Her gaze landed coldly on Isabella.
This girl had indeed been raised well by her parents, and they genuinely doted on her.
After nearly twenty years of living together, you'd even grow attached to a dog.
Thinking of the worried look on Catherine's face when she'd mentioned Isabella, Serena offered a piece of advice. "For Mom and Dad's sake, as long as you behave yourself, stay out of my way, and don't cause trouble, you can continue to be a daughter of this family."
Behave herself? Continue to be a daughter of this family?
The words grated on Isabella's ears. It was a clear taunt from a victor, a threat.
Serena was obviously trying to kick her out of the Lancaster family!
Isabella's face twisted slightly, but she struggled to maintain her elegant composure. "Serena, thank you for being willing to let me stay. I'm sure I'll win you over eventually..."
Before she could finish, Serena's eyes flashed, and her voice turned ice-cold. "Now, I'm going to rest. Please leave."
She knew exactly what this fake innocent was thinking.
The blunt dismissal made Isabella bite her lip. "Well... you get some rest then."
She offered the jewelry box to Serena again. "Here's your welcome gift from me. I hope you'll accept it."
Serena didn't even glance at it. "Take it with you."
The door slammed shut with a bang.
Isabella's face went pale, her fingers digging into the jewelry box.
Furious, she was about to turn and leave when she caught something in the corner of her eye and froze.
She positioned herself outside Serena's door again, lowering her head, her shoulders trembling slightly, creating the perfect picture of someone who had been deeply wronged and was crying silently.
"Isabella?"
Catherine, carrying a platter of carefully sliced fruit, walked over. Seeing Isabella's pitiful state, she hurried closer. "What's wrong? Why are you crying outside Serena's door?"
Isabella looked up, her face streaked with tears, and her voice choked. "Mom, I... I'm fine. I just wanted to get closer to my sister offered to give her some of the birthday gifts. you
and Dad and the boys gave me, but... I don't think she liked them."
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. "She told me to leave and stay away from her..."
She looked utterly heartbroken. "Mom, did I do something wrong? I just... I just want everyone in the family to get along..."
As she spoke, Isabella secretly
watched Catherine's expression. She was sure that after seeing her act so pitifully, her sincere intentions
throw back in her face, her mother would surely see how arrogant
Serena was Her mother would understand the difference between them, that only she, the daughter her mother had raised, deserved the title of the Lancaster heiress.
But Catherine just sighed, patted her on the shoulder, and spoke in her usual gentle but firm tone. "Isabella Serena just got back, she might not be used to things yet And she has
Since
a somewhat cool pels her some
she asked you to give her some space, you should listen to her for
now. Don't disturb her, let her adjust."
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She gestured with her chin. "Now, go back to your room and rest. Don't overthink it."
Then, her smile returned, and she knocked gently on Serena's door. "Serena, Mom cut up some fruit for you."