Free Web NovelChapter 246: New family
CEO Herbert?"
He looked up from the file he was reading.
"Come in, Alicia."
I smiled and walked forward.
"Is there anything you need, sir?"
He narrowed his eyes playfully.
"It’s just the two of us here."
I immediately understood.
A small smile appeared on my face. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
"Alright, Uncle Herbert."
His expression softened instantly.
That was more like it.
When we were alone, he hated formal titles.
"How is the clothing project progressing?"
"Everything is going smoothly."
He nodded.
"And the testing results?"
"It was successful."
I took a seat across from him.
"We’ve received positive feedback overall."
"The only issue is market confidence."
"Since we’re a new brand, many retailers are hesitant to place large orders."
"But we’re already working on solutions."
A look of approval crossed his face.
"I expected as much."
Then he smiled.
"I trust you, Alicia."
"You’re the one leading this project."
"If anyone can make it succeed, it’s you."
A warm feeling settled in my chest.
"Thank you, Uncle."
He closed the file in front of him.
"That’s all I wanted to know."
He stood up and reached for his jacket.
"I have a business dinner to attend tonight."
"So I won’t be joining everyone for dinner."
I nodded.
"Alright, Uncle Herbert."
"Drive safely."
"I will."
With that, I left the office and headed home.
By the time I returned to the mansion, the sun was already beginning to set.
The golden light stretched across the fields surrounding Rosewood, painting everything in warm shades of orange and gold.
I parked the car and stepped out.
Before I could even close the door, the front door burst open.
"Mummy!"
A tiny figure came running toward me at full speed.
I barely had time to react before Aimy crashed into my legs.
I laughed and bent down to catch her.
"Careful."
"You almost knocked me over."
Aimy wrapped her little arms around my neck.
"You came back late."
I smiled helplessly.
"I had work."
"You always have work."
The accusation in her tiny voice made me laugh.
"Oh really?"
"Then who buys all your chocolates?"
Aimy immediately looked away.
"I don’t know."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You don’t know?"
She shook her head seriously.
"No."
I couldn’t help laughing.
This little girl was becoming smarter every day.
I carried her into my arms and walked toward the house.
The smell of dinner immediately greeted me.
Aunt Margaret appeared from the dining room.
"Welcome home."
"Thank you, Aunt."
She smiled before looking at the child in my arms.
"Did she bother you today?"
"Grandma!"
Aimy protested immediately.
"I was good."
Aunt Margaret folded her arms.
"Should I tell your mother how you hid your vegetables under the table?"
Aimy gasped dramatically.
I burst into laughter.
"You did what?"
"It wasn’t me."
"Then who was it?"
Aimy pointed at the family dog sleeping nearby.
"Max."
The dog didn’t even bother opening his eyes.
Aunt Margaret and I exchanged looks.
Then both of us started laughing.
Aimy pouted.
"Why are you laughing?"
I kissed her cheek.
"Because you’re adorable."
That finally made her smile.
Anna arrived shortly after with Aunt Veronica carrying several shopping bags.
The moment Aimy saw them, her eyes lit up.
"Aunt Anna!"
Anna immediately crouched down.
"I brought something."
Aimy gasped.
"You did?"
Anna pulled out a small stuffed rabbit.
Aimy squealed so loudly that I covered my ears.
"Anna."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Tell me that isn’t another toy."
"It absolutely is."
"Anna."
"What?"
"You already spoil her enough."
Anna immediately carried Aimy.
"My niece deserves the world."
Aimy nodded seriously.
"The whole world."
I stared at both of them.
Neither looked guilty.
Not even a little.
Hopeless.
The two of them were completely hopeless.
"Is your Aunt Anna the only person you know?" Aunt Veronica asked, trying to keep a stern expression on her face.
Aimy blinked her big blue eyes before immediately stretching her little arms toward her.
The older woman instantly melted.
A smile spread across Aunt Veronica’s face as she scooped Aimy into her arms.
"That’s my girl."
Aimy giggled happily and wrapped her tiny arms around her neck.
The family made their way toward the dining table together.
Meanwhile, Anna dramatically held her stomach.
"I’m starving."
Then she paused and glanced around the dining room.
"Wait... where’s Dad?"
She looked at Aunt Margaret questioningly.
"He has a meeting with the farmers tonight," Aunt Margaret replied as she took her seat.
Anna frowned slightly.
"When will he be back?"
"He didn’t say."
Aunt Margaret shook her head.
"But he won’t be joining us for dinner."
"Alright then."
Anna nodded and immediately sat down.
"More food for me."
Aunt Veronica rolled her eyes.
"Sometimes I wonder if all you think about is food."
Anna grabbed a bread roll from the basket and grinned.
"Thinking about food is what keeps me alive."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Dinner was filled with laughter.
Most of it came from Aimy.
She talked about everything.
The butterfly she saw in the garden.
The flower she picked.
The cartoon she watched.
The cookie she secretly stole before lunch.
Every little thing sounded like the most important event in the world.
And somehow everyone listened seriously.
After dinner, Aunt Margaret headed upstairs to rest.
While Anna went upstairs to put Aimy to bed.
I stayed behind to help Aunt Veronica wash the dishes.
The kitchen was quiet, filled only with the sound of running water and clinking plates.
"Is Aimy asleep already?" Aunt Veronica asked when I walked in.
I shook my head and picked up a towel to dry the dishes.
"Anna is putting her to bed."
A smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Those two."
"Always inseparable," I said with a small laugh.
Aunt Veronica nodded in agreement.
Then, after a moment of silence, she asked,
"How are you coping with work lately?"
"It’s alright, Aunt."
I continued drying the dishes before placing them neatly on the counter.
She turned to study me for a moment.
There was something gentle in her gaze.
Something almost nostalgic.
"Your mother would be very proud to see the woman you’ve become."
My movements paused briefly.
A warm feeling spread through my chest.
I smiled faintly.
"I’m sure she’s looking over us even now.
Aunt Veronica smiled and nodded.
"She is."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The comfortable silence settled between us.
Then she sighed softly.
"I just hope we can make up for all the time we spent apart."
I immediately understood what she meant.
After my mother’s death, life had taken everyone in different directions.
There were years we barely saw one another.
Years that could never be returned.
But somehow, after everything that had happened, we had found our way back to each other.
I didn’t press further.
Some things didn’t need to be said aloud.
The fact that we were together now was enough.
After finishing the dishes, Aunt Veronica wished me goodnight and headed to her room.
I cleaned my hands, turned off the kitchen lights, and made my way upstairs.
A smile unconsciously formed on my face as I headed toward Aimy’s room.
Knowing Anna, there was a high chance neither of them was asleep yet.
