Chapter 7 The Broken Flowerpot

When she heard Trevor's words, Chelsey's heart clenched with pain, a knot tightening in her chest, causing her to instinctively take a step back, her movements faltering.

Kaden cast a glance at Trevor, a subtle furrow forming on his brow. "That's right. We've never had a scandal in our family before. It's a bit unsettling to even hear about it."

Trevor chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "It's just the household staff gossiping like there's no tomorrow, spreading every little thing to you. It's just a storm in a teacup, Grandpa. No need to let it ruffle your feathers."

As Chelsey took her step back, unaware of the flowerpot lurking behind her, her heel collided with it, resulting in a loud crash. The pot shattered into pieces, the soil spilling out and scattering on the ground like confetti.

Her heart raced, and from a distance, the butler emerged from the shadows. With a quick assessment, she lowered her head, hastily turned on her heel, and walked away.

"Who's making such a fuss?" Kaden's displeasure was evident as his gaze swept over the dimly lit area.

The butler paused, cocking his head to listen, and then replied, "It appears to be Miss Howard."

Trevor idly twirled the emerald ring on his thumb as he observed the scene.

The butler placed the coffee in front of Trevor, sensing a subtle chill emanating from his gaze. He instinctively raised his head, but all he saw in Trevor's eyes was a clarity void of any emotion.

When he heard it was Chelsey, Kaden's frown deepened momentarily before he composed himself, showing no overt concern.

He turned to Trevor, spoking in a measured tone. "You'll be betrothed in a month. Chelsey's situation ought to be sorted out promptly. Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill during this time; it wouldn't reflect well on us."

Trevor nodded in acknowledgment, placing down his cup before rising to his seat.

His eyes briefly flickered to the broken flowerpot before he sauntered away.

"Mr. Morris has got it under control. No need to fret, sir," the butler said.

Kaden picked up his coffee, musing aloud, "Among all my grandchildren, he's the one I can't quite figure out."

The butler hesitated briefly before speaking. "Mr. Morris does keep us on our toes. If it weren't for his father..."

"Enough, drop it." Kaden waved his hand dismissively, signaling the end of that particular conversation.

After a moment's pause, he spoke with a hint of gravitas. "Chelsey's situation does require delicate handling. We can't afford any tarnish on our family name."

That evening, Gabriella lounged at home, sprawled across the couch, listening to soothing melodies.

When she heard Chelsey's call, she squinted, gesturing towards Chelsey's heel. "What happened there?"

Chelsey followed her gaze, noticing the torn stockings and the web-like crack extending from her calf to her heel, where a cut oozed blood mixed with mud, presenting a disheveled sight.

It must have been the aftermath of the shattered flowerpot.

She had only felt a chill earlier and hadn't registered the pain.

"I grazed it by accident." Chelsey kicked off her high heels, sinking into the sofa as she reached for some tissues to tend to her wound.

Gabriella couldn't help but knit her brow, rising to swat Chelsey's hand away. "Dirty! What if it gets infected and leaves a scar?"

As she spoke, she summoned her maid, Megan, to fetch iodine and cotton swabs.

Chelsey simply discarded the torn stockings, stating matter-of-factly, "The wound's not deep."

"Not deep doesn't mean you can treat it so haphazardly. Scars aren't exactly attractive! I've raised you with delicate skin; don't go neglecting yourself like this," Gabriella scolded as she tended to the wound.

"Ouch!" Chelsey winced as Gabriella, lacking finesse in such matters, applied a bit too much pressure.

Gabriella admonished, "Now you're feeling it? You bled so much without even realizing. What was on your mind?"

Chelsey suppressed a sigh.

"And why did you return today? Do you have something on your mind?" Gabriella inquired, her tone softer now as she continued to tend to the wound more gently.

"Did you receive something from Yosef a few days back?"

Gabriella ducked her eyes in surprise. She responded, "What are you talking about?"

Chelsey observed her in silence, reluctant to expose her. Gabriella was uneasy with her stare.

Chelsey couldn't quite put her finger on it, but when it came down to brass tacks, it was Chelsey herself who held the reins in matters of significance.

She wasn't afraid of her daughter blowing her top, but rather of Chelsey employing psychological warfare without uttering a word.

After a short while, she found herself outmaneuvered. Tossing aside the cotton swab, she admitted defeat with a resigned sigh. "Alright, it's a bag!"

Chelsey's mind flickered back to that new bag Gabriella had sported that evening, worth a pretty penny, no less. Considering Gabriella had only recently splurged on a bag, it seemed odd for her to acquire another so soon. But Chelsey didn't dwell on it at the time.

Noticing Chelsey's silence, Gabriella nervously inquired, "What's the deal with the bag?"

Chelsey let out a weary sigh. "Return the bag!"

Gabriella had taken quite a liking to that bag and wasn't keen on parting with it so easily. However, she knew better than to go toe-to-toe with Chelsey.

Reluctantly, she acquiesced, "Alright, I'll return it, but give me a couple of days..."

"Return it tomorrow!" Chelsey insisted, cutting off any chance for Gabriella to drag her feet.

Gabriella pouted, clearly begrudging the idea. Chelsey felt a pang of frustration, her eyes welling up with tears.

Feeling utterly embarrassed, she ground her teeth together. "Yosef accused me today, saying I'm peddling myself, and that you've been accepting his stuff as... well, you know."

Gabriella was floored, her face draining of color. She trembled, struggling to find her words.

"If it weren't for Lyric telling me, I'd still be clueless. Why keep me in the dark about something so significant?" Chelsey pressed.

Gabriella was at a loss, stuttering, "Chelsey, I never imagined it would come to this. I... How could I have foreseen Yosef, that scoundrel, would have the gall to turn the tables on you like this?"

Chelsey shook her head. "He's desperate and itching to drag me through the mud."

"So, what's the plan now? I did accept his stuff. Will the authorities take his word for it?" Gabriella had butterflies in her stomach.

If word of this got out, it would disgrace both of them. But more importantly, it would tarnish Chelsey's reputation, making it nearly impossible for her to snag a high-profile match.

No one from a respectable family would tolerate such a wife.

Chelsey shook her head again. "I don't know. For now, return the bag."

In truth, the situation had already been handled. Lyric had tipped her off that Trevor had taken care of it. The thought left her feeling utterly mortified.

But she chose not to spill the beans to Gabriella right away, hoping this ordeal would teach her a lesson about accepting gifts willy-nilly.

Gabriella, looking pale, hurriedly rang up Megan to fetch the bag from the dressing room and have it returned to the Copeland family's residence that very night.

She then slumped onto the sofa, unable to meet Chelsey's gaze.

This whole mess was entirely her fault. She had thought she was securing a good match for her daughter, but it turned out she had been duped.

"Don't bother arranging dates for me in the future," Chelsey said as she tended to her wound with a cotton swab. She had a knack for finding Gabriella's weak spots.

Gabriella nodded repeatedly, sitting there in a daze.

After this incident, anything Chelsey said would be taken as gospel.

Leaving Gabriella's place, Chelsey realized it was nearly nine o'clock. She retraced her steps but was intercepted by the butler on the way out.

"Miss Howard."

She paused, her eyebrows raising in surprise.

The butler, respectful yet somewhat distant, spoke up. "Mr. Morris wishes to see you."

Chelsey made a face.