“Also, I should let you all know that Jessica and I lost our jobs today. Since Serena is the wife of the York family’s heir, Mr. York is out to get us. The evidence Liberty used against me was handed to my boss. The boss fired us both without offering any compensation.”
Mr. and Mrs. Brown were speechless.
Chelsea stared at Jessica.
Was her brother foolish? Why was Jessica given full financial control?
Now that Jessica was managing the money, it was a no–brainer that she would not lend Chelsea any money.
As expected, Jessica said, “Chelsea, Hank and I have a wedding coming up. Our house is under renovation too. Everything costs money. We both lost our jobs, so we don’t have any spare cash lying around to lend you.”
Jessica gathered from Hank’s statement that her money–hungry sister–in–law had fat savings. Chelsea was used to getting financial help from her family. To Chelsea, she did not see the point of spending her own money when she could use her family’s.
So long as Jessica was around, Chelsea could forget getting a dime out of Hank.
Pursing her lips, Chelsea was without a word.
Meanwhile, at the Stones‘ residence, Serena held Sonny’s hand as they walked into a grand living room.
“You’re here, Sonny. Come, come to your grandaunt.”
All smiles, Mrs. Stone got up to welcome Sonny.
After finding out that Mrs. Stone was his grandaunt and meeting a few times, Sonny was happy to let Mrs. Stone hold him now.
“Aunt Audrey.”
Serena handed two bags of fruits she bought to Mrs. Stone. She said, “These are your favorite fruits, Aunt Audrey.”
“Oh, my favorites, but I can get the fruits myself. I don’t want you to spend money on me. I’m happy enough that you and your sister can visit. You don’t have to get me anything.”
Serena and her sister often brought along expensive gifts when they first came. After a good telling–off from Mrs. Stone, the sisters switched to buying a couple of hundred dollars worth of fruits. At least, Mrs. Stone would not feel bad about them. splurging.
Mrs. Stone came from a poor family. Although she had enjoyed the most expensive cuisines after marrying a rich husband, she still enjoyed seasonal fruits.
For a person of her status, no one would say anything if she bought a meal at a food truck.
Serena and Sonny took a seat on the sofa.
No sooner had Serena put the bags of fruits on the coffee table than the maid came to carry the fruits away for a wash.
Mrs. Stone did not want to waste the fruits bought by the sisters. She would have the fruits washed and enjoyed by all.
Her sons and daughter would not say anything bad about the fruits even though they did not like to eat them. It was a token of the sisters‘ gesture at the end of the day.
“Is Elisa out?” Serena casually remarked, Seeing that Elisa was not around.
“God knows where the girl went. She might have asked her girlfriends out shopping. She’s prodigal. All she does is buy, buy, buy. She never really uses the things she bought. She would put the stuff in a pile before tossing them out. Don’t you think. she’s reckless with money?”
Mrs. Stone moaned and groaned about her daughter’s extravagant spending.
Thank goodness she had two sons who earned a good living and doted on their sister. They were glad to provide their sister with a hefty allowance.
“Isn’t Elisa going to try her hand at investment? Maybe she went to survey the project.”
Elisa had never worked in an office. However, she must have an eye for investment since she was born into a family with business acumen.
Serena wanted to explore new grounds with Elisa and see if she could make it out there.
“Who knows? Is your hand injury any better now, Serena?”
While carrying Sonny with one hand, Mrs. Stone held Serena’s hand and glanced at it. Distressed and helpless, she said, “Since Zack confessed his identity, you’ve always stopped me from standing up for you. You didn’t come to me and pour out your feelings either. I’m so worried that my hair has turned gray. You and your sister are always this stubborn.
“I remember that your mom has a good temper and isn’t stubborn at all. I wonder whom you take after with your stubbornness.
Serena laughed and asked, “Didn’t you say my sister and I take after you in temper?”
Mrs. Stone choked. She recalled that she admired Serena and her sister not just because of their kinship, but also because of the way the two of them conducted.
themselves.
Indeed, Serena took after Mrs. Stone in stubbornness.
“Now that you came over today, what help do you need from me?”
Ever since Zack confessed his identity, all Elisa felt was anger. Even so, she did. not fall out with Serena. She took pity on Serena who was wronged and deceived. by Zack. She claimed that she wanted to deal with Zack on Serena’s behalf.
It was finally a load off the Stones‘ minds.
Since her daughter could face it openly, Mrs. Stone was not too worried. Whenever her niece needed her, she would stand up for her with her identity as next of kin.
“Aunt Audrey, I need to ask you for a favor.”
“Say it. If it’s within my capabilities, I’ll definitely help you. Even if I can’t, you have two other cousins to help solve your problem.”
Serena said with a grin, “I don’t need them. Your help is enough. You always attend. social gatherings, don’t you? I shamelessly hope that you’ll bring me along to all the social gatherings you attend in the future.”
Mrs. Stone grasped her point and said, “No problem. I usually ask Elisa to accompany me to social gatherings, but she doesn’t want to. She thinks those people are hypocritical, and she’s too lazy to deal with them.
“But everyone is two–faced in all circles–this is reality. For those who can benefit you, you should go all out to butter them up. As for those who aren’t beneficial and offendable, you’d better not offend them. As for those who are not of help and have a lower status, you can put on airs and don’t have to worry about offending them.
“You just have to understand that everyone prioritizes benefits. Don’t simply trust other people. It’s important to guard against others, but don’t do harm to others either. If someone wants to harm you, you don’t need to tolerate them. Just attack them bravely and let them know that you’re not to be taken lightly.”
Serena nodded again and again.
“Why didn’t you ask Zack to bring you along?” Mrs. Stone asked out of curiosity.
Given that Serena came to look for her today, Mrs. Stone knew that Serena was trying to mingle with Zack’s social circle to strive for Zack and her future.
After Serena fell quiet for a moment, she said, “Zack is domineering. I won’t be able to see through other people if I attend social gatherings with him.”
Zack would be protective of her, so no one would dare to provoke her in front of him. In that case, she would not be able to see through those people and decide whether they were worth keeping as friends.
Since she wanted to be with Zack forever, she would surely have to attend social gatherings alone at times in the future. If she was unable to fathom those people, she would easily get tricked and framed on those occasions.
Serena wanted to attempt and see if she was able to adapt to the circle filled with. hypocritical and scheming people.
After some thought, Mrs. Stone said, “That’s true. Although the upper classes might seem well–educated, they’re all hypocrites. They do things that are different from what they say. Some people will trap you openly.
“They’re also xenophobic and won’t easily let other people join their circles. Many rich ladies want to associate with those ladies from wealthy families, but they’re looked down upon.
“The Yorks‘ status is apparent. You’re the York family’s eldest daughter–in–law. On the surface, they won’t do anything to you, but they might secretly plot against you. Since you’ve decided to be with Zack forever, these are the things you need to face and adapt to on your own. You also need to learn to counterattack so you’ll remain invincible even without Zack by your side.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.