The Rolls Royce entered the grand mansion through its tall gates. As it did, numerous outside housekeepers and servants within exclaimed with joy. They shared the joyous news to whoever they could.
âMs. Alyssa is finally home!â came the excited cries.
As Jonah and Alyssa got out of the car, they were greeted by two lines of house stall led by the house buller. The staff members respectfully bowed and greeted, âWelcome home, Ms. Alyssa!â
âWeâve missed you, Ms. Alyssa!â
Alyssa put her hand on her forehead, slightly overwhelmed by the sonorous welcome.
âAlyssa, youâre finally home!â someone exclaimed.
Alyssa turned to see who it was and spotted Mandy in the doorway. Beside her was a shortâhaired woman with a kerchief tied around her neck.
Alyssa recognized her as Winstonâs newest and youngest wife, Colene Waters, She smiled and went up to the two women, hugging them both. âMandy, Colene,â she greeted kindly.
Jonah beamed upon seeing this. Being the most powerful family in Belbank naturally meant complicated relations among themselves. (1)
When the three women had married into the family to Winston, there had been a great uproar. Because of this, Alyssa followed in Avers footsteps and worked with Opera for several years.
It took quite a while. But the wives gradually won the familyâs trust through their sincerity and kindness.
Even Alyssa opened up to them, no longer linding them at fault for being who they were.
The only person to find blame with was Winston, after all.
âYouâve lost so much weight, Alyssa!â Colene exclaimed.
Being a Southerner, Colene had always been straightforward with what she had to say.
She continued, âWhat is the meaning of this, Jonah? If you canât look after her right, you should have sent her home so we could care for her! Sheâs as skinny as a matchstick now!â
Jonah laughed. âIâm so sorry about this. I donât really know what to say here.â
âYou know I have a strong metabolism, Colene,â Alyssa giggled.
She used to clash with Colene all the time. Fortunately, things had changed for the better now.
âJonah has been taking care of me, donât worry. He assigned his number one secretary, Sean, to work for me. And you know how well Sean can cook. Iâve really been eating wellâ Alyssa assured them.
Colene scowled. âI donât buy it.â
She then pinched Alyssaâs cheeks. âYou think Seanâs cooking can beat Lylaâs? She has been preparing dinner since she heard you were coming home today.
âShe hasnât left the kitchen once, not even for a sip of water. Even Winston said itâs like sheâs cooking for the presidentâno, scratch that-
cooking for a queen!â
âSheâs too sweet, that one. We told her just a simple family dinner would suffice.â
âWe offered to help, but she said she didnât trust anyone elseâs cooking skills, so here we are,â Mandy laughed, then sighed gently. âWe always thought she was the gentlest among us, but it turns out she can be ferocious when needed!â
âI think itâs you who Lyla doesnât trust in the kitchen, Colene,â Alyssa leased, making the women laugh.
She continued, âI remember you burnt holes in four different pans, triggered three smoke alarms, and melted two stoves. I donât think anyone in their right mind would want you in their kitchen!â
Why you- Come here you! Lolene grabbed at her, tickling her sensitive spots. What did I say about teasing me, hun âStop it! Ahahaha!â Alyssa squealed, trying to dodge her tickling. The two littered like longâlost friends, Speaking of Lyla, Alyssa Instantly recalled her time as Jasper Beckettâs wife. She had spent three years walking on eggshells. She made herself as tiny as possible, lest someone from Jasperâs side of the family made a mean jab at her.
Three years and it already felt like she had been pushed to her limit. How did Lyla handle twenty years of this?
Women should never stoop so low for any men. They should be Independent, strong, and free, like blossoming flowers in the springânot cooped up in a house like some prisoner.
As the rest of the family came to greet Alyssa, she was surrounded like she was a celebrity, Chatter and laughter followed them as they went into the manor. 1 As night filled the landscape, the Maybach from earlier stopped outside the manor, hidden against the dark background.
Xavier opened the car door for Jasper, who quietly stepped out. He peered at the manor a distance away, observing its structure.
âIâve long heard about Winston Taylorâs love for Oriental architecture. The man bought countless hectares of land just so he could make his architectural dreams come true. It looks like the rumors were true,â he murmured.
Xavier marveled at the old architecture. âIt feels like weâre in some fairytale, sir. The place is even more stunning than Seaview Manor.â