The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 306

Maeve bit her lip, eventually putting on a cute, helpless pout. "I actually don't know this one. Grandma, why don't you teach me?"

"The answer is a firecracker," Violet chuckled. "The phrasing of the riddle is a direct homage to Shakespeare's plays. I recall all our families made sure the children were well-versed in the classics. I would have thought you'd guess it instantly."

Maeve's face flushed deep crimson.

Growing up, she had wanted to be perceived as modern and elite, focusing entirely on foreign languages and business while the other wealthy children were being drilled on classical literature. Now, she just looked uncultured.

"Our heritage is profound and beautiful," Mrs. Stockton noted mildly. "If we don't carry on the legacy of our classics, we lose our foundation."

Old money families valued cultural refinement above all else. The Mallory family was relatively new money, and it clearly showed in how shallowly they had educated their daughter.

Violet pulled a stunning emerald bracelet from a velvet box and handed it to Winona. "You guessed so many of our riddles today. This is your prize."

The emerald was a deep, flawless green, radiating a clear brilliance that practically screamed its exorbitant price tag.

Winona looked overwhelmed and tried to politely decline. "Violet, this is far too expensive. I can't accept it."

Stefan spoke up from beside her. "My grandmother has a vault full of these. Don't stress over it. Just accept it."

The older ladies chuckled again.

Mrs. Stockton laughed playfully. "Listen to Stefan, calling us out! Are you implying your grandmother is the only one with nice things to give?"

She slipped a massive ruby ring off her finger and pressed it into Winona's hand. "You are such a brilliant, elegant girl, and I just adore you. If you ever decide you don't want to marry into the Goddard family, you are more than welcome to marry one of my four grandsons! Take your pick!"

Winona's face burned bright red, completely at a loss for words.

Violet playfully slapped her friend's arm. "Look at you, acting like a bandit! Trying to steal my girl at my own social! If you want a granddaughter-in-law, go find your own!"

With that, he opened the passenger door, ushered Winona inside, and got into the driver's seat.

Maeve stomped her foot in fury as the taillights disappeared down the driveway. She had literally told him she was in pain, and he was still this heartless!

In the car, Stefan glanced at Winona. "My grandmother loves hosting these gatherings. If you enjoy them, you should come around more often."

Winona really did like Violet, and she enjoyed the intellectual banter of the social. But if she was going to be showered with priceless heirlooms every single time, she would be too terrified to ever show her face again.

Reading her mind, Stefan smiled softly. "Those older ladies have reached a point in life where their greatest joy is spoiling the younger generation they actually like. If you accept their gifts, it makes them happy. Besides, you entertained them. You earned it."

"Okay," Winona murmured. "I'll visit when I have the time."

Stefan paused for a moment before casually asking, "I heard you went to the Locke Group gala a couple of days ago?"