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."

what a bumpkin, not appreciating diamond

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

you host a dinner for everyone at her place, there'll be plenty of gifts to go around,

place was no mansion; it would be cramped with so many

at a nice restaurant?" Alva seemed to know

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

I was just joking, Alva took it

Alva just smirked.

are we eating or what?"

clearly made things

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

Abbey was speechless.

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

voice

isn't the meal

stairs, dressed in a polo

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

eyes, thinking: Without

her husband finally

everyone wanted to wait for you. It's the holiday season, after all, and it's

"Letting everyone go hungry? What about mom and dad, at