Chapter 8

"Maya Martinez!" Mason called out from behind.

Amelia finally realized that this must be Mason's twin sister, Maya Martinez.

Maya turned and glared at Mason, ignoring him as she arranged for someone to take Mabel back to her room.

Then she looked at Amelia.

As Maya observed Amelia, Amelia was also observing her.

Maya was dressed in a well-tailored women's suit, her hair tied up high, looking extremely professional.

But the slight baby fat on her face revealed that Maya wasn't very old.

Her eyes were slightly cold as she said, "You shouldn't talk to Grandma like that."

Maya added, "No matter what Grandma has done, she's still your elder. She's old now, and as the eldest, you should watch your words."

Amelia didn't respond, just smiled.

Elder? How could an elder do things like that?

As long as they didn't mention Evelyn, they could say whatever they wanted. But if they did, Amelia couldn't help but retort.

She would do it again if she had to.

From a distance, Mabel, halfway up the stairs, heard everything clearly.

Mabel said, "Maya, you don't need to say so much to her. She doesn't understand. I will never acknowledge someone like her joining the Martinez family. I will never acknowledge her as my granddaughter. My granddaughters are only you and Bianca. Don't let her wander in front of me again. It's annoying."

Just looking at her made Mabel's blood pressure rise.

Maya sighed but didn't say anything. After Mabel went upstairs, she tossed a card to Amelia, telling her the PIN. "This is my secondary card. You just got home, and you'll need money for things when you go out."

With that, she left without waiting to see if Amelia would take it.

Mason, however, hadn't left yet.

Because of what had just happened, he looked at Amelia with a bit of hostility.

Mason warned, "Amelia, do whatever you want, but I advise you not to let Maya clean up your mess."

He and Maya were twins and had always been close. The only thing they both agreed on was their disdain for Bianca; they never played with her much growing up.

Mason added, "She's already busy with work. You're in your twenties; don't make her clean up after you, or you'll have to deal with me."

Amelia yawned, "I didn't expect you to be such a doting brother. Shocking! Famous model secretly dotes on his sister."

She could tell Mason didn't have much malice towards her, just concern for Maya.

Mason rolled his eyes and placed a small box on the table, and said, "This is a welcome home gift for you."

Then he hurriedly left, as if embarrassed.

Amelia opened the box to find a delicate watch inside, shining brightly in the sunlight.

These twins were quite interesting.

As for Mabel, she would make sure Mabel saw her well.

Amelia's face lit up with a brilliant smile.

If Evelyn, who knew her well, saw this, she would know Amelia was up to something again.

The Martinez family had a tradition: if you slept at home, you had to get up for breakfast the next morning.

No exceptions.

Mabel had to be there too.

The next morning, Amelia arrived at the dining room early. Mabel was already there with her beloved granddaughter, Bianca, who was cracking jokes and making Mabel laugh heartily. The dining room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Amelia unhesitatingly sat next to Mabel.

Mabel's face stiffened for a moment. She turned and asked, "Why are you sitting here? Go! There's a seat over there."

Amelia replied, "No, I like eating next to you. It makes me happy."

Mabel was speechless.

Everyone else was quietly eating, not daring to speak. They were afraid Mabel's anger would turn on them.

Mabel said, "No, I get annoyed just looking at you. Go over there, don't let me see you."

Amelia retorted, "No, the more you get annoyed by seeing me, the more you should see me."

Mabel slammed her utensils on the table and stood up to leave.

Bianca quickly followed to support her, giving Amelia a disapproving look. "Amelia, that's Grandma, your elder. You shouldn't talk to her like that."

Amelia chuckled softly. Some people never learn.

"Amelia, even though I'm not your biological parent, I'm still your elder. You're young, but your temper is quite big. Grandma is old and not in good health. How can you upset her like this? If word gets out, people will laugh at the Martinez family," Across the table, a gentle-looking woman spoke up.

As she finished, a man beside her chimed in, "Exactly. Coming from a small place, you just can't compare to Bianca in manners. Look how polite Bianca is, always greeting me and being so filial to Grandma. She even gave up such a good marriage for you. How can you be so ungrateful? You're nothing like Bianca."

The two of them took turns scolding Amelia while praising Bianca.

Amelia listened, slowly scooping herself some soup.

Seeing her silence, Nolan Martinez and Elizabeth Martinez exchanged a glance, thinking she had backed down, and felt even more triumphant.

Nolan turned to Chase and Ava and said, "You should discipline Amelia. If not, send her abroad for a few years to learn some manners. We don't need her embarrassing us at home. Besides, we still have Bianca. You don't need another daughter. You should have listened to me and announced Bianca as your daughter."

Chase quickly finished his milk, wiped his mouth, and stood up, adjusting his tie. "I won't send Amelia abroad. She is a Martinez. She's young and a bit impulsive, but I'll teach her."

He picked up his briefcase, ready to leave, but Nolan was anxious.

Nolan said, "So what if she's a Martinez? Since she came back, Mom has fainted twice from anger and said she never wants to see her again. Are you going to cut ties with Mom for her? Don't forget who raised you. Are you going to ruin your relationship with Mom for a child who didn't grow up with you?"

Chase adjusted his glasses, his eyes deep as he looked at Nolan. "You seem very concerned about this. Mind your own business."

"You..."

The dining room fell silent, everyone tense for Nolan.

Just then, a servant walked in. "Mr. Martinez, Mr. Brown is here."