"Dad, I''m going home with you and Mom. I even had someone find this orchid just for you. You''ll love it. Here, take a look."

    "Get lost! You aren''t part of this family anymore!"

    ...

    Vespera stopped in her tracks. As she listened to the conversation outside, she felt numb. For a brief moment, she debated whether she should step outside and shut them all up or lock the door and keep Vernon out, too.

    In the end, she chose the third option. She decided not to do anything and let them fight it out. She turned around and headed for the kitchen instead. "Oh, right. We still have watermelons in the fridge."

    And just like that, Vespera left the scene. Wanda''s expression also conveyed everything. It was none of her business.

    Outside, Vernon entered the house with Luke trailing behind, still carrying the gift. One was angry, and the other was trying to please.

    But the moment they stepped into the living hall and saw who was already there, they froze.

    Vernon was surprised as he thought that he had just walked into a tea party.

    There was Luke, who was Vernon''s ex-son-inw, the neighbor, who had a crush on Vespera, and also the most eligible bachelor of them all.

    Then, Vernon''s gazended on someone even more unexpected. Why was Theodore here, too?

    Luke had heard his former inws were back. He didn''t have any big ns. He just wanted to stop by and offer an apology. But this was a nightmare. His chest tightened with irritation.

    He recognized Benjamin immediately. Benjamin had always been a joke. He wanted to be with someone out of his reach. He had zero chance.

    "Mr. Munoz, you show up everywhere these days," said Dominic with a chuckle.

    Luke''s expression darkened as he felt even more irritated. "Shouldn''t I be the one asking you that?"

    Meanwhile, Theodore was eyeing Luke curiously. He asked Wanda, "Who''s that guy?"

    Wanda sighed and muttered, already feeling a headacheing on, "He''s my ex- son-inw."

    All of them were here for Vespera, including this walking red g!

    Meanwhile, Vespera was slicing up a melon in the kitchen. Calvert slipped in and snatched a piece. He said, "Vespera, want me to throw them all out? Those weirdos can''t evenpare to Mr. Reid."

    Vespera responded, "Look at you. Using words like ''weirdos'' now."

    She handed Calvert a te of cut melon and said, "Go serve them."

    Obediently, Calvert took the te and went to the living hall. Since there were no empty seats, he plopped down on the floor beside Dominic and started munching happily.

    Dominic was at a loss for words. The tension in the living hall was so thick, yet Calvert remained unbothered.

    In the end, Helen got up and said, "Wanda, we''lle back another day."

    She wasn''t stupid. One look at Luke and Dominic told her they weren''t the kind of men she could mess with. One had a bodyguard with tattoos, and the other had a fierce gaze.

    Helen nudged Benjamin toward the door. As they walked out, Benjamin stole onest nce toward the kitchen, where Vespera stood.

    Luke sneered and said, "Quit dreaming. She''s never going to go for a broke man."

    At that, Helen whipped around. "So what if you have money? You stink of money and zero character! You cheated on Vespera and hurt her! If she had chosen Benjamin back then, backthen, she wouldn''t have suffered much."

    Benjamin tried to cut her off. "Mom, please."

    sl.ne

    But Luke just snorted and said, "I already said that she doesn''t like broke men. We''re divorced now, but look, Mr. Reid is still here. He''s loaded So, if you want to talk aboutpetition, don''t look at me Ask him if you''ve got a shot."

    Dominic listened to what Luke said and gave an amused chuckle.