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Even though Nathaniel and Winona had moved into a grand villa courtesy of their son, Skylar, they
refused to take any money from him. Their lives since moving in were not much different from their
lives before. Prices of goods were steadily rising while wages remained stagnant. After accounting for
their usual expenditure, the husband and wife only had savings of about 40,000 dollars. Spending a
fifth of their savings to purchase the health tonic for Langston was a huge gesture on their part. How
could their own relatives accuse them of being insincere?
Winona felt hurt by their accusations, but she was a non-confrontational person by nature. She only
hoped her explanation would suffice.
Naomi, who had just witnessed her parents being bullied, confronted her relatives in return. “Well, since
you think our gift was not a sincere one, what did you get for Grandfather then?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLaurel Fuller averted her gaze, but nothing slipped past the sharp-eyed Naomi. She noticed the two
blue gift boxes by Langston’s side.
“Hey, isn’t this the drugstore brand that was running a Buy One Free One promotion?” Naomi asked
out loud.
Laurel’s initial embarrassment turned to anger. “Father knows about our financial situation, it’s no
secret. We can’t afford to gift something beyond our ability, but you live in an expensive mansion and
wear fancy jewelry. I don’t think we should be measured based on the same yardstick.”
“Well, before Skylar came home, my father gifted Grandpa two bottles of 18-year-old single malt scotch
whisky for Christmas!” Naomi countered. “And what did you get? If my memory serves me right, you
brought a box of chocolate and some figs. I don’t think it’s nice of you to insult my parents when you’re
not exactly a stellar daughter yourself, Aunt Laurel.”
Perhaps it was because Nathaniel and Winona were peaceful mild-mannered individuals, their
daughter Naomi grew up to be the exact opposite of them. She was vocal and outspoken against
anything that irked her, including her relatives who had a bone to pick with her parents.
“You little brat! You’re completely out of line right now!” Laurel shrieked.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed through the living hall. “All of you, stop this nonsensical fighting
right now! Leave the gifts here and get out of the hall now,” the family patriarch ordered.
Langston Fuller had favorites among his children. He doted on his second and third sons, for they had
worked hard to bring the family name and empire to where it was today. He thought of his other
children as good-for-nothing brats who did not contribute to the family. Therefore, the squabble
between Naomi and Laurel was of no interest to him. In fact, it was disrupting his peace and quiet.
Upon hearing the patriarch’s orders, the rest of the Fullers stopped their quarrel and left the living hall
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhastily. As Skylar and his family carried their luggage toward the guest rooms, a suave man in his
thirties approached them. The man was Alex Fuller, Nathaniel’s nephew, Skylar, and Naomi’s cousin.
He was the son of Nathaniel’s third brother, Robert.
“Uncle Nate, Naomi! You guys made it!” Alex greeted them merrily, completely ignoring Winona and
Skylar who were standing next to them.
Alex’s immediate family wielded considerable influence within the larger Fuller family as well, since
they controlled the export side of the family’s crystal business. The exports to Troitz county alone were
worth at least 10 billion dollars in revenue. That may be a small amount compared to the wealth of the
old money families of Cloudtopia, but it allowed the Fullers to make a name for themselves in the small
county of Atlas.
“Hello, Alex!” Naomi greeted her cousin politely.
“You grow prettier every time I see you, Naomi,” Alex teased his cousin. “I’ve got a dinner reservation
at the Anya Hotel tonight. Care to join me?”
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