11 The Rivers Family’s Banquet
Due to this reason, between her two daughters, Benjamin loved Selena a little more and was only lukewarm towards Serenity.
In addition, Serenity’s father didn’t like her, so she was sent to live with her grandmother. She returned home only when she was 13, after her grandmother died.
Serenity stood stiffly while Helena tried to speak up for her. “Dad, your 80th birthday is in half a month. Serenity came specifically to wish you a long life,” she said, giving her a meaningful look.
Serenity pretended not to notice and continued to stand quietly. If not for Helena’s repeated cajoling, she wouldn’t have bothered to return for an insignificant birthday celebration.
In this whole family, only Helena and Selena treated her well… but ever since Selena and John got married, there had been a gap between the two.
To be fair, though, this gap was something only she perceived.
Selena treated her the way she always did, reminding her to take care when she was sick and being concerned over her eating habits.
She had a barrier in her heart that she couldn’t overcome, so she intentionally stayed away from Selena… The two of them weren’t as close as they used to be.
Benjamin didn’t want the whole household to be uneasy because of her return, so he followed Helena’s instructions and said, “Dad, Serene called me a few days ago to ask what gifts you’d like. She spared a lot of thought in picking out a gift for you.”
If not for Benjamin’s reminder, Serenity would have forgotten to prepare a gift, but luckily, there had still been half a month, which had been enough time for her to prepare something for him.
Upon hearing Benjamin’s words, the Rivers family head stopped himself from getting angry, but he still had a long face.
Even so, Serenity didn’t care because, in her memories, he had always looked at her with that unpleasant face.
The only time she got along with him was when she was 16, having been accepted into a good high school with the best grades in school while Selena had had to rely on family connections to enter the school.
The phone in the living room rang, and Helena was the closest to the phone so she picked it up.
After listening for a moment, she smiled and replied, “Alright, understood.”
She put down the phone and turned to Master Samson. “Dad, Selena and John knew you were coming today, so they booked a hotel room for you to rest and clean up.”
Master Samson’s face softened. “Selena’s so considerate.”
Not long after, Selena and John arrived at the Rivers family house and brought everyone along to the hotel.
Selena, her makeup enhancing her features, took Master Samson’s arm and sat down as soon as she entered.
“Grandpa, I’ve missed you. Are you doing alright in Auckland?”
Master Samson was much closer to her, and his stony face carried a hint of a smile. “Everything is going great. Why didn’t you bring Eva?”
Selena smiled. “We’re going to go out soon, so it’s not convenient to bring her along.”
In the evening, they went to the hotel and were led to a private room by the attendants.
Selena sat next to Master Samson, often making him laugh at the dining table with her stories and jokes.
Master Samson talked about the customs in Auckland and the scenery, drawing the interest of everyone at the table.
The atmosphere was filled with joy. Only Serenity sat quietly and out of place in this family banquet.
She was bored out of her mind, as if she was a stranger at this table, and found an excuse to leave the private room.