With the arrival of the York boys, the O'Connor manor was filled with bustling energy. That night, Callia took her younger cousins shopping. She, as the older family member, would buy some things for them.
In the end, the younger York boys forked out their allowances to shower her with gifts. They fought over anything pretty and suitable for her.
Callia could not even stop them.
The York boys said that the allowance they got every month was more than they could spend, so Callia would be doing them a favor.
After a night of shopping, Callia came back, her arms full of purchases.
Xavier spent the entire evening drowning in jealousy, but it was not like he could do anything about it. These boys were his future family whom he could not afford to upset.
It was late into the night when Callia received a response from Chloe.
Chloe explained the truth behind the sweater knitting.
Callia could not stop laughing. She sent a voice message gleefully. "Chloe. I bet you didn't think a random suggestion would cause such a butterfly effect.”
"Not in a million years."
Chloe grinned. “I can't believe the whole thing reached you. The senior family members have found out as well. Dad talked to Laurence when he got home tonight, asking how he came up with the idea of giving away a hand-knit sweater.
"I had to tell Dad that I gave Laurene the suggestion. Then, Dad lectured me because Mom talked about how sweet and thoughtful Laurence was to Noelle to learn to knit a sweater for her.
“Dad said he spoiled Mom for decades, but Mom was still jealous of his son knitting a sweater for his future wife. Dad said he should go to Grandma's house to pick up the skill from my great-aunt."
Chloe thought it was hilarious.
She simply mentioned it in passing.
Laurence was at a loss for what to get Noelle. Noelle would turn down expensive gifts, and the cheap ones would not express Laurence's love for her.
He wanted to make her something, but was unsure where to start. Chloe simply gave an idea. Honestly, she did not know what possessed her to suggest knitting.
Chloe's gaze fell on Devon. Sure, she was envious, thinking about the things Laurence would do or Noelle, but Devon was quick to take the hint.
Consequently, all the men around her, including her father, were dragged into the knitting vortex.
"I'll stop you right there. Don't let my mom catch wind of this, or else my dad would have to sign up for classes. Then, the men from the Bucham family would have to join the bandwagon. My uncles aren't getting away scot-free either."
Chloe said with a smile, “That's out of my hands, but it doesn't look like this will reach your mom's ears for now.
"The only way anyone would find out is if the whole family gets together over the holidays and your mom happens to see my mom wearing a sweater my dad knitted. But the winters here aren't cold enough for sweaters anyway.
"You're worrying over nothing, Callie."
Callia uttered with a grin, “That's good to hear. It is funny. Noelle wasn't happy with Laurence slacking off. Her frustration was hilarious. I wonder how she'll react when she receives the sweater."
"Oh, she's going to love it. The sweater isn't worth much money, but it's the thought that matters. Noelle loves Laurence more than life, deeper than Laurence loves her, but she is stubborn to the core, and that's a big headache.
"Laurence often comes to me for advice. It's his job to get the girl. I can't be the one to do that for him. It's not like I have time anyway.'
Chloe poked fun at Laurence's hopelessness when it came to landing a wife.
If it were her, when the feelings are mutual, she would just take the guy straight to the courthouse and get married-quick and simple.
"That's right, we're just here for the drama. That's Laurence's problem. He already overthinks everything and puts pressure on himself. Noelle is not some fragile girl. Why does Laurence work himself up over nothing?
“He should just admit his feelings and marry her. Isn't it great if they can join forces and be the power couple?"