Nothing in the world was more important than her precious daughter.
If Isabella Lancaster's presence made her daughter uncomfortable, she would, of course, prioritize her own child's feelings.
Isabella's face went deathly pale, and her fingers clenched into fists.
Just because she wasn't their biological daughter, they could just get rid of her whenever they wanted?
Serena glanced at her parents' expressions.
It was clear they were nothing like the cold-blooded members of the Wynn family. After all, they had lived with Isabella for twenty years and had formed a bond.
She didn't want to make things difficult for them right after arriving. Besides... whatever schemes this Isabella might cook up would be nothing more than a minor annoyance to her.
She shook her head. "I don't mind."
Isabella immediately put on a grateful expression, her eyes welling up with tears as her voice quivered with emotion. "Thank you, little sister. I'll take good care of you from now on. We'll get along wonderfully as sisters!"
Serena had no interest in her performance and simply gave a cool "Mm."
"Alright, alright, why is everyone just standing in the doorway? Isn't Serena hungry?" Edward's eyes were still a little red, but his stern features were softened by warmth.
As he spoke, he reached out to take Serena's canvas bag.
When he lifted it, he paused.
It was light as a feather, as if there was almost nothing inside.
A pang of sorrow hit him. His precious daughter had left the Wynn family with practically nothing.
What kind of life had she been living there all these years?
The group walked into the main house.
Catherine held Serena's hand the whole way, her voice filled with delight. "Serena, I cooked for you myself. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I made a little bit of everything. If there's anything you like, just tell me, and I'll make it for you every day!"
Serena nodded and replied, "Thank you, Mom."
"Don't be so formal with your mother!" Each "Mom" seemed to melt Catherine's heart. "Cooking for my daughter, watching her eat the food image. I've been dreaming of this moment for twenty years..."
Not wanting to be left out, Edward added, "And Dad helped too!" The atmosphere among the three was warm and harmonious. Isabella was completely ignored.
Following behind them, her eyes were practically burning with rage.
The favoritism... it was so blatant!
They had said that even if their biological daughter returned, her treatment in the Lancaster family wouldn't change. It was all a lie!
Upon entering the main hall, an elderly man in a dark silk robe, with neatly combed white hair, was craning his neck, looking anxiously towards the entrance.
The moment he heard footsteps, he quickly pulled his head back, put on a stern expression, and sat upright in his wheelchair. He picked up a cup of long cold tea from the table beside him, pretending to be deeply engrossed in tasting it, projecting an air of solemn inscrutability.
"Dad, Serena is back," Catherine said, quickly making the introduction. "Serena, this is your grandfather."
Serena's gaze fell on the old man, and she keenly caught the way his seemingly stern eyes kept darting toward her.
A faint smile touched her ruby lips. "Grandfather."
"Mm," Old Mr. Lancaster grunted inscrutably, slowly putting down his teacup. "It's good that you're back."
His eyes rested on the girl's face, which had perfectly inherited all the best features
of his son and daughter-in-law, and a look of satisfaction flickered in them.
Just what you'd expect from a Lancaster.
He had looked into Serena's
background. Although she had
grown up in the countryside, her expression remained one of
unruffled composure as she entered
the Lancaster estate.
She showed no signs of awe or intimidation upon setting foot in this place that
symbolized the pinnacle of wealth and power.
It was as if she was born to belong at the top of the pyramid.
That kind of composure was something that could never be faked.