?Chapter 1636:


    They wore simple attire. The older man bore a faint resemnce to Giselle, leading Brenna to suspect he was her uncle. Since rejoining the Harper family, she hadn’t visited her uncle’s family, nor had theye here. Their sudden arrival, with such a crowd, hinted at a plea for money.


    Thinking of that, Brenna realized she had already reached the dining room doorway, and it was toote to retreat. Giselle, Ernst, Lilith, and Dalton were there, the atmosphere tense. Giselle’s irritation was palpable.


    Brenna was puzzled—Giselle had told her that her uncle’s family was doing fine, yet their worn clothes suggested otherwise.


    “Good to see you all,” Brenna said coolly, her smile reserved for those she truly liked.


    Giselle made introductions. “This is your uncle, Wesley Bentley, my brother. You’ve never met. And this is your aunt, Elva Bentley.”


    Turning to her brother’s family, she added, “This is my daughter, Brenna, who just returned to the family a couple of years ago.”


    Jalen Bentley, shing a warm grin, said to Brenna, “I’m your cousin, Jalen. I work at the county office. My wife is a high school teacher. Giselle has told me about you—bright, gifted, and now, I see you’re stunning, too. Come visit us when you’re free. We’re family; we should connect more.”


    Brenna replied with a brisk “Sure.”


    Jalen was in his mid-thirties, polished, and handsome—the Bentley good genes shone through, as all the kids were good-looking.


    The other young man introduced himself, saying, “Brenna, I’m also your cousin. My name is Conor Bentley. I manage a modestw firm, and my wife is awyer.”


    “Hey, Conor,” Brenna responded.


    They seemed respectable to her, not the sort to fawn. The children, well-mannered, all approached to call her “Aunt Brenna.” Their manners softened Brenna. She believed old family grudges shouldn’t taint the younger generation.


    Feel the thrill at g aln  ov el s .


    “Hold on, I’ve got some snacks from my trip abroad for you,” she said, summoning Julia. “Grab the choctes, cookies, and candies I brought backst week from my room.”


    But Brenna noticed her uncle’s and aunt’s somber expressions. Her aunt, in particr, looked sickly, with a pale, yellowplexion. She probably had a grave illness.


    Julia promptly fetched the treats. Brenna had intended to savor them herself, but her demanding job required strict weight management—she would only allow a nibble or two when cravings hit, making indulgence rare. She would let these kids have the snacks.


    She viewed them as tempting but unhealthy, a guilty pleasure best limited for a longer, healthier life.


    The treat boxes, thoughpact, were filled with premium gourmet delights. Brenna had purchased several for her family, each small box costing thousands. Their elegant packaging screamed luxury.


    The Bentley children, unustomed to such extravagance, were awestruck by the high-end treats. Though unfamiliar with the brands, they weren’t foolish. The snacks’ superior quality was unmistakable. They knew these were expensive.


    They hesitated to take any, waiting for Brenna to distribute them. Brenna arranged ten boxes, giving each child two. Julia, ever dependable, had left three of the original thirteen boxes in the cupboard.


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