Chapter 816


    rk paused, looking at Martha. "Would you keep a potential threat around if you were in her shoes?"


    he inquired.


    Martha was taken aback, suddenly at a loss for words.


    Indeed, if it were her, she wouldn''t tolerate such a threat hanging around,peting for attention,


    adding stress.


    rk continued, "Serena wears thetest fashion and brandishes the newest essories. This


    indicates that, at the very least, this family doesn''t skimp on providing for her materially."


    "I see your point, rk."


    "As for emotional aspects, I often hear Mom and Dad mentioning Serena. One moment Serena has


    won an award, the next she''s been epted to Summerfield College, then they''re nning to take


    Serena out for dinner, and then visit her at school. Doesn''t seem like she''s being neglected."


    Martha had lowered her head, afraid to utter a word.


    "When their biological child returns, they can''t just ignore her and continue to shower Serena with love


    alone. That wouldn''t be fair.


    Let''s say the love that Mom and Dad can give equals a hundred percent. Even if they gave Be sixty


    percent, leaving Serena with forty percent, you''d have to understand. For the first eighteen years, Be


    got nothing. Serena had their full affection all to herself. As someone close to Serena, you should guide


    her, teach her, and even yourself, to be grateful. Don''t bear such a grudge against Be. Your influence


    on Serena is more powerful than you think."


    Martha was filled with shame. "You''re right, rk."


    “I''m not lecturing you,’ rk calmly corrected her. "I''m just stating the facts. I can tell you''re not fond of


    Be. It seems she doesn''t exactly have an easy life here, at least partly because of you."


    "rk." Martha was flustered.


    "Be could''ve used her newfound status to get rid of you, but she didn''t. Be grateful for that. You''re


    only able to gossip about her because she gave you the chance. Otherwise, you''d be long gone."


    Martha bowed deeply. "I''m sorry, rk. I will adjust my attitude and stop spreading rumors."


    "rk, I brought you some food!"


    At this moment, Serena entered with a tter of delectable dishes.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    "The chef just made these. I grabbed a little bit of everything. Try it and see if you like it. If you want


    more, I can fetch it.


    After a few bites, rk said, "Let''s take a walk in the garden."


    He didn''t want to stick around and see Martha''s face any longer.


    As Serena tried to take the tter with her, rkughed, "No need for more food. Let''s just enjoy the


    walk."


    Martha watched their retreating figures. She was filled with anxiety.


    She was tempted to follow and eavesdrop, but feared being caught by rk.


    "rk, is there something you want to talk about?" Serena asked, ncing nervously at him as she


    walked behind him.


    "Don''t be nervous, just keep up,’ rk smiled at her. “Am I that intimidating?"


    "No, not at all.” Serena quickly matched rk''s pace, walking side by side with him.


    "Do you and Be have any disputes?"


    Serena''s face fell at his question. "Did Martha tell you something?"


    "She didn''t say a thing."


    "Then why would you ask that, rk?"