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Chapter 263
Chapter 263
Abbey paused for a moment, wanting to take another look, but the girl had turned away, making it impossible for her to get a clear view.
She was sure she must have seen it wrong.
Who would string a bunch of gemstones together to make a bracelet?
She had come to this party specifically to find out who her brother had given that box of gemstones to. She wondered if she would meet the person today.
She redirected her gaze, continuing to scan the room.
It had been a while since Abbey had seen Joy, the little girl still as sweet and endearing as ever. Cordelia watched her, especially when she flashed that kind smile, feeling her heart melt a bit.
She reached out, engaging in a sign language conversation with Joy, "What have you been up to lately?"
Joy signed back, "I've composed a piece, can you check it out for me later?"
"Of course," Cordelia signed back.
After their chat, Joy tugged on Cordelia, wanting to take her aside.
Mrs. Collins watched them go, feeling relieved, and turned to Lorna, "Let the girls have their fun, come keep me company."
Lorna, hoping her daughter would make more friends, nodded in agreement and told Cordelia, "Go ahead, have fun!"
So, Cordelia followed Joy to a quiet corner. Since it wasn't appropriate to play the piano during the party, they sat down, with Joy pretending the coffee table was her piano, asking for Cordelia's advice on her composition.
Cordelia listened intently, imagining the music in her head.
Joy had a real knack for composition, a pity she couldn't hear it. Cordelia thought this as she pointed out a couple of mistakes.
Joy's eyes widened in realization, looking incredibly adorable.
"Where's your teacher?" Cordelia asked.
Joy had been learning piano from Master Stanton, who had to return to Ontoky City for some work.
Cordelia nodded.
Both being rather quiet by nature, and Cordelia not much of a talker, they comfortably continued their sign language conversation, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
From a distance, Abbey frowned upon seeing them.
Joy, being mute, had faced mocking and teasing all her life. When she had sought treatment in Ontoky City as a child, she had stayed at their place, so Abbey was protective of her.
Noticing Abbey's gaze, Hayley quickly said, "Poor Ms. Collins, always so aloof, hardly mixing with us. Cordelia, taking advantage of Ms. Collins being deaf, uses her love for piano to charm her, making Ms. Collins so fond of her."
Abbey clenched her jaw.
Joy was naive; could she have been deceived?
Observing closely, Abbey saw they were indeed discussing piano scores. But Joy couldn't hear, so how could she remember the keys and make Ms. Delaney understand?
Was this some sort of trick?
To think they were taking advantage of Joy's deafness to deceive her!
And from what Hayley had just said, if Ms. Delaney was someone who sought vanity, then Joy definitely shouldn't be influenced by her.
She stood up abruptly, calling out, "Joy! Why are you here alone? Come join us!"
Cordelia was puzzled.
Turning around, she saw a girl with a proud posture calling out to Joy.
Cordelia squinted her eyes.
Alone...
Was she being ignored?
Joy clearly saw Abbey too, waving back with a smile.
Abbey approached, unapologetically sitting between Joy and Cordelia, then taking Joy's hand, she said, "You're too innocent, Joy. Not
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everyone is as they seem. Be careful not to be used while thinking you're helping."
Joy, unable to speak and sensitive by nature, immediately sensed Abbey's hostility towards Cordelia.
Abbey was one of her few true friends, besides Lia. Despite finding communication with her challenging, Abbey genuinely cared for her. So, Joy became anxious.
She tried to sign something to explain, but Abbey held her hand, stopping her, and said with a laugh, "Tonight, I'll stay with you."
Joy anxiously looked towards Cordelia.
Hayley also came over, squeezing next to Cordelia and said, "Cordelia, could you move a bit? How rude can you be!"
Hayley almost sat on her lap, making Cordelia extremely uncomfortable. She shifted aside, allowing Hayley to sit down, who then turned to Abbey with a flattering smile, "Ms. Robinson, how about we play some cards?"
Abbey wasn't impressed by her sycophantic behavior and coldly suggested, "Let's play bridge. Do you know how?"
Hayley hesitated, visibly struggling.
Bridge was a complex card game. She had tried to learn but never mastered it, offering a sheepish smile, "Maybe I'll just join in the conversation." Abbey was visibly more annoyed, "Can you even understand sign language? How are you planning to join in?"
Hayley bit her lip, frustrated.
Abbey's arrogance was unbearable!
Yet, she didn't dare offend Abbey and turned to Cordelia, "Can you move further away? You're crowding us!"
Cordelia was taken aback.
Hayley, emboldened by Abbey's support, was quite aggressive, "Didn't you see Ms. Robinson wants to talk to Ms. Collins? Why are you still here? They clearly don't want to deal with you."
Her voice was loud enough to draw attention from others.
Hayley had just lost face, and now she wanted to make Cordelia look even more foolish to feel a bit better about herself. So, she continued to shout, "And have you seen that ruby necklace Ms. Brown was wearing? Now, that's what you call a real gem, not like that box of rocks you brought to school, claiming they were precious stones. Tšk, tsk, such
naivety. As if anyone could just casually bring out a box full of huge gems. Even the Griffins wouldn't be able to pull that off!"
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The crowd turned their attention towards them, making Joy even more anxious. She wanted to say something, but Abbey pressed down on herhand and whispered, "Just let her, embarrass herself. She won't bother you after this."
Joy thought, 'But it's her who keeps bothering Lia!!'
Meanwhile, Cordelia's gaze grew colder, and an icy aura seemed to surround her.
Hayley was truly detestable.
Cordelia hadn't even figured out how to retaliate when Hayley suddenly noticed the bracelet on her wrist. Pointing at it, she exclaimed, "Look, there
are those pebbles she was talking about!"