Chapter 9 After being exposed last time , Julia simply gave up the pretense and said sarcastically , " James , are you really going to give me up for some barbecue chick ? I'm much more noble than she . What can she offer you ? " James gave a slight smile . " You're twenty - four now , right ? Have you ever earned a single penny yourself up to this point ? And what exactly is that ' noble ' you speak of ? Your birthright ? " Julia's face darkened considerably . " Having a good family background is an advantage , isn't it ? " James nodded . " A good background can indeed be an advantage , but it's not a reason for you to look down on others ! " Julia was instantly speechless . Jeremy , however , glared at me coldly . " Bridget , no wonder you didn't come apologize . You've hooked up with a richer sugar daddy ! " " But you probably don't know that his face is a result of plastic surgery . He used to be a total ugly duckling ! Why are you willing to marry an ugly monster instead of begging me ? " I scorned , " Because he never treated me like a housekeeper ! " Jeremy was stunned for a moment , then sneered , " Is that all you've got ? " I nodded firmly . " Yes , that's all ! " Jeremy gritted his teeth in fury , nearly crushing the red wine glass in his hand . Meanwhile , Julia folded his arms haughtily and declared . " Bridget , don't get cocky . As long as my brother hooks up with Grandpa George's granddaughter today , the Fosters will become the wealthiest family in this city ! " " At that time , the line of people wanting to marry into our family will be endless and you won't even be worthy of bringing my brother his shoes ! " Julia directed those last words toward both me and James . To my surprise , the man beside me burst out laughing . " With Jacob dead and the Fosters left in the hands of you two fools , I have no doubt it's headed for ruin . " Julia's face immediately twisted in anger . " What do you mean by that ? " James only shrugged . " Exactly what it means ! " He then ignored them and led me into the ballroom . Very soon , some people who knew James came over to toast him . Chapter 9 2/2 81.8 % 9:22 Thu , Oct 16 94 They circled him , asking with subtle intent , " Mr. Howard , what is the relationship between you and this lady ? " I thought James would distance himself from me , just like Jeremy used to . But he glanced at me and then , right in front of everyone , he openly placed his arm around my shoulders . " She's my first love and the person I'm currently pursuing . " The crowd gasped softly . " Oh , God ! Mr. Howard , is there someone you can't win over ? " I quietly whispered to him , " When did you start pursuing me ? " James gave me a look of exasperation . That's when I finally realized what was happening . So , all the things he brought me every day and all the expensive jewellery he gave me -was this his way of pursuing me all over again ? Just then , the guest of honor , Mr. George Shelton , made his entrance . James took me to present our gift to him . He had personally chosen the gift , but I was the one who personally presented it to the old man . The moment George saw me , he seemed momentarily stunned . The woman holding his arm was also staring at me strangely , asking . " What's your name ? What do your parents do ? " I lifted my head and met George's gaze . " My name is Bridget Lockhe . I have no parents . I'm an orphan . " George visibly shuddered . At that moment , Julia stepped forward and announced loudly , " Grandpa George , perhaps you didn't know ? She's an orphan ! She used to sell skewers at the night market ! It's only because she hooked up with James that she looks like a proper lady now ! " The moment those words left her mouth , everyone fixed their strange gazes on me . As if I were some sparrow who'd flown onto a high branch by clinging to a man . But before I could say anything , James stepped forward , shielding me firmly behind him . Chapter 0