Chapter 295 - 295
Her gaze softened, and her grandmother's eyes glistened with emotion as she listened.
"Now that you're older, I want to return the favor," Serenity continued. "I want to make sure your hair is just as beautiful as you made mine when I was a child."
The sincerity in her words silenced the room, replacing the earlier murmurs with a collective sense of awe. The value of the gift, $200,000, suddenly seemed insignificant compared to the sentiment behind it.
Ethan watched from his seat, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
'She's like her father,' he thought. 'They both understand that meaning outweighs cost. It was a simple yet profound gesture, one that clearly resonated with everyone in the room.'
At that moment Grandma York's smile widened, her face lighting up as she accepted the gift. She reached out, pulling Serenity into a gentle hug.
"Thank you, my dear," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "You've always had such a big heart."
The family members and guests erupted into applause, the moment touching even the most skeptical among them.
It was clear to everyone now—both Serenity and her father had given gifts that came from the heart, gifts that truly celebrated who Grandma York was.
then after everyone had dropped their gifts.
The room fell into a tense silence as the focus shifted back to Ethan. Whispers circulated among the guests and family members, their curiosity tinged with skepticism. What kind of gift did he bring? Was he trying to avoid presenting it on purpose? Can he even afford something meaningful? The questions hung in the air, unspoken but palpable.
Ethan sat calmly, his expression unreadable, though inwardly he was piecing together his approach. It's not about them, he reminded himself. This is for Serenity's grandmother, not to satisfy their doubts.
At that moment One of the family members finally broke the silence, addressing Ethan directly. "So, what's your gift? Are we going to see it, or was it just an excuse to stall?"
At that moment more murmurs followed, the tension thickening. Before Ethan could respond, Grandma York raised her hand, her voice cutting through the noise with the authority only she could command.
"Enough," she said firmly, silencing the room. Her gaze settled on Ethan, kind but unwavering. "He already placed his gift at the table. Let him retrieve it."
Her words carried weight, but she didn't stop there. "If anyone believes he's taken something that doesn't belong to him, they're free to come forward with proof. Otherwise, let the matter rest."
The wisdom in her words was undeniable, and the room fell silent once more. Ethan glanced at Grandma York, a flicker of gratitude passing through his eyes.
' She's not just defending me; she's setting an example, he thought. She's making it clear that trust isn't negotiable, even here.'
Immediately the murmurs faded, and the spokesman nodded, gesturing toward the gift section. "Mr. Ethan, you may retrieve your gift."
Ethan rose from his seat without hesitation. The room seemed to hold its collective breath, waiting for him to falter or second-guess himself. But he moved with calm confidence, his steps measured and deliberate.
'They think I'll hesitate,' he thought, catching a few disbelieving stares from the corner of his eye.
'They think I'm unsure. Let them.'
When he reached the gift table, his eyes immediately found the red box containing the necklace. He picked it up without a moment's pause, holding it securely in his hands. Turning back to the room, he met their stares with the same unyielding calm.
The silence in the room was deafening as Ethan walked back to the presentation area.
Ethan then returned to his seat at the front of the room, the red box in his hands drawing every pair of eyes in the room. The tension was palpable, and he could feel the weight of their expectations pressing against him.
But Ethan wasn't rattled. His calm demeanor remained intact as he placed the box on the table before him.
He straightened, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking. His voice was steady, carrying across the room without strain.
"I'll admit," Ethan began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "I didn't put as much thought into this gift as Serenity and her father did."
A murmur ran through the audience, some faces showing surprise, others skepticism. Ethan continued, undeterred. "Serenity's gift was heartfelt, rooted in beautiful memories she shares with Grandma York. And her father's gift—" he paused, glancing toward Serenity's father, "—was a thoughtful reminder of the time we still have to cherish and create new memories."
Then he let his words sink in before adding, "Compared to their gifts, mine doesn't hold the same depth of sentiment. It doesn't tell a story, and it doesn't carry the weight of shared experiences."
At that moment the room grew quieter, the audience leaning in, their curiosity piqued.
many wondered, where is he going with this?
Ethan's gaze softened as he turned toward Grandma York. "But what I've brought today," he said, his voice taking on a gentler tone, "is something that symbolizes what I hope for you—radiance, elegance, and the knowledge that you deserve the very best and it would be the most expensive gift you will receive today."
With that, Ethan reached forward and opened the box, revealing the necklace within.
The red gemstone shimmered under the lights, its vibrant hue casting faint reflections across the room. The intricate design of the necklace was flawless, each detail meticulously crafted. It wasn't just jewelry; it was a masterpiece.
Gasps filled the room, followed by a stunned silence.
Even the most skeptical faces couldn't hide their awe as they took in the necklace's beauty.
The brilliance of the red gemstone seemed to light up the entire space, captivating everyone present.
At that moment Grandma York's hand went to her chest, her expression one of genuine astonishment.
"Ethan…" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she gazed at the necklace.
Ethan stepped closer, his voice steady but warm.
"It may not carry the same personal meaning as Serenity's or her father's gifts he said again, but it's my way of saying that you deserve something extraordinary, just as you've been extraordinary to everyone here."
The room was dead silence as everyone couldn't believe what they just heard.
Ethan stepped back, allowing Grandma York to fully take in the moment.
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