Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 469

“Good to see you,” Mitch greeted me warmly.

This time, Hiram seemed a lot more comfortable with me, even cheerfully calling me “Ms. Finch”!

But little did he know, the consequences of my visit would lead him into facing Karina’s scolding.

With a smile, I asked Hiram, “Where are your parents?”

“They’re inside, and so are my grandparents!” Hiram enthusiastically led me in. It was his birthday, and the house was beautifully decorated.

The staff was bustling around, Neil was on a call in the living room, and Ryan was fussing with a model toy, likely a gift for Hiram. Upon seeing me, a grin flashed across Ryan’s face, “Irene’s here!”

He then picked up Serena from her stroller, “And Princess Serena too. She’s getting prettier every day!”

Ryan was visibly more relaxed with Serena this time, his affection for her clear in his words.

Instead of bringing Brandon, I chose to bring Serena because Brandon’s resemblance to Neil was growing more pronounced, and I didn’t want to stir up any unnecessary associations for Ryan and Faith.

“Ah, Irene’s here?” Faith descended from the second floor, looking as healthy as ever, save for her slightly red, swollen eyes that showed signs of recent crying.

“Hello,” I greeted politely, my eyes scanning the room for Karina. On such an important day, where could she be?

Neil noticed my tense gaze and calmly explained, “Karina had to attend to something at the hospital, and she’ll be back shortly.” I was least interested in seeing Karina. If it weren’t for Faith’s situation, I wouldn’t be here at all.

I was here, I couldn’t come empty-handed. I retrieved a video game console from under Serena’s stroller and gave it to Hiram. “Happy birthday, Hiram. This is

video games and his eyes sparkled at the sight of the console. He nodded enthusiastically, looking at me with newfound warmth, “I love it,

exchanged puzzled glances, but soon broke into pleased smiles. They

game console, Hiram was soon engrossed in a game, while Faith led me to a seat on the couch. A servant brought me coffee, and there were candies and fruit on the table, all from expensive brands, indicating the Whitmore family’s anticipation for

birthday since rejoining the Whitmore family, so a grand celebration was to be expected.

family, being well-behaved whether held by Neil or Ryan and Faith, and even entertained everyone

more behaved. Look at her big eyes and cherry lips; she’s adorable. She’s going to be a beauty

more and more like Irene,” Ryan chimed in. Without Karina around, their

say anything, merely focusing on his’

were still

all important business partners of the Whitmore family. Some

the importance they placed

to greet the guests. Ryan handed Serena to Faith, and both father and son joined in welcoming

engrossed in his game, oblivious to the buzzing activity around him.

a while, Karina arrived, the last to do so, with traces of sweat

was held up by an emergency surgery at the hospital,” Karina apologized sincerely as she embraced Hiram. But when she noticed the game console in Hiram’s hand, her expression subtly changed, “Hiram, where did you get this game console?”

quickly put down the console

puzzled. Karina used to allow Hiram to play video games, albeit with time restrictions. Why was

to him for his birthday. What’s wrong with Hiram playing a little on his special day?”

just that Hiram’s been falling behind in his studies, and prolonged gaming can overstimulate a child’s brain. It’s not good for him either way,” Karina explained as she took