"Mabel, since you’re also from the Quinn Family, let’s just resolve this matter quietly. You and Alessia can shake hands and make peace. Alessia has already reflected on this incident, so please don’t hold onto it," said Christopher Quinn.
"So, Second Uncle, you’re saying that when your daughter deliberately trampled on my dress, I should just accept it as bad luck, right?" Mabel Quinn retorted without backing down.
Christopher Quinn, displeased, said, "Why are you speaking ? One should be forgiving whenever possible. After all, Alessia is a young lady of the Quinn Family. If you continue this conflict with her, what other outcome can there be aside from making us a laughingstock?" If it wasn’t for the fact that Kyle Kinston was backing Mabel, Christopher wouldn’t have stooped so low as to say these things to her.
"There’s another saying, ’A promise made is a promise kept.’ Since Alessia is a young lady of the Quinn Family, she should uphold such virtues," Mabel replied calmly. "She’s the one who made the promise, so she should fulfill it."
"You—" Christopher was left speechless.
Alessia Quinn jumped in, "Mabel Quinn, what do you mean by this? My dad is talking to you nicely, and this is your attitude?"
Mabel gave Alessia a cold glance, as if to say she still needed to act grateful?
"Enough!" Edward Quinn’s voice echoed again, silencing Alessia immediately.
"Alessia was wrong in this matter, and since she made a mistake, she should bear the consequences. Christopher, compensate Mabel for this with money on behalf of your daughter."
No matter how much he disliked it, Christopher had no choice but to agree.
"I hope this ends here. Alessia, since you bear the Quinn name, don’t disgrace it. Otherwise, you might as well not carry this surname!" Edward’s words were heavy indeed.
Alessia immediately withdrew, not daring to make another sound.
Edward Quinn turned his gaze to Mabel, as if examining her, pondering, "It’s been many years since I’ve seen you. Your father passed away early; otherwise, he would be comforted to see his daughter grow up ." As he spoke, he removed a jade ring from his pinky finger, "Take this little token as a greeting gift."
"No need," Mabel quickly responded.
But Edward firmly pressed the jade ring into Mabel’s hand, "This is from your eldest uncle. Take it. If your father were around, he would insist you accept it."
Mabel hesitated for a moment but eventually accepted the jade ring.
Alessia glared resentfully at Mabel. She had coveted this ring from her uncle before, but he never gave it to her. She never thought it would end up with Mabel.
Even though Alessia held much discontent, she dared not say anything further.
Mabel left the drawing-room, still clutching the ring, which was still warm. In her memory, Edward Quinn, this uncle, was almost always stern, and as a child, she was somewhat "afraid" of him.
But today, her uncle’s attitude toward her could even be considered gentle.
As Mabel was pondering, she heard a voice behind her, "Can we talk, Mabel Quinn?"
Mabel turned to see Francine Howards, "I wonder what Miss Howards wants to discuss?"
Francine smiled slightly, "Between you and me, there’s only Kyle to talk about, isn’t there?"