The True Heiress's Return

Kyle's sudden question startled Berry so much that her spoon fell right into the soup, splashing hot liquid everywhere.

She burned her hand but tried to keep a straight face. She glanced around nervously but was relieved no one seemed to notice.

Her heart was racing uncontrollably.

Walter turned around and met Kyle's calm gaze. After a brief pause, he said, "Yes, I found it."

Kyle was surprised. He glanced over at Shakira, who was still focused on removing fish bones for Walter, then quickly looked away. "That's great to hear." sighed in relief, thinking, "Thankfully, Mr. Lopez didn't make a fuss."

Berry

"Hold on, whe He scratched his chin, as if suddenly coming up with something, and grinned. "Looks like Mr. Lopez found a woman." Calton's eyes widened in shock. "Seriously? Walter, you've finally found someone?"

what are you two talking about? I'm completely lost!" Calton turned to Gavin, confused. "And you, old buddy?" Gavin shrugged, equally baffled.

Benji, always eager for gossip, realized he missed a big story and, in his excitement, blurted out. "Wait, who are you looking for? Don't you already have a fiancée?" stressed. "Af "A fiancée?"

Kyle

Gavin's teasing look turned to disbelief. "No way, I was just making a joke, but it's true? Mr. Lopez, you've been keeping secrets from us?"

Calton threw gas over the fire. "Yeah, yeah, is the new fiancée really that shy?"

Fiona's face turned dark with jealousy, as if she had been cheated on. "Who is it already?"

Walter was speechless. He shot a cold stare at everyone, finally focusing on Benji. "Do you want to die?"

Benji, feeling righteous, wanted to stand up for the future fiancée. But less than a minute later, he quickly backed down. He thought, 'Fine, let him be arrogant for now. When he gets home, the future fiancée will surely put him in his place!" shut up, turned back to food, and pretended nothing happened. Fiona was still

to their food.

The others itching to ask more but, seeing Walter's anger, bit her lip and kept quiet.

Fiona Was Sull

Walter looked away. He glanced down and saw a large piece of delicious fish added to his plate.

Shakira, noticing h him staring, t flashed

Ia big smile and asked, "Mr. Lopez, would you like some more?"

Seeing her carefree attitude, Walter felt a pang of irritation.

His mood darkened, and he suddenly lost interest. "I'm full."

Shakira sighed with relief. "Alright, since you're full, it's my turn to eat."

She hadn't eaten much, having spent the whole time serving him.

Walter's expression grew even darker. "Kyle, I'm leaving. We'll catch up another time."

Shakira, who had barely started eating, thought, 'Is he a demon or something?! He finishes eating and just leaves, like I don't even matter?'

Shakira quickly shoveled more food into her mouth.

Fiona looked at her eating like a ravenous beast and was utterly disgusted.

Kyle's smiling eyes drifted over Shakira's frantic eating. "Alright, I'll check in on your recovery in a few days."

"Mm, thanks," Walter lifted his hand and, with a casual motion, picked up Shakira, who was still eating, by the back of her neck. He raised an eyebrow. "Still eating?"

I

With her neck pinched, Shakira quietly set down her fork. Before leaving, she grabbed the twenty-year-old wine from the table and took a big swig, then followed Walter out.

She thought, "This

"This place is fantastic. Next time, I'll come here without Walter and really enjoy myself!'

At the Nelson residence, the family was eating in silence, and the atmosphere was a bit tense.

Yvette's phone buzzed beside her. She looked at it and, in her distraction, accidentally made her fork clatter against her plate.

The strictly traditional Mrs. Nelson frowned slightly. "Yvette, no phones at the table."

Yvette quickly locked her screen. "Yes, Grandma."

After hesitating a moment, she couldn't help but speak up, "Today, Mr. White hosted a welcome dinner, and Berry was there. She sent me a message."

Finn said, "Yeah, Kyle invited me and Mitchell, but I just don't have the time to go."

Mitchell scoffed. "I don't hang out with those people anyway. It'd be boring."

"Berry?" After the incident at the birthday banquet, Rebecca became especially concerned about her daughter's two close friends. "I remember you said she's a distant relative of the White family? Is she close with Kyle?" Yvette

"I

"I guess so." didn't elaborate, just added. "Mr. Lopez was there too, and my sister went along... as Mr. Lopez's maid." Cody slammed his fork down on the marble table with a loud clatter. "Why bring her up? It's so annoying!" The tab I silent immediately.

Yvette was startled and clutched her chest, looking scared.

She cautiously asked, "Dad, I know I shouldn't have mentioned my sister, but she's having a really tough time. Is there any chance we could bring her back?"

Before Cody

could respond, Mrs. Nelson was already fuming. "Bring her back? Hmph! She was so arrogant when she left, causing our family so much trouble. Now that she's hit rock bottom, it's her own fault! Shamelessly working like a servant for the Lopez family is her fate. Why on earth would we want her back?"

Yvette bit her lip gently. "Maybe she regrets it now."

"If she really regretted it, she would have come back begging ages ago, instead of constantly opposing you and clashing with the whole family!"

Mom,

don't be angry Yvette's always been soft-hearted," Rebecca quickly intervened to calm Mrs. Nelson.

Yvette also got up quickly to pat Mrs. Nelson's back.

Mrs.

Nelson fook Yvette's hand and, with a serious tone, said, "Yvette, we know you're kind and feel like you took Shakira's place, leading to her downfall. But think about it-didn't she bring this on herself? "We brought her back from Belaris after the mix-up. Has the Nelson family ever treated her poorly?

+3Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

e's just too ambitious and resentful, thinking we owe her something and need to make it up to her! That's why she acted out, thinking she could control us! Someone so arrogant and short-sighted doesn't deserve to be part of the Nelson family,

Mrs. Nelson's voice grew more insistent. "Since we've cut ties, there's no way she'll ever return to the Nelson family!"

Rebecca advised Yvette, "Yvette, just act like that whole thing never happened. You don't need to feel guilty about her anymore."

Yvette obediently nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you and Grandma. I won't bring her up again."

"Good girl.

1. We're happy to have you as our precious granddaughter," Mrs. Nelson patted her hand with warmth.

Yvette was deeply touched. She hugged Mrs. Nelson, pressing her face against the wrinkled cheek. "Grandma, don't worry. I'll always be your devoted little one, taking care of you." Mrs. Nélson said, "Good."

The loving scene between grandmother and granddaughter was one that had played out many times at home.

But this time, Mitchell felt an uneasy stirring inside.