Chapter 357 Your conscience
Miranda knew she was in the wrong. “Oh my, I don’t have the money to pay you back! I don’t have the money! If I don’t pay, your mom will call the police. You don’t want your own aunt to end up in jail, do you? Wouldn’t that weigh on your conscience?”
“You have money to buy gold and silver, but you don’t have money to pay me back?Auntie, who are you trying to fool?”
Feeling guilty again, Miranda said, “How much could this gold and silver jewelry be worth anyway?”
Alana remained expressionless. “It’s worthless. Give me this gold and silver, and I’ll help you sell it.”
Miranda was momentarily speechless, then blurted out, “Why should I give them to you? They’re not even yours!”
Alana replied calmly, “Exactly. Those tens of millions aren’t yours either. So why do you get to keep them all for yourself without having to pay them back?”
Miranda blinked, rapidly.
“You two should leave. Don’t disturb Grandma’s rest.”
Miranda frowned. “Alana, how can you treat your aunt like this?”
“I’m just asking you the same question I’d ask you... it’s only fair.”
Miranda seethed with anger. That brat was getting sharper-tongued by the day!
Throwing caution to the wind, she plopped down in a chair. “I’m not leaving. As long as your grandmother doesn’t hand over the deed, I’m not going anywhere!”
Joan chimed in, “Exactly! I’m not leaving either!”
Alana frowned. “If you two don’t leave and keep bothering Grandma, I’ll call someone to kick you out!”
“Go ahead and call! Even if you call the police to have us arrested, we still won’t leave!”
Grandma spoke up, “Lana, don’t worry about them. I’m very strong inside. It’s okay.”
“Grandma.” Alana couldn’t help but walk over to her grandmother and take her aged hand.
“I’m afraid they’ll affect your recovery.”
Grandma smiled reassuringly at her, “It’s fine. Grandma has weathered many storms; I’m not that fragile.”
After a pause, she couldn’t help but glance at Miranda and her daughter. “But don’t go easy on them. They owe you, and what’s owed must be repaid!”
Alana nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
Upon hearing this, Miranda and Joan were once again furious.
Alana also tried her best to ignore the mother and daughter behind her.
“Grandma, I came over to tell you something.”
Grandma asked, “What is it?”
Alana smiled. “Tomorrow, I’m going to meet my boyfriend’s parents. I came over today specifically to let you know.”
Grandma smiled too. “Really? That’s wonderful!”
“It’s a shame Grandma isn’t feeling well. If I were in better health, I’d love to go with you.” What Grandma was really thinking was that it would be better for her to go with Alana than for Alana to face it all alone.
Alana said earnestly, “Grandma, you’ll definitely get better. If I get married someday, you’ll have to attend my wedding.”
Grandma smiled and nodded. “Yes, yes. Just thinking about you in your wedding dress, marrying the man you love, and living a happy, wonderful life... it makes me so happy.”
Seeing the happy smile on Grandma’s face, Alana felt happy too.
“I will. So Grandma, you have to get better soon.”
Upon hearing this news, Miranda and Joan felt a mix of emotions.
Miranda couldn’t help but say bitterly, “Lana, why don’t I go with you tomorrow? How could you go meet your boyfriend’s parents without us, your family by your side?”
Joan nodded eagerly, “That’s right. Mom and I want to go with you, too. Without us by your side, your boyfriend’s parents might look down on you. It’d be good to have us there to save face for you.”
She was dying to see Alana’s boyfriend, how luxurious and wealthy his family must be.
Grandma frowned. “Go away, all of you. Just don’t embarrass Alana!”
Miranda retorted defiantly, “We’re just looking out for Lana!”
Grandma was old and had seen through too much. “I think you’re just trying to rile her up and make her life miserable on purpose!”
With her true intentions exposed, Miranda managed to squeeze out, “You just don’t appreciate a good heart!”
Alana couldn’t be bothered to respond to them.
Grandma patted Alana’s hand and advised, “When you meet your boyfriend’s parents tomorrow, dress nicely and be polite, make a good impression on them.”
Alana nodded. “Okay, I understand.”
Her grandmother smiled and added, “If anything comes up, remember to tell Grandma. I’m waiting to hear your good news.”
Alana nodded repeatedly.
When Alana left the hospital room, Miranda and her daughter were still there, clearly determined to wear Grandma down.
Alana frowned and specifically instructed the caregiver looking after her grandmother to keep a close eye on Miranda and her daughter, making sure they didn’t cause any trouble.
The caregiver nodded repeatedly, promising to keep a close eye on them at all times. Only then did Alana leave with peace of mind.
**********************
Time flew by, and before she knew it, the next day had arrived.
Since she’d had a good night’s rest, Alana was able to get up early.
When she got up, she made a point of digging out the dress she’d been saving for a special occasion and carefully selecting it.
“Stephan, what do you think I should wear to meet your parents? Or, what kind of clothes do your parents prefer girls to wear?”
Stephan smiled and said, “Just wear whatever you like. Don’t overthink it. Just be yourself, that’s what matters most.”
Alana chuckled, a sweet warmth filling her heart. “I knew you wouldn’t give me any good advice. I’ll just try them on one by one.”
She laid out the dresses she liked best on the bed, trying them on one by one, then twirling round and round in front of the mirror before asking Stephan if they looked good.
Stephan told her she looked good in every single one.
Or rather, no matter what his girlfriend wore, she was a stunning beauty who was impossible to take your eyes off.
Alana was so flattered by his compliments that she felt as if she could float away.
However, when she finally slipped into a more elegant, figure-hugging purple dress, the man’s expression suddenly changed.
“What do you think of this one?”
They say purple has a certain charm.
At that moment, the purple dress looked as if it had been tailor-made for Alana, perfectly accentuating her curvaceous figure.
The expensive fabric, meticulously tailored, hugged her curves and waistline perfectly, her full bust, slender waist, and long, straight legs looked so alluring...
Stephan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his gaze grew intense. “Baby, shall we try it on before we go?”
Alana didn’t catch on. “What?”
Stephan strode toward Alana and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
“You’re so beautiful, I want to devour you right now.”
Alana suddenly realized something and blushed deeply. “No, I’ve already told your parents. I can’t go back on my word.”
Stephan ran his large hand along her waist, gently guiding her.
“We’re just leaving a little later... it doesn’t mean we’re not going.”
Alana, her face flushed, pushed him gently on the chest. “No, I can’t. Behave yourself. We agreed you’d give me two days off.”
Stephan proposed with a straight face, “How about we move it up? Come back tonight, wear that dress, and really seduce me.”
Alana shot him a reproachful glance. “As if!”
The man teased her deliberately, “Want to?”
Alana was too shy to agree. “Alright, I’ll go put on some makeup first. Otherwise, we won’t have time.”
Stephan chuckled, cupped her face, and kissed her passionately. “You’re beautiful even without makeup.”
Alana was flattered by his compliment, but she noticed his hand, the bandage hadn’t been removed in two or three days.
“Your hand... when we get back, how are you going to explain this to your parents?”
Stephan patted her head soothingly. “I’ll just tell them I bumped into something. It’s not serious. Don’t worry, they’ll be too focused on you to notice me.”
Alana frowned. “It hasn’t healed after all this time. It must be pretty serious.”
Stephan’s lips curled into a smile. “Are you worried sick?”
Alana shot him a playful glare, she knew he was just teasing.
After a bit of fussing, the young couple got ready and set off.
Once they were in the car, Alana started to feel nervous again.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you bring the gifts I bought for your parents?”
“I did. They’re in the trunk.”