Chapter 8 Celestial Agate Bead

• Garrick finally found another opportunity to humiliate Clinton.
• "Janice, today is Great-Grandma's birthday."
• He thought of another way to humiliate Clinton. "Where is your gift? Did you not even prepare a gift?"
• It was happening. Finally, it was happening.
• Janice knew Garrick was targeting her to embarrass Clinton.
• She reluctantly took out the gift she had prepared.
• "The gift for Great-Grandma is with me."
• Clinton took a small box out of his pocket. "Here, give this to Great-Grandma. I am sure she will like it."
• Everyone was surprised that Clinton prepared Janice's gift.
• Who was he, anyway? How did he end up at a Shaw Family event?
• The Shaw Family members were unsure, and Sean was even more clueless.
• The sight of Clinton caused Sean's anger to intensify.
• He had thought Janice had spoken up for him, but it seemed like things were not as he had imagined.
• Janice looked at Clinton in disbelief.
• When did he prepare a gift?
• She had only told him that morning about Elizabeth's birthday.
• However, the box in her hand made clear that Clinton had prepared something.
• She was afraid to open it, afraid its value might be lower than what she had prepared.
• Clinton used to be a security guard. How could he afford anything valuable?
• She wished she had given her gift to Elizabeth earlier to avoid being mocked.
• Still, she had no choice now.
• She had to present this gift.
• "Great-Grandma, happy birthday. I wish you good health and longevity. May your life be as grand as the mountains and be as eternal as the sea."
• Clinton felt a sense of satisfaction when he heard her speak.
• This was the proper way to give birthday blessings, unlike the others who recited them like they were reading off a script.
• 'My wife is the best!' he thought to himself.
• When Garrick saw Clinton's proud expression, he quickly moved in front of Elizabeth.
• "Great-Grandma, let me help you open it."
• Everyone knew Garrick had ill intentions. He wanted to embarrass Clinton.
• However, no one said anything. They also disliked Clinton.
• When the lid was opened, there was only a bead inside, tied with a string.
• "Haha!"
• Upon seeing it was just a bead, Garrick laughed. "Janice, are you so poor that you can only buy something from a roadside stall as a birthday gift for Great-Grandma?
• "You really put a lot of thought into it. You actually gave her something like this."
• Sean joined in the mockery. "If you're short on funds, just tell me."
• 'You are rich, but you still bought a fake painting. You lost a million and are still 500,000 in debt.'
• Janice only thought that, though. She did not say it out loud.
• She turned and coldly looked at Clinton.
• Clinton gave her a reassuring look.
• She wanted to respond to Sean but knew she could not.
• "Yes, Janice, you are too much. How could you just give Great-Grandma one bead?"
• "I cannot believe it. Janice, who is usually very generous, actually gave a cheap gift to Great-Grandma."
• "It's no wonder. Great-Grandma is old and not much use to her. She naturally wouldn't put much heart into a gift."
• ...
• The Shaw Family members criticized Janice one after another.
• Janice wished she could disappear.
• It was so humiliating, and their words were so harsh.
• Garrick and Sean were delighted, with Garrick glancing at Clinton in glee.
• Clinton stood there, seemingly unaffected, as he listened to their ridicule.
• Where was Clinton's arrogance? Why wasn't he keeping up with it?
• "Everyone, do not be surprised," Garrick said. "After all, Janice just got married. She needs to save money for her new life."
• This shocked everyone.
• Huh? What did he mean?
• Janice was now married!
• When did that happen?
• Everyone looked at Garrick, confused.
• Sean stared at Garrick, waiting for an explanation.
• Was he cheated on?
• Garrick realized he had slipped up.
• He had not wanted everyone to know about Janice and Clinton yet.
• He and his father had planned to announce it at the banquet.
• What should he do now?
• Should he properly expose it?
• At that moment, the door opened once more.
• "It is alright. You go ahead. We just came to see Mrs. Shaw."
• "Yes, yes, go ahead. We know you must be very busy today. Do not mind us."
• Two elderly men entered, and the Shaw Family greeter, after taking a glance inside the room, left.
• "Mrs. Shaw, may your life be as enduring as the mountains."
• "Mrs. Shaw, may you be blessed with a long life, health, and happiness."
• The two men ignored everyone else and went straight to Elizabeth as they offered their birthday wishes.
• Everyone looked at each other in confusion.
• They had been ready to pounce on Janice and Clinton.
• However, the sudden appearance of these two men threw them off.
• Still, someone in the crowd recognized them.
• "Great-Grandpa was a teacher. They were his students."
• "Oh, I remember. One is Scott Barker, the curator of the Deelton Museum. The other is Milton Pollard, a prominent businessman and seasoned collector."
• It was only then that everyone realized the two men were successful figures in society.
• Garrick and Sean were very frustrated. They had been about to humiliate Janice and Clinton.
• Sean had many questions about what Garrick just said.
• However, that topic had to be put aside for now.
• "Good."
• Elizabeth kept to her usual script. "Thank you."
• She continued to play with the bead Janice had given her.
• The bead felt very comfortable to hold in her hands.
• Scott noticed Mrs. Shaw's focus on the bead and grew curious. He took a closer look.
• He nudged Milton, who also examined the bead.
• They exchanged a shocked look.
• "Mrs. Shaw, may we take a closer look at this bead?" Scott asked. "We will return it very soon."
• Elizabeth reluctantly handed over the bead with her eyes still glued to it.
• Everyone watched the two elderly men, not understanding their actions but not interrupting either.
• "It really is it."
• Scott exclaimed after examining the bead. "I never thought I would see this in my lifetime."
• "Yes. How lucky we are," Milton said.
• Everyone was even more confused. Could these two men not speak clearly?
• Their cryptic words were maddening.
• "Sirs."
• Garrick stepped forward. "Can you explain what's so great about this? We are all confused."
• The two men snapped out of their trance.