Chapter 229

Chapter 229 “It‘s beautiful. This painting is beautiful!” Madam Carter held the painting in an excited but

controlled manner for fear of crumpling it. Sylvia smiled. “Grandmother, this painting is a New Year‘s gift

just for you.” Madam Carter clutched the painting tightly with both hands and said in embarrassment,

“Oh, that‘s too much!” Sylvia laughed. “I‘m just glad you like it.” “Haha, since it‘s a gift for me, I’ll accept

it,” Madam Carter spoke cheerfully and took out another envelope from her side. She took Sylvia‘s hand,

placed the envelope in her hand, and said with a smile, “Syl, I specially prepared this for you. Since I

received your painting, you have to accept this too.” Sylvia could only say, “Okay. Thank you,

Grandmother.” She placed the envelope into her bag.

Madam Carter happily continued to admire the painting as Sylvia explained it to her from time to time.

On the other side, Isabel and Liam were sitting on the ground, counting their New Year‘s money. In

addition to a wooden carving from Sylvia‘s envelope, the cash, land deed, and small gold and silver bars

were all lined up in front of Isabel.

“One dollar, two dollars, three dollars... one hundred dollars, two hundred dollars...” Isabel first placed the

gold bars into her small bag neatly, then added all of the cash that Sylvia gave into the bag, and finally

frowned at the two land deeds.

She asked Liam again, “Liam, is this worth anything?”

Liam smiled back at her. “Yeah.” Isabel immediately put the two land deeds into her small bag as well.

Liam simply watched with a smile: The atmosphere in the living room was very lively. An old maid at the

side looked at this scene and inexplicably felt her eyes redden. After all, the house was always cold and

quiet during New Year in the previous years. Odell was silent, Liam was more withdrawn and only liked

to play with his Rubik‘s cube, and Madam Carter could not stay long before she got bored and went back

to her room to rest. Now, Sylvia laughed with Madam Carter while Isabel and Liam squatted together and

chattered.

Although Odell was still drinking tea alone, it was easy to see the pleased look on his face.

This was what a real New Year looked like.

Before she knew it, it was time for lunch. Sylvia stood up and said, “Grandmother, I‘ll go back now.”

Madam Carter grabbed her hand in reluctance and said, “Don‘t go back. Join us for lunch.” Isabel and

Liam sat beside her, both looking at her eagerly.

In response, Sylvia subconsciously looked at Odell.

He was drinking tea. When he noticed her eyes, he glanced at her indifferently. Sylvia thought he did not

want her to stay and was just about to say goodbye to Isabel and Liam when she heard him say, “Leave

after lunch.”

She froze for a moment before Isabel happily jumped into her arms. Liam pursed his lips and smiled.||

Madam Carter and the old maid next to her were startled as well and also smiled.

Thus, Sylvia had lunch with them. After lunch, Madam Carter went to her room to take a nap. Sylvia was

about to play with the two little ones for a while when she suddenly received a call from Sherry who

wanted to go shopping with her. Sylvia looked at the two cute and clingy little ones in front of her and

said, “Sherry, can I go with you later? I‘m with the kids now.”

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However, Sherry exclaimed, “Syl, are you even my friend? Your two children are almost four years old,

but I, your best friend, haven‘t seen them even once! How could this be? I don‘t care. I‘m going over to

you now. We‘ll take the kids out shopping together!”

She hung up without waiting for Sylvia‘s answer. Sylvia could only ask the kids, “Isabel and Liam, a good

friend of mine is coming to play with me later. Do you guys want to go shopping with us?”