In all honesty, Angela didn't want to split the family assets. The Stigg family had never done something like this before, and neither had her birth family. In the past, everyone stayed together and did their best to get along. Nothing like this had ever happened before.Angela had wanted to act as a mediator at this family banquet. She thought she could ease things in such a way that they could all stay together and continue living in harmony.At least, she hoped that the family could stay together until after she and James were both dead and gone. She didn't want all these arguments to keep happening anymore. With how much these siblings argued, others saw them as a joke.If it didn't work, then they would split the family assets, and Henry and Emily would move out. But there were still some conditions to this so that they wouldn't sever ties completely. This included discussing who would care for her and James, mandating the family still had to meet up during the holidays, and th
"I asked you to come out here tonight because there are some things I'd like to clear up with you."Henry slowly turned back to face Serena. He maintained a smile on his face, and his gaze was warm, too. He looked like he was still treating Serena graciously since she was his niece.It was a shame then that the words sounded ruthless when they came out."According to Dad's arrangements, you and Mary should have a share in Gourmet Haven. When the branch restaurant starts running again, I hope you won't tell others that I taught you to cook if someone asks."Serena stiffened. "But … didn't you teach me?"Henry chuckled and shook his head. "I always teach my apprentices the basics of knife work first. Then, I teach them sauteing. The last thing they learn is how things should taste. In your cooking, you manage to do decently at the final stage. Your food tastes good, but you never learned any of the basic skills."How can you say then that you learned from me as my apprentice? Just
Jimmy looked up at James. "I don't think that way." He had already gotten what he wanted. Indeed, he hadn't been forced to do anything he didn't want either.Although he had been forced to move out because of Mary, living alone gave him comfort and freedom. As such, he didn't consider it neglect. He had always remained true to himself in his 20-odd years of life. Thus, he really didn't feel that his family had wronged him or anything.However, he did understand what James meant now. He didn't lack love, nor was he as greedy as Serena, who had to obtain everything she wanted. He had learned to be content with his life. After all, he had the care and affection of his parents and grandparents.With all of this, Jimmy didn't feel neglected. As for preferential treatment or playing favorites, he didn't think too much about that.One could never be completely fair when it came to emotions. One's heart wasn't a scale, after all.Mary and Serena always threw tantrums and cried while h
The case was really fishy.After realizing that there was something amiss, the police went to investigate whether there were any grudges between the victim and the truck driver. But the victim was a car dealership employee who worked hard all his life. There wasn't any trouble he could get into. There wasn't anything suspicious about the driver who had caused the accident, either.He didn't drink or smoke, didn't gamble, or participate in any vices. He didn't owe any debts. His family life was happy. As such, there was really no cause for him to commit the crime intentionally.Besides, the driver insisted that he had been driving when he was too tired to do so. As such, he was willing to suffer the punishment he was sentenced to. That was why the case could only be handled as an accident. After hearing what Albert said, Jimmy saw where the key to this lay. The person who had gotten hurt wasn't the true target.After realizing this, Jimmy exchanged a look with Albert, his gaze b
The next day arrived.Rebecca woke up relatively early. After all, she couldn't do as she pleased in the Stigg residence.To her surprise, everyone was already downstairs when she went down with Zelda. Even James, who had been taken to the hospital the previous night, was there. He was sitting at the head of the dining table, reading a newspaper.Everyone seemed to be acting normal. It was as if nothing had happened the previous night. Even Mary and Serena were sitting at the table obediently. They showed no signs of displeasure.Rebecca would have thought that the confrontation at the dining table last night was a dream if she hadn't noticed Mary's guilty expression and the hatred in Serena's eyes.But she didn't dwell on it. She acted as if nothing had happened and avoided making eye contact with them. Instead, she continued to assist Zelda down the stairs. "Zelda, Becca, you're up. What a perfect timing. The dishes are ready, and the oatmeal is almost done. Let's have break
Mary snapped to her senses after getting pointed out.She raised her head and locked eyes with Rebecca, who was sitting across from her. A shiver ran down her spine immediately.Rebecca saw Mary's expression. Her grip on her cutleries tightened. By this point, she could read between the lines. Apart from that accident, something else was making Mary guilty.Even that so-called accident couldn't spark such a reaction from Mary.Only matters concerning life could evoke such fear in her. When this realization hit, Rebecca's breath hitched.She had never thought that someone in her family would attempt to harm her in such a way. Even though she knew Mary was greedy, she never expected her to stoop to such actions.The fact that it happened when Oliver was with her made her even more furious. Rebecca had already foreseen that not everybody in the family would welcome her when she returned.After all, not everyone would readily accept a person who had been wandering outside
Mary turned stiff.James didn't give her a chance to argue. He continued to fix his sharp gaze on her. "Forget about the financial issues. Let me ask you something. How did we treat you and your daughter over the past twenty years? How have your elder brother and his wife treated you? If Becca was born in our family, how should we have treated her? Can you settle all these accounts with money? Mary, don't forget how Becca got lost in Riverwood! Have a conscience, and don't be too greedy."Mary's lips twitched. Her face remained pale.She kept coming up with arguments in her mind.Rebecca got lost because of the earthquake that happened in Riverwood. What did it have to do with her? She never asked Zelda to check on her at Riverwood!Zelda acted all kind and visited her with a big pregnant belly to support her. Would she have married so far away if it wasn't for Zelda?What did it matter that she went?That guy from the Seales family couldn't control himself whenever he saw you
Come to think of it, Mary actually received a lot.Zelda was the one who received the smallest share.James thought Zelda didn't lack any money. But she was still part of the Stiggs, after all. He still had to give her something as a gesture.Henry received the most assets because he worked the hardest.Ever since he took over Gourmet Haven, he had been handling the business alone. He even humbled himself and asked Albert for help to ensure that Gourmet Haven could regain its footing and thrive.Gourmet Haven would have been forced to close down if they continued in the old ways.Henry deserved his share for all the sacrifices he made for the family business.Regarding Rebecca's share, aside from compensating her, he had his eyes on her culinary skills.He hoped for her to continue the family legacy.Yet, Mary was ruining his plan.Discontented, she slammed the contract onto the table. "Dad, I disagree with giving the main restaurant to Rebecca. The significance of the main r