Bernardo slipped the card into Summer''s hand, cleared his throat, and started,


    "It''s nothing major, but I remember you had a decent rtionship with Emmitt from the Davis family, right?"


    Summer''s fingers twitched at the mention, and the card fell to the floor with a soft clink.


    Bernardo nced at her, and Summer quickly masked her surprise, bending down to pick up the bank card. "Dad, why are you bringing this up? I''ve been keeping my distance from the Davis family, just like you told me."


    Bernardo sighed, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It''s just... I''ve been thinking. If you want to keep in touch with the Davis family, I won''t stop you. They were part of your upbringing, and I get that."


    Summer''s gaze dropped, the card suddenly feeling hot in her hand. She knew her biological father wouldn''t give her money without a catch.


    "Actually, my rtionship with the Davis family..." she started, but was interrupted by Lu Hongyuan''s voice again.


    "And you''re ssmates with Mira, right? Why not invite her to the mall this weekend? The Davis family isn''t exactly flush with cash, so she might not be able to afford the fancy stuff. See what she likes, and use this card to cover it," Bernardo said, his hands casually sped behind his back.


    Summer''s lips pressed into a thin line. So, this card wasn''t for her after all—it was to get her to take Mirabe shopping!


    Her biological mother had been picking her up from school every day, always checking on Mirabe. And now her father wanted to use her to win over the same girl.


    Taking a deep breath to calm her anger, Summer ced the card on the table. "Sorry, Dad, but I don''t really hang out with her. I can''t do what you''re asking."


    Bernardo''s brows furrowed at her refusal, his expression darkening. But he pressed on, "You don''t hang out now, but that''s how you get to know each other."


    Summer forced a smile. "Have you forgotten the mess with thepetition materialsst time? Do you think she''d want anything to do with me?"


    Besides, she''d already cut ties with the Davis family.


    Bernardo dismissed her concern with a wave. "That was no big deal. Buy her some designer stuff, and she''ll forget all about it, won''t she?"


    Though he didn''t understand how his foster daughter had gotten involved with Johnny and his crowd, she was a country girl unacquainted with luxury. How could she resist it?


    Shaking her head, Summer asked bluntly, "Why do you suddenly want me to get close to Mirabe?"


    She didn''t buy the whole sudden change of heart about treating a foster daughter well.


    After a moment of contemtion, Bernardo decided not to hide the truth. "Because she''s got connections at City Hall."


    Summer frowned at this revtion.


    Mirabe had connections with City Hall? How could she, unless it was through the Davis family?


    But recalling her father''s earlierment about the Davis family being financially strapped, he seemed unaware of their real status.


    Bernardo''s voice brought her back to reality. "The Gilbert family needs to build solid rtionships with City Hall if we''re going to seed here, and she''s got the


    connections."


    Pushing aside her doubts, Summer responded, "Then don''t get your hopes up. Even if she has the connections, she''s not likely to help the Gilbert family."


    At her words, Bernardo''s face darkened, and after a tense silence, he scoffed, "Unless she wants to ruin her reputation!"


    The Gilbert family''s future was at stake.


    Bernardo straightened up and promised to update the next two chapters, ensuring the rest would be posted before midnight, apologizing for any dy.