Jasmine replied, “Julian, the head of the household, is older.”
“But they don’t have the same mother. They’re just cousins.”
Jasmine blushed. “That’s a shocker. They are close like brothers. Josh must be the oldest child in his family then.”
Elisa remarked with a grin, “So you don’t need to be jealous of Seren. Your future in-laws are on the same level as the Yorks. God, both of you bagged the two greatest families in Wiltspoon.”
Jasmine looked at Serena while Serena met her gaze.
It was not like the girls had never seen jewelry before. Jasmine was aware that Mrs. Bucham gave her an expensive gift, but it never crossed her mind that Mrs. Bucham saw Jasmine as her daughter-in-law from the first time they met.
Josh must have known about it, but he said nothing. The man even urged Jasmine to accept the gift from Mrs. Bucham.
The guy was conniving as ever.
“I’m going to cook now.”
Jasmine made an excuse to leave so she could give Josh a call to verify whether Elisa was right.
She was able to mingle with the upper crust because she had an aunt who married into that circle. Jasmine thought she knew the community well enough, but compared to Elisa, Jasmine realized there was a more affluent class above the circle she hung out with.
Jasmine did not even know about the Buchams’ family heirloom.
Not to mention, Serena’s first contact with the upper society was through Jasmine.
Although Serena was never into social climbing, she had somehow married into a powerful and wealthy family. She was the lady of the entire household, so there was a lot for Serena to learn. Compared to Jasmine, the burden on Serena was heavier.
Serena would have a lot on her plate.
“I’m not eating here today, Jasmine. No need to cook for me.”
Elisa added, “I’m leaving. I only came to talk about the progress of our investment project. Cece’s not feeling herself. I want to be there for her.”
“Is your best friend still feeling down?”
“She needs time to move on. She had been with the guy for so many years only to be betrayed. Not everybody is like me. It’s not easy to let go of feelings and move on. Even I cried to my brother a few times when I found out that Zack was married.”
Serena felt awkward.
She really thought things would work out for Elisa and Mr. York back then.
t never occurred to Serena that Mr. York turned out to be her husband.
“Seren, it’s all in the past. I quit daydreaming the moment he saw me as his cousin-in-law. He has done a lot for you but never anything for me. He wouldn’t even talk to me in the past.”
Serena was not the only reason Elisa could get over Zack. Elisa was able to tell that Zack had no feelings for her as he only had eyes for Serena.
“Come to think of it, my best friend shares a similar experience with you except their roles were reversed-she took Zack’s role. She hid her identity when she was together with her boyfriend, but the guy left her for someone rich. Apparently, the new girl had money and connections, so he didn’t need to work as hard to advance in his career.”
Serena remarked, “She should be relieved that she saw the man’s true colors before they got married.”
“That’s what I told her too.”
Elisa grabbed her car keys. “I got to go, Seren. Do you have time to draft the contract? If not, I can get my brother’s secretary to do it for us. I can’t be bothered with this. I spent the whole night on the business proposal last time.”
“I’ll do it.”
Serena took on the responsibility since she could not put everything on Elisa’s shoulders.
This was an investment project among the three of them. There were certain things she needed to handle herself for the sake of gaining experience.
“I’ll pick you up in the evening for the social event.”
“Sure,” Serena happily answered while walking Elisa out. Once Elisa was gone, she returned to the shop and helped Jasmine with lunch.
Not too long later, the students flocked into the shop as school was out.
The pair paused making lunch and attended to their trade.
Liberty came with Sonny at noon.
She operated a breakfast diner, so she only worked half the day. Still, Liberty was tired from waking up early in the morning.
“Seren, have you made lunch?” Liberty asked, seeing that her sister and Jasmine were occupied.
“The appetizer is ready. We haven’t had time to make toppings for the dish.”
“I’ll make them.”
Liberty told her son to entertain himself behind the cash register while she went into the kitchen to cook.
After Serena was done scanning books for two students, and the parent made the payment, Serena asked, “Where’s Mrs. Lane?”
“She went home to have lunch. Business has been great in the last two days. I’ll put out a sign to hire tomorrow, Seren. I plan to employ one person. That way, Mrs. Lane can come back and help you.”
Liberty replied as she made her way into the kitchen to cook.
Serena had no problems with her sister’s decision to bring someone on board her business. She always believed that her sister would excel in anything she put her mind to.
All You Can Eat would become the best restaurant on the street.
Her sister would become the prettiest restaurant owner.
Liberty served a portion for her son to start eating when the shop mellowed down.
She also helped out until all customers had left the store before they had their lunch together.
After lunch, Serena said, “I need to tell you something, Liberty.”
Rocking Sonny to sleep, Liberty lifted her chin and looked at her sister before uttering with a smile, “Do tell.”
“I was stopped in the middle of the road last night, and the car was trashed.
“What!”
Liberty and Jasmine exclaimed in shock. They asked in unison, “Are you alright?”
Serena said, “I’m okay. Am I not sitting here all fine? But my car was smashed. Zack drove me to work this morning.”
Liberty nervously asked, “Who was it? Was it those people again?”
She thought it was their relatives again.
“No. It’s the Newman family. Well, the sister of the woman I helped before, to be precise. I got into two arguments with her, so she hired a few thugs to get back at me.”
“I can’t believe it! Where is the law?” Liberty reproached.
“Did you call the cops?”
“Yeah.”
Serena looked at her nephew in her sister’s arms and replied, “I’ll be fine, Liberty. Zack assigned another two bodyguards to protect me. I’m letting you know now in case you and Sonny might be dragged into this.
“How about you move in with us, Liberty? We can look after one another, and it’s safer for all of us.”
Liberty answered, “I’m renting in quite a safe neighborhood. Since you called the cops, they would’ve learned their lesson and wouldn’t try something again. We’re living in a lawful society.”
After much thought, Liberty added, “I cleaned out the storage room in the diner. I plan to get bunk beds to put in there and move out of the apartment. Sonny and I can stay in the diner. At least, I can save money on the rental, and it’s safer too.”
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.