The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 29: Antique Bracelet

Quentin Rowe gathered his thoughts and then turned his gaze to Maya Monroe, loudly saying: "You really haven’t changed one bit, Maya! You talk such a good game, but look at that bracelet—it’s so drab and lifeless, how could it possibly be something valuable! How could you bring such a worthless thing to fool the old lady!?"

Maya knew what to expect in this situation. What she needed to do next was to argue a bit more, putting on the appearance of stubbornness, to set the stage for Kiki’s subsequent counterattack.

But before she could say anything, she heard Ian Rowe beside her speak up: "Aunt, you should be careful with your words."

His voice was calm, yet there was an undeniable pressure within it.

Maya, like everyone around, was stunned. This wasn’t how it went in the script—Ian defending her?

Wasn’t he supposed to be utterly disgusted with her? Why would he speak on her behalf?

Could it be for his own reputation? That must be it. If she were exposed in front of everyone, it wouldn’t look good for him, too.

That had to be the only explanation that made sense.

Quentin Rowe was shocked that Ian would actually confront a senior for Maya.

"Ian, what do you mean by this? Are you saying you think I’m intentionally picking on Maya? I don’t have any deep-seated hatred against her, why would I intentionally point out her faults!"

Kiki spoke up at this moment: "Mr. Rowe, please don’t be angry."

She then looked at Yolanda Sawyer, her face full of apology: "I’m sorry, it’s all my fault for not picking out gifts with my sister, which led to this slip-up and sister getting deceived by those unscrupulous merchants. But please believe in her intentions; she didn’t choose such a gift on purpose, she must have been tricked. I apologize on her behalf!"

Kiki finished speaking and then bowed three times.

In her heart, Maya gave Kiki a thumbs-up. Main characters truly deserve their status—they can kill with invisible means!

With that, she admitted that her carefully prepared gift wasn’t anything good, and incidentally mocked herself for being silly enough to easily be deceived by others.

Yolanda Sawyer still held the bracelet Maya gave, but her expression wasn’t looking too good now.

Sticking to the script, Maya made a last-ditch effort: "Kiki, what nonsense are you spouting? I bought this from a master; although the bracelet doesn’t look impressive, it’s actually very precious—you can’t buy it just with money!!"

These words were all made up on the spot, just to make herself embarrassed later.

Kiki looked at her with a pitiful glance: "Sister, just apologize, everyone knows you didn’t bring this out to brush off, just apologize to the old lady and it will be fine."

"You’re the one who didn’t have the eyesight, why should I apologize!"

To Kiki, this strongly resembled stubbornness.

"Sister, if you’re like this..."

"Enough!" Ian interjected impatiently: "As long as the sentiment of the gift is there, that’s what matters, isn’t it, grandma?"

Yolanda Sawyer was taken aback, then laughed: "Yes, yes indeed."

She hadn’t expected Ian’s attitude towards Maya to change so much, seeing the couple in harmony, what better gift could there be?

Eric Rowe chimed in: "My sister-in-law put so much thought into this gift, it already shows her filial piety!"

He glanced unhappily at Kiki.

This was clearly a family matter, yet Kiki wouldn’t stop chattering on, wasn’t this ruining the atmosphere?

At that moment, Howard Rowe, who always remained quiet, spoke slowly: "Grandma, may I take a look at this bracelet?"

"Why, is there something special about this bracelet?" Yolanda Sawyer handed it over.

"I’m not sure yet."

Howard Rowe took the bracelet cautiously, examining it closely.

Maya slightly frowned; this was not in the script at all.

"This... this..." Howard was too excited to finish his sentence.

Maya suddenly had a bad feeling.

Yolanda Sawyer asked him: "What’s up with it, is there something wrong with this bracelet?"

All eyes turned to Howard, who rarely spoke, but every word he did say was credible.

"I once saw this bracelet in my teacher’s records; it’s an antique from the Sothan Dynasty, once auctioned for a sky-high price at the Claremont auction in ’37, but got lost during wartime. Many couldn’t trace it, who would’ve thought my sister-in-law bought it back!"

Yolanda Sawyer wasn’t particularly fond of jewelry, but upon hearing this from Howard, she couldn’t help but ask: "Are you sure this is the one?"

"I’d say there’s a strong possibility. I could have my teacher authenticate it someday." Howard’s eyes were gleaming with eagerness.

Yolanda Sawyer waved it off: "All these twists and turns sound troublesome, there’s no need for special authentication. Regardless, it’s about Maya’s intentions, that’s what counts!"

Kiki and Quentin Rowe didn’t look pleased, and Maya’s expression was equally complicated.

She never imagined the trinket she found at a small stall would turn out to be an antique; this one-in-a-million chance just happened to fall into her hands, her luck was unbelievable!

Eric Rowe smiled at Maya: "No wonder my sister-in-law said it took a long time to prepare, this bracelet must have cost you a lot, didn’t it?"

"It didn’t cost much, just lucky, that’s all."

Yolanda Sawyer looked at Quentin, her tone somewhat reproachful: "You’re an auntie now, and look what you’ve stirred up, I even praised you for being stable before!"

Quentin Rowe could only stand aside and listen to the lecture.

She knew saying bad things about Maya on the day of the birthday celebration undoubtedly spoiled Yolanda’s mood. Yet, she was keen to put Maya in her place, little did she expect Maya to present something this exceptional.

Thinking about this, she couldn’t help but blame Kiki as well.