Gifts?

In the Ashcroft living room.

Sophia Ashcroft received Evelyn Ross's text.

Her tense nerves finally relaxed.

She had feared her daughter was determined to stay entangled with Mr. Vance.

She worried Evelyn wouldn't even bring her husband home.

Sophia looked at William Ashcroft.

"Evelyn is bringing her husband for dinner tonight."

"Tell the kitchen to prepare extra dishes."

William frowned.

"She's just coming for dinner."

"Why such a big production, A-Shu?"

"You spoil her too much."

Despite his words, he gave Nancy Ashcroft a meaningful glance.

Nancy immediately headed for the kitchen.

Isabella Ashcroft observed everything.

So Evelyn was finally bringing her poor husband home?

Tonight, she would make sure Evelyn lost all face.

Isabella smiled and spoke.

"Then I'll ask Julian to come for dinner too."

"Since it's Evelyn's husband's first visit."

"Evelyn and I are sisters, so their husbands are brothers-in-law."

She took out her phone and messaged Julian on WhatsApp.

[Julian, come to my house for dinner tonight?]

Sophia frowned upon hearing this.

"Remind him not to bring too many gifts."

Isabella was stunned.

Her nails dug deeply into her palms.

Was Sophia afraid Julian would overshadow Evelyn's husband?!

She suppressed her anger and forced a smile.

"Don't worry, Mom."

"I'll remind him."

Sophia added, "Isabella, don't overthink it."

"It's mainly because Evelyn's husband's circumstances are modest."

"A big disparity might make things awkward."

Isabella nodded obediently.

"I understand."

On WhatsApp, Julian replied: [Don't want to come.]

Isabella felt a pang of frustration.

She typed: [Evelyn's husband is coming tonight. Don't you want to see?]

Julian replied instantly: [What time?]

Isabella smirked: [They're arriving at six. You come at five-thirty.]

Julian: [What should I bring?]

Isabella's lips curved: [It's your first formal visit since we registered our marriage.]

[It should be quite grand in principle.]

"But Mom just said you shouldn't bring anything too expensive."

"She doesn't want Evelyn's husband to feel embarrassed."

She knew Julian too well.

The more she said this, the more he would do the opposite.

Sure enough, Julian replied: [How can I be impolite on my first visit?]

[What I bring is my business. You don't need to worry.]

Isabella put her phone away, satisfied.

She said to Sophia with a smile, "Mom, I've spoken to Julian."

"He won't steal Evelyn's thunder."

Sophia's expression eased slightly.

"Good."

At 5:30 PM.

The roar of a sports car sounded outside the courtyard.

Isabella's eyes lit up.

She pulled William and Sophia out to welcome the guest.

A blue Porsche was parked in the courtyard.

Julian Evans got out, wearing an expensive suit.

The sports car was a limited edition.

The suit was worth six figures.

Julian opened the trunk and began taking out gifts.

Gift boxes filled the entire trunk.

A maid came forward to help.

She couldn't even carry three or four at once.

It took four trips back and forth.

The floor of the living room was covered with over a dozen lavish gifts.

Top-grade bird's nest, prestigious red wine, jewelry...

Each item was exceedingly valuable.

The total cost approached a million dollars.

Isabella's heartbeat quickened.

The Vance family was indeed wealthy and powerful.

She noticed Sophia's unpleasant expression and spoke first.

"Julian, didn't we agree it was just a simple meal?"

"Evelyn's husband is coming too."

"You brought so many gifts..."

Julian said carelessly, "This is already simplified."

"Can't be impolite on the first visit."

He turned to Sophia and William.

"You don't mind, do you, in-laws?"

Sophia forced a smile.

"Not at all."

William stepped forward.

"Next time, just come yourself."

"Don't go to such expense."

"Bringing gifts for family isn't an expense."

"I still feel I've shortchanged Isabella."

Julian and William made small talk as they entered the living room.

The pile of gift boxes in the corner was particularly conspicuous.

Sophia could already picture the awkwardness Evelyn and her husband would feel.

She frowned and sighed, beckoning to Nancy.

Nancy hurried over.

Sophia said in a low voice, "Prepare some gifts."

"Wait for Evelyn at the gate."

"Give them to her when she arrives."

The quality might not compare, but the quantity shouldn't lag too far behind.

She suddenly regretted asking Evelyn to come for dinner.

Isabella said plaintively, "Mom, I really reminded him."

"But the Vance family has strict rules."

"Julian thought this was already very low-key..."

Sophia was silent for a moment.

She instructed Nancy, "Tell the staff to be mindful."

"Make sure they don't show any inappropriate expressions later."

"Yes."

Even after these arrangements, Sophia still felt uneasy.

She took out her phone and texted Evelyn.

[Julian and Isabella are here.]

[They brought many gifts.]

[Evelyn, it's the thought that counts.]

[Mom doesn't care about these things.]

Evelyn replied quickly: [Understood.]

[We just set off.]

[We'll arrive in half an hour.]