"Guests? Who are they?" Nicole set down the documents in her hands, a sense of unease creeping up her spine.


    "They said... they''re from your former inws'' family..." The maid''s voice trailed off as if she were afraid of upsetting Nicole.


    Nicole took a deep breath, forcing herself to suppress the emotions churning within her. "Let them in," she said.


    The maid withdrew, and soon, two women stepped inside. Leading the way was Serena''s grandmother and Nicole''s former mother-inw, Felicia Carter. Behind her was a younger woman who was dressed mboyantly-Serena''s aunt, Shirley Ashford.


    As soon as Felicia entered, she jabbed a finger at Nicole andunched into a tirade. "Nicole, you ungrateful woman! Serena belongs to the Ashford family! What right do you have to change herst name and make her a part of the Hastings family?"


    Shirley chimed in immediately, fanning the mes, "Exactly! First, you remarried, and now, you''re changing Serena''sst name? Do you have any conscience at all? How could you do this to my brother?"


    Spittle flew as Felicia continued her rant while jabbing her finger at Nicole. "Listen to me, Nicole. Serena is our flesh and blood! You can''t just steal her away from us!"


    Meanwhile, Shirley''s gaze roamed greedily over the luxurious decor of the vi. "Mom, look at this ce. It must have cost a fortune. I wonder where she got all this money... Unless..." She deliberately paused, her expression suggestive.


    Nicole clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain calm. She cast a cold nce at them. "First of all, your son and I divorced a long time ago. Serena decided on herst name and this matter herself. Second, when I split from your son, you didn''t give us a single cent-so what right do you have to interfere now?"


    Felicia suddenly fell onto the floor and wailed dramatically. "Oh, my poor son! Your wife is living in a grand vi with another man, enjoying wealth and luxury, while you''re left all alone!"


    She howled and cried as if she were mourning a dead son.


    Just then, footsteps sounded from upstairs. Dressed in sleepwear, Robert descended the staircase.


    He looked at the chaotic scene in the living room with evident irritation, his brows furrowing together. "What''s all this racket so early in the morning?"


    The moment Felicia saw Robert, her demeanor shifted. She wiped her tears and began whining pitifully, "Sir, you must be Nicole''s husband, right? You tell me isn''t this


    ver


    outrageous? She abducted my granddaughter and won''t even let us see her! The Ashford family has only one granddaughter. How could she be so heartless?"


    Robert finally grasped what was happening. This hysterical woman was Nicole''s former mother-inw.


    He felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment and replied dismissively, "This is your family matter. Settle it among yourselves." With that, he turned and went back to his bedroom.


    Nicole watched Felicia''s greedy expression, a cold smile tugging at her lips.


    They weren''t here for Serena. They were here for money.


    "Cut to the chase. How much do you want?" Nicole asked bluntly.


    Felicia and Shirley exchanged a nce, a glint of greed shing in their eyes.


    Clearing her throat, Felicia


    shamelessly demanded, "Not


    much just a million dors. After all,


    Serena is our family''s flesh and


    blood. We raised her for years.


    That''s not too much to ask is it?"


    Nicole was stunned by their audacity. A million dors? They might as well be robbing her.


    "I can give you 50 grand and not a cent more. Take it or wait for the police to deal with you."


    She pulled out a check and tossed it onto the table.


    Felicia and Shirley hesitated, but ultimately, they snatched up the check.


    As they left, they shot Nicole a venomous re. "Don''t think this little bit of money


    is enough to get rid of us. We''ll be back!"