Chapter 992 He Can't Sit Still Anymore
With everyone's help, the banner was positioned perfectly.
"Should we take a family photo here?" Kimberly suggested warmly.
"Absolutely!" Everyone gathered together enthusiastically, naturally placing Abella at the center while crowding around her.
The five towering brothers had no choice but to stand in the back row.
"We're calling it a family photo, but we're still missing someone," Beckett began, then spotted a black car approaching in the distance. The figure stepping out was James!
"Uncle James!" Five nephews and one niece called out in unison.
James beamed with that radiant smile of his. "Sorry I'm late." He carried several gift bags, which the servants quickly rushed to help with.
After greeting the other elders and explaining his delay—urgent overseas business that couldn't be postponed—James had rushed over as soon as everything was resolved.
Now the family was truly complete, at least on Kimberly's side.
Only Beckett's relatives were still missing—Abella's uncle and aunt's family, plus her cousin's family.
"Abella, your uncle and aunt will join us this afternoon, and we'll all have dinner together tonight. Your cousin's family will come for your homecoming celebration," Carl explained gently.
Abella nodded without any trace of disappointment. "That sounds perfect."
"Everyone look at the camera now."
After the joyful photo session, as the crowd dispersed, Kimberly couldn't help but embrace Abella.
"Abella, having you back has changed everything. In all my years of marriage, this is the first time my parents, siblings, and brother have come to spend Christmas at my home."
Previous Christmases had involved visits with her family, but never like this—never with everyone staying at Long Island Manor together.
This long-awaited happiness brought tears to her eyes. "I have you to thank for this." Kimberly knew it was Abella's presence that had drawn the family closer together.
Abella smiled warmly. "It's definitely more festive with everyone together."
Just then, the head of security approached and caught Abella's eye.
Blake, noticing the security chief had something private to discuss, immediately stepped forward to distract Kimberly.
"Ms. Medici," the security chief said quietly, ensuring the chatting elders weren't paying attention. "Those two who escaped Long Island Manor have vanished without a trace. As you predicted, whoever's behind this has been watching our every move. Those two are likely already dead."
"He's getting desperate," Abella said with a slight smile. "With all the guests coming for the celebrations, watch everyone who enters Long Island Manor—including their bodyguards and staff. I suspect our puppet master is among them. I'm curious to see who's been hiding in the shadows all this time."
"Understood!"
As the security chief prepared to leave discreetly, Abella added, "You're still disposing of those items daily?"
"Yes, Jacob's bloodied bandages are being thrown out every day as instructed."
The blood was from Abella's preserved samples, deliberately treated to reduce toxicity for credibility. Anyone finding the bloody bandages would assume Jacob was injured, possibly from interrogation torture.
The mastermind had originally poisoned Jacob intending for him to die at the Medici House, but the reduced toxicity in his blood would suggest Abella had largely healed him.
This would force the puppet master's hand, sending someone to investigate. Whoever came, Abella was confident she could trace them back to their source.
"Abella, want to help hang the Christmas wreaths?" Kimberly called from across the garden.
"Coming!"
They spent the entire morning decorating—hanging lights, Christmas stockings, and wreaths, placing Santa figurines throughout the house, and adorning the indoor plants with lights and ornaments.
The family laughed and chatted as they worked, creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, the staff hung Christmas garlands from the ceilings and decorated the outdoor gardens with lights, Christmas ornaments, and tiny bells.
The entire estate, inside and out, radiated Christmas joy. The dozen photographers captured every moment naturally—no posed shots needed, as every frame emanated warmth and happiness.
Looking at their transformed home, Abella felt something she'd never experienced before—the pure joy of celebrating Christmas surrounded by so many people who loved her.
Four chefs prepared the turkey while the family gathered around the dining table for their Christmas feast.
"Abella, do you know how to roast turkey? I'm still learning myself. Here, let me show you how to prepare the seasoning..." Kimberly had barely begun her demonstration when Abella had already prepared an entire platter of side dishes.
Everyone stared in amazement—they hadn't even seen her hands move.
"Abella, is that cranberry sauce? You not only cook but make such authentic accompaniments?" The brothers could hardly believe their eyes. Their Abella seemed to excel at everything!
"Mrs. Wilson taught me," Abella said with a gentle smile, though her heart ached with missing her beloved guardian.
Sensing her emotional shift, everyone realized she was thinking of Vilma.
"This afternoon we're all going to church for Christmas service. After lunch, we should visit Vilma's grave and bring some of your cranberry sauce..." Kimberly began.
Beckett immediately chimed in, "Absolutely! Without her, we wouldn't have our Abella today. As her parents, we should pay our respects. I'll have the staff prepare a proper offering."
"I want to thank her for raising my precious granddaughter so beautifully," Winslow said, his voice thick with emotion. If only Vilma were still alive to share this celebration.
"We're coming too," Blake declared. "Since the Wilson family doesn't visit Mrs. Wilson's grave, we need to let her know that the Medici family will honor her memory every year. We'll never forget what she did for Abella."
Abella's eyes glistened with gratitude. "Mrs. Wilson would be so happy to hear that from heaven, but today is Christmas. I can go alone later."
"Absolutely not. We're all going."
Despite Abella's protests, the elders' minds were made up.
Next, Abella prepared an array of Christmas desserts while the chefs finished roasting the turkey. Everyone clamored to taste her homemade treats.
"Respecting elders is a cornerstone of civilized society, yet you young people are stealing desserts from your grandparents!" Carl had already claimed three pieces of gingerbread, leaving the platter empty.
"I've never tasted anything Abella's made before!"
"You're taking desserts from senior citizens!"
"Does the Medici family not feed you properly?"
In the end, the elders played their age card shamelessly, commandeering all the desserts from the younger generation's plates.
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