Xo Novel
Chapter 335
Chapter 335
In the upscale showroom of Crystal Cove Villas, the display cases brimmed with watches of incomparable value. Mr. Curtis was no stranger to luxury, owning timepieces worth half a million without a blink, but receiving such an expensive gift from a woman certainly
raised eyebrows.
Money was the least of Curtis’ worries. Around the table sat old friends, deep in camaraderie, where gifts were merely symbolic gestures, often left unopened at home.
“I put all my savings into it, and if it weren’t for Mr. Curtis stepping in, I’d have lost millions,” Grace said gratefully. “This watch is nothing compared to the help he gave me.”
It made sense, in a way.
Devin, looking rather unimpressed, snapped the watch box shut and handed it to Curtis, who didn’t even glance at it.
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Curtis gave a half-smile, clearly unenthused, “You’re overthinking it. I didn’t do it for you; I did it for Skyler. It’s him who owes the favor, not you-”
His gaze was casual yet piercing, “This watch should really go to him.”
At that, Devin tossed the watch back, “My brother doesn’t want it.”
Grace failed to catch it, and the watch hit the floor. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Curtis added, “These volatile investments aren’t for the faint-hearted.”
The room tensed up until Skyler bent down to pick up the box. “Can’t you ever sugar-coat your words?”
Curtis shot him a look, his sarcasm sharp as ever, “Be glad I bailed you out, or you’d be . here without even your underwear to your name.”
“Alright, alright,” Skyler quickly conceded, “I owe you big time.”
1.4
Just then, a waiter approached with a small, neatly wrapped box, bowing slightly as he presented it with a trained, soft voice, “Mr. Richardson, this is from Ms. Castillo. Happy Birthday, and may you live to be ninety-nine.”
What a blessing.
Mr. Curtis felt surprisingly honored, his eyebrows raising in delight, “She prepared a gift?”
He eagerly opened the unassuming black box on the tray.
“What did your wife get you?” Devin leaned in curiously.
Inside was a simple SD card.
“An SD card?” The group exchanged puzzled looks.
no
Nobody expected Leanne to give something so mundane.
Devin, expecting something more impressive than Grace’s gift, clicked his tongue in disappointment, “Leanne isn’t as generous as Grace. That thing’s barely worth two
hundred.”
Curtis kicked at him playfully, and with muscle memory from previous dodges, Devin swiftly moved aside.
“Must mean something if Leanne sent it,” Grace suggested.
Curtis held the card, thoughtful. “Anyone got a camera?” Then he asked.
“Why would I bring a camera to dinner?” Devin stood up, “I’ll find one.”
When Leanne returned, Donna was visibly anxious, “Where have you been so long?”
“Just a crowd in the restroom.”
“I didn’t see many people when I was there. You should’ve come with me.”
Donna, preoccupied with her thoughts, barely tasted her famous Beef Wellington.
“I’m torn about switching jobs. The new place seems more relaxed, with weekends off, but I’ve been at our hospital so long, it’s hard to leave you all.”
“How’s the pay?” Leanne inquired.
“It’s better than here but still not what I hoped for. If it was double, I wouldn’t hesitate.”
Weighing pros and cons together, Donna wavered.
Leanne suggested whimsically, “Let’s leave it to fate.”
She took out her phone, opened the emoji dice “Roll it. Odd, you take it; even, you don’t.”
“That’s your solution?” Donna took the phone, watching the dice spin. Leanne watched her face intently.
When it stopped at three, Donna declared, “Looks like fate wants me to take it.”
But Leanne observed, “Your disappointed face says otherwise.”
Taken aback, Donna laughed, relieved, “Coming to you was the right choice today.”