Chapter 14
The Henderson family had many relatives. As there were many people, conflicts couldn't be avoided. Diana had already gotten used to hearing unpleasant words during such occasions.
Yvonne was the most outstanding one among the younger generation of the Henderson family. Besides, she was beautiful, had good grades, and knew how to please the adults. Thus, with her around, she would always be in the limelight.
Aside from that, Vivian liked Yvonne the most among her grandchildren.
"Diana, the birthday party started half an hour ago. Aren't you guys extremely late? It's Mom's birthday today. How could you be so careless?"
As Diana had confidence, she walked over to Vivian calmly under the gazes of everyone and apologized, "Mom, we didn't arrive late on purpose. There was a car accident on the way here, so there was heavy traffic."
"It's fine. It's great that you could come." Vivian didn't reprimand Diana, but she sounded a bit unhappy.
Then, Diana forced out a smile and hinted at Yvonne. Yvonne immediately understood and walked over to Vivian with an exquisite gift box.
"Grandma, it's your birthday today. May you be blessed by God and have a long life. This is a gift I prepared. It's a lucky charm made out of emerald. I hope you like it!"
Vivian glanced at the box Yvonne opened and saw the emerald shine brightly under the light. She smiled kindly and said, "As expected, you're most sensible! I like this gift a lot!"
"Grandma, there's still a painting I painted myself!" Yvonne pulled out a scroll timely and revealed it in front of everyone.
It was a painting that consisted of angels. Not only was it suitable for such occasions, but she could showcase her painting skills as well.
"Let me have a look…" Vivian put on her reading glasses and examined the painting carefully before praising, "Your painting skills have improved again!"
She couldn't stop smiling as she looked at the painting repeatedly. Since the Henderson family didn't lack money, rather than the value of the gifts, sincerity was more important to her. It could be said that she was most satisfied with Yvonne's gift so far.
"Yvonne painted again? Let us all have a look!" © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
At this moment, a voice sounded from the side. It was a distant relative of the Henderson family.
Upon hearing that, Yvonne remained humble and smiled, "I didn't paint it very well. I still need practice."
Then, she showed the painting to the other guests in the venue.
"I heard that Yvonne is great at painting. After seeing it in person today, she has lived up to my expectations!"
"That's right. She's so young, but her painting skills are so mature. She must be a great artist in the future."
"Yvonne, when you hold an art exhibition in the future, we will all attend and support you"
"I have to say that Yvonne is indeed very talented…"
Upon seeing that the other relatives were praising Yvonne, Alice was upset. When she thought about her disappointing son, she could only praise Yvonne perfunctorily with a cold expression.
Diana noticed Alice's expression and smiled smugly. At this time, the fog in Yvonne's heart dispersed because of all the compliments she received from the other relatives.
This situation was what Yvonne was most familiar with. Compliments should all belong to her. She was the center of attention and the protagonist.
Ever since they entered the room, no one noticed Yolanda. Yolanda was destined to be in the background where no one would notice her.
However, someone noticed Yolanda at this moment. "Diana, I heard that Yolanda has come out of the juvenile detention center. It had been a long time since I last saw her. Isn't she going to greet us?"
Ever since Yolanda entered the venue, she had been standing behind Diana. Since everyone's attention was on Yvonne, no one noticed her.
The relatives only remembered that Yvonne had a twin sister after someone had brought it up.
Several distant relatives didn't know that Yolanda had been in the juvenile detention center before. When Alice heard that, her expression changed. "That's right. Yolanda, why didn't you greet us?
"Did the juvenile detention center not teach you basic manners?"
At the mention of Yolanda, Alice became full of spirit again. "Diana, you're in the wrong for this. Although Yolanda isn't as excellent as Yvonne, she's still your daughter. You should discipline her properly."
Diana tried to mediate the situation stiffly. "It hasn't been long since she came out, so she isn't used to it yet."
If it weren't because there were too many relatives around, she would have cursed.
Once Yvonne entered the venue, she greeted Vivian and the other relatives. On the other hand, Yolanda stood there with a straight face as if the birthday party had nothing to do with her.
How could such a dumb person be Diana's daughter?
Vivian's expression became a bit cold. "Forget it. Now that she has returned, you can guide her slowly."
Then, she raised her head to look at Yolanda. Upon seeing Yolanda's facial features that were squeezed today, she frowned.
In Vivian's memory, Yolanda was well-behaved when she was young. It was unknown when Vivian's memory of Yolanda being obedient disappeared.
Back then, Vivian didn't object to sending Yolanda to the juvenile detention center because she hoped the latter could learn a lesson and turn over a new leaf. However, Yolanda's current appearance disappointed her even more.
"Yolanda, hurry up and wish Grandma a happy birthday!" Diana glared at Yolanda and urged her.
The latter took a step forward and said as she looked at Vivian, "Happy birthday."
Vivian hummed in response as her expression became colder. Her attitude toward Yolanda and Yvonne was entirely different.
"Yolanda, where's your gift?"
Seeing that the situation was going to turn into awkward silence, Diana quickly reminded Yolanda.
A while of hesitation later, Yolanda took out the box Zach gave her. Initially, Diana prepared an ordinary tea set for her, but she didn't take it when she got out of the car.
After all, Vivian treated the original Yolanda very well when she was young. It was just that she became cowardly because Yvonne kept framing her. Thus, her image among the adults became worse.
Yolanda decided to give Vivian the thank you gift Zach gave her as a birthday present. It could be regarded as fulfilling the original Yolanda's wish to celebrate Vivian's birthday.
"What's this?" Vivian asked when Yolanda took out the box, but Yolanda didn't answer. Instead, she opened the box and placed it in front of Vivian.
Vivian was taken aback. "A flower?"
Looking at the green plant in the box, she raised her head and looked at Yolanda. Although the flower looked ordinary, it looked exquisite. She could tell that Yolanda was sincere.
"What's that?" Alice hurried over to Vivian.
When she saw the flower in the box, she pursed her lips disdainfully. "It's just a flower. Why do you need such an expensive gift box? I thought it was something valuable!"
"Even if it's a flower, it's my granddaughter's sincerity!" Vivian glared at Alice before saying to Yolanda, "You've just returned home, so you don't have a lot of allowance, yet you prepared a gift for me. I'm very happy."
Initially, her impression of Yolanda was very bad. But after seeing Yolanda's gift, her impression of the latter changed.
"It's an Ice Lily," introduced Yolanda upon seeing that no one recognized this valuable herb.
"An Ice Lily?"