Knowing how unpredictable his boss could be, the assistant always carried pen and paper. At a


    moment’s notice, she handed them to Alex.


    Despite trembling hands, Alex plopped down on the floor and began to sketch.


    In Capital City, Edna and her daughter Darleen had spent a night at a hotel.


    Early the next morning, they brought a jar of wildflower honey—a gift from Jessica—to pay a


    Christmas'' visit to the Lindsays and to greet J.


    Seeing Edna and Darleen instantly made J forget any annoyance she might have felt.


    Edna handed the honey to the housekeeper. “J, my mother sent this for you—wildflower honey,


    excellent for the health of the more... seasoned folks among us. Remember to stir a spoonful into


    your tea,” she said with a smile.


    J chuckled warmly. “Your mom’s too kind. To think she’d part with such a treasure and bring it to


    me!”


    Darleen chimed in, herughter light and carefree. “Oh, J, you mustn’t feel like an outsider.


    Grandma always says, ‘We’re all family here.’ No need to split hairs over what’s yours or mine.”


    That struck a chord with J. As far as she was concerned, Edna and Darleen were already part


    of the family.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    J, beaming, took Darleen’s hand. “Exactly, Darleen, exactly! We are family, and family shouldn''t


    keep score. Since we’re family, you shouldn’t call me J anymore!”


    Darleen feigned confusion. “Oh? What should I call you then?”


    J yfully tapped Darleen’s nose. “You’re so sharp when ites to school, always at the top


    of your ss. How can you be so clueless now? You should call me ‘Grandma,’ silly!”


    “Grandma,” Darleen cooed sweetly.


    Delighted, J pulled out a thick envelope. “Here’s a little gift for the Christmas.”


    “Thank you, Grandma,” Darleen said, epting it gracefully before adding with feigned concern,


    “But won’t Gerry be upset if I call you that? I feel like he doesn’t quite like me.”


    J’s face hardened as she remembered the previous night''s events. “He’d better not be!”


    “Please don’t be mad, Grandma,” Darleen said, hugging J’s arm. “I was just saying. Actually,


    Gerry’s really obedient. Mom always praises him and tells me I could learn a thing or two from him!”


    Who was Darleen? Edna’s daughter, schooled in the art of winning favor and sowing discord without


    making a sound.


    What was Gerardpared to her?


    A child who didn’t even know his own mother. What right did he have topete with her?


    One day, she’d make sure J sent Gerard packing.


    And then, Edna would bare a younger brother for her. She would be the esteemed daughter-inw


    of the Christensen family, while her brother would take over the Lindsay legacy.


    Who in all of Capital City could rival her then?


    A smug glint shed in Darleen’s eyes.


    J’s expression soured. “If only Gerry had half your sense, I’d be grateful.”


    If Gerard really had been sensible, he wouldn’t have refused to let Edna and Darleene to the


    Lindsay family’s celebration.


    And to think Edna was so fond of him.


    If Gerard hadn’t looked so much like Jonah, she might have doubted whether he belonged to the


    Lindsays at all.


    “Grandma, you jest! I’m nowhere near Gerry’s level.” Darleen then produced a pair of insoles. “Oh,


    and since it’s the Christmas, I don’t have much to give. I stitched these insoles for you myself.


    Please don’t dismiss them.”


    The insoles weren’t Darleen’s handiwork at all.


    In fact, they were cheaply bought from a street vendor—three pairs for ten bucks.


    She dared to im they were her own making, confident that J wouldn’t question her.


    The olddy was easy to fool—both blind in sight and judgment.


    Indeed, Darleen’s assessment was spot on. J epted the insoles with joy. “The gift is trifling,


    but the sentiment is profound! Darleen, you’re so sweet!”