Chapter 817
Citrine didn't get huntil three o'clock.
The moment she stepped through the door, both the Carmichaels and the Saunders-gathered in the living room-
turned as one to look at her.
When no one else appeared behind her after a few seconds, everyone hurried over, voices overlapping with
warmth and concern.
"You must be exhausted, honey. Letmake you a nice, warm soup for your stomach," her mother fussed.
"Chere, Citrine, sit byand try these pastries your grandfather picked out this year," called her older
brother.
"Citrine, sweetheart, csit next to Grandpa," chimed her grandfather, patting the spot beside him.
At first, Citrine felt awkward with all the attention, but over time, she'd gotten used to it.
After a bit of playful bickering and jockeying for her company, she finally ended up in the very center of the
couch, surrounded on all sides.
Weston grinned so broadly that his eyes nearly disappeared behind his smile. He was secretly relieved that his
precious granddaughter hadn't brought that "wild young man” hwith her. Even though Raymond and Hilda
had talked him into accepting her relationship with that guy, he still couldn't help but feel protective. Seeing
Citrine walk in alone, he was so happy he could hardly contain it.
The rest of the family might not have said anything out loud, but they all shared Weston's sentiment. After all,
they'd only just gotten their beloved girl back; of course, they wanted to keep her close as long as possible.
Weston decided not to dwell on the inevitable heartbreak of his granddaughter being whisked away by sboy
someday. He pushed aside his reluctance, his face lighting up with a smile. "Alright, tfor the red envelopes!"
The younger Carmichaels and Saunders perked up instantly and crowded around the coffee table.
Wade, always the charmer, darted forward before anyone else could react. With a tic flourish, he dropped
to his knees in front of Herschel and gave him a deep bow. "Happy New Year, Grandpa! Wishing you wealth and
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtgood fortune!"
Herschel shot his own grandson a withering glare, his face darkening. "You cheeky brat, is he even your real
grandpa?"
Weston puffed up with pride and held out a thick red envelope, purposely raising his voice so Herschel could
hear, "Here you go, my dear grandson. This one's for you."
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Wade beamed as he took the envelope, weighing it appreciatively in his hand-completely
oblivious to the trouble he was stirring. Herschel snorted, shooting his "bargain grandson" a look of disdain. "You
can keep him. All | care about is my sweet granddaughter," he declared, turning to Citrine with a tender smile.
He handed her an envelope even heftier than Wade's. "This is for you, darling," Herschel said fondly. "I put this
together just for you. No one else gets one like it."
The rest of the kids exchanged looks. Seriously? Did he really have to say that out loud?
Citrine's eyes widened as she accepted the envelope. "Thank you, Grandpa."
The moment she felt its weight, though, she realized something was off. She glanced at her older siblings, then
quietly slid the envelope into her pocket, trying not to draw attention.
But everyone had already noticed. Herschel's envelope was at least three times fatter than the one Weston had
just given Wade.
Weston almost broke his new dentures, grinding his teeth in disbelief. The others stared at Herschel, stunned.
Unable to swallow his pride, Weston promptly pulled out his own extra-large envelope and pressed it into
Citrine's hands. "Here you go, sweetheart. Your real grandpa has a big one for you too."
He shot Herschel a triumphant look as he did so.
Citrine blinked at the two grandfathers, a little dazed, before taking the envelope and offering a polite thank you.
This envelope, too, was clearly two or three times thicker than the one Wade had received.
All the other cousins gawked at each other in silent protest, but before anyone could voice a complaint, Weston
clapped his hands and
lled out, "Alright, line up for your envelopes-one at a time!" s
At that, any thoughts of fairness vanished from the kids' minds as they scrambled forward to bow and snatch up
their own envelopes.
Citrine, meanwhile, didn't have to do a thing-she'd already pocketed two of the biggest envelopes in the room.
Just when she thought it was over, it was tfor her uncles-Mack, Levi, and Uncle Manley-to hand out their
envelopes.
Once again, Citrine didn't have to lift a finger. She received the most generous envelopes of all.
Her eldest uncle, Mack Saunders,
and her second uncle, Levi
Saunders, hadn't been in the country for years. Now, meeting their niece
for the first time, they'd not only brought red envelopes butdo
mountain of gifts. s
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Mack smiled warmly. "Citrine, I've
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Levi, beaming with affection, added,
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Shere, sweetheart, Everyiiing
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behind wei foo Fou don't like
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Both uncles had heard tales of their
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while abrog 4rd had always felt The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
proud of her. Now seeing this net
gentle sweet girl in person, they couldn't help but speak softly as if afraid to startle her.
tos
Citrine felt the genuine kindness radiating from both men and smiled sweetly at
them. "Thank you, Uncle Mack, Uncle Levi. I love all your gifts."
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