Andre whispered into his wife's ear, "Sleepyhead, time to rise and shine. Gift card time!" With that, he gave her earlobe a quick peck. He couldn't quite grasp why he was so head over heels for her, but he was. The moment she heard the words "gift cards", she was up like a shot. "Are we talking big bucks here?" She asked, glancing at her husband.

Andre replied, "Well, they're handpicked by me, what do you think?"

She was not the kind to get spooked by a gun to her head but if gift cards coming her way, Mia's only ask was, "Throw 'em at me, the more the merrier.!"

She sat up, clutching the duvet, reaching out for the cards, "Hand them over."

Andre said, "Give me a kiss first."

Mia gave him a look. If it wasn't for the gift cards, she wouldn't kiss him. But for money, she could play along.

Hansen was also on the gift card mission, "We should give more to our daughter, and our son's wife, she's our daughter too. A bit for Leo, Bruce, and Andre should do. Don't forget."

The butler was busy jotting down names on each card, "Don't you worry, Mr. Hansen. All set."

A rare scene unfolded in the Cedillo family's living room that morning.

"Mia, here's a gift card from your dad. Merry Christmas! Give me a grandchild this year, will you?"

"Mia, this is from your brother and me. Merry Christmas! Be good with Andre."

"Mia, this is for you from me. Merry Christmas! We are all expecting your babies."

"Mia, this is from your husband."

...

at the gift cards in her hands, her lips curling

gift cards. The newlyweds had to visit all their relatives over the year. First thing

people give me giftcards, I can pretend to refuse while they slip them in." Mia

wife, her greediness was endearing, "Have a kid, and they'll bring gifts for our son. That's way

see herself with

you taking our son's gifts and money. But if we move to Maplewood Estates, I can cover

me!" Mia nodded, then

"Too late,

tricked me!" Mia

are no absolute secrets in the world, but you need to learn to discern what can be made public and what needs to be kept confidential. Come with me to Maplewood Estates, and I'll cover for you. I'll even be your partner in crime, helping you take

Mia was tempted again.

didn't say it out loud. She was quietly planning how to take her son's money. Perhaps Andre, the successful man, was too persuasive. Mia had forgotten she didn't even have a

dumped all the gift cards from her handbag onto

run and came back with even

Molly went to help.

kids huddled on the floor, opening gift cards, all excited. She chuckled and didn't

busy calculating the gift cards,

Leo said, "That's

them aside and

the living room, she said, "Mia,

we are still

wife. He laughed and

is a money-maker. I feel like getting married again this year." Molly was intrigued, "I want to get married too." Then, they took the safe to the dining room, making plans about how to spend the money while

room that night, Mia freshened up and sat at her dressing table, finally ready to open her husband's special gift card. Mia held the card with reverence, gave the envelope a kiss, and opened it. "Empty?" Mia looked at

a pen, "Yours, darling, is for you to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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