Holden's gift was lavish and direct.
He immediately transferred five percent of the Vinton family's shares to Serena. The two elders' affection for her radiated from their eyes.
Seeing them treat Serena like a treasured prize stung Isabella to her core.
That innate blood connection made Isabella—who had played the role of the perfect, obedient granddaughter for twenty years-feel like an absolute clown. Her grandparents doted on her, sure.
But in twenty years of acting the part, she had never received this kind of blatant favoritism.
Let alone Vinton family shares.
She hadn't even been given a black card!
And these were company shares!
Her grandfather had met Serena once, and he was already handing over equity!
A suffocating wave of jealousy crashed over her. She dug her nails into her palms, trembling with the effort to maintain her composure.
It wasn't fair!
She had spent so long carefully laying the groundwork, ensuring her grandparents would have the worst possible impression of the girl.
Just because Serena got lucky and accidentally saved her grandmother's life...
Did all her meticulous planning and hard work mean nothing?
How was she supposed to accept this?
"Serena, this is your youngest uncle," Kiera said, pulling her along to introduce her. "You have two older uncles as well, but they're out of the United Realmon States
right now. When we have time, I'll take you to demand gifts from them too!"
Serena was pulled to a stop in front of Douglas.
She paused, lifting her gaze to meet his striking, obsidian-dark eyes.
He was studying her.
With just one look...
Serena instantly recognized the man standing in front of her.
The world was truly full of coincidences.
For example, the Elyndor native she had stepped in to save on the streets
happened to be her biological grandmother.
And the absolute sucker she had just swindled out of a billion dollars turned out to be her uncle.
Well, wasn't this awkward?
But Serena didn't let a shred of it show on her face. She merely curved her lips into a polite smite and followed her grandmother. lead. "Uncle Douglas."
Her clear, cool voice lacked the fawning desperation Isabella always used with him.
It was surprisingly pleasant to hear.
Douglas narrowed his eyes slightly, thoroughly assessing the radiant, breathtakingly young woman before him.
The way she obediently called him "Uncle"...
Completely hid the fact that she was the
dare masked woman who↓ o steal his microchip as
at the
underground auction
A sudden chuckle escaped him.
The corners of his mouth ticked up as he pulled a small box from his pocket. "Such
a good girl. Here, my lovely niece."
The words "lovely niece" rolled off his tongue with a distinct, teasing edge.
The look he gave her was practically dripping with dangerous intrigue.
Clearly, he had recognized her too.
He was sharper than she thought.
She had been in full disguise, with most of her face covered.
Even her oldest brother might not have recognized her.
Yet he had clocked her after just one brief confrontation.
Serena's smile brightened, taking on
kel
luminous eyes crinkled. "Thank
I love your gifts
FindNovel.net
She subtly emphasized the word "gifts."
A pointed jab.
A billion-dollar gift.
Who wouldn't love that?
Douglas let out another low, rumbling laugh, though the smirk on his face carried a hint of frost. "Glad you like it."
They locked eyes, wearing pleasant masks that completely betrayed the murderous static crackling between them.