Chapter 136: The Dinner Was Unusually Quiet

The dinner was unusually quiet. Clara Whitmore just wanted it to end quickly.

"Clara, your bag..." Diane Harrow set down the fruit platter, her gaze lingering on Clara's handbag. "It looks quite exquisite. Is it designer?"

The table fell silent.

Denise Carver spoke first. "I've seen that bag before. The wealthy socialites on TV all carry it. What's it called... the Picnic?"

"Mom!" Tessa Carver rolled her eyes. "That's the limited-edition Picnic bag."

"Oh my!" Denise dramatically covered her mouth. "The one that costs hundreds of thousands?"

Clara sighed inwardly. She'd saved up to buy this entry-level bag herself, never expecting it to be recognized.

"Just a knockoff from a street vendor," she said lightly. "Only a few hundred bucks."

Denise smirked. "Not even a good replica. Just a fake."

"Yeah," Clara nodded. "I just liked how it looked."

Tessa gave her a knowing glance.

Diane smoothly changed the subject. "Everyone, try these cherries."

Denise immediately chimed in. "You must've bought the premium 4J grade, right?"

"I wouldn't know," Diane smiled. "I just picked the most expensive ones. Daniel and his father love them."

"Isn't Daniel coming home for New Year's?" Denise feigned surprise.

Diane couldn't hide her pride. "He's starting his business in Bellwether. The company's just getting off the ground—too busy to leave."

"My, Daniel's so accomplished," Denise said sourly. "No wonder Grandma and Grandpa dote on their eldest grandson."

Clara quietly ate her fruit. The Whitmores' favoritism toward sons wasn't new. As the only grandson, Daniel had been the golden child since birth.

The more Denise thought about it, the more resentful she grew. She glanced at Clara, then at her own daughter, finally feeling somewhat mollified.

At least Tessa had a job at the power bureau and could marry well someday...

Still better than unemployed Clara.