Chapter 2

The room went a little quiet, but Feran could hear a couple of giggles from the back of the crowd.

"Honestly speaking Feran, don't pick that ill-looking thing you call a bracelet," Mark advised in the most despicable way he could.

"Exactly. Take his advice, dear worthless live-in son-in-law," Mark's new girlfriend who accompanied him added and all laughed again. 

She has always been mistaken as sweet and loving by the Miguel family because of her innocent face but who actually is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Feran stared at them with a cold grin. Who are they to dare to talk to him this way? If it wasn’t for his wife who told him to keep it low at the party…

Laura's face tightened as she walked up to Feran and grabbed his hand.

 "Come stand in your place, Feran," she whispered to him and pulled him back to the spot they were before.

"Just save yourself the remaining humiliation, okay?" Laura was actually pissed now by everything that was happening and most of all, she felt ashamed of her husband, Feran.

Laura flicked a glare at Feran forcing him to keep quiet.

"Before the worthless being displayed his piece of trash as a gift for our grandmother, I would like to show my present," Mark said and all exclaimed in excitement. The joyful noise heightened a bit, but in a stylish way as they saw their grandmother walking down the huge spiral staircase.

Ma'am Miguel was led down accompanied by two maidservants, each holding her hand gracefully.

It was the pre-family midday celebration of ma'am Miguel's 70th birthday before the banquet would kick off in the night.

Getting down, she sat down on her special well-decorated arm chair as everyone greeted her.

"I'm so happy to see you all here," ma'am Miguel said and all clapped.

"Grandma, happy birthday," Phoenix, Laura's sister who has been quietly enjoying Feran's big humiliation said with a bright smile as she walked up to her ma'am Miguel.

"Grandma, this is a ten karat gold skinny bar necklace. It was specially made by my in-laws' famous jewelry company and it was customized for you. It is worth over three hundred dollars," Phoenix said as she took out the transparent silver box from the fancy bag she held and displayed it to everyone. Everyone applauded as she dropped it on the table.

"I'm sorry my husband wasn't able to make it, Grandma. He's out of town. But my parents-in-law will be coming for the banquet tonight."

"It's alright, dear. I'm glad. Though your husband isn't present, he made sure you brought a unique gift and he's far better than the oldest worthless live-in grandson-in-law of mine," ma'am Miguel said and staring at Feran, everyone giggled.

"Anyways, grandma, happy birthday," Tasha said as she walked majestically to ma'am Miguel with her husband, Damon, arms locked.

"This is a lovely cashmere travel wrap scarf,specially picked by my lovely wife, Tasha," Damon said.

"Grandma, I also had it customised for you. This cosy travel wrap scarf is one in a million grandma. I know you enjoy travelling. It even doubles during flights. It's amazingly soft and warm. It's worth six hundred dollars," Tasha explained and grinned as everyone applauded.

"You're so sweet my dear, ma'am Miguel said and blew a kiss at Tasha before they returned to their spot.

"So now I guess it's my turn," Mark said, taking a step forward. 

"Show us what you got, bro!" Damon hollered.

"Yes I would. But, firstly, Feran, you should offer your priceless gift first." he smiled at Feran viciously.

"Oh? What good things could  you possibly bring?" Ma'am Miguel questioned as her lips curled into a disdainful smile.

 "I bought the best I could afford, grandma. It was an antique necklace. Why don't you have a look…?"

"Stop right there." Ma'am Miguel commanded, stopping Feran from walking up to her. She asked one of the servants to take the gift from his hand.

"Ha, serve you right." Mark growled.

"That’s enough, Mark" Laura said, unable to tolerate her brother's insult. For the first time, she spoke out for her husband.

She actually had mixed feelings for him. Yes, she hated him, but he's still her husband after all.

Mark took the chance to mock her more.

"You are not actually trying to define your loser husband, are you?" Then he pretended to gasp: ”Look at our dear old Laura, falling in love with a loser.” EVeryone roared in laughter.

 Laura was speechless and furious but she couldn't find any words to fight back her brother.

She only gnashed her teeth and cringed for she was embarrassed as hell.

"Anyways, this is my gift for our beloved grandmother," Mark proudly said as he snapped his finger and a trolley was pushed into the living room by a male servant.

The servant placed the trolley by the table and left as everyone squinted impatiently at Mark to reveal his gift.

Mark ripped off the wrap of the huge box on top of the trolley and drugged out a vase.

"This is an extraordinary vase. Made of rare gems and glamour crystals. I got it crafted solely for you and it doesn't have a replica. It's actually worth three point seven million dollars," Mark said, boastfully.

"That is…strange," Feran muttered to Laura's hearing, squinting at the vase while everyone was praising the gift..

"Huh? What did you say?" Laura inquired. Feran shook his head.

Staring at the vase, Feran took some close steps forward.

 "Hey, move back. You want to break it huh, worthless pig?!" Mark scolded him for fear of him breaking the glass on purpose.

But Feran turned around and exclaimed to the room.

 "This vase is FAKE!"

The entire Miguel family fell silent in extreme astonishment.