BuzzNovelront doors finally opened, and the butler-who had been standing stiffly at his post-strode out to the car, opening
the passenger door with practiced formality.
Out stepped a man and a woman, both dressed with an old-world flair: he wore a tailored suit with a vintage cut,
she in a fitted dress that harkened back to the elegance of another era. Both looked to be in their late fifties or
early sixties, though the woman had clearly taken pains with her appearance-she could easily pass for early
forties.
“Does it really take this long just to open a door?” Hamilton Quincy grumbled, leaning heavily on a silver-
handled cane. His face was set in stern lines, voice sharp and openly displeased.
“Can't be too careful these days,” Alessia shot back, unfazed. “You never know who might try to wander in. It's
best to check before opening up.”
“Such a clever tongue for such a young girl,” Magda sniffed, her gaze cool and assessing as she lifted her chin.
Her words were slow and deliberate, laced with a practiced coldness. “I'd watch that mouth, if | were you. Sooner
or later, it'll get you in trouble.”
Alessia offered a pleasant smile, but her words were edged with steel. “People talk fast when they're young, but
sfolks just love to lord their age over others. That's a lot harder to put up with.”
Hamilton's eyes narrowed. “You're Alessia?”
“I am.” Alessia’s voice was steady and calm-unapologetic, but not confrontational. Magda let out a dismissive
little huff. “Don’t let a taste of success go to your head, dear.” Though there was a family resemblance, Karen's
features were softer and kinder than Magda’s. For all her classic attire, Magda exuded no warmth-only a brittle,
proud aloofness.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAlessia’s smile didn’t waver. “Funny. | thought no one in the Quincy family’s ever done anything worth bragging
about.”
Magda’s eyes flashed. Alessia’s words slid off her like water, but her own barb found its mark-Magda'’s lips
thinned in irritation.
“You-!" Magda’s composure cracked, but before she could fire back, Karen's tentative voice drifted from behind
Alessia.
1/3
09:58
Chapter 319
“Dad... Mom...” Karen's hands twisted together in front of her, her posture shrinking in on itself like a scolded
child. Brendan stood quietly at her side.
Magda’s scowl only deepened at the sight of her daughter, and Hamilton barely spared a glance, giving a curt,
dismissive nod as he swept past.
Karen flushed, awkwardly rolling her fingers. Years of being under their thumb had left deep grooves of anxiety;
even after all this taway, the old fears hadn't faded.
Brendan placed a gentle hand on her back, silent but reassuring.
“So, what brings you both over so late?” Brendan finally asked, keeping his voice polite.
Hamilton rapped his cane on the tiles, barely containing his disdain. “I suppose this is what happens when you
never went to a proper school. You think it’s appropriate to keep your elders standing at the door, chatting in the
entryway?”
An awkward silence fell. The Mortons’ faces hardened. Ivan, ever attuned to
tension, squeezed Alessia’s hand tightly, his nerves on edge.
“Well, it’s not often we get surprise visitors who don’t bother to call ahead,” Alessia replied, her tone crisp.
Now it was Hamilton and Magda whose faces soured.
“Please, cin... both of you,” Alessia said, stepping aside before Hamilton could
retort.
Hamilton swept past, cane tapping out his irritation. As he passed Karen, he shot her a withering glare and a
disdainful snort.
Karen kept her gaze fixed on the floor, lips pressed tight.
“Are you alright, Mom?” Alessia murmured, noticing Karen's discomfort.
Karen forced a smile, shaking her
“ p .
head. “Don’t worry about it, honey
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can handle the rest.”
Alessia shook her head. “Go get your paints out, Ivan. I'll cfind you in a little while.”
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Ivan, ever obedient to Alessia’s word,
nodded without hesjtatipn arid m
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content is on novelenglish.net! Read
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The group made their way inside. Alessia lingered, squeezing Ivan’s hand in
212
09.59
- Chapter 319
reassurance before joining the others
in the living room. She arrived just in
tto hear Magda camplaifing
aout the platter of fruit Karen had
set out—sniffing that it was far too
tart, nothing like the imported fruit
she was used to. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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