Chapter


    109


    On Friday night, after work, Maggie returned to Franklin''s vi.


    She was surprised to find that he was at home. It was quite rare for him to be home at this hour.


    Franklin was on the phone. When he heard her footsteps, he nced at her, then turned back to continue his call.


    The housekeeper knew that Maggie was going to take Isabe to the Miller family house, so he had already prepared the foo


    ending for her and Isabe to eat before leaving.


    But since Maggie nned to eat at the Miller family house, she politely declined.


    "No need," she said.


    The housekeeper hesitated, then looked to Franklin for guidance.


    Franklin, who hadn''t finished his call yet but was likely listening to their conversation, moved the phone away from his mouf and said, "Listen to Madam." After that, he returned to his call.


    Maggie nodded and turned to Isabe. "Let''s go, Isabe."


    "Okay." Isabe waved to Franklin. "Dad, we''re leaving now. Bye!"


    Franklin waved back with a slight nod, "Goodbye."


    Maggie didn''t speak to Franklin at all and simply took Isabe and left.


    Franklin didn''t seem to notice anything unusual. After saying goodbye to Isabe, he continued his call while watching them leave.


    The birthday party for her grandmother was a grand affair. After they returned to the Miller family house and had dinner, Maggie helped with the preparations.


    By the time she finished helping, it was already past eleven at night.


    The next morning, she woke up early.


    Before breakfast, she joined the rest of the family, gathered around her grandmother to offer their birthday congrattions, and presented the gifts they had prepared.


    When it came time for the gift-giving, Isabe paused, then tugged at Maggie''s sleeve.


    Maggie bent down and put her ear closer. "What''s wrong?"


    Isabe, looking embarrassed, whispered, "Mom, I didn''t prepare a gift..."


    She only realized this at that moment,


    12:56


    Unable to resist, she scolded, "Mom, why didn''t you remind me?"


    Maggie replied, "I''ve prepared gifts for your dad and Grandma, but you''re still a child, so it''s fine if you didn''t prepare one. But next time, when Grandma''s birthdayes around, make sure you''re ready with something." Though Maggie said this, her tone was somewhat cold.


    She hadn''t reminded Isabe to prepare a gift, true. But if she had been thoughtful, upon learning that today was her grandmother''s birthday, she should have remembered to get a gift for her.


    The gift didn''t need to be expensive or require too much effort. She could have simply drawn a picture or even asked her to


    y something when she picked her up yesterday. It would have been fine.


    But she hadn''t thought of it at all.


    Yet, she wasn''t like this with Julia.


    She not only remembered the date but also eagerly counted down the days, anticipating it.


    It was because she could see that Isabe didn''t care enough that she didn''t bother reminding her.


    Isabe didn''t notice the coldness in Maggie''s expression. Upon hearing what Maggie said, she felt relieved.


    After Jason presented his gift to the elderly matriarch, Maggie also handed hers over.


    The first gift she offered was the embroidered picture: "This embroidery was prepared by Grandma for you with Frank''s help


    The matriarch took it and unwrapped it, admiring it for a moment. The gift hit the mark perfectly and she was very pleased. "She''s thoughtful."


    Maggie then presented the set of emerald jewelry: "This is from Frank."


    The emerald set was of excellent quality. The matriarch clearly liked it.


    But because it was from Franklin, she only nced at it briefly before closing the box and setting it aside, casually saying, "Very beautiful. Thank him on my behalf."


    As for whether Franklin woulde to her birthday celebration that day, she didn''t ask a word. She couldn''t be bothered to.


    Maggie knew that the matriarch didn''t like Franklin. If this had been before, she would have spoken up for him. But now, she didn''t say a word. Instead, she took out the gift she had prepared and handed it to the matriarch.


    Just as Maggie expected, of all the gifts, the matriarch''s favorite was indeed the set of four treasures of the study that she had brought.


    The matriarch held them in her hands, almost reluctant to put them down. She immediately went to her study and began writing a calligraphy piece.


    After the gifts were exchanged, the family gathered together to have breakfast. The meal was lively and full of warmth.


    The matriarch wore a bright smile, clearly happy. However, there was still a hint of mncholy that asionally showed her eyes.


    12:56


    Max And Jason both knew that today was also a family reunion for them. But, such an important day was missing one


    ww


    Every


    Thinking of this, Maggie turned her face away, her eyes reddening slightly. But, in order not to ruin the atmosphere, ever **aroxted mentioning Sally


    Byadow 9 oblock the next group of guests, those with closer ties to the Miller family, began arriving


    That errone they would dine at a hotel they had reserved. The birthday banquet would officially begin at that time.


    de Maggie dobod greet the guests, Jason''s son, Hugo Miller, noticed that Isabe was sitting quietly and seemed distracted. 1


    e patted her beautiful face and asked,


    Nolle, what''s wrong? You seem a hule absent-minded?"