chapter1027

Everyone turned to look when Benjamin strutted in with Mandy and Rosie by his side, acting like they owned the place. Benjamin carried a box of mooncakes, showing it off as if it were a treasure.

As soon as Mabel saw who it was, she got up right away. "What brings you here?

Benjamin flashed a smile. It's Thanksgiving, isn't it? You know Rosie, always so thoughtful. She wanted to check in on you. Mabel, are we not welcome?"

Damien and his family exchanged knowing glances. They could tell Benjamin's family wasn't here for anything good. Wendy and the others were already annoyed, so this just made things worse.

"Dad, has Benjamin's family really sunk so low in the Capital?" Wendy said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "They show up to visit and all they bring is a cheap box of pumpkin pie?"

Damien was just as surprised. The Gibsons used to be a big deal, and now they came empty-handed, except for a single, shabby box of pie. It felt like an insult.

Benjamin and Mandy heard the whispers and could hardly hide their smugness. This was exactly why they came tonight, to put the Robinson family in their place. They figured soon the Robinsons would be so down-and-out, they wouldn't even deserve a box of pie from them.

Nathaniel scoffed. "Why not just say the Gibsons are so broke that pies are all they can afford? They came to us, not the other way around."

Damien's family didn't know what to say to that.

Benjamin's face darkened. "Nathaniel, is this how you talk to your uncle?"

Nathaniel rolled his eyes. "Uncle? Since when did I have an uncle?" He remembered growing up, Benjamin and Mandy never gave him so much as a hand-me-down, and now. Benjamin wanted to play the elder. Nathaniel wasn't having any of it. C ntent

Benjamin looked furious, but Mandy stepped in, taking the box of mooncakes and handing it to Mabel. "Mabel, regardless of everything, this is a little something from Rosie. You know what they say, it's the thought that counts. Besides Rosie's uncle is a general. She hasn't had the chance to meet him yet."

That caught Damien's family off guard. A general in the Gibson family? Nobody had ever mentioned that before.

Mandy was obviously here to show off, trying to make Mabel and the Robinsons feel small.

Lydia leaned back, her voice light. "Is it that you haven't found the time to visit the Hydes, or is it that they don't want to see you?"

Benjamin and Mandy's expressions froze. How did Lydia know everything? Ever since Jackson got promoted, he'd been so busy they hadn't even managed to see his face. Every time they called, some aide picked up instead.

Rosie was about to explode. "Lydia, we can visit my uncle whenever we want, okay? You're just jealous!

Lydia laughed. Jealous? I have my own uncle. Why would I envy you? At least I get

to spend the holiday with my uncle. Can you say the same?"

A few people around the room couldn't help but chuckle quietly. And they had a point. Lydia's uncle William, might not be in the military, but he was a big deal in his own way. When Mandy and Rosie were in trouble, Benjamin had come running to William for help. That alone proved William had real influence. Now Benjamin and Mandy were just bitter that William hadn't helped, and that the Robinsons were all sticking up for Lydia.

Rosie was fuming. She stamped her foot and blurted out, My uncle is a general. He outranks your uncle!"

Lydia just raised an eyebrow. So much for sincerity. You say you're here to visit your aunt and uncle, but all you do is brag about someone else."