Chapter 2299


    ?


    Magdalen shed a mischievous grin, "The daughter-inw''s practically through the door; good times are knocking!"


    Upstairs in her bedroom, Emily sat in front of herputer, "Getting that promotion to senior designer after the New Year is the real deal for me." Magdalen chuckled, "You''re turning into quite the career woman. Don''t push yourself too hard, you''ve got Charlie!"


    "It''s precisely because he''s ahead that I need to hustle even more." Emily pretended to sigh heavily, resting her chin on her hand, "The pressure''s immense!"


    Estelle and Magdalen burst intoughter.


    Estelle inquired, "Where''s Kya?"


    Emily angled her phone towards the balcony outside, "She''s setting off fireworks in the yard with Dad and the grandparents."


    Magdalen added, "Guess that leaves me as the bore. I''m just at the Langston''s, having dinner and watching the New Year''s show. Nothing more." Estelle suggested, "You could get Morrison to y cards with you!"


    "I''ve been swamped with visitors, hardly a moment to breathe." Magdalen slouched on the couch, "This holiday''s been a drag. I''m heading over to E''s tomorrow afternoon."


    Her spirits lifted as she spoke, nudging Emily, "You and Charlie shoulde too, bring Kya!"


    Emily was tempted, "I do miss Old Mr. Jarvis!"


    Estelle beamed, "Then it''s settled, we''ll meet up in C City!"


    "Yes, yes!" Magdalen was visibly excited, "I''ll post a message in the group chat, see who else is up for it."


    The anticipation of tomorrow''s reunion lifted everyone''s spirits.


    After a bit more chatter, Emily shared, "Mom called this morning, asked if I wanted to bring Kya back home for the holidays." Magdalen frowned, "What did you say?"


    Emily''s eyes cooled, "I told her that wasn''t my home."


    Her mom seemed awkward and hung up without much else to say.


    Her brother also called, and she turned him down too. It wasn''t out of spite; it truly wasn''t her home anymore.


    She''d rather spend the holidays with the James family than go back.


    Later, her brother transferred her a thousand dors, but she didn''t ept it.


    Magdalen scoffed, "Probably trying to ease his guilty conscience with a call."


    She turned serious, "Emily, being with Charlie and thinking long-term, you need to stand firm, cut ties with your mom''s side. Not for anything else, but your sister-inw could ruin everything you''ve got." Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Emily nodded solemnly, "I understand."


    Estelle asked, "How''s the James family to you?"


    ?


    Mrs.


    Emily''s face warmed with a smile, "Very kind. At Amiee''s wedding James had a heart-to-heart with me. I was moved. This holiday, they''ve all been wonderful."


    Her bond with Mrs. James had grown since their talk.


    Mr. James had always been weing, asking about her work and life, offering advice like a father, and even giving her money to buy whatever she liked, just as he would for his own daughter.


    But she never epted the money.


    Her earnings were more than enough for her lifestyle, and with Charlie''s support, she was financially independent. Magdalenughed, "With Charlie by your side, you can afford to be whimsical anywhere. Trust in his capabilities!"


    Emily''s gentle smile revealed dimples, "He''s already more than amodating with me!"


    After some more chatting, Morrison called Magdalen for a card game, and Emily went downstairs to find Charlie and Kya, wrapping up their conversation.


    Before logging off, Magdalen announced, "Darlings, see you tomorrow in C City!"


    Emily chimed in, "I''ll go tell Charlie right now!"


    Estelle smiled, "We''ll be waiting!"