NOVEL WEB Chapter 675: Her keepsake.
Meanwhile, on the other side —
After Catrin disconnected the call, her expression changed.
The evening, the party, the media, and the guests —everything was exactly as she had planned.
Now, she was only waiting for Arwen to give up her stubbornness.
She had orchestrated the entire night to break her daughter's resistance, to make her obedient again. And Catrin believed after tonight, she would get Arwen back. Her daughter would be back on her side … docile and obedient as she had made her over the years.
After all, Arwen loved her deeply. She knew it. And there is no way she would sit back and watch someone else take her place in the family —especially not in her parents' lives.
Arwen might have been sensible and kind, but Catrin knew her daughter too well. She wasn't good at sharing the people she loved. She might not speak it aloud, but she didn't like her things —or her people —being taken away from her.
And that has been exactly what Catrin had been counting on. That Arwen would snap. That she would walk into the ballroom, see Emily basking in the limelight, and announce before everyone that the position of the Quinn family heiress belonged to her. Her parents belonged to her —and her alone.
As long as she did that, everything would fall into place.
Bringing her back home would be easy.
A smug smile played on Catrin's lips as she imagined the moment unfolding. She had waited for it for far too long now.
"Madam," Lia's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Everything is ready. The guest has started arriving."
Catrin didn't turn around to acknowledge her. With her back still at Lia, she asked, "Did Arwen arrive?"
"No, madam. Ms. Quinn is not here yet," Lia replied. "The party has just started. She might come a little later."
Catrin's brows furrowed, but she nodded. "Fine. Then, let me know the moment she arrives. I will only enter the party after her."
She couldn't go in first.
The evening was arranged entirely for Arwen. To make her … push her to give in. Entertaining others, or introducing Emily, was never in her plan.
"But Madam, Ms. Brown will be arriving soon at the party. Without you, it would be —"
"She is just a prop for the evening," Catrin interrupted coldly. "Let her enjoy the party on her own."
Lia hesitated but said nothing more. She knew what her boss was planning, but she was scared that something had gotten misinterpreted in between. Instead of pulling Ms. Quinn close, all this would only push her further away.
"Anything else?" Catrin asked, turning to look at her secretary.
Lia shook her head. "No, Madam. I will take my leave first. I will let you know when Ms. Quinn arrives." And with that, she turned and left.
————
At the same time, at Winslow Residence —
Arwen was finally ready for the evening.
She didn't want to make a big fuss out of the things, but tonight was her first appearance as the President of Davies Internationals. She doesn't want to embarrass her grandmother.
So, she made an effort.
"Sweetheart, you look priceless," Anna, her stylist, exclaimed. Looking at her through the mirror, Arwen smiled.
"Thanks for helping me."
Anna waved her hand in the air. "Oh, dear, don't mention it. It was a privilege. And I loved every bit of it." She set her makeup brush down. "Oh yes, by the way, I forgot to ask —you didn't tell me the story behind this necklace. This doesn't look like a simple one."
Arwen's fingers gently touched the delicate piece around her neck. Her lips curved upward faintly as she stared at it in the mirror.
"It's a gift."
"A gift? Your husband gave it to you?"
Arwen's eyes narrowed slightly. "You could say so … but not exactly." When confusion flickered over Anna's face, she explained, "My husband brought it to me, yes —but it's from my mother-in-law. She wanted me to have it. It's her keepsake."
"For you?" Anna asked, her eyebrows shooting up. When Arwen nodded, she squealed. "Oh my God, that's so sweet. Your mother-in-law must be very loving!"
Arwen thought for a moment, thinking, before nodding. "Indeed, she was."
Then she stood up and turned to face Anna. "It's time. I shouldn't delay any longer, or I will be late."
Anna checked the time and nodded. "Yes, you should go." She gestured to her staff to wrap up.
They moved quickly and efficiently, clearing the space within minutes.
As they exited, Anna gave one last smile before leaning in to hug her. "Babe, you look awesome. "God, I wish I could be your regular stylist, but knowing you, the next call won't come soon. Still, I would say call me whenever you need me, alright?"
Arwen smiled and nodded.
She waited until the room cleared, then looked at herself in the mirror one final time. The poised reflection stared back at her. Dressed in an off-shoulder black gown embroidered with delicate crystals, her hair swept into a timeless chignon, and that elegant necklace gracing her collarbone—Arwen did look breathtakingly beautiful.
She smiled at herself before grabbing her phone to make a call to Alfred to check with him. But she realized, he was ready there at the entrance.
"Okay, I will be there soon," she said over the call and then disconnected it to grab her clutch. Then, turning, she walked out with elegance that was natural in manner.
As she descended the stairs, the maids who were working around paused to look at her. They gasped, awestruck for a moment.
Mr. Jones approached with a kind smile. "Madam, you are leaving?"
She smiled at him and nodded.
"Shall I call Alfred?"
She shook her head. "You don't have to. He is already outside. I have called him earlier."
Mr. Jones nodded, and Arwen turned to leave. As she reached the door, her steps paused, watching Selene there.
"Ms. Martin —"
Selene looked at her, her eyes zeroing in on the necklace Arwen was wearing. "You — why are you wearing this?"