Snow Fitch couldn’t take it and muttered, "I think you’re just rich and clueless, a dumb sweetheart! Yes, exactly like your dumb sweetheart assistant!"
She had just arrived and saw Betty, along with the two n standing beside her—likely one as a bodyguard and driver, and the other as a translator.
Putting on such a big show for a small job—either you’re brainless or brainless.
Alia Garcia smiled and said, "My few hundred thousand is nothing compared to Betty’s ten million."
Speaking of this, Alia only found out later that Benny Palr had "conned" ten million that day and went straight to Venus’s flagship store to buy the most expensive set of jewelry as a birthday gift for Old Lady Palr.
In other words, he ended up helping Venus’s business.
She profited from both sides, leaving Alia feeling tongue-tied whenever she wanted to snap at him.
Alia had tried to subtly warn Betty that Benny Palr wasn’t reliable, telling her the erald set was precious but nowhere near worth ten million.
But the truly rich and clueless sweetheart said, "It’s okay, as long as I like it, that’s what matters. Money is just a number."
OK! What more could she say?
Once the dishes were served, they finally steered away from these unpleasant topics.
Snow Fitch curiously asked, "How co you’re free to have dinner with today? No need to stay ho with your man and kids?"
Alia Garcia drooped her eyes and sighed, "As if they need to keep them company... I’ve been abandoned."
"What? Christopher Hart has truly abandoned you again? He—"
"Hold on, hold on, let finish." She quickly stopped her best friend’s rage and explained, "Christopher took the triplets back to the Hart Family’s old residence; I’m spending tonight alone."
"What?" Snow Fitch’s eyes widened in shock. "What do you an? Are they trying to fight you for the kids?"
"Not exactly..."
It was a long story, and as they ate and chatted, Snow Fitch finally realized she had missed out on quite a bit of drama recently.
"I always feel like Christopher’s hiding sothing from , but he won’t say it, and I don’t bother asking anymore. I can sense that he deliberately keeps his family matters away from , probably fearing it’d upset ."
"All those troubles in his family—you don’t need to know about them anyway."
"True." So, let it be.
If the kids are willing to bond with their grandparents, she’d gladly let them.
During holidays, let Christopher take the kids back for a al to keep the surface peace intact.
After dinner, the two went shopping together.
Alia recalled the last ti she went shopping—it was after a big fight with Christopher. She’d ended up missing work and losing a client, feeling so flustered that she drove out in anger and wandered around for an afternoon on her own.
Thinking about it, it had been nearly half a year.
"It’s been years since we’ve shopped together. You’ve beco a business owner now, really busy," Snow Fitch half sighed, half teased.
"Yes, every day feels like a race—taking care of kids, rushing with work, dealing with endless sses—it’s hard to know when it’ll ever stop."
Seeing her low spirits, Snow Fitch looped her arm around Alia’s and consoled her, "Oh co on, those were the old days. Now with Christopher backing you up, I believe your hard tis are over."
She laughed, "Changing one’s destiny absolutely can’t rely on n; it’s always better to depend on yourself."
Snow Fitch chuckled, "You say whatever you want, as long as you’re happy."
Thinking about the approaching New Year, Alia realized she hadn’t bought much winter clothing for the little ones yet. She decided to go on a shopping spree—for the kids, for herself—and ended up with her hands full.
Miss Fitch groaned, "I get it now! You treated to dinner with an ulterior motive, just to have as your pack mule!"
"Haha, only now do you realize? Too late! Eating so much is going to make you gain weight—I’m kindly helping you burn calories! Let’s go—" Alia pulled her "overburdened" bestie along into yet another shoe store.
"Oh my god... you’re still buying?"
————
By nine that evening, Christopher was ready to leave with the kids, but Emma Carter was reluctant to let them go.
After spending the evening together, the grandparents and grandchildren weren’t exactly close, but at least harmonious.
"Christopher, it’s so late already. Why not let the kids stay overnight here? It’ll be ten o’clock by the ti you’re ho," Emma tried persuading her son, her reluctance obvious.
"No need, we have to head back," Christopher’s decision was final.
Though he had brought the kids over tonight, he couldn’t shake off a feeling of guilt towards Alia.
From afternoon until now, he’d sent her several ssages on WhatsApp, but hadn’t received a single reply.
The unease in his heart only grew.
No matter what, he couldn’t let the kids stay here overnight.
Seeing his firm stance, Emma had no way to insist.
Christopher looked at the kids. "Say goodbye to Grandma."
The three little ones, having been well-educated, obediently waved and said, "Goodbye, Grandma."
Emma’s eyes were nearly tearing up at their "Grandma." "Goodbye darlings, co visit Grandpa and Grandma again soon."
"Alright, we’re leaving. It’s cold; you’d better head back inside," Christopher said, signaling the bodyguard, who shut the car door and got in.
Emma stood in the courtyard, braving the biting wind, watching the car until it disappeared from sight.
After turning back into the house, she found her stubborn, sharp-tongued husband peering out from behind the door, his face full of longing, too.
Emma’s expression shifted slightly, "If you’re so fond of them, why didn’t you talk to the kids more during dinner?"
George Hart scoffed, "Who said I’m fond of them?" refusing to let go of his pride and admit he liked the kids.
Emma didn’t bother exposing him. The sparkle in her eyes gradually dimd as the house returned to its quiet, empty state, leaving only the echoes of the children’s chatter lingering in her ears.
Her emotions were deeply conflicted.
On one hand, she felt grateful that Alia had given birth to these three children, fulfilling her dream of being a grandmother.
On the other hand, she resented that woman, hated her for making it so hard for her to spend ti with her own grandchildren, for turning even a single eting into a challenge.
The housekeeper approached cautiously, seeing her forlorn expression, and said, "Madam, the young lady has woken up and seems to be in good spirits."
Emma snapped out of it. "Really? I’ll go take a look."
She hurried upstairs and entered her daughter’s room.
Wendy Hart had woken up and was indeed looking well, having eaten much of the food prepared for her.
Seeing this, Emma felt comforted—clearly, the new dication was effective.
"Wendy, it would’ve been wonderful if you’d woken up earlier. The kids just left—they’re so smart. They can..." Emma began cheerfully while sitting by the bed.
But before she could finish, Wendy’s face turned cold and interrupted her, "They woke up with all their noise—chattering on and on like they had no manners."
Emma’s smile froze on her face. After a few seconds of silence, she said, "Children are lively and playful; that’s just how they are..."
"Mom," Wendy said sharply, surprised by her mother’s words, a hurt look spreading across her features. "You’ve already been won over by them, haven’t you? Are you planning to let that woman into the family soon, to make call her sister-in-law?"
"Wendy..." Emma looked at her daughter’s fierce, guarded expression, feeling powerless. After so restraint, she softly comforted, "Nobody has swayed ; I’ve just been worried about your illness lately, feeling weighed down. The kids ca by today, just to lighten the mood a little."
But even with her reassurance, Wendy remained unconvinced.
"I know... I’m just a burden to all of you—making you and Dad worry yourselves sick. The kids are cute and cheerful; you adore them, and it fills the void in your hearts. anwhile, I, as this daughter, might as well not exist anymore..."
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