Chapter 494

At the crack of dawn in the Harrison household, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air as the family gathered around the breakfast table. Just then, Reid made his entrance, his smile as bright as the morning sun piercing through the kitchen windows.

"Mom, Dad, I'm back!" Reid announced with a beaming grin.

Hattie and Garrett barely looked up, engrossed in their morning feast. Dorian, absorbed in the day's financial news, didn't even acknowledge his brother's return. But Lena lit up like a Christmas tree, rushing over to loop her arm through Reid's with an excitement that couldn't be contained.

"Reid! Oh, it's so good to have you back! I've missed you!" Lena exclaimed, her eyes already dancing over the presents he held, certain there was something in there for her. Reid was known for his generosity, and his gifts always carried a hefty price tag.

Reid, affection radiating from his gaze, looked down at his sister with the fondness only a brother could muster. "Lena, it's been too long. Why aren't you at work yet? Everyone seems to have had a late start today."

Unbeknownst to him, his words had struck a nerve.

Lena's mood darkened as Annika, the maid, chose that very moment to twist the knife further. Carrying a jug of milk to the table, she said, "The prodigal son returns! Master Reid, Miss Josefina was let go from the hospital. She doesn't have to go to work anymore."

Reid's brows shot up in surprise, while Lena's face flushed with embarrassment-an employee daring to speak on her matters!

Lena was about to retort when Annika, sensing her blunder, hastily backpedaled. "I apologize, Miss Josefina. I spoke out of turn. Please don't hold it against me."

With those words, Annika quickly exited, leaving tension in her wake. Lena couldn't afford to dwell on it without seeming petty.

Reid, taking in the family's dynamic and Lena's discomfort, decided to play the peacemaker. He placed the gifts on the table with a flourish. "Hey, sis, it's your big bro, Reid. These are for you. Since Anya's Fashion couldn't whip up clothes on short notice, I told them a call from you would get you a custom design, anything your heart desires. I got you ten outfits and snagged a jewelry set at an auction. I even stopped by the jeweler's to get you a gold crown, plus some rings and bracelets to match-all right here, just for you. Hope you love them."

As he opened the gift bag, the gold jewelry sparkled, catching the light magnificently —Reid didn't just buy jewelry; he bought a trove.

The sight finally drew Hattie and Garrett's attention, but their reaction wasn't what Reid had hoped for. Garrett's voice dripped with disapproval, "Reid, you cheapskate! Is this all you got? And you have the nerve to smile about it?"

Hattie chimed in, her face clouded with displeasure, "Your father's right, Reid. All this, and you still call it a present? No wonder you can't find a partner."

Reid felt as though his heart was being squeezed. These gifts were considered insufficient?

"I also sent a cash gift," Reid defended himself, his voice softening. Josefina, ever the peacemaker, added her two cents. "Reid's been generous, sending me money and all these lavish gifts. He's done more than enough."

Hattie, sitting close to Josefina, wasn't letting it slide. "Josie, you don't need to defend him. Him sending you money is the least he could do. He's your Reid, after all. And let's not forget how much he's sent over the years—I sure haven't."

Garrett picked up the thread, his gaze shifting to Lena. "We've been very generous with Lena over the years. She must have at least a hundred million by now, right?"

His words hung in the air, and Lena found herself at a loss for words. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn, putting her in the spotlight she desperately wanted to escape.