Chapter 6 How You Address Me
“I was just curious.”
Sadie stated flatly. “Or do you perhaps think I deliberately set things up, then stepped in to save Mr. Alexander, all to curry favor with Lady Talulla and him? But I’m just a fourteen–year–old girl. I don’t have such cunning or scheming.”
Zephyr playfully retorted, “Is that so?”
At that tense moment. Alexander rushed in with a plate of freshly baked pastries “Sadie, you must try the jujube cakes from Grandmother’s courtyard! They taste better than anywhere else!”
Sadie took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation she felt toward Zephyr.
She picked up a piece of jujube cake. “Thank you, Mr. Alexander.”
“Oh my!” Alexander said, scratching his head shyly. “No need for formalities. Just call me Alexander! After my mother passed away, my father didn’t remarry for a long time. Then he suddenly married your mother. 1 had a hard time accepting it, so I ended up disliking you, too. But now that I know you’re a good person. I don’t dislike you anymore. I’m more than happy to be your brother!”
Under the candlelight, the young man’s eyes were bright. He was behaving like a defiant puppy that had just been patted on the head.
“Alexander, Sadie called out crisply.
Alexander had never played the role of an older brother before; his ears tinged with a subtle blush as he earnestly responded with a simple hum,
Zephyr gave a soft chuckle, leisurely setting down his book.
Only then did Alexander notice that he was also present.
He quickly offered up a jujube cake. “Zephyr, would you like a piece, too?”
“There are some matters at High Court.”
Zephyr picked up the cloak handed to him by the maid and promptly left Pine Manor.
After he left, Alexander slyly pulled Sadie aside. “Next month is Grandmother’s sixtieth birthday. What are you planning to give her?”
“Sixtieth birthday?”
“Exactly! My father planned to
throw a grand celebration. All the prominent officials and wealthy merchants.
from our county would be joining.”
Sadie curled her fingers slightly.
She didn’t have much money on hand, so she couldn’t afford to buy expensive gifts.
She could have stitched a “Blessing of Longevity” embroidery, but sadly, her sewing skills were not up to
par
“Truth be told, I’m not exactly rolling in cash,” Alexander confessed, feeling troubled. “My father is always
Chapter 6 How You Address Me.
scrimping on my monthly salary, so the gifts 1 buy can’t possibly compete with those from my three brothers, Sadie, why don’t we pool our money and Buy a gift together?”
After giving it some thought, Sadie nodded and responded, “All right.”
It just so happened that they didn’t have to attend classes at the academy the next day. So, the two agreed to meet at the entrance around noon, planning to go together to Silk Street to pick out a gift.
The next day.
Sadie and Alexander visited the most renowned jewelry shop on Silk Street.
Alexander picked up a hairpin and held it up to Sadie’s head. “This looks good on you.”
It was a pure silver hairpin, the top of which was adorned with two intricately designed silver butterflies. The wings of the butterflies seemed to flutter and shimmer in the light.
Sadie had never seen such a unique silver hairpin before. Intrigued, she took it and said. “Let me take a look.
“Sadie?”
A surprised voice suddenly rang out.
Daisy sauntered over, with Neville trailing behind her.
Sadie hadn’t expected to run into them here. She greeted them with a polite yet distant tone, “Daisy. Neville.
Alexander perked up his ears, his gaze critically sweeping over Neville.
Daisy smiled and said, “Sadie, I saw this silver butterfly hairpin first.”
Annoyed. Neville snatched the silver hairpin and rebuked, “Sadie, why must you always compete with your sister? She spotted this hairpin the moment we entered the shop, and yet you took it!”
Alexander chuckled, utterly speechless.
He swiftly pulled Sadie behind him, then grabbed the silver hairpin in one swift motion. “Who do you two think you are? How dare you snatch something from my sister’s hands? Are you tired of living?”
Neville asked, clearly annoyed, “Who the hell are you?”
Only then did Daisy notice Alexander.
She couldn’t help but be taken aback.
In the previous life, the four sons of the Gates family never even acknowledged Sadie, let alone treated her as a sister
Why would Alexander stand up for Sallie in this lifetime?
Not only did he call her his sister, but he even went shopping with her!
“Who am I?” Alexander’s eyes flashed defiantly, “Sadie, tell them who I am!”
Sadie responded, “Neville, he’s the fourth son of The Duke from the Gates family, Alexander Gates.”
Chapter 6 How You Address Me
Finished
Though Alexander was the same age as Neville, he stood a good half a head taller, his imposing stature. giving off an intimidating aura. This was further accentuated by his bejeweled bracelet and gold necklace, which exuded great craftsmanship. He exuded an air of regal arrogance that made him seem untouchable. In comparison, Neville was simply out of his league.
Alexander, however, was far from pleased with Sadie’s introduction.
He gently grasped the sleeve of the young girl, whispering. “Why do you make it sound so formal?”
He couldn’t help but feel upset.
Upon hearing this. Sadie felt a chill run down her spine, and she quickly added, “He’s also my brother from the Gates Estate.”
Alexander was still unsatisfied. “They have three sons in their family, and we have four in ours. Are we all the same to you?”
After some thought, Sadie replied, “I do treat you as my brother, Alexander”
Alexander rolled his eyes. “Sadie, if you can’t come up with something better, I won’t let you off the hook Today!
Sadie braced herself. “Um… Alex?”
Her voice was clear and sweet.
Alexander’s lips twitched upward in an instant. “Not bad.”
The sight of the two whispering to each other did not escape Neville’s keen observation.
He discreetly clenched his fists, a peculiar sensation welling up within his chest
Even though I really despise Sadie, how could she possibly refer to an outsider as her brother?
They’re so cringey as well!
He gave Sadie a once–over from head to toe.
Compared to her past days in the county where she was clad in simple clothes, she now wore a dress with a straight neckline made of fine silk, adorned with a butterfly pattern. It seemed as if even her delicate face had gained a touch of softness and charm..
In truth, the days following Sadie’s departure were a complete mess for him.
Every day, he would practice martial arts, often staining his clothes with sweat and mud. In the past, it was always Sadie who personally washed his clothes for him, and each time, they would come out looking as good as new.
However, the maids had been slacking off, failing to clean properly. As a result, his clothes always seemed
and wrinkled. grubby, stained a dingy yellow, and appeared worn–o
பா
Neville clenched his fists, sneering, “Sadie, after climbing up the social ladder, you’re looking down on us, huh?”
Sadie earnestly replied, “Before Mother went to the Gates Estate, she let Daisy and I choose who would go with her. I was only given what Daisy didn’t want, so how did it become me climbing up the social ladder?”
Chapter 6 How You Address Me
Finished
Neville was furious. “You dare to talk back now? Ever since you joined the Gates family, you’ve lost all sense of yoursell in your arrogance! Sadic, if you don’t want me to despise you, hurry home and was my clothed Besides the ones soaking in the wooden tubs, wash the others in my wardrobe, toot If you do a good job, I might just forgive you!”
Up by the railing on the upper floor.
Zephyr stood casually with his hands behind his back, observing the commotion downstairs frostily.
The innkeeper approached him from behind, respectfully saying. “Lord Zephyr, the jade has arrived. They’re all incredibly rare and precious pieces, perfect as gifts for Lady Talulla’s birthday banquet. Would you like to select them now?”
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