Chapter103 The Lowe Family Dinner (1)
After leaving the Nash residence, Kristina's phone rang. It was her cousin Isabella—she seldom called. Curious about her sudden outreach, she answered the phone after a brief hesitation.
"Isabella, what's up?"
Isabella was the youngest in her uncle's family and used to be quite close to Eula, always tagging along behind her. But Kristina wasn't fond of her, partly because she often insinuated that Kristina was a love child, which was upsetting.
"Big sis, it's my birthday today. Why aren't you here yet? Where's my present?"
Clearly, Isabella was hinting for a gift, which caused Kristina to frown slightly.
"How old are you, anyway? A kid wanting a big birthday bash? Did Grandpa Lowe even give his permission?"
At the Lowe household, Grandpa was known for his conciseness and kindness, which meant no grand parties for the younger family members. Even at 23, Kristina had never had one herself.
This irritated her further when thinking about the social circles gossiping, saying she wasn't Grandpa Lowe's favorite, evident by the lack of festivities in her honor. Despite her explanations, no one seemed to listen.
Eula had thrown her own birthday bash when she turned eighteen, which they all had attended.
"Big sis, I'm eighteen now, an adult, so come over already!"
As soon as she said that, she hung up, and Kristina mumbled a curse under her breath.
"That little brat just hangs up like that; no manners whatsoever."
Soon after, Isabella sent her an address.
Eula sat next to Isabella, surveying the vast table hosting the extended Lowe family. It had been six years, yet they all seemed unchanged.
The aunts were decked out in gold and silver jewelry, and although the uncles had larger bellies and less hair than before, they were otherwise the same.
Isabella and she were close; skipping her eighteenth birthday celebration wasn't an option.
Isabella smirked, "Sis, you should eat up! Look how thin you are."
"Isabella, what do you know? I'm maintaining my figure. Not all of us can eat whatever and not worry about getting fat," Isabella's mother chimed in with a grin.
Though Eula’s slimness wasn't for vanity; she just never had a big appetite.
Especially today, after seeing Darcy so dejected, practically kneeling before Elbert Hicks, who showed no mercy, Eula knew something had to be done.
Melissa was seated across from Eula, glancing over with a sullen expression.
Eula's recent beating had left a sore spot, provoking irritation.
So she said, "Eula, why didn't you bring the kids today? They could enjoy a taste of this fancy food."
Her comment silenced the table; bringing up the kids was off-limits, as the incident had seriously upset Grandpa Lowe.
He used to dote on Eula, but afterward he cut all ties, and even with her reappearance, he hadn't welcomed her home. He resented blemish on the Lowe family's reputation that the children's incident had caused.
Grandpa valued reputation above all. With the aunt incessantly reminding everyone, would Eula ever dare to face the Lowes again?
She responded, "Children are a handful; I didn't want to dampen everyone's spirits."
