Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 332: Expressions of Gratitude

Chapter 332: Expressions of Gratitude

Just thinking about it filled Julia with a strange sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. In truth, she and Sean hadn’t even been married for twenty years, since she was the "other woman." Ava was the rightful wife.

Only after Ava passed away did Sean finally bring Julia home as his legitimate wife.

But Sean had always seen her as his one and only! A golden anniversary—that should have been Ava’s, but now it was hers!

Seeing the faint smile on Julia’s lips, Sean felt particularly pleased, thinking he’d finally cheered up his wife, who had been in low spirits for several days.

"Well, alright then... though we’re so old now... wedding photos..." Julia brushed aside her unease and laughed sheepishly.

"Oh, Mom, there’s nothing strange about it! Plenty of elderly couples take golden anniversary wedding photos these days!" Evelyn added with a laugh.

Leah and the others chimed in, encouraging her as well.

"It’s all set," Sean said, beaming. "I already put down a deposit of fifteen thousand. You’re not the type to just let that go to waste, right?"

"Oh, you’re mocking me, aren’t you?" Julia felt a wave of happiness. Despite her age, she found herself looking forward to wearing a wedding dress at least once.

Inwardly, though, Leah felt anxious. Sean still didn’t know what had happened that night. He thought Eric had no chance of turning things around, but if he ever found out the truth, would he be furious?

The next morning at nine, Sean, Julia, and Leah arrived at the Eternal Bridal Center.

Sean had booked a package that included five wedding gowns, giving the place a joyful, celebratory air.

Julia’s mood brightened. With the recent slip-up, there was a chance Eric wouldn’t uncover anything, meaning the Carter Group might get another shot to strike next time.

The couple tried on outfit after outfit, taking countless photos. Leah was all smiles, snapping additional pictures as she helped from the sidelines.

"Grandma, you look so elegant and beautiful!" Leah said with a light laugh. "And Grandpa looks so dashing!"

Julia laughed happily. "You’ve become quite the flatterer, haven’t you?"

Sean, grinning, added, "When are you planning to get married, young lady? Maybe I’ll arrange a match for you. Mr. Taylor from the Taylor family isn’t a bad option. He’s a bit older, but he just got promoted to commissioner."

If this marriage were to happen, the Carter Group would gain a valuable alliance.

Leah’s cheeks flushed. "I’ll leave it all to Grandpa," she replied demurely.

She knew that once the events of that night came to light, the rumors about her would only grow nastier, painting her in an even worse light.

It would be hard to find a respectable match then, especially considering the Carter Group’s declining status.

Most heirs of prominent families pursued connections for the sake of their ambitions, and although Leah was a capable woman, the rumors surrounding her only seemed to increase.

Someone had somehow spread word of her overseas abortion, and the story had spiraled. Now, people even claimed she had been someone’s mistress abroad...

As Leah’s thoughts drifted, a cold voice interrupted. "Didn’t expect to run into you here, Old Mr. Carter."

Leah was startled and turned to see the man standing there.

It was Eric—with Ella beside him!

Ella raised her eyebrows with a helpless smile. "Must be fate," she said dryly.

Julia’s face immediately soured; after all, Sean still didn’t know the truth of what had happened!

Sean snorted. "Arrogant young people like you—someone will put you in your place soon enough!"

At that moment, the manager of the bridal center greeted Eric with a polite smile. "Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Nelson, are you here for a wedding photoshoot as well?"

Ella shook her head. "I’m just browsing. Today’s not the right day to look at wedding gowns, let alone take wedding photos."

The manager smiled awkwardly, knowing well the drama between Ella and the Carter Group. It was no secret among the gossiping crowd.

"Cheer up," Eric said lightly, glancing coldly at Julia. "We have Old Mrs. Carter to thank for helping us obtain the suspect’s recording. In just a few days, we’ll be able to uncover even more evidence."

Julia’s face turned pale, and her entire body trembled.

"What’s going on with you, old lady?" Sean looked over at her, alarmed. He turned to Eric with a dark expression. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"

Eric looked at him in surprise. "So, Old Mr. Carter doesn’t know yet?"

Leah immediately stepped forward, trying to block Eric from revealing the truth. "Mr. Nelson! Please leave. Don’t disturb my grandparents’ photoshoot!"

Eric let out a mocking laugh. "Is this bridal center owned by the Carter family now? Are you trying to throw us out?"

"Yes," Ella added with a friendly smile, "we just wanted to thank Mrs. Carter. After all, we happened to run into her. I, for one, keep my dealings very clear."

Julia felt her heart grow heavier, a dull ache spreading within her. The plan her husband, son, and Mason had concocted had been foiled—by her own actions, no less. The bitterness was hard to swallow.

"What’s going on, Leah?" Sean’s face darkened, his good mood thoroughly disrupted. "Why would they be thanking your grandmother?"

Leah pressed her lips together, casting her eyes downward, too afraid to speak.

"Eric, Ella, what game are you two playing?" Sean demanded.

"That’s a question you should be asking yourself, Old Mr. Carter," Eric replied coldly. "Before long, Nelson Group will have everything cleared up. Sorry to disappoint you."

"We should go now," Ella said calmly, taking Eric’s hand. "Today would have been my Grandma Carter’s 80th birthday; we’re off to pay our respects."

Even the manager was stunned by the scene. Ms. Davis had struck a nerve with her remark, cleverly reminding Sean that today was his late wife’s 80th birthday.

The manager thought it was shameful. Regardless of Sean’s feelings for his first wife, she had borne him a daughter and worked tirelessly to help build the Carter Group. Now, not long after her death, he had remarried his mistress and chosen to take anniversary photos on what would have been his late wife’s birthday...

Hiding her reaction, the manager smiled politely and said, "Shall we continue? Stopping halfway through a photoshoot..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the implication clear.

Stopping a wedding photoshoot midway was widely considered bad luck.

Sean, holding back his confusion, forced himself to carry on, though Julia’s face had lost all traces of its earlier excitement.

Leah’s expression had turned stormy, seething with anger. How did Eric know her grandparents were here for a photoshoot? Enough! If things continued this way, Ella would only become more insufferably smug.