Chapter 331 Clumsy Show Of Flattery
“Nigel!”
Ryland grinned, pulling William and Renee along as he eagerly made his way toward his godfather.
Nigel’s face immediately lit up when he saw his godson. He adored Ryland, even though he teased him without missing a beat. “You cheeky thing, did you forget to bring me a gift?”
“Not at all! I’ve got two gifts for you, and trust me, I put a lot of thought into them!” Ryland replied, his grin widening.
“Really?” Nigel laughed, a deep, warm sound that made his eyes squint with happiness. He pointed at Ryland, beaming as he spoke to those around him, “This one here—he’s a bit of a troublemaker, but he’s got a heart of gold!”
The crowd immediately erupted in praise.
“Well, that’s all thanks to your excellent guidance!”
“Young people can be a handful! My son isn’t just mischievous-he’s downright exasperating! No sense of gratitude at all!”
Nigel’s smile stretched even wider at the compliments. He turned to Ryland, his voice warm. “Alright, show everyone what you’ve got for me!”
Some people might feel awkward about their gifts being unwrapped in front of a crowd, but Ryland didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.
With a confident grin, he eagerly presented the birthday gifts he’d carefully chosen for Nigel.
Ryland carefully lifted an elegant, rectangular wooden box. He opened it to reveal a teapot inside. Its smooth, flowing curves were complemented by a lid intricately carved with a detailed design of pine trees, a perfect match for Nigel’s dignified presence.
The guests, all experts in antiques and collectibles, exchanged quiet glances. With a single look, they could tell the teapot wasn’t an antique, nor had it been crafted by a renowned artisan. It was just an ordinary
teapot.
The room fell into a hushed silence, their thoughts unspoken but obvious.
No one dared voice their opinions, yet the sentiment lingered in the air— the teapot felt unexpectedly humble for an event of this scale.
Still, seeing Nigel’s calm, unaffected demeanor, no one was bold enough to speak out.
Nigel took the teapot, his smile unwavering. He studied it for a moment, and then looked up at Ryland with a soft, appreciative gaze. “What made you think of giving me this? Tell me about it.”
Ryland grinned, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “You love tea, right? The material’s top-notch-great breathability. It brings out the full aroma of the tea. And the pine tree design on the lid? It adds a touch of nature’s beauty that makes it special, perfectly for a birthday gift.”
The guests, however, couldn’t shake the thought that, no matter how fine the material, the teapot wasn’t made by a famous artisan. How much could it really be worth?
But Nigel’s eyes gleamed with genuine delight. He picked up the teapot delicately, turning it over in his hands, before his smile widened even more. “Wonderful! You clever boy! I absolutely love it!”
The guests exchanged confused glances, unsure if they had missed something. Could this teapot actually be worth more than they’d realized?
Orlando, who wasn’t an expert, had initially thought the teapot was
unremarkable. But seeing Nigel’s reaction and noticing that no one else voiced objections, he quickly assumed it must be the work of a renowned artisan. Eager to flatter, he stepped forward with a wide grin. “Mr. Flynn, you’re incredibly thoughtful! This teapot is exquisite-it must have cost a fortune! Which master crafted it?”
Ryland flashed a mischievous smirk and leaned in. “Mr. Perez, do you like it? Would you like me to order one for you as well?”
“That’ll be great! Thank you, Mr. Flynn!” Orlando responded eagerly, his enthusiasm palpable.
The crowd exchanged puzzled looks, their confusion written clearly on
their faces.
Nigel broke into a booming laugh, pointing at Ryland with a teasing grin.
“You little rascal!”
Orlando, seeing Nigel’s pleasure, was certain he had made the right move. His chest swelled with pride, and he couldn’t help but glance toward Jarrod in the corner, silently signaling his success in winning Nigel’s favor.
Jarrod, however, remained cool and distant. He casually turned his head, making it clear he wanted no part of Orlando’s clumsy show of flattery.
