Chapter 444: Chapter 444: None for You

Seeing that her grandma was about to launch into another lecture, Vera quickly said, "I was wrong. I’ll never do it again! I promise, this is the last time!"

Given her sincere apology and safe return, her grandma just nagged her a little more and didn’t resort to smacking her.

Vera stuck out her tongue and clutched her stomach. "Grandma, I’m hungry..."

"You and your nerves of steel! It’d be better if you starved to death, then I wouldn’t have to worry so much." Despite her grumbling, Grandma was already heading toward the kitchen.

Vera made a face at her grandma’s retreating back. Zachary Preston saw it and couldn’t help but smile.

In truth, the Preston household was always quite desolate when Vera wasn’t around. Her return was what brought life back into the home.

Vera followed her into the kitchen, slipped the bankbook into her pocket, and showered her with sweet, playful words. Her grandma hadn’t been truly angry with her anyway; she was just worried.

The family’s expenses were high due to Zachary Preston’s illness, and the money from the painting they had sold was nearly gone. So, Grandma didn’t refuse and accepted the bankbook.

Vera had called home yesterday to say she’d be back today, so her grandma had gone to the market first thing in the morning to buy a lot of her favorite foods. The previous afternoon, she had even made a trip to the countryside to catch a bamboo rat to cook for Vera, to help build up her strength.

When Vera saw the huge spread of dishes on the table, her heart filled with warmth. This was what a family felt like—a feeling she hadn’t experienced since she was eighteen in her past life.

Watching Vera bustling about the kitchen with Grandma, Grandpa smiled at Zachary and said, "This girl is really something. I never imagined our family would have such a smart, sensible, and well-behaved little granddaughter. It’s a good thing she was switched at birth and grew up in the Xavier family. If she’d been raised by Rona Langdon..."

Grandpa trailed off. While the subject of Rona Langdon wasn’t exactly taboo for the Preston family, it was an unpleasant topic no one cared to dwell on, so he wisely cut himself short.

Zachary, of course, knew what his father had left unsaid. In fact, he felt the same. Vera was a child who truly tugged at your heartstrings—she was kind, intelligent, obedient, and sensible.

His eyes were full of warmth as he watched Vera. ’My own little selfish desire is a bit unfair to her,’ he thought. ’I need to find a chance to have a proper talk with her about it.’

Just as Grandma and Vera finished setting out the food, Cara Preston returned. The moment she walked in, the atmosphere in the room chilled noticeably.

Cara’s fists clenched subconsciously the moment she saw Vera. The rage and hatred in her heart were irrepressible, yet she managed to force a smile. "Sister, you’re back! You’ve been gone for a while; I missed you so much!"

Hearing those unbelievably fake words, Vera let out a dry chuckle. "I guess with me gone, there was no one around to keep you in line. You’ve been itching for trouble, haven’t you? Well, don’t worry. I’m back now. I’ll be more than happy to satisfy all your desires."

Cara’s smile froze on her face. But, being as thick-skinned as ever, she quickly caught sight of the gifts on the cabinet and immediately asked with a look of delight, "Did you bring all of these back, Sister? Which one is mine?"

Vera gave a soft laugh. "None of them are yours."

Cara’s expression finally cracked. She immediately changed the subject, looking at the food on the table. "Wow, so much good food! Grandma, you’re so good to Sister. I guess I get to benefit today, too! We usually go days without seeing a single meat dish around here."

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