Alma, who was standing by, also spoke up, “Uncle Kenneth and Aunt Louisa said that as long as the company performs well, they'll
reward us with the things one by one from your past. But they also reassured us that it's okay even if we don’t make it big right
away. They understand that everything has a tough beginning. And if business just isn’t our thing, they'll make sure we get those
items as our dowry when we get married.”
Alma’s words utterly broke through Beverly's defenses.
She had never imagined that Kenneth and Louisa would be so generous to her kids.
“Mom, Uncle and Aunt are really good to us, and so are Grandma and Grandpa. Their kindness isn’t just for show, nor is it for
outsiders. It's the real deal. And Bella, she’s been very good to us too.”
Alma'’s revelation prompted Beverly to quickly wipe away her tears and ask with concern, “How's she been doing lately?”
“Bella has been quite amazing; QY is booming and has been winning favor from many royals and nobles. Her order book is so full
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtit's bursting at the seams. On top of that, she penned a song that skyrocketed to the top of the charts and her calligraphy and
artwork have brought honor to our nation. Artists and calligraphers from all over have been flocking just to meet her, to talk to her,
and to plead to be taken on as apprentices. The line at her door is so long, it might as well stretch to the Eiffel Tower!”
Hearing Alma speak like this, Beverly's eyes filled with tears. She hadn't expected that her niece had never stopped striving to be
better.
“Oh, and there's more,” Alma continued, “she’s been working on a medicine that helps Alzheimer’s patients. Just one shot can help
them recall the events of the last seven or eight years. It prevents them from quickly degenerating into a state where they
remember nothing at all and also eases symptoms such as aphasia and agnosia. However, this miracle medicine isn’t on the
market yet. Several international pharmaceutical giants have already offered big bucks for it, but Bella insists it was developed for
our people, and she won't just cash in on national goodwill.”
Beverly couldn't help but be moved by her niece’s broad-mindedness.
Her heart was as vast as the heavens, her ambition boundless. Compared to her, Beverly felt small despite her age—a mere
twenty-one-year-old girl had outshone her.
She hadn't realized her niece was already twenty-one.
Beverly reminisced about when she returned to the Collins family at eighteen, celebrated with a grand party at nineteen, and just
like that, two years had passed, and her niece was already twenty-one.
The last tshe saw Bella, there was an even greater air of elegance and spirit about her. One could sense that she had a broad
perspective even during conversations.
“Oh, there's something else you should know. In a couple of days, it's Bella's birthday, and she’s getting married to her fiancé on
the sday. And guess what? Her five brothers are having a joint wedding ceremony too!”
Beverly was taken aback that her niece and nephews would all be celebrating their nuptials on the sday. She was overjoyed
for them.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
“We'll both be there to offer our sincerest blessings,” Alma added, turning to look at her mother through the bars that separated
them. Although her mother was physically close, she felt worlds apart, as if they were in completely different realms.
“We'll also send Dad’s and your blessings,” Alma promised.
“That's good.” Beverly's eyes welled up again, “Such a grand wedding will surely be covered by the media. I'll get to see it on TV.”
The visiting twas up, and Frederica and Alma reluctantly stood up.
“Mom, take care of yourself in here.” Ama couldn't help saying, “Eat well, sleep well, and dress warmly. Don’t worry about us. We
have Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle and Aunt looking after us, accompanying us, and of course, there's also Bella. She's been so
good to us.”
“That's good.” Beverly reached up to wipe her tears, “And you also need to be good to her.”
“We will, definitely. We're off to see Dad now, to share all this good news with him.”
Their parents were sentenced to life imprisonment, destined to spend the rest of their days behind bars.