Only the third son, Lionel, wasn’t doing as well as his brothers. He graduated from a prestigious university but ended up becoming a teacher. It sounded respectable, but it didn’t make much money!

Penelope had often thought to herself that not all of Anna’s children were destined for wealth, but now… somehow, Lionel had also made it big! Anna sure was blessed with good fortune.

The more Penelope thought about it, the more envious she felt. She continued urging her grandson to eat more of the snacks. Since they’ve made it all the way here, they might as well eat their fill!

Apart from the eight people in Penelope’s family, there was also another family who was led by Lionel’s aunt, Theresa Hart. She had also brought her entire family for the banquet.

After stepping inside, Theresa acted just like Penelope did, marveling at everything she saw. “Lionel, you’ve really made it, haven’t you? Can teachers make this much money nowadays?”

She lowered her voice and asked discreetly, “Are there some extra perks that come with the job?”

Lionel shook his head vigorously and waved his hands. “Absolutely not! I’m working at a public school with a fixed salary each month. There are no perks!”

“Come on now, don’t treat me like an outsider. How could you afford such a beautiful villa without any extra income?” Theresa gushed. Was Lionel trying to pull her leg?

Scratching his head, Lionel explained, “I really don’t make much, but my wife and daughter do. This villa was bought by the both of them. I had nothing to do with it. I’m not that capable, just lucky enough to marry a loving wife and raise a good daughter.”

Theresa was clearly unimpressed. She wanted to ask how he made the money, and yet he was telling her about his happy family life. Couldn’t he answer the question properly? And he was supposed to be a teacher!

Theresa touched the railing and then sat on the couch to test its comfort. Finally, her gaze landed on the vase that had already caught Penelope’s eye earlier.

“Lionel, this is quite a beautiful item. Is it an antique?”

Lionel knew his aunt well enough to decipher the hidden message behind her words: “I want this vase, but I won’t ask for it outright. Instead, you should offer to give it to me.”

Lionel opened his mouth to say that the vase was just a thirty-dollar item he got from the flea market, but Theresa had already shifted her excited gaze elsewhere before he could speak.

“Oh my gosh! Is this… What do you call it? The thing every house had abroad, where the fire sparks shoot upwards…”

Lionel replied, “A fireplace.”

“Yes, yes! That’s it! A fireplace!”

Lionel didn’t respond.

“This must have cost quite a bit, right? And look at that.”

Lionel watched as Theresa ran around the house without even changing her shoes. She left yellow mud tracks all over the polished floor, like she had just come in straight from the fields. He took a deep breath and forced a smile on his face.

A child was jumping up and down on the couch, waving the remote control in the air and shouting in an ear-piercing shriek, “Grandma, we can play games on the television! I want to play games! Let me play!”

Lionel rubbed his forehead, feeling the pounding in his temples intensify.

Glancing around, he noticed the jigsaw puzzle he placed on the bookshelf, which took him half a month to complete, had been dismantled completely. Some of the pieces were nowhere to be found.

Lionel let out a bitter laugh. What a mess…

Looking around the villa, the spacious house was now crowded with adults, elderly people, and children alike. Some were munching on snacks and chatting loudly, while some were devouring the fruit platters. Children were running back and forth, their laughter so loud that they almost raised the roof.

It was more chaotic than a marketplace.

Lionel’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably when he thought about the fact that this would continue for another two more days.