Chapter 1253 Arrogant and Overbearing
Azalea saw what was happening and wrinkled her nose in disgust, quickly stepping back.
Cecilia noticed and furrowed her brow.
Daryl stepped forward, taking the basket from Rainey's hands with a smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Thorne. My mom loves fresh eggs."
"Then I'll make sure to save all the eggs for her," Rainey replied with a quick smile.
At that moment, Beau brought over a burlap sack, grinning warmly. "Mrs. Fields, I caught a few chickens for you. They're great for making soup. Please accept them!"
"Chickens?" Azalea's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the sack in Beau's hands.
Coincidentally, the chickens inside the sack clucked loudly.
Azalea nearly lost it, sitting down and holding her head in her hands.
Daryl gave Douglas a look, and he quickly took the sack away.
Cecilia noticed Azalea's distress and quickly pulled Rainey to sit down, inviting Beau and his wife to sit as well.
The room finally quieted down.
Cecilia sat with a slightly uneasy expression.
To lighten the mood, Daryl got up and personally poured tea for Cecilia's family, making small talk.
Isaac, trying to be polite, had the waiter bring out the food and asked Douglas to open a bottle of wine.
Azalea, still shaken by the chickens, remained silent for a while, making the table relatively peaceful.
Rainey and Beau were clearly out of their element in such a fancy restaurant, feeling both nervous and overwhelmed by the variety of dishes.
Azalea noticed and looked down on them, her face showing a hint of disdain.
Cecilia, sitting beside Rainey, kept putting food on her plate and holding her hand to keep her calm.
Daryl chatted with Beau, sharing small talk, while Isaac occasionally chimed in.
Halfway through the meal, Azalea suddenly spoke up. "Mrs. Thorne, what are your family's expectations for the wedding dowry?"
Rainey, already intimidated by Azalea's cold demeanor, was taken aback by the sudden question. "Mrs. Fields, we don't have any specific demands for the dowry. As long as my daughter is happy, that's all that matters."
Cecilia smiled at her mother's words.
But Azalea quickly added, "The Fields family won't settle for a modest dowry. We're prepared to offer ten million dollars."
Everyone, including Cecilia, was stunned.
Cecilia looked at Daryl, as they had never discussed the dowry before. The ten-million-dollar offer left her speechless.
Daryl and Cecilia exchanged glances, signaling her to stay calm.
No one objected to Azalea's statement.
Then Azalea turned to Rainey with another question. "Mrs. Thorne, how much is your family planning to contribute?"
Rainey was at a loss for words.
Cecilia frowned, realizing Azalea's true intention was to humiliate them. The Thorne family couldn't match such a large dowry, not even close.
"Well, Mrs. Fields, our situation..." Rainey began.
Daryl interrupted, "Mom!"
Seeing Rainey's struggle, Azalea smirked. "Mrs. Thorne, it's fine if you can't afford a dowry. We don't care about that. As long as your daughter is obedient and respectful, that's all that matters. Even if our families aren't a perfect match, my son likes her, so we have no choice."
Azalea's words deeply embarrassed Rainey, and Beau and his wife were visibly upset.
Cecilia, unable to tolerate Azalea's insults any longer, spoke up. "Mrs. Fields, we may be poor, but we earn our living honestly. My mother raised me with great difficulty, and I'm very grateful. Please respect her. After all, it's me marrying into the Fields family, not her."
Azalea was furious. "You dare talk back to me before you're even married into our family? How will I manage as your mother-in-law?"
Cecilia felt helpless against Azalea's unreasonable behavior.
Daryl quickly intervened. "Mom, Cecilia didn't mean to be disrespectful. This is our first meeting; let's keep it peaceful."
Daryl gave Cecilia a look.
Rainey whispered to Cecilia, "Apologize to Mrs. Fields. No matter what, you can't argue with her in public."
Cecilia, feeling conflicted, looked at Daryl and then at her mother. To keep the peace, she reluctantly said, "Mrs. Fields, I'm sorry for my words. Please forgive me."
Isaac quietly urged Azalea, "Say no more. Do you want our son to remain unmarried? If this falls through, the Fields Corporation will suffer too."
Azalea, though still upset, took a sip of tea and remained silent.
Daryl quickly urged everyone to continue eating and soon ended the lunch.
After the meal, Douglas took Isaac and Azalea home, while Daryl escorted Rainey and the Beau couple to their hotel.
In the limo, Daryl sat in the front passenger seat, with Cecilia and her mother in the middle row, and Beau and his wife in the back.
"Mrs. Thorne, since you're here in Maple Valley, why not stay a couple of days? Cecilia can show you around," Daryl suggested with a smile.
"Yes, Mom. Let me take you and my brother and sister-in-law shopping," Cecilia added, holding her mother's hand.
Rainey shook her head. "No need. We can buy clothes in our town. Just take us back."
Cecilia frowned. "Mom, you rarely visit. Let me show you around."
Cecilia felt she owed her mother and brother. She wanted to take them out and buy them things.
But Rainey patted her daughter's hand. "I appreciate it, but your wedding is soon. You must be busy. We don't want to be a burden."
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