"All her ounts have been frozen."


    Serena''s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn''t thought her brother would actually go through with it—but here she was, facing the consequences.


    If her money was all locked up, how was she supposed to finish fixing up her new ce? It was just the bare minimum right now—she''d barely started renovations.


    Stunned, she turned to her friend. “Let''s call it a night, okay? Something''se up; I need to head home."


    Goodwin Manor, early evening. The garden was glowing with soft lights, the whole estate steeped in an old-world charm.


    "Mom! Mom!" Serena called as soon as she stepped through the door.


    Gina Quinn appeared at the top of the stairs, frowning. "What''s all this shouting about?"


    "Mom, my brother froze all my bank cards! You have to call him-tell him to unlock them for me!" Serena pleaded.


    Gina''s frown deepened. "What did you do this time to get him so angry?"


    Serena bit her lip. “I just bought an apartment, that''s all!”


    One look at her daughter and Gina knew there was more to the story. "Tell me the truth if you want my help."


    Serena hesitated, then blurted out, "I bought an apartment in the same building as Xavier. That''s why he''s mad. But he bought his ce right below Eleanor''s! Why is it okay for him to do it but not for me?"


    Gina''s eyes widened. "Wait, what did you say?"


    "You didn''t know about my brother buying that apartment at Cloudcrest Court?" Serena was genuinely confused. Why had he kept it a secret from the family?


    "So let me get this straight-Eleanor moved to Cloudcrest, your brother bought the apartment below hers, and now you''re trying to move into Xavier''s building?"


    "I just bought in the same building as Xavier, not right below him,” Serena muttered, lips pursed.


    Ever since the two families'' engagement ns fell apart, Gina hadn''t been close to Henrietta anymore. It was awkward, especially now that Xavier seemed to prefer Eleanor.


    Gina rubbed her temples, her voice stern. "Serena, you''re being unreasonable. You and Xavier are never going to happen."


    "Mom!" Serena stamped her foot, her voice trembling with indignation. "I''m just trying to follow my heart-what''s so wrong about that?"


    "Do you really think getting close to Xavier this way will make him love you?" Gina sighed. "You can''t force these things. Listen to your brother and return the apartment."


    Serena''s eyes reddened, her voice cracking. "Why does everyone act like I''m not good enough for him? What''s so wrong with me?"


    "Xavier made it clear he''s not interested. If you keep chasing after him, it''ll only embarrass your brother. Don''t you understand?" Gina''s tone left no room for argument.


    Serena froze, tears prickling at her eyes. "So just because Xavier''s going after Eleanor, I''m supposed to give up? What, am I just doomed to be unhappy?"


    "You really don''t get it." Gina sighed again, her voice gentler but firm. "You can''t force love. Think about it—if Xavier found out you bought that apartment just to be near him, how do you think he''d feel?"


    Serena pressed her lips together and said nothing.


    "If Xavier had feelings for you, he''de to you himself. If he doesn''t, no amount of chasing will change that."


    "Then what about Eleanor?" Serena retorted, anger ring again. "She only got close to my brother while he was in aa, and now look-he married her, even though he never loved her!"


    "And that''s exactly why they''re divorced now," Gina said quietly. "I don''t want you making the same mistakes. Forced love only hurts everyone, especially when there are children involved."


    She couldn''t help but think back—why had her son agreed to marry Eleanor in the first ce? Was it gratitude for looking after him, or was there genuine feeling? Back when her husband was spending hisst years in the hospital,n would rush there every day after school, and Dr. Elliot Sutton was his attending doctor.


    Eleanor had put her own life on hold to care forn during hisa. Gina suspected Eleanor had fallen for him first.


    Wiping her tears away, Serena sniffled, "But Mom, I really do love Xavier. What am I supposed to do?"


    Gina''s expression softened, and she tried to reason gently. "I know you do. But if you truly love someone, you have to respect their choices-even if it hurts."


    Serena suddenly pushed past her mother. "So you''re telling me to step aside and let Xavier and Eleanor be together?"


    Gina was momentarily taken aback, and Serena''s tears fell faster. She knew her daughter still held a grudge against Eleanor.


    At that moment, Magdalen entered from the conservatory, having clearly overheard their conversation.


    "Serena, if your brother can''t give Ellie happiness, the least you can do is not get in the way of someone else giving her a chance," her grandmother said sharply.


    Serena was stunned into silence. Of everyone in the family, she feared her grandmother most. Since Eleanor had married into the family, Magdalen had always defended her-sometimes it felt like she cared more for Eleanor than for her own granddaughter.


    Magdalen fixed her with a piercing look. "You''ve always been a stubborn child, but this time you''ve gone too far."


    "Grandma, are you taking Eleanor''s side too?" Serena sniffled, her voice small.


    "Ellie put her future on hold to care forn, while you what have you ever sacrificed? All you do is make trouble."


    Serena''s face went pale, her hands twisting together. Deep down, she still refused


    to ept it—so what if Eleanor gave up her studies to look after her brother? Did that really make her a saint?