Chapter: 611
Dakota and Jane sat to either side of her, regarding her with such reverence and respect, while Florence and James only stood by the side, appearing exceptionally meek. They looked like household staff who were waiting on her when they were, in fact, the rightful owners of the place.
“Honey, you’re finally home!” Florence quickly went up to Dahlia when she saw her. However, just as she was about to continue, she caught sight of Dustin following in behind Dahlia. Her expression immediately darkened as she hissed, “Who asked for you to be here, Rhys! I haven’t made you pay for the fake gemstone your father gave me yesterday! How dare you show your face here today?”
“Fake gemstone?” Dustin raised a brow at that.
“Are you mistaken? Rufus might be a degenerate, but he’d never stoop so low as to fool others with fake goods.”
“Hah! How dare you make excuses! I sent Julie to have the gemstone appraised, and they confirmed that it was a synthetic gemstone! I’m warning you, you better pay for my loss! I won’t back off without at least 5 million dollars!” Florence demanded meanly.
“Mom, there might be some misunderstanding going on.” Dahlia tried to smooth things over between them.
“Hah! What misunderstanding could there be? We have already proven that it’s a fake gemstone! His entire family is full of swindlers!” Florence spat angrily.
“Hey! What are you bunch bickering about? Don’t you see that my grandma is here? Get over here and pay your respects!” Dakota barked impatiently from the couch. How dare they whisper and chat among themselves when her grandmother was right there in the center of the living room? Didn’t they know that they should greet her and pay their respects to her first? How rude!
“Hmph! I’m not done with you yet!” Florence glared at Dustin angrily. But when she turned towards Gloria, there was a bright smile on her face once again. Dustin shook his head at her subservient attitude.
“Dahlia, this is Madam Gloria. She’s an important person in the Nicholson family!” Florence gestured towards the heavily made–up old lady fawningly.
“It is an honor to meet you, Madam Gloria.” Dahlia nodded at Gloria respectively. From the looks of it, Gloria did not look like someone who was nice to be around.
“Tea.” Gloria sat in the middle of the living room with her hands on her cane, looking condescending and arrogant.
“Quick! Serve Madam Gloria some tea!” Florence immediately signaled Dahlia.
Dahlia nodded, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Gloria respectfully.
“Is this how you serve tea? Have you no manners?” Gloria asked darkly.
“What?” Dahlia did not understand what she meant by that.
“Grandma, this is just how uncultured people behave. They do not know how to conduct themselves befitting of elite families like ours.” Dakota smirked.
“Dahlia Nicholson, don’t you know that in the Nicholson family, it’s customary for one to stand behind their elders and serve them tea with both hands from behind? That’s how you show your respect and sincerity.”
“Standing behind them and serving tea from behind?” Dahlia frowned. Does anyone still do that these days? She wasn’t a maid–in–waiting, for goodness‘ sake!
“What? You’re not willing to do so? It looks like you’re being disrespectful to my grandma!” Dakota remarked snidely.
“No, no! That’s definitely not the case!” Florence waved her hands quickly.
“Dahlia’s just not used to these customs. Please do not get angry, Madam Gloria. I’ll serve you tea.” Flustered, Florence took the tea from Dahlia and went around to stand behind Gloria, serving her tea respectfully with both hands.
“Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re even fit to serve me tea?” Gloria looked at Florence with such contempt, clearly having no intention to take the cup of tea from her.
“Well…” Florence’s smile stiffened as she stood there awkwardly. In the end, she had no choice but to turn to Dahlia.
“Honey, quick, serve Madam Gloria her tea. It makes perfect sense for you to serve your elders tea.”