Shakira turned her head just in time, ncing at Yvette''s face and letting out a barely audible chuckle.


    This made Yvette even more embarrassed. But she quickly regaified her signature smile and sweetly called out, "Finn, Mitchell, Felix."


    Compared to


    I to Shakira''s earlier coldness and rudeness when she entered, Yvette seemed much cuter and more obedient. Felix got up to greet Yvette, and the siblings shared a brief hug. Felix frowned, "It''s only been a short while, and you''ve lost so much weight again. Are you skipping meals secretly?" Yvette pouted yfully and said, "Felix, you''re wrongly using me! I''ve been taking fitness ssestely, my weight hasn''t changed, and I''m just getting in better shape!" She rolled up her sleeves to show Felix and said, "If you don''t believe me, Felix, feel this! I''ve even built some muscle. If you came back anyter, I''d have abs by now." Felix chuckled a kled and shook his head. "That''s impressive! If Ie back next time, you might end uppeting in bodybuildingpetitions!" ""Felix!" Yvette "Yvette yfully scolded, giving Felix a light tap for teasing her.


    aroundfortably,


    a warm and harmonious scene. creating


    The siblings a smiled warmly, but when they looked at Shakira, their smiles disappeared, reced by a sense of indifference and distance.


    Cody and Rebas Shakira wasn''t surprised and naturally took a seat in the farthest corner from them. She came to the meal to repay a favor to Mitchell but never promised to chat warmly and pretend to enjoy it. Finn spoke up, "Mom, Dad, please sit down. I''ve sit down. I''ve already ordered all of Felix''s favorite dishes." siblings, your dad and I can rx," Reba gently patted Finn''s shoulder. Once everyone sat down, Mitchell sat next to Shakira and casually poured her some coffee.


    "That''s great. With you looking after r your


    Felix watched secretly, puzzled by what he saw. He thought, ''Among the brothers, Mitchell was the one who pampered Yvette the most. Why is he suddenly doting on Shakira today, and not really paying attention to Yvette? Even if Shakira is their own sister, she can''t be more important than Yvette, right?''


    Thinking about this, Fel


    tthis, Felix''s look at Shakira showed a bit more dissatisfaction.


    The conversation at the


    at the table mainly centered on Felix.


    Cody asked Felix about his research abroad, while Finn asionally added his thoughts. Reba was worried about whether her son was eating well and staying warm.


    The family atmosphere was warm and friendly. Shakira, however, feltpletely out of ce.


    Yvette casually asked, "Felix, did you run into Matthew or Lonely Bird at the institute?"


    Felix shook his head, "Even though we''re on an SS-level project, Matthew has retired and Lonely Bird is always elusive. We haven''t had any chance to meet. "Is that so..." Yvette said. Tue, Oct 29


    Felix said, "Mitchell had mentioned to me before about helping me get in touch with Dr. Lonely Bird."


    Yvette gave a small smile and said, "Sorry, Felix, I messed it up..." 19484


    Felix patted Yvette''s head, "It''s not a big deal. You wanted to help for the family''s sake but identally got deceived by outsiders. Why would I me you?"


    Cody spoke up, "I''ve heard rumors recently that the leaders have an important task and need some highly respected, experienced veterans like Matthew toe out of retirement. They''ll be arriving in Crescentville soon, and when they do, I''ll try to connect you with them. Let''s see if Matthew might ept you as his apprentice."


    "Really?" Felix''s eyes lit up, filled with longing, "I don''t need to be Matthew''s apprentice. I just want to study and learn with Dr. Lonely Bird, the only genius healer Matthew has ever praised. Working with him would surely be rewarding!" "You''re my son, Cody! How could you be any less capable than Lonely Bird? It''s just that he met Matthew first. If Matthew saw you, he''d definitely think you''re even more impressive." Codyughed and said carelessly.


    Shakira paused her peanut-eating, using her pinky finger to scratch her ear, unable to resist. leaned in and


    Mitch


    Shakira


    I in and asked, "Is your ear itchy?"


    answered lightly, "My old habit-I can''t stand listening to people boast."


    Mitchell was speechless.


    Felix frowned, disapproving of his father''s conceited tone, "Dad, there are plenty of people in the research institute who perform about the same as I do. Dr. Lonely Bird has a talent in medicine that can''t be matched by most. Otherwise, Matthew, who never took on a student, would wouldn''t have chosen him. You really shouldn''t say things like that."


    Cody''s expression softened slightly, and Yvette chimed in with a sweet voice, "Felix, of course you''re the best in our eyes, the pride of our whole family. It''s just a family chat, why take it so seriously with Dad?"


    Felix''s expression cleared up a bit, and he confessed his mistake to Cody, "Sorry Dad, I might have spoken a bit strongly earlier."


    "I know you''re only into medicine, other things just don''t grab your attention."


    Cody looked approvingly at Yvette for smoothing things over and to Reba personally served soup to her children, giving each of them a bowl. But when she got to Shakira, Reba paused, treating her as if she were invisible.


    Mright, alright, we re family, there''s no poid, "Thi


    I pushed his bowl to Shakira and


    told Felix,


    Reba felt a surge of


    of anger in her


    t in arguing. Let''s just eat.dish Paniagounched this year, made from the finest choicembs transported in daily from Niowwa, limited supply. Give it a try."


    Shakira responded softly and in her chest, frustrated by Mitchell''s thoughtless action


    Yvette nced over, her eyes subtly gleaming in the dim light. She then stood up, walked over to the couch, and picked up a bag. "Felix, here''s a wee back gift I picked just for you." Felix opened it, revealing a sapphire-studded tie clip that was both elegant and luxurious.


    Reba praised, "It does look nice. Felix has an award ceremony to attend in a few days, and this tie clip would match perfectly with a blue suit."


    Felix put away the gift and said, "Thanks, Yvette."Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Yvette''s face flushed with shyness. "It''s just a small gift, as long as Felix likes it."


    out 04%


    She mer


    mentioned casually, "I assume Shakira must have also prepared a gift for Felix, right?" As soon as she finished speaking. everyone''s eyes turned towards Shakira. Shakira gracefully put down the spoon, her gaze sweeping past yette and settling on Felix.


    "There''s a gift for you." She pressed the service bell on the table, and soon a waiter came into the room holding a bottle of imported wine.


    0000000000 000000000 000


    Reba forced a smile and said, "A bottle of imported wine from the hotel? Is this the gift you''re giving to Felix?"


    The waiter introduced it with a smile, "This is a bottle of Remy Martin ck Pearl Louis XIII brandy, an exclusive hotel collection, priced at 60,000 dors." 60,000 dors! Cody immediately sneered, "Isn''t the cost of this wineing out of the Nelson family''s pockets?"


    Shakira didn''t back down and retorted, "Wasn''t Yvette''s gift to Felix paid for by the Nelson family? Are you suggesting it was paid for by the Smith family?" They were all speechless.