Clark paused, looking at Martha. "Would you keep a potential threat around if you were in her shoes?" he inquired.
Martha was taken aback, suddenly at a loss for words.
Indeed, if it were her, she wouldn’t tolerate such a threat hanging around—competing for attention, adding stress.
Clark continued, "Serena wears the latest fashion and brandishes the newest accessories. This indicates that, at the very least, this family doesn’t skimp on providing for her materially."
"I see your point, Clark."
"As for emotional aspects, I often hear Mom and Dad ntioning Serena. One mont Serena has won an award, the next she’s been accepted to Sumrfield College, then they’re planning to take Serena out for dinner, and then visit her at school. Doesn’t seem like she’s being neglected."
Martha had lowered her head, afraid to utter a word.
"When their biological child returns, they can’t just ignore her and continue to shower Serena with love alone. That wouldn’t be fair."
"Let’s say the love that Mom and Dad can give equals a hundred percent. Even if they gave Rose sixty percent, leaving Serena with forty percent, you’d have to understand. For the first eighteen years, Rose got nothing. Serena had their full affection all to herself. As soone close to Serena, you should guide her, teach her—and even yourself—to be grateful. Don’t bear such a grudge against Rose. Your influence on Serena is more powerful than you think."
Martha was filled with sha. "You’re right, Clark."
"I’m not lecturing you," Clark calmly corrected her. "I’m just stating the facts. I can tell you’re not fond of Rose. It seems she doesn’t exactly have an easy life here, at least partly because of you."
"Clark." Martha was flustered.
"Rose could’ve used her newfound status to get rid of you, but she didn’t. Be grateful for that. You’re only able to gossip about her because she gave you the chance. Otherwise, you’d be long gone."
Martha bowed deeply. "I’m sorry, Clark. I will adjust my attitude and stop spreading rumors."
"Clark, I brought you so food!"
At this mont, Serena entered with a platter of delectable dishes.
"The chef just made these. I grabbed a little bit of everything. Try it and see if you like it. If you want more, I can fetch it."
After a few bites, Clark said, "Let’s take a walk in the garden."
He didn’t want to stick around and see Martha’s face any longer.
As Serena tried to take the platter with her, Clark laughed, "No need for more food. Let’s just enjoy the walk."
Martha watched their retreating figures, filled with anxiety.
She was tempted to follow and eavesdrop but feared being caught by Clark.
"Clark, is there sothing you want to talk about?" Serena asked, glancing nervously at him as she walked behind him.
"Don’t be nervous, just keep up," Clark smiled at her. "Am I that intimidating?"
"No, not at all." Serena quickly matched Clark’s pace, walking side by side with him.
"Do you and Rose have any disputes?"
Serena’s face fell at his question. "Did Martha tell you sothing?"
"She didn’t say a thing."
"Then why would you ask that, Clark?"
"I’m just curious." Clark noted her wariness, his smile intensifying. "Seems like you two aren’t exactly getting along."
Serena lowered her gaze, taking a mont before opting for honesty. "At first, Mom and Dad suddenly brought her ho without any warning. I wasn’t prepared at all. That day, they had prepared a magical surprise for her. I thought it was for and ended up making a fool of myself."
Her eyes seed to dim. "Then I found out she was the real daughter of this family, and I was the adopted one. Her arrival divided my parents’ attention, and even Roo started to like her. So, if I say I have zero resentnt towards her, it would be a lie."
Serena’s gaze dimd for a while before she spoke again. "Afterwards, after everything that happened, I suddenly wanted to be friends with her, but she doesn’t seem to want to be friends with ."
"What do you an?" Clark seed a bit puzzled.
"She doesn’t seem to care about these trivial matters."
In Serena’s mory, Rose was either soaked in her lab doing experints or busy with her business across the country. She didn’t seem to care about sisterly bonds.
"And what about her?" Clark asked again.
"Her personality is pretty neutral. She treats everyone the sa. It’s not like she’s targeting ."
Clark was surprised to hear this. Unlike Martha, Serena didn’t take the opportunity to badmouth Rose but expressed her thoughts fairly.
"What about other aspects?"
"Other aspects?" Serena pondered for a mont. "She’s quite outstanding. Anyway, you’ll know when you et her, Clark."
It seed that his younger sister was not too bad in Serena’s eyes.
"You’ve grown up and can make your own judgnts. I’m very reassured." Clark patted her shoulder. "You’re eighteen now and living in a dorm. I don’t think you need Martha to take care of you. Why not let her co to my place and help out?"
"Clark, you want to move Martha to your place?" Serena quickly grabbed his sleeve. "Can you get another maid? I’ve gotten used to having Martha around all these years."
"Habits can be changed."
"Clark." This ti, Serena realized sothing. "Did Martha say sothing to upset you earlier? I’ll apologize for her. Can you please not move her away?"
Unable to resist Serena’s pleas, Clark finally conceded. "If you want her to stay, fine, but you need to make your own judgnts. If you have any problems, you should ask instead of always asking her."
"I promise!" Serena quickly agreed.
"Also, Mom and Dad feel a deep guilt towards Rose because they weren’t able to give her anything in the past eighteen years. As her brother, I also feel that I should make up for her, but this doesn’t an you’re less important in this family, understand?"
Serena was taken aback but then nodded.
"You’re still part of this family. It’s just that now, we have one more family mber. We should welco and accept her, not alienate or despise her."
"I understand, Clark."
"You’re a good kid. Rember, if we didn’t like you, we would’ve kicked you out a long ti ago." Clark patted her shoulder, fearing that she might be led astray by Martha. It seed that he would have to keep a closer eye on Martha’s actions from now on.
At least for now, Serena was still a kind and innocent child.
It was just that Martha held a deep prejudice towards Rose.
It would be best if it could be changed.
But if not...
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