only worried Katherine might not like it."

Yet inwardly, she burned with irritation. Katherine's casual offer felt less like generosity and more like condescension.

"I like everything my mom gives me," Katherine said, deliberately ignoring Caylee's strained politeness. She thought quietly that Caylee could not even seize an opportunity when it was placed directly in her hands.

Juliette's heart softened completely. Smiling with radiant joy, she pressed a sleek black card into Katherine's palm. "From now on, I'll give you so many more gifts," she said warmly. "If there's anything you want, just buy it. Do whatever makes you happy."

Caylee clenched her fists beneath her sleeves, her nails biting into her skin. The favoritism was unmistakable. Juliette had handed Katherine a black card without hesitation, while Caylee herself received only a monthly allowance of one million dollars.

Katherine closed her fingers around the card, her eyes quietly reddening.

Roger and Ariella had never truly spent money on her. Yet over the years, she had poured vast sums of her own money into Warren Group's projects, ensuring they launched smoothly and continued to thrive.

At that moment, she understood with aching clarity the difference between being loved and merely tolerated.

The news that the Smith couple had finally found their long-lost daughter sent shockwaves throughout the business world.

To demonstrate just how deeply he valued Katherine, Laurence arranged a grand banquet two days later to formally announce her return to the Smith family.

Juliette took the event with utmost seriousness.

She personally ordered a gown for Katherine and asked Callum to accompany her to the fitting.

As they drove, Callum leaned closer and said mysteriously, "Mom and Dad have prepared a surprise for you."

Katherine raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"

But Callum only smiled. "I can't tell you. I promised to keep it secret."

His previous visit to the Warren family had never taken place as intended, so Juliette and Laurence deliberately invited the Warrens to the banquet. They hoped to establish a business partnership as a gesture of gratitude for raising Katherine and wished the evening would unfold in warmth, harmony, and joy-above all, that it would make Katherine happy.

The car came to a smooth stop.

Katherine stepped out and lifted her gaze toward the storefront, only to halt mid-step as a wave of familiarity washed over her.

The wooden sign above the door bore the words 'Katrine's Boutique', carved with understated elegance.

A shop assistant, who had clearly been waiting, greeted them politely. "Mr. Smith, the 'Ethereal Dream' you reserved has arrived from overseas. Please follow me."

Inside, a mannequin stood beneath soft lighting. It wore a white mermaid gown, its layered hem cascading like gentle waves. From waist to train, countless tiny diamonds shimmered, scattering light like falling stars.

Callum crossed his arms, clearly satisfied. "Only something like this is worthy of you," he said. "Go try it on."

Katherine found herself momentarily speechless. Without a word, she turned and entered the fitting room.

Just then, Callum received a call from Laurence and stepped outside to answer it.

When Katherine emerged in the gown, she found that only the shop assistant remained. Callum was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, a sharp, incredulous voice cut through the air at the doorway. "Katherine? What are you doing in Vroiksey?!"