Chapter 74
The people around them were already whispering among themselves.
Anyone could see that was just a wooden bracelet-cheap and worthless.
If you can’t afford a proper gift, fine. But to show up with something like that? What a joke.
Unbelievable. Absolutely ridiculous.
A few people couldn’t help but snicker; it was the sort of story that would have everyone else rolling their eyes in disbelief.
Effie, unbothered by the murmurs, stepped forward with calm composure. She held out the bracelet to Selma with both hands. “Grandma, this is my gift for you. Wishing you health and happiness.”
Selma took the box and examined the bracelet inside.
How unusual! The bracelet was unlike anything she’d seen. A faint, pleasant scent of wood drifted from it, soothing and refreshing.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Selma’s eyes before her lips curved into a rare smile. “Effie, this bracelet… Where did you find it?”
This was no ordinary trinket. It was the kind of treasure you couldn’t buy, no matter how wealthy you were.
But before Effie could answer, Suzan jumped in, eager to downplay the moment. “Grandma, wooden bracelets like that are everywhere. You could pick one up for a few bucks.”
Vera, standing nearby, put on a gentle smile. “It’s the thought that counts, not the price tag. Effie clearly put a lot of thought into this.” But the slight curl at the corner of Vera’s mouth betrayed the contempt she felt.
Effie didn’t need anyone’s help to embarrass herself, they thought—she was doing a fine job on her own.
Effie hadn’t even started to explain when a well-dressed businessman caught sight of the bracelet in Selma’s hand. His eyes widened in astonishment. “Wait a minute—is that what I think it is? That’s agarwood-‘the diamond of woods,’ the rarest and most prized in the fragrance world! How did you get your hands on something like that?”
A hush fell over the crowd.
To see such a thing in their lifetime-this was the ultimate luxury, a rarity even among the wealthy. No amount of money could guarantee you’d ever find one.
And the man who spoke was none other than Mr. Lloyd, a renowned collector in Neo-Arcadia. If anyone knew what he was talking about, it was him.
“Mr. Lloyd, is that wood really so special?” someone blurted out. “We thought it was just ordinary wood.”
Suzan piped up again, flustered. “Exactly! It looks common enough. The craftsmanship is nice, sure, but it’s hardly anything rare.”
Effie shot Suzan a cool glance. “Ignorance is nothing to be proud of. If you don’t know, it’s better to keep quiet than to advertise your lack of intelligence.”
Suzan was left speechless, her face turning pale with embarrassment.
She glanced at Mitchell, hoping he’d come to her rescue, but his gaze was fixed on Effie, his expression unreadable.
Damn Effie! Suzan fumed, grinding her heel into the floor.
Had she really said something wrong? It was wood, wasn’t it? No matter how much they hyped it up, it couldn’t change what it was.
But Mr. Lloyd spoke up again, shaking his head. “Some things are best left to the experts. This is agarwood, known in medical circles as the ‘King of Emergencies.’ Its scent is so unique, people call it ‘nature’s perfume.’ Even after a hundred years, the fragrance lingers. The one in Mrs. Selma’s hand is truly exceptional- its color and aroma are both rare.”
He smiled warmly at Selma. “It’s also a symbol of status. It brings peace of mind and soothes the emotions, especially for older folks. It helps with sleep and relaxation. This isn’t just a gift-it’s priceless, impossible to measure with money.”
Mr. Lloyd added with a genial laugh, “If you don’t like it, Mrs. Selma, I’ll gladly buy it from you for two million. Or, if you prefer, you can pick any gift you want from my collection.”