She said she doesn’t feel well in her stomach, but it’s alright. It's not too heavy to carry, and besides, mom and dad shouldn't fret
overchipping in with the chores."
After her parents finished their dessert, Serena was about to offer the fruit platter to Romeo when he stood up, preempting her
move, "Mr. And Mrs. Collins, Bella and | are going to take a walk for a bit."
Kenneth quickly invited, "Why not have sfruit first?"
"No, thanks. I'll spend a little more twith Bella before | leave."
Kenneth turned to Arabella, "How about you, Bella? Won't you have some?"
"I'm full, thanks."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
"Alright then, you two go ahead and take a walk. It's still early."
Romeo reached for Arabella's hand, "Didn't you tellthis afternoon that Hans planted sflower on your balcony? We can see
them from the garden, right? Show me."
"Sure."
Watching their departing figures, Serena felt a pang of jealousy. After a while, she turned her charm back on, coaxing her parents
into good spirits, hoping they would take her to Mr. Albright's birthday bash.
"Mr. Albright's birthdays have always been low-key affairs. It's only because he's turning sixty that he's hosting a grand party.
There won't be another chance like this. | know I'm not qualified to be Mr. Albright's protege. | just want to experience it. Mom,
please takethere. | heard Jamie Noelle will be there too. You know how much I love playing the violin. | really hope that | can
get a chance to learn from Jamie Noelle. They say the guests this year are all very influential. If | could find a great mentor, | could
make our family proud, like my sister."
Louisa patted her back lovingly, "It's not that | don't want to take you, dear. Those two invitations were for your grandparents."
She and Kenneth hadn't received any.
"So, can | ask grandma and grandpa to take me?" Serena asked hopefully.
"But your grandparents recently went on a trip and caught a cold, so they declined the invitation."
Louisa gently explained, "Mr. Albright has never made a big deal out of his birthdays because he didn't want too many strangers
around. The guests he's invited this taren't many, just old friends. In other words, he's not looking to take on any mentees, nor
does he want others to do so at his party. If you want to see the world, there will be other opportunities, no need to rush this one."
Louisa was somewhat surprised, "In the past eighteen years, I've never heard you express interest in attending anyone's birthday
party, let alone that of an elder."
"That's because I've seen my sister's incredible talents, and | want to work hard and excel just like her. If only grandpa and
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmgrandma hadn't declined."
Thinking this, Serena couldn't help but inwardly criticize her grandparents. Mr. Albright was a man of significance, and yet they had
dismissed such an important invitation. They didn't even consider if anyone else in the family might want to go. What a waste.
Now that route was a dead end, Serena was fretting over what to do next. After much thought, a npopped into her head -
Martin!
She wondered if Mr. Albright had invited him. If so, she could sweet-talk Martin into taking her.
With this plan in mind, she abruptly left her parents, "Mom, dad, I'm going to take a shower!"
If she could just get into Mr. Albright's birthday party, she was sure to find a great mentor and finally outshine Arabella. Just the
thought made her feel triumphant.
Feeling superior, she reflected on the fact that even if Arabella was the Collins family's beloved daughter, she didn't have the
privilege to attend!