Chapter 444 The Return of Winston
An hour had passed when a servant, brimming with excitement, announced, "Mr. and Mrs. Medici, Winston has returned."Mrs. Medici rose from the sofa, her eyes flashing with determination. "So he finally decided to return," she said, her voice laced with a mix of relief and annoyance. She was ready to settle accounts with her wayward son.Winston, nonchalant as ever, sauntered in with a devil-may-care grin on his face. "I saw smoke from miles away," he quipped, changing his shoes at the door. "I should have known it was my mother, fuming with anger.""Winston!" Mrs. Medici couldn't contain herself. She rushed forward, landing several light blows on his chest. "You finally came back! Your sister has been home for months, and you, her elder brother, couldn't even be bothered to show some concern?"She continued, her voice rising with each word, "Even Ethan, the busiest of all, managed to come home after his secret mission. Blake has been spending time with his sister for days. Only you and Bishop ignore messages, avoid calls, and waste your days with inconsequential people.""Mom, that's my job," Winston retorted, his tone defensive."Enough!" Mrs. Medici cut him off. "Go upstairs and take a shower. You smell." As he turned to leave, she added, "Wait, why are your hands empty? Where's your sister's gift?"Winston paused, his foot hovering above the first step. He turned back, his face a picture of innocence. "Isn't my return the best gift for my sister?""Winston..." Mrs. Medici stepped forward, landing a few more playful punches on his chest. "No one cares about you. Girls want perfumes, jewelry, clothes. Even a doll would suffice. You're so...""I can be a decoration," Winston interjected, his tone serious. "A doll is just a decoration, but I can move, pose in any way my sister wants. Besides, dolls aren't as eye-catching as me."Mrs. Medici clutched her chest, shaking her head at her son's handsome, earnest face. "You're driving me insane..."Seeing his mother's genuine frustration, Winston produced a small box from his pocket and handed it to her with a charming smile. "I remembered everyone. This is for you, Mom.""Really?" Mrs. Medici's anger subsided as she opened the box to find a dazzling gemstone inside. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing that Winston had remembered both her and his sister, Abella."What about mine?" Mr. Medici called from the kitchen. Winston tossed him a small box before heading upstairs. Mr. Medici opened his box to find a note that read: IOU. He sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "What a wonderful son."After his shower, Winston lounged on the couch, waiting for his sister. Instead, he was greeted by Lola, who rushed to him, her face beaming. "Winston, you're finally back!""Winston, it's been so long since you were last here..." Lola's voice wavered, her eyes welling up with tears. She had missed him more than she cared to admit."Winston, you finally came back. Lola talks about you every day... My ears are practically calloused from it!" Maria chimed in, her smile teasing. "Sometimes Lola flips through your old photo album and ends up crying...""What's there to cry about?" Winston asked, his gaze softening."Of course she's thinking of you, which makes her cry!" Maria replied.Winston beckoned Lola to sit beside him. "Why didn't you call me if you missed me?""I was afraid you were busy and didn't want to disturb you..." Lola replied, her voice barely above a whisper.Winston, more handsome than ever, still carried that hint of unruly charm that made hearts flutter.
"Winston, may I take your photograph? I'd like to have something to gaze upon when I find myself missing you," Lola proposed, her request granted with eager enthusiasm.Without missing a beat, Lola retrieved her phone, capturing a series of images with Winston, each one finding a home on her social media platforms."And how have you been faring of late?" Winston inquired, his tone laced with genuine concern.Lola found herself at a loss for words, unable to encapsulate the recent happenings of her life succinctly. If she were to attempt a summary, it would simply be "dismal.""Winston, isn't it akin to twisting a knife in Lola's heart, your words?" Maria interjected. "Ever since Abella's return to this household, Lola's status and circumstances have remained stagnant, if not worsened."Abella, poised to descend the staircase, overheard Maria's disparaging remarks. Was Maria truly speaking ill of her in Winston's presence? It seemed she was granted no respite...Winston, comprehending Maria's insinuations, lifted his gaze to meet hers, his voice steady as he asked, "Is she truly so difficult to coexist with?"Maria's expression was a novel in itself, implying that indeed, Abella was a challenging companion."And her parents? They show no concern?" Winston probed further.Maria's countenance remained cryptic, her emotions unreadable."And what of Steven?" Winston sighed, his frustration evident. "It seems everyone orbits around her, save for Winston. Who else is there to prioritize Lola's welfare?"Winston cast a sidelong glance at the girl beside him. She appeared somewhat wounded, her gaze perpetually lowered, akin to a discarded doll. Yet after a moment, her eyes seemed to clear of their gloom. "Winston, are you hungry? I could prepare something for you.""I am somewhat peckish," Winston admitted, a smile gracing his features. "Perhaps you could bring me a few more things to eat.""Sure," Lola agreed, preparing to fetch the food."Lola, allow me to go in your stead. You and Winston should take this opportunity to converse," Maria interjected.What a fortuitous opportunity! She couldn't let it pass her by!"Maria, remain here," Winston commanded, his smile enigmatic. "Lola, you may proceed.""Oh, very well..." Lola cast a fleeting glance at Maria before making her way to the kitchen, a sense of puzzlement clouding her thoughts."Maria," Winston began, his gaze returning to her as Lola departed. "It appears you have some grievances with Abella?""Winston, you misunderstand. I merely observe Lola's neglect within this household. No matter how fervently she attempts to appease Abella, her efforts are in vain. Abella consistently disregards her. It is for Lola that I feel sympathy..." Maria clarified.Meanwhile, on the second floor, Abella remained silent..."Maria, have you forgotten that Lola's position within this household was initially Abella's? You've been in this house for an extended period," Winston's words caught Maria off guard."Abella endured hardship for eighteen years outside of this home, and has only recently returned. You claim everyone is doting on her, attempting to compensate for her suffering, treating her with kindness and care. Isn't that to be expected?"Maria, feeling somewhat chastised, lowered her gaze, murmuring a subdued, "Yes.""Lola has been living the life that was meant for Abella for the first eighteen years. Abella has not demanded restitution and has even allowed Lola to remain. This demonstrates Abella's magnanimity and her ability to let go of past grievances."
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