S31 99. Gifts for Ava
They approached Ava one by one, giving her congratulations and prayers-starting from the twins, Kara, Vivian.
None of them were seen bringing gifts. However, jealousy still raged in Eva’s heart.
“Happy birthday, Ava. Wish you all the best.” Jeremy was the last person to greet Ava. His gesture was stiff, his
smile awkward. Still, Ava appreciated it.
“Thank you..., Mr. Jeremy.” Her lips curved shyly.
After Jeremy stepped back, Eva stepped forward. She hugged her sister, wearing a cheerful expression.
“Even though | already said it earlier, | don’t think there's any harm in repeating it. Happy birthday, Sister You
are very lucky to know this family. Without them, you definitely wouldn't be celebrating your birthday.”
Ava blinked with no expression. Her sister's words no longer had any effect on her. “Thank you, Eva.”
“You're very welcome.” Eva kept her smile until she returned to h seat. “So, what’s next? Cut the cake?”
The twins shook their heads with pursed lips. “Before that, we want t give Ava a gift.”
Eva raised an eyebrow. In her heart, she wondered what the toddlers could have prepared. When the twins took
out a folded piece of paper from their pocket, she almost burst out laughing.
“Do you guys give her your best drawing?”
The Twins nodded proudly.
“Yes, this is our best drawing.”
Louis spread the paper and held it up to his chest. Emily imitated him.
With a tickle in her heart, Eva studied the picture. Each paper was
divided into two-left side and right side.
“Ava, what do you think about this picture?” Louis shifted his feet little by little, approaching Ava.
“Is that me? I'm at a bookstore?”
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Louis chuckled. “Right. Then this one?”
“I wear a watch?” Ava’s finger pointed towards the yellow lines radiating from her wrist.
“What about my picture? Can you guess it?” Emily leaned forward. The paper she was holding beccurved.
Ava smiled looking at the beautiful picture. Emily made her hair loose, not in the usual ponytail.
“I'm eating at a restaurant? Then this ... I'm at a clothes store?”
“That's our gifts!” Emily exclaimed with a beaming face. “Mommy gives you two vouchers for free meals at a
famous restaurant, while give you vouchers for unlimited clothes shopping.”
“Then because you're an introvert,” Louis continued, “I thought you liked reading. So, Grandma Susan and | give
you a voucher for unlimited book shopping. Meanwhile, Daddy plans to give you this smart watch, just like our
watches.”
Louis showed off his new watch. The model was the sas the one thrown into the sea, but the features were
more sophisticated.
Frank and Kara secretly glanced at each other. They were both amazed by the twins’ acting. How could those
toddlers casually
announce a gift they had designed themselves in the nof their parents?
Meanwhile, Eva gritted her teeth. She did not accept her sister receiving all the benefits.
“Your family is very kind, but isn’t all that too much? Ava is nothing to you. How will our family repay her?”
Ava, who had just opened her mouth, swallowed her words again. She blinked, choosing another statement.
“Eva’s right. It’s all too much for me.” She shifted her gaze towards Frank and Kara. “I appreciate your good
intentions, Sir, Madam. But sorry, | am afraid | can’t accept it. | don’t know how to repay you later.”
“You don’t need to repay, Ava,” Emily shook her head slowly. “This is a gift from us because you are a good
person. We sincerely give it.”
“If you refuse, we will be very disappointed,” Louis threatened sweetly.
Ava'’s eyes filled with tears. “But—"
“Ava, please accept it. Everything we have given you is nothing compared to your service to our family.”
“Yes, Kara is right. You've taken very good care of me. Just accept i Melanie nodded before starting to cut the
pudding.
Ava sighed in resignation. “Thank you. | have never received gifts. from people as sincere as you.”
“There's more, Ava.” Emily pointed her finger upwards. “Auntie
Barbara and Philip said their gifts would clater.”
“And | haven't given you a gift either.” Vivian raised her hand to her chin. “Recently, someone gavetwo free
plane tickets. The destination is Europe, in the summer. I've already given one to
Jeremy. I'm still not sure about the other one. I'm too lazy to travel
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too far. Is it okay if I give it to you?”
Ava'’s jaw dropped. Two plane tickets with the sdestination and time? And Jeremy already held another one?
She was sure that Vivian
had set it up on purpose.
“Sorry, Ma'am.”
“Please don’t refuse. You deserve a vacation, Ava. Have fun.” Vivian joined in cutting the pudding.
Ava grimaced slightly. She realized that the twins were now whispering. Frank and Kara were glancing at each
other. However, before she could think of an answer, Jeremy raised his hand. Not long after, a servant cin
carrying a big box with a red ribbon.
Eva was stunned to see it. Even though she had dated many men, no one had ever given her such a big gift.
“Don’t tellyou want to propose to Ava now?” Frank said in a
serious tone.
Jeremy immediately glanced at him with drooping eyelids. “You think this contains a ring? What kind of ring is
waist-sized?”
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Frank shrugged. “Who knows, you might want to try a new style? Proposing with a belt?” The curve of his lips
turned slanted.
Jeremy shook his head in disbelief. However, after a breath, he
returned his focus to the beautiful box in his hands.
“Ava,” Jeremy cleared his throat, “I was actually confused about wha gift would be suitable to give you. Then |
remembered that yesterday, you commented on that red dress.”
Ava stared wide eyed, not expecting Jeremy to mention yesterday's dress. Meanwhile, the others exchanged
glances, wondering what dress Jeremy was referring to.
“Did Jeremy give Ava a dress?” Vivian whispered enthusiastically.
Kara shrugged with a tight smile. She was happy to see the light reflected brightly in Vivian's eyes.
Meanwhile, Eva secretly clenched her fists. She could not accept it if a man as rich as Jeremy was close to Ava.
“All this time, men have preferred me. No one chose Ava, but how could Ava possibly attract a billionaire? And
what's in the box? | hope it’s not something expensive,” she thought.
“Because of that,” Jeremy's voice caught all attention again, “I hope this can cure your annoyance and
disappointment. It might suit your taste. Take a look. If you don’t like it, | can exchange it for another
-one.”
The box moved to Ava’s hands. The girl hesitated to accept it. “You don’t need to bother, Jeremy,” she
whispered.
“It’s not a bother at all. | just need to use my phone and a few clicks.”
Even though Jeremy’s answer seemed indifferent, Ava still felt flattered. She thought that the item in her hand
was a peace gift from
him.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Open it. If you like it, then you're welcome.”
Ava looked around. She was afraid of being seen as showing off. However, seeing enthusiastic nods from the
others, even Melanie, sh finally lifted the lid of the box. Seeing the contents, she was stunned
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