Things were bustling at the Johnson residence. It was Sam's birthday, and he'd been away from home for a few years. Everyone was busy preparing.Even Kenneth had gotten up early. He hadn't gone to the company, though. He and Sam weren't on the best terms, but there was no changing the fact that they were father and son.Besides, the apple of his eye was now home. They had to make sure that she had a good time here.Rebecca didn't laze around. She intended to cook the birthday meal. And there were two—no, three—honored guests with them.Upon arriving home after picking Markus and Liam up, Rebecca found that Wendy was still around. Zelda had somehow convinced her to stay.Considering Wendy's personality, Rebecca thought she would hide in a corner as far away from Albert as possible. She was surprised that she'd agreed to stay.Well, the Johnson residence was big enough to accommodate the guests. In the past, their uncle, Joe Johnson, and Felicia used to stay with them. But as Zel
They weren't standing too close to each other, but Wendy felt like Albert had pulled her into his arms when he leaned down.She almost didn't dare to look him in the eye. "Mr. Johnson, it's as you said. You're handsome, and you come from a good family. There are plenty of women better than me in this world, and they'd suit you better. You and I don't make a good match."Wendy couldn't take it anymore. She took a step back but kept her head up as she spoke.Marriages were about balance and equality. If they weren't good for each other, they wouldn't make a good match.Albert wasn't discouraged by her words and actions. He looked at her seriously. "You can't just say we're not a good match and leave it at that. Try being with me if you don't believe me. I can protect you, as can my family."The Johnson family had become what it currently was because of his father's hard work. If they were being honest, Kenneth wasn't worthy of Zelda.The Gibson family had built its foundation with
"Riverwood?"Albert was planning to leave with Wendy, but he paused when he heard the name of the place which he knew so well. The atmosphere around him even turned frigid with tension.He hadn’t forgotten what his aunt had done.She had decided on Rebecca's wedding on her own even before meeting her. Albert was even irritated that she wanted Rebecca to marry into the Winston family.He scorned the notion that his aunt was visiting of her own accord and that she had even brought honored guests from Riverwood. He sneered.Serena didn't realize the change in Albert’s demeanor. She still looked immensely pleased. She took a step toward Albert. "Yes. I think they'll be here soon. Do you want to go and greet them with me?" "Sure."Albert was expressionless. He turned away quietly to put some distance between him and Serena.He lowered his gaze. Then he softened his voice and spoke to Wendy."There might be quite a number of guests visiting later. Just stay with Mom and don't go an
Everyone looked toward the sound and met Albert's cold, indifferent eyes. Mary felt a wave of guilt wash over her at that instant. Zelda was easy for her to deceive, but Albert, on the other hand, wasn't a fool.She immediately smiled and said, " Oh, Albert, you know how I always speak before I think. You know how well I treat your family for sure."How well she treated his family? Albert sneered. He hadn’t forgotten what Mary had done.Mary had been nagging Zelda about how she had married the wrong person during Albert's early years when his parents were still working hard on their careers. She kept complaining that Zelda should have listened to her elders instead so she wouldn't endure all the hardships. She kept emphasizing how unfortunate Zelda's life was.Albert was disgusted with her remarks. She even questioned Zelda and asked her why she married a laborer instead of someone else because the Stiggs were one of the well-known families in Rookfort.Unfortunately, Mary had
The woman's voice, which came from behind the trees, instantly dissipated the tense atmosphere of the standoff.Everyone couldn't help but look toward the source of the voice, especially Daniel. He quickly looked in the direction of the familiar voice. He attempted to catch a glimpse of the face that would only appear in his dreams, but the trees were in the way.Mary was also curious about her niece, whom she had never met. She couldn't be bothered to notice how impatient Daniel looked and leaned forward with curiosity.Serena, on the other hand, wasn't being as obvious as they were. She looked impatient instead. She couldn't understand how Rebecca could get so much attention from them as the Johnsons had just found her.She thought Rebecca wouldn't be of one mind with the family either because she hadn't stayed with her family for twenty years. She couldn't understand why the Johnsons were so willing to show affection to her. She thought they did not need to do so because Rebecca
Rebecca never thought a person’s expression could change so many times within a minute. This cousin of hers was really something!Without wanting to stay and let Daniel continue ogling at her, Rebecca tugged her eldest brother's sleeve. "Albert, Sam said he's arriving soon. Shall we go and receive him?"Albert grunted in agreement. He also didn't wish to continue speaking with them. Just as he was about to excuse himself, Mary lightly pulled Serena's arm."You should hurry along to get Sammy. Serena and I are familiar with the house. We can guide Mr. Winston and Mr. Jenkins without an issue," Mary blurted. She gave her plus-ones a knowing look, and the four of them vanished behind the lush foliage soon after.Rebecca was taken aback. She never knew Daniel could be that brazen. She started dragging Albert to the main gate as she huffed, "It's my home. I don't need to be afraid of him."About a minute later, Rebecca asked, "Albert, why is he here?""I'm not sure. Aunt Mary brought
"We wouldn't dare—" Sam stopped abruptly. His gaze turned sharp instantaneously once it fell onto a certain someone. Daniel Winston!"What is he doing here?" Sam asked in an icy tone.Rebecca put her hands in her pockets and replied, "Aunt Mary brought him along as her plus-one. Albert had wanted to chase him away earlier, but he's so thick-skinned that we couldn't stop him from joining."Her attitude towards Daniel was ambivalent compared to Sam's cold demeanor. She no longer felt anything for him and refused to continue looking at him. She felt that it was a waste of time to entertain him.When she left Riverwood, she thought it would be hard to forget a past lover. She worried she might be attracted to him the next time they met. However, that didn't happen. She had gotten used to better things, so the past didn't matter to her anymore. She had also started to forget what he looked like after spending so much time with her family.She thought she could’ve gone the rest of her
Kenneth didn't want to be petty with the younger ones. Although he was extremely dissatisfied with his former son-in-law, he still had basic manners and gave Daniel a curt reply. Markus, who was playing chess with Dr. Manson, had the opposite reaction. In his anger, he slammed his knight on the chessboard and checkmated his opponent. In an aggressive tone, he said, "Mr. Johnson is really a gentleman. If I were in his shoes, that guy wouldn't even make it past the main gate!"Although no names were said, everyone knew who he was referring to.Daniel didn't mind it, as Markus had hurled much worse insults at him in Riverwood. This time, he was kind enough to omit his name.Daniel left after receiving permission. His whole demeanor exuded class and elegance, with none of the authoritative posture from Riverwood to be seen. He may have lowered his status, but he didn't lose it.Kenneth looked at Daniel's retreating back and sighed lightly. "What a waste. He would've been an admirable