Chapter 702: Chapter 702: The War Without Gunsmoke

“I heard that Madam Mamet loved Mr. Caleb Mamet the most. The old lady’s birthday is coming up and Mrs. Mamet actually sent a replica. That’s too perfunctory! It’s true that a girl who grows up in the countryside can’t make it to the stage!”

“We can’t completely say that, Mrs. Mamet doesn’t look like she lacks money. She must have been cheated, it’s not her fault, is it?”

“How can it not be her fault? If she really wanted to give a gift, she could have had a specialist appraise it and ensure it was genuine before sending it. Giving Madam Mamet a random fake art piece is her own negligence.”

Everyone looked at Xaviera Evans with disdain. How could a woman like this be suitable as the hostess of the Mamet family?

Tracy Swift slowly walked up to Xaviera in front of everyone and spoke gently, “I’m really sorry, Xaviera, I didn’t expect us to give the same piece. This is not your fault, the current art market is a mix of good and bad pieces, it’s not unusual that you bought a replica.”

Although giving a replica was not Xaviera intention, as the granddaughter-in-law of the old lady, her carelessness was indeed her fault.

“I’ve attended so many birthday banquets, this is the first time I’ve seen someone give a replica!”

“Isn’t that the truth! Miss Swift made the effort to come all the way from Imperial City, and gave a cherished piece from her home, yet Mrs. Mamet, the granddaughter-in-law, is outdone by an outsider. In my opinion, only a well-bred lady like Miss Swift is fit to be the hostess of the Mamet family.”

Caleb Mamet swept a cold glance, and everyone immediately shut up. The banquet hall fell silent.

Tracy Swift lowered her eyes and smiled smugly. Then she walked up to Xaviera and tried to comfort her quietly, “Xaviera, don’t be upset, it’s not your fault you don’t understand calligraphy. Apologize to the old lady later, she’s very forgiving and won’t blame you, but we…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Xaviera interrupted her coldly, “Miss Swift, I have a question and I would like you to answer it for me. The Swift family and the Mamet family hadn’t interacted for many years. Why did you come all the way from Imperial City to celebrate Madam Mamet’s birthday this time?”

Tracy Swift calmly and gently replied, “Mr. Drew told me that Madam Mamet’s birthday was approaching. Although the Swift and Mamet families haven’t interacted in years, we’ve always kept them in our hearts. As soon as my father heard about this, he ordered me to prepare a birthday gift and rush to Libanan, fearing that it would miss Madam Mamet’s birthday. And Mr. Drew told me that Madam Mamet liked this piece.”

Xaviera raised an eyebrow, “Oh, I see! So, Mr. Drew had seen this piece too? And was sure that the one Miss Swift presented was genuine?”

A slight unease crept into Tracy Swift’s heart, but she responded indifferently, “Of course, Mrs. Mamet, Sir Whitman has already performed the appraisal. If you do not trust his judgment, we can ask other experts to do so. But I don’t understand what this has to do with Mr. Drew.”

Xaviera’s eyes were deep. On the surface, it seemed like she and Tracy Swift had presented the same birthday gift, and while she had given a replica, Tracy Swift had rushed from Imperial City to present the original. Naturally, her reputation would plummet. But in reality, this was more than just a rivalry between her and Tracy Swift; it was a war without smoke or fire between Caleb Mamet and Boyd Drew.

Tracy Swift was a guest invited by Boyd Drew. She had prepared Sir Whitman’s calligraphy, “Thousand Character Longevity”, while Xaviera, on behalf of Caleb Mamet, gave a replica, thus tarnishing Caleb Mamet’s reputation. Later, outside people would say that Caleb Mamet wasn’t sincere to his grandmother, whereas, Boyd Drew, who wasn’t raised by his grandmother, was exceptionally filial.

She didn’t care about losing face, but she couldn’t drag Caleb Mamet down with her, and certainly couldn’t let Caleb Mamet lose to Boyd Drew, that sly person.

Xaviera laughed meaningfully, “Mr. Drew is really filial! He actually took the initiative to contact Miss Swift and invited her to attend his grandmother’s birthday feast. Then, Miss Swift rushed over from Imperial City and even gave a “Thousand Character Longevity.” Mr. Drew really put a lot of effort into winning his grandmother’s favor!”

Boyd Drew’s eyes flashed, “Miss Evans, what are you trying to say?”

Xaviera chuckled, “Mr. Drew can interpret it however he wants, it doesn’t matter to me.”

At that moment, there was a sound of footsteps from outside. Boyd Drew sensed that something was wrong and quickly gave Sir Tangi a look. Sir Tangi immediately put both pieces away and explained, “It seems Madam Mamet is coming. Let’s put this replica away so the old lady doesn’t get upset when she sees it!”

The doors of the banquet hall slowly opened and the dignified Madam Mamet walked in, along with a couple and a young girl.