Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Absolutely."

"Alva, thank you so much!" Raven said as she took the gift and set it aside, planning to open it later.

Alva Cole, however, took the initiative to say, "It's a diamond bracelet. If you don't like the style, you can exchange it."

Abbey let out a low whistle, "Alva, always the generous one, gifting a diamond bracelet..."

Alva raised an eyebrow, a hint of pride in her expression, but she humbly replied, "Oh, come on, what haven't you seen before? This is nothing for you."

"We're all family here, but if you have something for the eldest, what about you and Madge?" Abbey half-joked, half-serious. "You're a bank manager, always dealing with big clients. You know how to handle these social niceties, don't you?"

Alva was not one to indulge her: "So, Abbey, you want a gift too?"

Abbey's smile remained, "Who wouldn't want a diamond bracelet? Madge, do you want one too?"

The conversation turned to Madge, with Abbey and Alva both looking her way.

Madge was at a loss for words.

"Come on, Madge, say something?"

At the critical moment, Norris spoke up, "She's not fond of jewelry. She never wears the pieces I give her."

herself, what a bumpkin, not appreciating

Abbey shamelessly pushed, "Alva, you wouldn't play favorites, would

host a dinner for everyone at her place, there'll be

no mansion; it

house is too small, why not treat everyone to dinner at a nice restaurant?" Alva seemed to know what she was thinking and cut off any attempt at refusal before Abbey

restaurant; it had to be somewhere decent, or it would be embarrassing. How much

joking, Alva took it

Alva just smirked.

what?" Abbey

clearly

darkened. "Didn't you eat breakfast?

Abbey was speechless.

the wall. At this point, anyone still making people wait was either genuinely busy or putting on

voice

isn't the meal

dressed in a polo shirt paired with

a bit of a beer belly, his

her eyes, thinking:

husband

him, explaining, "We planned to start, but everyone wanted to wait for you. It's the holiday season, after all, and it's more meaningful

everyone go hungry? What about mom and dad, at their