Christopher took the kids back to the Hart family mansion.
Alia gave Aunt Harper and Fuller ti off to go be with their families. She herself packed up, ready to visit the cetery to see her mother and grandparents.
Just as she was about to leave, guests arrived outside the courtyard.
Seeing the rcedes-Benz parked in front, she was puzzled about who it could be. Just then, the car door opened, and several people got out.
She was surprised to see the visitors.
In that instant, she almost understood their intentions.
Uncle Dunn and Aunt Dunn were holding large bags of gifts, along with toys for the children.
Seeing Alia about to go out, they paused briefly, then smiled, "Alia, you don’t recognize us, do you? I’m your Uncle Dunn, and this is your Aunt Dunn."
It’s a festival, and guests are guests, especially when they co with smiles.
Alia couldn’t very well turn them away and politely nodded, "Uncle Dunn, Aunt Dunn, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, happy New Year." Aunt Dunn quickly stepped forward, glancing around behind her, "Oh? You’re going out without the kids?"
Alia smiled, not wanting to say much, and ca up with an excuse, "They went out to play. I’ll pick them up later. So... you ca to see for a reason?"
Dunn Hart, with a sowhat awkward smile, said, "Yes, yes, there is sothing... This place of yours is quite hard to find. I asked around for days before I found it. On this first day of the New Year, we’re disturbing you to bring you and the kids so gifts..."
The couple moved forward with their bags and handed them to her.
Alia repeatedly declined, but Aunt Dunn was unusually enthusiastic and left everything at the doorstep when she wouldn’t accept them.
Alia had no desire to engage with them and didn’t plan to invite them inside.
The group stood awkwardly for a mont until Dunn Hart noticed her deanor and quickly said, "So... you’re heading out, I’ll be brief. It’s about the company, you probably have an idea."
Alia nodded silently, gesturing for him to continue.
Dunn Hart paused, then continued, "Earlier... it was indeed our fault. Christopher was angry, and I understand... But now the company’s situation is dire, and I feel helpless. Only Christopher can stabilize the company now, but he’s set on resigning."
Alia remained silent, making Dunn Hart uncertain and increasingly embarrassed, "Christopher is headstrong. I’ve apologized and admitted my mistakes to him, but he just won’t give a straight answer... Alia, he listens to you the most. Please, as soone worried about our children, help persuade him. After all, we’re all one family. If the company is taken over by outsiders, we’ll all suffer together..."
Dunn Hart reluctantly finished, but Alia remained calm and collected.
He had to signal his wife with his eyes.
Aunt Dunn smiled and imdiately moved closer to Alia, "Dear, I know you’ve endured a lot over the years, raising kids alone is especially tough. Now that you’re back with Christopher, I’m happy for you. Balancing family and career is what makes one successful in life. Surely, you wouldn’t want Christopher’s hard work over the years to be taken by others, right?"
Alia wasn’t used to being this close with any elders, especially unfamiliar ones.
She forced a smile and quietly stepped aside, withdrawing her arm, "Uncle Dunn, I understand your point, but I don’t have the right to ddle in company matters."
"How can you not? You’ve reconciled with Christopher, his matters are yours too."
Aunt Dunn stepped forward again to persuade, "Sweetheart, just talk to him; he’ll definitely listen."
Alia stepped back further, still figuring out how to extricate herself when her phone rang.
She was delighted and quickly answered, "Hello... Yes, I’m about to head out. You’re already here? Great, I’m on my way."
She hung up and hurried to the parking space, "Uncle Dunn, Aunt Dunn, I’ve got an important appointnt with a friend, I must go! Excuse the poor hospitality, I apologize."
"Hey, Alia!" Aunt Dunn followed to the car, holding the door, "Be sure to talk to Christopher, nothing whispers closer than pillow talk! You..."
Before she could finish, Alia started the engine, and Aunt Dunn had to let go.
As she watched the BMW reverse and prepare to leave, Dunn Hart wasn’t ready to give up and followed, knocking on the car window, "Alia, did you hear what I said? Be sure to talk to Christopher!"
Afraid of accidentally hitting soone, Alia had to lower the window and repeatedly agree, "Got it, Uncle Dunn. Please step back and stay safe. I have to go now."
Before she finished speaking, the window rolled up, the accelerator pressed down, and the car sped away like an escape.
Dunn Hart and his wife watched the retreating car, all smiles instantly wiped off their faces.
"That Fox Spirit, it’s been years, and she looks even better than before! No wonder Christopher is infatuated with her!" Aunt Dunn squinted, spoke angrily.
Dunn Hart let out a heavy sigh, "That woman is no simpleton, she’s in the sa league as Christopher!"
"That’s what you call birds of a feather!" The two rolled their eyes, fuming, as they got back into their car and left.
Once Alia got away, she let out a big sigh of relief. The car hadn’t gone far when her phone rang again, and she quickly connected via Bluetooth, "Hello, Snow..."
"Are you okay? Did you run into any trouble?"
"Yes..." Alia answered weakly, recounting what had just happened, "Isn’t it funny? They were at each other’s throats with Christopher back then, and now they co pleading for him to return. If only they had realized this earlier."
Snow Fitch found it funny too, "That’s how people are, greedy and never considering if they’re even capable. But getting them to be humble and beg is good enough, at least it feels satisfying."
"Yeah," Alia responded, not wanting to discuss it further, and asked, "Why did you call ?"
"I saw your posts, haha, you two were out setting off fireworks late at night? Did you deliberately leave the kids behind? What kind of parents are you?"
ntioning this made Alia laugh.
"I didn’t expect him to co so late. Hope was asleep; I couldn’t just wake them up, could I?"
"I bet soone did it on purpose! Just wanted so alone ti with you."
Alia just smiled and stayed silent.
She wasn’t sure if soone had done it on purpose.
After the fireworks last night, he surprised her with a New Year’s gift, leaving her too excited to sleep until after 1 a.m.
So she couldn’t resist posting on her social dia.
A few pictures of fireworks, keeping it low-key, she had deliberately edited out Mr. Hart’s figure.
Though her hasty edit might not be obvious to others, Miss Fitch instantly saw through it and called to tease her.
"Did you call just for the gossip?" Alia thought she must be too idle!
"Hey..." Snow abruptly sighed, discouraged.
This surprised Alia, "What’s wrong, sighing all of a sudden?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)