CHAPTER 474: FAVORITISM

"What do I think?"

Juliet gazed at Queen with a voice as soft and guileless as her expression.

"Queen, what I think doesn’t matter. What matters is—"

She narrowed her eyes slightly before continuing,

"No matter what grievances you hold against me or our parents, don’t forget your last name is Bernardo.

You should know what’s appropriate to say in front of outsiders—and what isn’t."

Her tone was unhurried, almost sisterly in its patient admonishment, as if she were genuinely offering well-meaning advice.

Yet every word was a calculated barb, each sentence tightening the noose.

Grievances against her and their parents?

Was she implying Queen was an outsider now? Queen arched a brow, her lips curling into a mocking smirk.

"Juliet, there’s no one else around.

You can drop the saintly act," she drawled, leaning back in her seat and idly twirling her sunglasses between her fingers.

"Afraid I’ll tell Mr. Taylor how you badmouthed him for his poor health, whined about San Francisco being too far, and then seduced Harrison to swap fiancées?"

Her tone was breezy, almost indifferent, but the words cut like a blade.

Juliet’s eyes flickered, her expression visibly darkening in an instant.

"Seems like all these years of hard lessons still haven’t taught you to hold that sharp tongue of yours."

She deliberately paused, then abruptly shifted her tone.

"Don’t forget what Mom and Dad told you before we left.

If I get upset, you’ll be the one facing their wrath again."

A faint smirk curled at the corners of Juliet’s lips.

Queen’s face remained impassive, but the movement of her fingers toying with her sunglasses noticeably slowed.

Noticing this, Juliet leaned back slightly, the subtle triumph in her upturned eyes barely concealed.

Their parents’ favoritism was her trump card—something Queen could never surpass, no matter what.

The two sat facing each other, their strikingly similar features etched with entirely different expressions.

Amid the heavy silence, the car glided smoothly into the Bernardo family estate.

"Miss Juliet, Miss Queen, we’ve arrived."

The driver parked, stepped out, and held the door open.

The butler approached to greet them.

Juliet cast one last glance at Queen before rising unhurriedly and stepping out of the car first.

Queen remained seated, showing no sign of urgency whatsoever.

"Miss," The butler gave Juliet a once-over, his voice laced with concern.

"Are you feeling alright?

Any discomfort?"

"Not at all," Juliet shook her head gently, her smile soft and reassuring.

"Uncle Kelvin, I’m not that fragile."

"It’s just that Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo are worried.

They’re waiting in the living room right now. You and Ms. Queen should head inside soon,"

Only then did the butler notice Queen hadn’t emerged.

Kelvin promptly walked over to the car door.

"Ms Queen?"

"Hmm," Queen responded leisurely, finally folding her sunglasses and stepping out of the car after hearing the butler’s call.

Inside the living room, Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo sat on the sofa, flipping through news reports about the Mega family’s troubles while murmuring to each other in hushed tones.

Their expressions were grim.

After all, the Bernardo family had numerous business dealings with the Mega family.

With the Mega family’s sudden downfall, it was inevitable that they would suffer losses as well.

Mrs. Bernardo turned to her husband, her expression troubled.

"Darling, who do you think is behind the attack on the Mega family?"

"It happened too suddenly.

I haven’t been able to gather any information yet," Mr. Bernardo replied, shaking his head with a grave look.

"Whether in status or influence, the Mega family was even stronger than our own.

And yet, they collapsed just like that."

Mrs. Bernardo sighed, her brow furrowed in concern.

"From now on, we must be extremely cautious with every business decision the Bernardo family makes."

"Don’t worry," Mr. Bernardo reassured her, gently patting the back of her hand.

"Remember, our Juliet is about to marry into the Harrison family.

With Harrison backing us, no one would dare move against the Bernardo family."

Mrs. Bernardo paused, then added, "Besides, isn’t the Taylor family still on our side?"

The Taylor Residence.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Bernardo’s brows furrowed even tighter instead of relaxing.

"Darling, Taylor will be arriving in a couple of days.

How are we going to explain this to him?"

After all, he was the child of their dear friends.

A pang of guilt still lingered in her heart.

"No need for explanations.

Just tell him the truth," Mr. Bernardo replied, his own frown fleeting before smoothing out.

"Juliet has always been delicate.

If she goes to San Francisco, she might struggle with the climate.

Besides, we don’t want her too far from home—what if something happens and we can’t be there for her?"

Mr. Bernardo narrowed his eyes slightly and continued, "Queen on the other hand, has always been tough.

Strong-willed, too.

No matter where she goes, she won’t let anyone push her around."

Mrs. Bernardo sighed.

"That may be true, but—"

"Enough. Don’t overthink it," Mr. Bernardo cut her off firmly.

"If we hadn’t heard his health had improved, I wouldn’t have agreed to send any of our daughters."

Before Mrs. Bernardo could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside the door.

The butler entered, followed by the figures of Juliet and Queen, stepping into the couple’s line of sight.

"Dad, Mom," Juliet spoke first, her face softening into a gentle smile.

Instantly, the furrowed brows of Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo smoothed into warm expressions as they turned their gazes toward her.

"You’re back so soon?

Come, sit beside me," Mrs. Bernardo beckoned.

"Of course," Juliet replied, gliding gracefully to settle between her father and mother with effortless ease.

Mr. Bernardo studied his daughter’s face, his voice instinctively softening as a tender, affectionate smile played on his lips.

"Are you feeling alright? No discomfort anywhere?"

"Not at all, don’t worry," Juliet laughed, shaking her head lightly.

"I’m not some delicate porcelain—how fragile do you think I am?"

"Not porcelain?"

Mr. Bernardo chuckled at her words, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"You were as fragile as porcelain when you were little.

There were several times you went out and almost didn’t make it back, scaring your mother and me half to death."

"That was ages ago, Dad," Juliet replied, nestling against her father’s arm with an affectionate hug, her voice soft and coaxing.

"I’m perfectly healthy now."

"You’ll keep getting better," her father said tenderly, patting her hand, knowing full well she was just trying to reassure him.

Her mother chimed in with agreement.

The three of them laughed and chatted, completely oblivious to Queen, who stood silently beside the butler like an outsider.

The butler sighed inwardly, casting a sympathetic glance at Queen.

Because of the eldest daughter’s delicate health, the boss and madam had always shown her extra favor.

While it meant little to outsiders, for the second daughter, it was a different story.

Queen watched the heartwarming scene of familial affection with an impassive gaze, her delicate features betraying no emotion whatsoever.

"Oh, Juliet," her father suddenly remarked, adopting the tone of a father scrutinizing his daughter’s suitor.

"After the auction, didn’t Harrison invite you all to dinner?

How come you’re back so soon?"

"Harrison did," Juliet’s eyes curved into gentle crescents as she spoke in a tender voice.

"Actually, we’d much rather come back to spend time with you and Dad."

At this, she lifted her gaze toward Queen, who was still standing.

"Right, Queen?"

Hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Bernardo’s smiles widened, and they naturally turned their attention to Queen as well.

Without hesitation, Mrs. Bernardo released Juliet’s hand and patted the empty seat beside her, beaming at Queen.

"Queen, why are you still standing?

Come sit by Mom."