Chapter 469


    Chapter 469


    “Good to see you,” Mitch greeted me warmly.


    This time, Hiram seemed a lot morefortable with me, even cheerfully calling me “Ms. Finch”!


    But little did he know, the consequences of my visit would lead him into facing Karina’s scolding.


    With a smile, I asked Hiram, “Where are your parents?”


    “They’re inside, and so are my grandparents!” Hiram enthusiastically led me in. It was his birthday, and


    the house was beautifully decorated.


    The staff was bustling around, Neil was on a call in the living room, and Ryan was fussing with a model


    toy, likely a gift for Hiram. Upon seeing me, a grin shed across Ryan’s face, “Irene’s here!”


    He then picked up Serena from her stroller, “And Princess Serena too. She’s getting prettier every day!”


    Ryan was visibly more rxed with Serena this time, his affection for her clear in his words.


    Instead of bringing Brandon, I chose to bring Serena because Brandon’s resemnce to Neil was


    growing more pronounced, and I didn’t want to stir up any unnecessary associations for Ryan and


    Faith.


    “Ah, Irene’s here?” Faith descended from the second floor, looking as healthy as ever, save for her


    slightly red, swollen eyes that showed signs of recent crying.


    “Hello,” I greeted politely, my eyes scanning the room for Karina. On such an important day, where


    could she be?


    Neil noticed my tense gaze and calmly exined, “Karina had to attend to something at the hospital,


    and she’ll be back shortly.” I was least interested in seeing Karina. If it weren’t for Faith’s situation, I


    wouldn’t be here at all.


    But since I was here, I couldn’te empty-handed. I retrieved a video game console from under


    Serena’s stroller and gave it to Hiram. “Happy birthday, Hiram. This is my gift to you. Do you like it?”


    Hiram loved video games and his eyes sparkled at the sight of the console. He nodded enthusiastically,


    looking at me with newfound warmth, “I love it, thank you, Ms. Finch!”


    Seeing Hiram’s sudden warmth towards me, Ryan and Faith exchanged puzzled nces, but soon


    broke into pleased smiles. They were more than happy to see Hiram and me getting along.


    With his new game console, Hiram was soon engrossed in a game, while Faith led me to a seat on the


    couch. A servant brought me coffee, and there were candies and fruit on the table, all from expensive


    brands, indicating the Whitmore family’s anticipation for Hiram’s birthday party.


    After all, this was Hiram’s first birthday since rejoining the Whitmore family, so a grand celebration was


    to be expected.


    Serena was still nestled in Ryan’s arms. She seemed to enjoy thepany of the Whitmore family,


    being well-behaved whether held by Neil or Ryan and Faith, and even entertained everyone with her


    babbling.


    “Girls are always more behaved. Look at her big eyes and cherry lips; she’s adorable. She’s going to


    be a beauty when she grows up, just like Irene!” Faith gushed over Serena, indirectlyplimenting


    me.


    “Indeed, she’s more and more like Irene,” Ryan chimed in. Without Karina around, their praises for me


    were explicit and warm.


    Neil didn’t say anything, merely focusing on his’ phone.


    The atmosphere was harmonious, as if we were still one big family, and Serena was their


    granddaughter.


    Just then, a string of guests arrived, all important business partners of the Whitmore family. Some even


    traveled all the way


    from Rosemont, indicating the importance they ced on the Whitmore family’s invitation.


    Neil finally put away his phone and stood up to greet the guests. Ryan handed Serena to Faith, and


    both father and son joined in weing the guests.


    Hiram was engrossed in his game, oblivious to the buzzing activity around him.


    After a while, Karina arrived, thest to do so, with traces of sweat on her face.


    “I’m sorry, Hiram. Mommy was held up by an emergency surgery at the hospital,” Karina apologized


    sincerely as she embraced Hiram. But when she noticed the game console in Hiram’s hand, her


    expression subtly changed, “Hiram, where did you get this game console?”


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    Hiram, sensing Karina’s displeasure, quickly put down the console and fell silent, looking at me.


    I was puzzled. Karina used to allow Hiram to y video games, albeit with time restrictions. Why was


    she acting as if he wasn’t allowed to y at all now?


    “Irene gave it to him for his birthday. What’s wrong with Hiram ying a little on his special day?” Faith


    intervened. The moment Karina appeared, her smile faded noticeably.


    “Faith, it’s just that Hiram’s been falling behind in his studies, and prolonged gaming can overstimte


    a child’s brain. It’s not good for him either way,” Karina exined as she took the game console from


    Hiram and casually ced it on the floor.


    Hiram cast a longing nce at the console.


    “You should know better, Karina. It’s normal for kids to y. I’ve spoken to Hiram’s teacher. He’s just


    returned from overseas and it’s natural for him to take a while to adjust to our education system. The


    teacher said he’s a smart kid and will catch up soon. Don’t you know that as a mother?” Faith rebuked


    Karina.


    I had no idea why she disliked Karina so much.


    Karina is Hiram’s mother and a renowned doctor after all.


    Although her past deception had soured Ryan’s opinion of her, Faith really ought to have kept up


    appearances, especially with so many guests present.


    “Faith, I’ve been rather busy with work and I’ve neglected Hiram, but everything I do is for Hiram’s best


    interests,” Karina stated, not backing down on the issue of disciplining Hiram. Holding Hiram’s hand,


    she turned her gaze towards me, “Thank you for your kindness, Ms. Finch.”


    I simply smiled, choosing not to respond.


    Faith seemed to want to say more, but Ryan cut her off. Their eye contact was brief, but it was clear


    they were both irked.


    “Let me hold her.” I reached out to take Serena from Faith’s arms. The little one was thrilled today, her


    small face flushed with joy as she cooed excitedly every now and then.


    Faith looked on, her eyes glued to Serena with an intense longing. It was clear she yearned to hold her


    again..


    Having a grandson made her want a granddaughter. The Whitmore family was certainly not short on


    means to support another child. I understood Faith’s feelings.


    Ryan approached, “Here, let me hold her again.”


    Just then, Hiram’s voice rang out suddenly, “Grandma, Grandpa, do you like other people’s kids more


    than you like me?”