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 diamond

like it, but I do!" Abbey shamelessly pushed, "Alva, you wouldn't play favorites,

host a dinner for everyone at

darkened. Her place was no mansion;

treat everyone to dinner at a nice restaurant?" Alva seemed to know what she was

thought, "Are you kidding me? Hosting a dinner for such a large group, needing at least two or three tables? And it couldn't be just any restaurant; it had to

was just joking, Alva

Alva just smirked.

we eating or what?" Abbey changed the subject to ease

that comment clearly

matriarch's face darkened. "Didn't you eat breakfast? Are you that

Abbey was speechless.

on the wall. At this point, anyone still making people wait was

voice came from

isn't the

stairs, dressed in a

a beer belly, his face still showed signs of his youthful handsomeness

this, Abbey secretly rolled her eyes, thinking: Without

her husband

wait for you. It's the holiday season,

everyone go hungry? What about mom