chapter1019

The lady wrinkled her nose in obvious disgust. Behind her, a well-dressed lady and a younger girl in a stylish dress eyed the place with the same look, like stepping into this neighborhood was a personal insult.

"Oh my god, this place is so shabby. Do people really live here?"

"Is this a slum or what?"

"Mom, do I really have to go in?"

"I don't want to go either. This place is totally beneath me. I'm a princess, remember?"

The two girls kept complaining, acting like nobody else could possibly understand them.

At the Robinsons' front gate, people were starting to frown.

"Are they for real?" Nathaniel muttered, his jaw tight with annoyance.

Normally, Mrs. Robinson or Mabel would have marched right over and set things straight, but today, everyone just stayed quiet.

Chloe, Janet, hush. People are staring at us, the older lady with them whispered.

Just then, a white-haired man in a sharp gray suit stepped out of the car. He walked up slowly, eyes lingering on the old house with a strange blend of nostalgia and uncertainty.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson hurried over to greet him.

"Damien, welcome home."

Damien leaned on his cane and let out a sigh. "It's been so long. Standing here again, memories just come flooding back."

Not all of those memories were happy.

Mrs. Robinson smiled. It's so rare for you to bring the kids back. Let's head inside first, then we'll catch up."

He nodded, then turned to the three women with him and smiled gently. "Wendy, take Chloe and Janet inside."

Wendy, his daughter-in-law, gave a nod and led her two daughters, both looking like they'd just stepped in something foul, through the Robinsons' front door.

But as soon as they got inside, Chloe, the so-called princess, stopped dead.

Everyone turned to look at her. She lifted her chin and said, "These crystal shoes are not touching a single speck of dust. Someone needs to roll out a red carpet for me."

So, with every step Chloe took, someone hurried ahead, unrolling a red carpet in front of her.

Damien just gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry about this. Chloe's gotten used to her new status. She can be a little particular."

The message was clear. The Robinsons should have prepared a royal welcome,

and if they didn't, they couldn't complain if Chloe made a scene.

Nathaniel, who never had much patience, was fuming. He glared at Chloe, practically vibrating with rage.

If she's such a princess, why doesn't she just stay in a palace? What's she doing here showing off?" he muttered under his breath, a little too loudly.

Damien stopped and looked straight at Nathaniel. "This must be Nathaniel. Last time I saw you, you were just a little kid in diapers. Look at you now, all grown up.

Nathaniel's face went blank.

Mr. Robinson chuckled. "It's been over ten years. Of course he's grown."

Damien gave Nathaniel a once-over. "So, where'd you graduate from? Got a job yet?"

Nathaniel could feel the irritation rising in his chest. So what if he didn't like school and had no job? Not everyone wanted to be some overachiever.

"I..."

Mr. Robinson stepped in quickly. "Since you're curious, let me introduce all the kids." He waved over Lydia, Blake, and the rest.

His own grandson might not be a genius, but his grandkids from his daughter's sidewwere all top of the class Honestly, any of them could run circles around Damien's granddaughters.

"This is my oldest grandson, Blake He was a straight-A student, the kind every university fights over Now he runs Norwood Enterprises and he's

the

richest man in the country."

He grinned. My second grandson Arthur is just as talented. He's working for the government now, real top-tier stuff." He flashed a thumbs up.

Damien definitely knew who Blake was, but he remembered the Robinsons and Norwoods didn't used to get along. What changed this year?

"This is my third grandson, Garrett, a rising star in medicine. Hospitals everywhere want him."

"And here's my youngest grandson, Elliot, a musical prodigy. He's the biggest pop star. His concerts are selling out around the world."

Finally, Mr. Robinson pulled Lydia

over with a proud smile. "And this is my granddaughter. Lydia started learning medicine at five, won international academic awards at six, and this year she aced the exams with a perfect score. The whole family is so proud of her."