Flash Marriage With Mr. Sheffield: Go Away, Cheap Man!-Chapter 168: The Old Lady’s Odd Behavior

The private room was spacious, with a large round table in the center that could accommodate about twenty people for dining, and the dishes were already set on the table.

Beside it was a chat and relaxation area, furnished with a coffee table and sofa.

The room was decorated in a simple and elegant style, quite sophisticated.

The furniture was made of exquisite antique rosewood, and ink paintings hung on the walls, while precious orchids bloomed vibrantly in the intricately carved windows.

Madam Sheffield sat on the sofa in the relaxation area, wearing a deep blue cheongsam paired with matching jewel accessories, looking healthy and energetic.

The grandchildren said something that made the old lady laugh heartily, in a great mood.

Silas Sheffield brought Clara Sterling into the private room, greeting her with a soft "Grandma."

The old lady looked over, still smiling, "Silas is here."

Her gaze then fell upon Clara Sterling, and the old lady showed a rare smile, "Clara is here too, have a seat."

Clara Sterling was momentarily surprised inside.

She thought it must be because Madam Sheffield was in a great mood for her birthday celebration, hence the exceptional smile towards her.

Sophie Sheffield, seated beside the old lady, winked at Clara Sterling.

Clara Sterling then understood that that smile from Madam Sheffield was thanks to Sophie Sheffield.

She returned the gesture with a smile to Sophie Sheffield.

"Hello, brother and sister-in-law," greeted their cousins, Ivan Sheffield and Hannah Sheffield, in unison.

Cousin Miles Sheffield nodded to them, as if to say hello.

Simon Sheffield also smiled and politely said, "Silas, sister-in-law, you’re here."

Simon Sheffield is Miles’s younger brother, aged nineteen, studying in the second year at Crestwood University of Science and Technology. He bears a close resemblance to Miles, except for one appearing mature and reserved, and the other seeming young and shy.

Clara Sterling responded to each of them with a smile, then turned to the servant following behind with gifts, preparing to present the gift she had prepared for Madam Sheffield.

At that moment, Thea Tate entered, "Grandma, I’m here to give you your birthday gift."

Clara Sterling paused in her movement, instinctively looking over at Thea Tate.

Thea Tate placed a rectangular ink-colored box on the table in front of the old lady.

"Grandma, here’s the gift I’m giving you. See if you like it."

"Alright, you’re thoughtful," Madam Sheffield responded with a faint smile.

Clara Sterling wondered if it was just her illusion, feeling that the old lady’s attitude towards Thea Tate seemed less warm than before.

In the past, whenever Thea Tate was around, Madam Sheffield would affectionately call "Thea" and her smile was genuine.

Now, the tone was distant, and the smile appeared somewhat formal and detached.

Thea Tate seemed to notice the change in the old lady’s attitude, hesitating slightly.

But she soon composed herself and opened the box with a smile, saying, "Grandma, this is a Tang Dynasty ink painting I bought from a Chinese collector in Freedonia, you like it?"

Susan Saxon’s smile froze at the mention of "Freedonia," recalling something unpleasant.

Then, Susan Saxon’s gaze fell on the painting, her brow furrowed, her expression obviously displeased, but she said nothing.

Thea Tate saw the old lady’s expression change, her heart racing, tentatively asking, "Grandma, what’s wrong, do you not like it?"

Out of nowhere, Ivan Sheffield interjected, "This painting is a forgery."

Thea Tate furrowed her brow, repressing her anger, turned to Ivan Sheffield and said, "Kids shouldn’t talk nonsense, I paid over eight million to a renowned collector for this, how could it be a fake?"

"Why are you being harsh on my brother?" Hannah Sheffield was unhappy with this, sneering at Thea Tate, "He wasn’t wrong, the painting is indeed a fake, the real one hangs in our grandfather’s study at the family mansion."

Upon hearing this, Thea Tate’s heart dropped, staring at Madam Sheffield, "Grandma, is it true what they say?"

Although Thea Tate had visited the Sheffield family mansion, she’d only stayed in the living and dining rooms, and had no privilege to enter private places like the grandfather’s study.

It was not surprising she didn’t know which paintings hung there.

Susan Saxon nodded, "They’re not wrong, that painting has been hanging in my husband’s study for over a decade, yours is indeed a fake."

Thea Tate’s mind went blank.

Not being able to reason with Silas Sheffield, she could only try her luck with the old lady.

She had made a great effort to have her ex-boyfriend Sean Quill, who was far away in Freedonia, help her purchase the painting, thinking the old lady would surely love it.

If the old lady was delighted, maybe she could feign vulnerability and cry a bit before her, then perhaps she wouldn’t have to apologize to Clara Sterling publicly.

But who would’ve thought, the painting turned out to be a forgery?

Sean Quill was so unreliable, she spent eight million just to buy a counterfeit?

"Grandma, I’m sorry I didn’t know..." Thea Tate hurried to apologize, "I didn’t know it was a fake, I didn’t mean to, I was tricked into doing a bad deed with good intentions, I..."

As she spoke, Thea Tate’s tears began to fall like rain, she looked pitifully aggrieved.

"Enough." The old lady felt annoyed by her display, "Today is my 80th birthday, why are you crying?"

If someone didn’t know better they’d think she was mourning, how utterly unfortunate.

Susan Saxon thought this, but had no intention of cursing herself, so she didn’t say it outright.

Thea Tate heard this and realized the old lady was displeased, quickly ceasing her tears, "Grandma I..."

Susan Saxon spoke indifferently, "I know you didn’t do it on purpose, don’t say anything more, your seat is outside, the birthday banquet is about to begin, please head out, we family members are about to dine."

Susan Saxon was blunt in dismissing her.

It was the first time.

Now, Thea Tate was completely stunned.

What’s up with the old lady today?

Why the total change in attitude towards her?

Never before had the old lady given her the cold shoulder.

Could it be that Clara Sterling had whispered something to the old lady...

Thea Tate cast a hateful glance at Clara Sterling.

Clara Sterling laughed, "Miss Tate, why are you glaring at me? I’ve said nothing."

"Miss Tate, didn’t you hear grandma’s words? We family members are about to eat, why are you, an outsider, still here?" Hannah Sheffield sternly urged her.

Thea Tate was utterly exasperated, how dare Hannah Sheffield, a mere child, disdain her?

Enraged, she clenched her fists, wanting to retort, but surrounded by the whole Sheffield family, she suppressed all her anger and reluctantly left.

Clara Sterling glanced in the direction Thea Tate had left, then looked back at Madam Sheffield Susan Saxon, puzzled within.

What was wrong with grandma today?

Her attitude towards Thea Tate was entirely different from before.

What happened?