Chapter 260

At the Adler estate, Carol, idle and bored, pulled Will into the sitting room for a chat.

Widi sat stiffly, her mind screaming with resistance. She hated conversations with elders, especially ones that pretended to be friendly but were just long–winded ways of showing off

She’d much rather be outside, pruning the garden with shears, than trapped here listening to Carol talk about her perfect

life.

As the conversation meandered, Carol finally zeroed in on her real topic.

She took a slow sip of coffee, masking the calculation in her eyes, and asked in a light tone. “With, about that apartment your grandfather gave you–have you thought about what to do with it? Didn’t your parents mention giving it to your brother?”

The moment the words landed, Widi’s annoyance gave way to full–blown alertness.

She knew exactly which apartment Carol was referring to–the one Richard had gifted her for her twelfth birthday. That

Richard had told her to pick anything she wanted. Since twelve was a coming–of–age birthday in their branch of the family, he’d said she could ask for anything, no limits.

Back then, Widi had been obsessed with the reserved and scholarly Kelvin, and all she wanted was to study archaeology at Peral University like his mentor Kenny.

So, she’d asked for a place to live near the university once she got in. She had imagined a small studio apartment- something warm and quiet, perfect for studying

Instead, Richard had gone ahead and bought her a luxury penthouse within walking distance of the Peral campus.

At the time, she hadn’t realized how much it was worth. But her parents had. Ever since then, they’d jokingly hinted that maybe, someday, she could gift the apartment to her brother.

Now that she was older, Widi saw it clearly: their “jokes” had been long–term conditioning. They hadn’t dared ask outright- afraid Richard might be displeased–so they had disguised the idea as humor, softening her up in advance.

But Widi had nothing else. That apartment was the only thing she could call her own. She dreamed of getting into Peral next year and finally moving in.

So to her, anyone asking about that apartment wasn’t making conversation–they were trying to take her life away.

She stared straight at Carol, cheeks flushed with defiance, and declared. “That’s my apartment. I’m going to live there when I go to university. I’m not giving it to anyone.”

Carol looked surprised. “Widi, aren’t you a little young to live on your own?”

‹ to move out?“.

Before Widi could answer, someone else walked in and echoed her mother’s concern. “You’re planning t

It was Laura. She sat down beside Carol with practiced elegance, thanked the servant who poured her coffee, and turned to Widi with a gentle smile. “You’re still so young. The world out there is dangerous. Wouldn’t it be better to stay home longer! Do your parents even know?”

Widi replied curtly, “They don’t”

continued with her usual sugar–coated wisdom. “You should cherish this time with your family. Once you start working or get married, you won’t be able to stay with them anymore” She turned to Carol, voice turning wistful. “Mom, sometimes I don’t even want to get married. I hate the thought of leaving you

pulled her into a hug, visibly moved. “Don’t say that, Laura. Once you’re married, your father and I will visit you

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11

Chapter 260

felt nothing. She

girl. No wonder she’s clinging to it. But me? No one cares where I go. My dad barely looks

did. She lived in another

Back then, she didn’t understand why. Now she

equally–Laura, Jeremy, Gavyn, Carol. The only one

choose a birthday gift, he gave Widi the same right. If he took

that day–how the sight of a tiger eating raw meat had terrified her. She

only

changed the others–they had love from everyone else anyway. But for Widi. Richard’s fairness had been her only glimpse of real affection. And now it was gone.

their mother–daughter glow, and mentally slapped them both across the face. She imagined each satisfying smack with the righteousness of a Greek

servant entered the room. “Carol, Pedro

their feet, faces glowing

faster. She darted to the door like

carrying a large fruit basket, when Widi ran straight into him. Startled, he reached out to steady

looked up at him, eyes shining. Is

shook his head. “Mr. Richard hasn’t returned.”

barely had time to register the shift

me?” she asked, gaze

it slightly. “Yes, this

eyes lit up again. “From

hesitated, then decided honesty was best. “Actually… from Stefan.”

her face dropped again. “I knew it.”

Richard wouldn’t send her anything special. She wasn’t special enough.

basket without a word and turned away, walking slowly back

Grandpa back, and he couldn’t even manage

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to ker to an African mine, low he survives down there with all that duit.

true backer deck and logged

onto y topped

full of worker Had toetan even talked to Michard Had he convinced line to stop

was

Richard laring thrown into jail. In the dream, he stared at her from behind bars,

lotojail

gaze landed on

inspected the grapes carefully They were flawless–glossy, plumps,

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