Marriage Resumption (Valeria and Hackett)

Rhonda wiped away her tears with a smile. "I apologize for getting a bit emotional. It's been so many years since I last saw you. I never imagined Elena had grown up to be so beautiful? "Rhonda, what's the matter? Everyone's here now. Why are you crying?" Clayton frowned.

Rhonda laughed heartily. "You're right, everyone's here, so why shed tears? I suppose age comes with a surplus of emotions. Please forgive my sentimental moment." Hackett remained silent throughout the gathering, diligently attending to Alex and assisting him with his meal.

Alex behaved impeccably, his tiny mouth constantly busy eating without fuss.

Elsie was the one who remained silent throughout at the dining table. Yet, as Elsie observed this profoundly harmonious scene, she couldn't shake the unease gnawing at her heart.

In the past, all eyes in the family had been fixated solely on her, lavishing her with boundless affection.

Now that Valeria had returned, Elsie felt like she had become invisible to the entire family, as if she were utterly ignored. "Loretta, can't you be a bit less biased? I want some fish, too!" Elsie couldn't hold back any longer, mainly since Loretta had been serving Valeria so many dishes, and it seemed like Loretta's attention was entirely focused on Valeria.

Mrs Maddox, however, was growing impatient. "Can't you act more mature, Elsie? Valeria has just returned after so many years, and you're feeling jealous because I served her a dish?"

It was unusual for Loretta, who usually showered her with affection, to speak this way, and it seemed like the others at the table found her response reasonable.

Elsie had reached her breaking point. She set down her utensils and left the dining room.

Rhonda called out, "Elsie, please sit down. I will serve you."

Unexpectedly, Clayton said, "Rhonda, don't pay her any mind. She's just throwing a childish tantrum."

Valeria and Hackett exchanged a knowing glance but found themselves at a loss for words. Instead, they both lowered their heads and focused on their meal..

Meanwhile, Elsie, standing outside the dining room, couldn't help but overhear everything. Valeria hadn't even officially returned, and already Elsie felt like she was being sidelined.

With tears streaming down her face, Elsie made her way to the garden, her heart heavy with a sense of injustice. Was she destined to be ignored like this from now on?

Just then, a servant approached her. 'Ms. Maddox, what's troubling you?"

"It's none of your concern. Elsie hastily wiped away her tears. She had no intention for the servant to witness her in such a disarray. After all, she had always been the cherished daughter of the Maddox family

The servant hesitated before speaking again, "Um... Kaden is here. He mentioned that he's looking for you."

Kaden?

Elsie had nearly erased this person from her memory. With the engagement banquet successfully called off. Hackett had naturally released Kaden from any obligations.

Even though Valeria's true identity had been unveiled, the entire family was too preoccupied to pay her much attention. In

GUE

essence, it was now perfectly reasonable for her to be with Kaden

Yet, why couldn't she muster any happiness in this situation?

Both being daughters of the Maddox family, why had Valeria been missing for twenty years, only to return and find an exceptional catch like Hackett, while Elsie had ended up with a fancially struggling man like Kaden, and to make things more complicated, she was utterly captivated by him.

Elsie was starting to question her judgment.

After all, she had grown up in a prominent family. How could her discernment be inferior to Valeria's, who had spent her early years in poverty?.

Was she indeed so inferior to Valeria? Then why could Valeria find someone like Hackett while she ended up with Kaden?

Without comparison, there can be no harm, and with Valeria as a point of contrast, she now felt that the man she had chosen was utterly inadequate, with nothing genuinely appealing about him.

"Ms. Maddox, will you see him or not?" the servant couldn't help but ask again, especially since Kaden was almost at the door.

Elsie frowned. "I don't want to see him! Tell him I'm not in the mood."

Before she could finish her sentence, she heard Kaden's voice from behind, "Elsie! Why won't you see me? You know how much I miss you!"

How dare you barge in like this? You can't do that. The servant protested, moving forward to block the way. However, Kaden pushed the servant aside.

Seeing Kaden's relentless pursuit now, Elsie found it rather exasperating. She couldn't help but question how she had ever been so infatuated with him in the past.

Could it be that the most coveted treasures often slip through our fingers?

"Alright, you can go downstairs for now," she told the servant,

The servant nodded and exited the room.

In the garden, Elsie and Kaden were the only ones left. Kaden gazed at the opulent mansion of the Maddox family and couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation deep within him.

After finally overcoming numerous obstacles to halt the engagement banquet, Elsie's indifferent attitude towards him. puzzled Kaden. What could be the reason for this change? Had she had a change of heart!

"Elsie, what's going on with you? Have you had a change of heart? Why the reluctance to see me?"

Elsie avoided eye contact, unsure of what to say. She stammered. "No, it's just that I haven't been in the best mood lately "Why? Please share with me. I can be of assistance.

do you recall? Now she's back, and the entire family's "I've told you before about Valeria, who disappeared for two decades, attention has shifted to her, leaving me feeling neglected. Elsie sighed, plucking a leaf from a nearby plant. Kaden's expression subtly shifted as he listened.

Valeria, who had been missing for two decades, had returned? That meant he wouldn't be the sole heir to the Maddox family's immense fortune. Even if he married Elsie, he wouldn't inherit the family's wealth,

Why did she have to return precisely at this moment? It's genuinely vexing.

Kaden was internally cursing under his breath, but he maintained a façade of tranquility on the surface. "Isn't this a good news? You should be delighted. I recall you expressing eagerness for Valeria's return back then.

"Well, I did say that, but now that she's truly back, it feels... odd. Die affection that should be exclusively mine now needs to be shared with Valeria," Elsie confessed, her voice revealing her inner conflict.

"Elsie, try not to dwell on it too much. After all, Valeria was missing for twenty years, and you had two decades of undivided affection, right?" Kaden's mind was now consumed with whether the returning Valeria intended to claim a share of the family's fortune. Elsie remained silent, letting out a soft sigh.

Kaden cautiously probed further, "Valeria must be around twenty-six now, correct? Is she married? Does she have children?"

These are all potential assets in the struggle for the family inheritance, and he must gather all the necessary information. Elsie responded, "Not only is she married, but she's also gone through a divorce, and she has a three-year-old son." "What? So, does that mean she might be staying with the Maddox family for the long haul?"

Kaden's face showed a tinge of shock. It was evident that two more contenders had emerged in the race for the family fortune, especially with the added factor of a grandson. If Mr. Barron decided to favor the grandson, it could complicate matters even further. Given the circumstances, he realized he needed to swiftly marry Elsie and have a child to stabilize the situation.

Absolutely." Elsie responded, her voice hinting at envy. "My parents are eager to bring Valeria and Alex back home. They adore them endlessly."

Out of the blue, Kaden said, "Elsie, let's get married."

"What?" Elsie was utterly stunned, gazing at the man before her with disbelief written all over her face.