“They can try every dirty trick under the sun, but we’re not going to change our minds about taking them to court. We’ll only take what is ours and nothing more,” Serena spoke firmly.
She was not a heartless person, but she could show no mercy when it came to her money- hungry relatives.
It would take Serena a lifetime to get over the hurt from her childhood.
“Of course. They can talk and make up stories all they want. We’ll take the legal route, so it’s a fair game for them and us.”
Elisa said, “I have never met anyone more shameless than them. Are you sure your father is their blood family, Seren?”
“I believe so. My father shared an uncanny resemblance with his old man. They’re just playing favorites…. That’s the case with some parents-they dote on the oldest and youngest while the middle child tends to get ignored.
“I will request for a DNA test if they put up a defense, saying that my father isn’t their child in court. The DNA test will prove the blood relations.
“If they aren’t willing to do the DNA test, it can only mean that they are lying and have something to hide.”
With the current medical-technology, a DNA test could determine blood ties between family members.
The rumors spread by Old Mr. and Mrs. Hunt in town would only make them a laughingstock.
Everybody came from the same town, and the older generation was still around when Serena’s father was born. These people would not be blind to the truth.
It was the same with Serena’s mother. The people in Lisa’s hometown might not remember much about her, but they knew that Lisa was adopted.
“As you said, they’re spreading rumors to guilt-trip you into thinking that you shouldn’t fight for the property since you’re not related to them.”
Elisa and Jasmine shared the same thoughts.
The Hunts’ ability to twist the facts was all too familiar to them.
“It’s good that you girls are aware of it,” Elisa added. “The project we’re investing in is there, but I’ll get someone to be our representative and manage the project. You’ll be the first to know if anything happens.”
“Thank you, Elisa.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re best friends and cousins. Don’t get all polite with me. We’re closer than that. Are you using a different skincare product? I don’t think it’s the brand I gave you. You smell different.”
Elisa was familiar with her favorite and commonly used skincare products. She did not notice at first, but she realized it now. Hence why she asked. Elisa was also changing the topic to stop Serena from thanking her repeatedly.
“Yeah. You smell different to me too.”
Jasmine gleefully asked her best friend, “Are you using the skincare products Mr. York. gave you?”
“You talk as if Mr. Bucham doesn’t give you anything. Mr. Bucham is more attentive and romantic than my man. You can call mine a blockhead. He can’t seem to take a hint. He needs direct orders.
“He gave me a few different collections of skincare products, saying that I can only use the ones he bought me. Isn’t he domineering? He wants to take over every aspect of my life.”
Elisa and Jasmine answered in unison, “You should be content. He spoils you crazy, and here you are, whining about it. You don’t know how good you get it.”
Zack did not know much about romance, nor was he sensual with his words. Nevertheless, anyone could spot his love and concern for Serena from a mile away.
Elisa knew better than anyone else how much Zack changed for Serena. God knew how many women in Wiltspoon were jealous of Serena.
Serena said with a smile, “I know, I know. I’m the luckiest woman alive. I will count my blessings. I mean, I do count blessings.”
Her best friends and family were easily paid off by Zack, and now they always put in the good word for him.
Well, Zack was good to Serena.
“I don’t know what I should get him.”
Serena puckered her brows.
Her two best friends believed Serena was tormenting them by showing off her relationship.
It did not affect Jasmine much though as Josh was nice to her too. However, as someone without a partner, Elisa was envious and jealous.
“Zack used to have everything but a wife. Though that’s settled because you’re now married to him. He needs children in his life now. Hurry up and make babies. Get a pair of twins-a girl and a boy.”
With an adorable kid like Sonny in mind, Elisa uttered, “You can have lots of children if they are as cute and smart as Sonny. Zack can afford to raise them anyway.
“Seren, any good news from you? I must be the first to know if there is. I want to prepare gifts for my future niece or nephew.”
Jasmine teased her, “Seren’d be telling Mr. York first if she’s pregnant. Don’t fight for the number one spot with Mr. York. He might just be jealous of you and stop Seren from hanging out with you.”
Elisa remarked in delight, “I was scared of Zack before, but now he’s scared of me. I’m the older cousin, remember? Hahaha. It makes me happy every time I’m reminded that Zack is ranked below me in the family.”
Serena was blunt. “It’s more like you scare him off.”
Elisa was speechless.
“My Aunt Flo has just finished this month’s visit, so no news of pregnancy. I want a girl and a boy too. Mr. Remy Johnson’s sister-in-law is carrying twins, I believe. Her due date is around the corner.”
Serena had heard it from Zack.
Zack reflected envy in his tone when he brought up that Ben and his wife were having twins.
Serena knew very little about the richest family in Anneburg, and the only person she had more information on was Remy.
Serena’s eyes were on Elisa when she was talking.
Not reading much into the situation, Elisa said with a smile, “The renovation on Mr. Johnson’s house has begun. Mr. Johnson often dropped by to check on the progress. I would invite him for tea if I ran into him. I also caught wind that his sister-in-law is carrying twins. Apparently, his other sister-in-law had twins too, twin boys.
“The Johnsons are like the Yorks. Their family seemed to be blessed with only sons.”
Elisa then remarked, “Seren, you’ll be a hero in the York family if you give birth to a daughter. They have been hoping for a girl in the family for years.”
While the Johnsons were mostly blessed with sons, only Ben’s generation was without a girl. His father had a sister.
The Yorks had not had a girl in the family for generations.
Serena uttered with a grin, “The pressure is always on the women to have sons. It’s different for me-I am under pressure to have a daughter. Nana has been nagging about having a great-granddaughter. She said I could expect a handsome reward for giving birth to a girl.”
“Grandma May mentioned that the push present for giving birth to a boy is fifty million, and five hundred million for a girl. I heard about it before. All of Grandma May’s daughters-in- law had three sons each: She still hasn’t gotten her wish, and the five hundred million dollars remained unclaimed.”
Elisa kept her gaze on her cousin as she said this. The message was clear.
Serena was shocked.
She was in the wrong business. In fact, why set up her own business? She could just give Zack children. Her wealth could be built through giving birth.
Jasmine gasped in awe; as expected from the wealthy.
The push present was a lot of money, and Grandma May was not the only giver. The other family members would be showering with cash gifts too.
“Seren, you can be rich by having children,” Jasmine commented with a smile.
Elisa grabbed Jasmine’s hand and caressed the charm bracelet Jasmine got from Mrs. Bucham, uttering, “Jasmine, you don’t need to be envious of Seren. Your future mother-in- law gave you a family heirloom. I thought my eyes deceived me, but now that I had a close examination, I’m certain this is the Buchams’ family heirloom.”
Jasmine was at a loss for words.
“The Buchams’ family heirloom? How can you tell?”
It never occurred to Jasmine that Mrs. Bucham would give her the family heirloom during their first encounter.
Did Jasmine pass the test the first time?
“My mom took me to get acquainted with the ladies of the Bucham family. I always saw Mrs. Bucham with the charm bracelet. The first lady of the household also has one, and hers is more valuable than Mrs. Bucham’s.
“Mrs. Bucham mentioned that this is their family heirloom. It is passed down to the wife of the oldest son. I guess Josh is the oldest son?”
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.