Chapter 320

S31 63. New Year’s Party

“Now,” Abigail quickly looked at Vivian, shaking the disappointment. from the surface of her face, “my hope is to be a good mother for my future children. I want my children to have a complete family.”

Suddenly, Vivian’s blinking eyes turned awkward. Realizing that, Abigail gasped. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Bell. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Vivian patted the girl’s hand. “It’s okay, Abi. I understand. It’s natural for women your age to want things like that. Learn from the experiences of the people around you. Don’t repeat our mistakes, hmm?”

Abigail smiled slightly. “Thank you, Mrs. Bell.”

“So, do I have a younger sister now?” Jeremy said, surprising everyone. No one knew since when he already stood outside the gazebo. His hands were folded on the railing, embracing his slightly raised shoulders.

Abigail laughed at that joke. “You don’t mind having a little sister like me?” She pointed at her own nose.

“It seems my mother wants a daughter. So, I don’t mind. There’s no need for adoption to consider someone part of the family, right?”

While Diana smiled slightly, Vivian laughed softly. “Okay, then,” she put the hands of the three of them together, “from this moment on, we are family?”

Even though her laugh was light, Abigail’s eyes filled with tears. “Yeah, we’re family.”

Meanwhile, from a window overlooking the yard, Ava blinked slowly. Her gaze was fixated on how Vivian held Jeremy and Abigail’s hands

long breath, she glanced at the hand she was holding.

“Mom…,” she stroked the back of that motionless hand, “if only you can wake up, we can join in the party with them. We can celebrate New Year together, talk to each other.”

Not getting an answer, Ava exhaled again. Her shoulders dropped further. “I miss your voice, Mom.”

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. When Ava turned her head, Susan smiled softly.

“Mrs. Martin? You’re awake?”

Susan nodded. Her eye bags swelled as a result of disturbed sleep.” The twins can protest if we miss New Year’s Eve. Let’s go to the gazebo.”

Ava smiled modestly. “I’ll follow.”

“I just checked on Melanie. She’s sleeping very soundly, so you don’t need to bother waking her up.”

Ava nodded. “Okay. I understand. Thank you, Mrs. Martin.”

As Susan left, Ava got up from her chair. “I’m going away for a whi Mom. I’ll be back later, in the new year.”

After kissing her mother’s forehead, Ava approached the window. However, when she was about to draw the curtain, she froze. Her gaze was fixed on the twinkling lights floating above the fence, near the gazebo.

“What’s that?”

Ava focused her gaze from the window pane. After squinting for a moment, she gasped. In a quick move, she closed the curtains and ran towards the back yard.

A moment later, Susan heard footsteps benina ner. She gasped, turning her head backward. At that very second, her eyebrows arched higher.

“What’s wrong, Ava? Why are you running like that?”

“Mrs. Martin,” Ava stopped and grabbed Susan’s arms, “I saw a drone

over the fence near the gazebo. Someone was watching them.”

Susan blinked. Ava’s seriousness made her shudder. “Aren’t they

aware?”

“No. Therefore, I must inform them immediately.”

Just when Ava was about to continue running, Susan grabbed her hand. “Wait. If you rush like that, the scout might run away.”

Ava’s tension faded. “So?”

“Pretend you don’t know. Approach them casually then calmly tell

them. Don’t arouse suspicion.”

Ava swallowed hard then nodded. “Okay.”

Then, Ava carried out her duties as directed. She walked towards the gazebo with a pounding heart.

“Oh? That’s Ava. Ava’s here!” Emily got up from her position and jumped up and down. Her hands waved excitedly. “Ava!”

Louis, who was sitting next to Kara, waved. The camera in his left hand would have fallen if his mother hadn’t helped him hold it.

“Ava! Come here! There’s lots of food. It’s all delicious. Grilled cor grilled sausage, marshmallows, and pudding. You’ll love it! Oh, there’

fruit too!”

With awkward movements, Ava came into the gazebo. She sat on th edge then looked at the drone briefly. Even at a glance, she could se

that the o

“Everyone… please don’t be surprised. Are you aware that a drone is watching us?”

Everyone blinked flatly then turned towards the fence. “Is that what you mean?” Jeremy pointed at the flashing drone.

Ava was stunned. “Yes.”

“That’s Auntie’s drone, Ava. Auntie is learning to use it for next year’s content,” Emily explained in a sweet voice.

Ava turned stiff. Embarrassment crept up her spine. “Sorry. I thought it was Sophia’s scout. I didn’t mean to make you worry or panic.”

Kara smiled softly. “You don’t need to apologize, Ava. We are actually grateful that you reminded us. It means you have sharp observations

and care about us.”

“Yeah, thanks, Ava. Next time, let’s play spy. Looks like you have talent as my coworker.” Louis poked his own chest with his thumb.

Hearing that, Ava’s tension eased. However, just as she nodded,

Susan arrived with a panicked expression.

“How is it, Ava? Have you told them?”

Emily giggled in amusement. “That’s Auntie Barbara’s new drone, Grandma. The one we showed you yesterday.”

Her tiny index finger was raised. “It’s filming us.”

“Now come sit with us, Grandma,” Louis said. “The New Year will be coming soon. Daddy said there is something important to say.”

Susan sighed in relief. “Thank God, I had a random thought earlier.”

Ava grimaced slightly, feeling guilty. Moreover, she realized that Jeremy was glancing at her cynically

“So, what do you want to say, Frank?” Diana asked, while Susan sat

beside Ava.

Frank didn’t answer. His gaze was focused on the trees behind the

fence.

“Frank?” Kara shook her husband’s arm.

Frank raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Grandma asked what you want to talk about.”

Frank straightened his back from the railing. After a few blinks, he

cleared his throat.

“I think that since Grandma has accepted the situation, she must have also let go of the past. Is my analysis correct?”

The curve of Diana’s lips turned awkward. “Yes,” she answered shyly.” There’s no point in brooding over what I’ve lost. I’d rather be grateful for what I have.”

Frank nodded. His expression was still serious. “Because of that, I think this is the right moment to read Grandpa’s will. Do you agree,

Grandma?”

While Diana was stunned, the twins opened their mouths wide and

out laughter.

“That’s a great idea, Daddy. Tonight will be even more special!”

“Yes, we are not only partying and celebrating the New Year, but als making Grandpa Rowan’s last wish come true.”

Not wanting to disappoint the twins, Diana nodded. Jeremy rushed around the gazebo, handing Frank a folder he had hidden behind his back. However, just as he was about to leave, Frank grabbed his hand

“Order the security team to check the sky and the area around the

fence. Ava is right. Someone is stalking us. There’s another drone

besides Barbara’s.”