?Chapter 1333:


    Even though Ste had met Le a handful of times, their interactions were always surface-level. Ste could sense that Le wasn’t her usual self, but she didn’t know that Le was putting on an act.


    “Ste’s very protective of her own,” Le said. “She has made it clear that in her eyes, you and Bryan are separate. Bryan is her family, and you are an outsider. But in front of the rest of us, she thinks you’re still very much a Dawson. She believes no one can push you around. Even though I am your grandmother, I can’t do that.”


    Eileen sipped the soup, feeling its warmth travel from her mouth all the way down to her stomach. Holding onto the…


    As she ate from the bowl, Eileen half-listened to Le’s words while watching Gabri, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her food beside her.


    Gabri had quite the appetitetely. Anytime there was an extra meal or snack avable, she was quick to grab a bite. It was clear that her eagerness was more about the food itself than trying to get attention.


    “Eat faster. Finish up, and then get to work,” Le suddenly said.


    Eileen’s hands shook slightly, and she nearly dropped the bowl. She hurriedly swallowed the food in her mouth, not even pausing to grab a napkin. She got to her feet and headed for the dining room.


    Le’s raised voice made Ste look over. Noticing Eileen about to start working, Ste pointed to a chair and said to Eileen, “Just sit and watch. Learn the process; no need to get involved.”


    “Okay,” Eileen replied, sitting down.


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    Ruby spoke up. “Back when it was just the three of us—Eileen, Bailee, and me—Christmas wasn’t such a big deal. I handled everything. Eileen didn’t grow up learning all these things.”


    “She doesn’t need to handle all this,” Ste said. “If we were celebrating in the Dawson Mansion this year, the servants would’ve taken care of everything before the vacation. It has been years since I’ve done all this myself, but now that I am doing it on my own, it actually feels quite festive.”


    She then cast a look toward the living room and said to Eileen, “Your grandmother doesn’t strike me as someone that strict.”


    Eileen hesitated, unsure how to respond since she couldn’t exactly “badmouth” Le.


    “It’s probably because of the difference in upbringing and family values,” Ruby said. “The Vazquez family is big, and the women in the family are in charge of most things. That’s why Le’s so strict with Eileen. She wants Eileen to know how to do everything, from respecting elders to looking after the younger ones.”


    Ruby’s tone was neutral, not overly praising or criticizing. “Rules are just rules, and people are what matter. A family should be happy together.”


    Ste’s voice had a warm note.


    Eileen nced over, catching a rare glimpse of the past gentleness on Ste’s face.


    The light overhead highlighted the wrinkles on her cheeks, casting faint shadows under her eyes, making it difficult to discern what she was truly thinking.


    “At Le’s age, those lifelong habits are hard to break,” Ruby said in a casual tone.


    Ste’s hands froze for a while, clearly lost in thought, before sheposed herself.


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