There was also a jewelry set.
Everly rarely wore accessories. Usually dressed androgynously, she never cared much for jewelry. She would wear earrings at most, but most of the time, she kept things very simple.
It was not because she did not own jewelry. In fact, she had plenty. Her grandfather had given her all the precious jewelry passed down through the family. Even her mother did not own as many pieces as she did.
Sometimes, her mother would even borrow a couple of sets from her for special occasions.
Kaden doted on her. Every year on her birthday without fail, he would give her a piece of jewelry. She owned enough jewelry to rival a jewelry store, and every piece was exquisite. The antique family heirlooms handed down through generations were priceless.
Her cousins had always been envious. When Everly was little, they tried to sweet- talk her into giving them several sets, but she refused them every time. They belonged to her, so she would not give them away.
Maddie had also tried persuading her to give her cousins a few inexpensive pieces to strengthen their bond, but Everly refused that too.
She believed that if sisterhood had to be built around material possessions, then it was not a relationship worth having. Besides, there was no such thing as "inexpensive" jewelry in her collection. Every piece was worth a fortune.
The ones her cousins had their eyes on were the pieces left to her by her great- grandmother and grandmother. Those were priceless.
Everly could have used her allowance to buy each of them a set of gold jewelry. The pieces might not have been as valuable as those in her collection, but they certainly would not be cheap either.
However, when her cousins received the gifts, they complained that they were not expensive enough. Everly had been so angry that she took back every single gift. She never gave them anything again.
She had no intention of winning their approval either. If anything, they were the ones who tried to curry favor with her. Yet behind her back, they called her cold and reckless.
Everly had spent twenty-eight years watching her relatives. She knew their motives, sincerity, and false affection better than anyone.
If they were not sincere toward her, she naturally would not be either.
The problem was that her relatives were good at putting on an act and pretending they cared about her. Everly refused to play along, so they accused her of being cold toward her own family.
"Old Mr. Flemming is probably hoping you'll stun everyone tonight and attract the attention of more eligible young men."
Sonny teased, "He worries a lot about your marriage. I feel like whenever he sees a young man, he can't help but consider the man as a potential grandson-in-law.
"He'll investigate them, test them, and do everything he can to find you the best possible husband."
Everly's face could not help but redden.
It was not the first time her grandfather did something like that, but it was the first time someone had said it so bluntly to her face.
"My grandpa is... well, he must have caused you some trouble, right? I'm sorry. I'll talk to him when I get home."
Sonny hurriedly said, "Not at all.
What Old Mr. Flemming is doing is
perfectly normal. If I were in his position, I'd do the same. If a man took an interest in my sister, I'd investigate him from top to bottom and see whether he's good enough for her."
"Your sister must be exceptional too."
Everly knew that Sonny had a younger half-sister, and that both of them were very close. She had never met Jeanne, but Sonny had mentioned her several times.
Whenever he talked about her, his expression would unconsciously soften. Everly could tell that they had
a good relationship. He probab
doted on his sister very much.
"She is. She's going to take over from my mother someday. She's been raised as the family's successor since she was little, and she's already started taking on some family responsibilities and at Fisher Enterprise too."
It was all preparation for her eventual succession.
Liberty had said that once Jeanne turned thirty, she would retire and let Jeanne succeed her as the matriarch.
Now, Jeanne was still young and needed more time to gain experience. Liberty also hoped that Jeanne would settle down and start a family of her own before she retired, and that she could nurture the next generation of leadership.