Alina felt deeply troubled, especially fearing Queena’s reproach. She bowed her head and admitted her mistake, “Madam, it’s all my fault. It’s really embarrassing that this happened.”
“Why are you so scared?” Queena sighed. “The child is already on the way. Why refuse to get the marriage certificate?”
Alina remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Mariam says Finnegan treats her poorly. She’ll only get the certificate when he treats her well.”
This excuse was clearly a pretext.
Queena frowned, “How is he treating her poorly? Isn’t he always accommodating?”
“She probably still wants money,” Alina said, feeling a headache at the mention of her daughter-in-law Mariam. “The baby will be born in a few months. We can’t just kick out a pregnant woman; that would give people something to talk about.”
“If it’s really about money, no amount will ever satisfy her. Today it’s a small amount, tomorrow it’ll be a large one. But eventually, the family fortune will be depleted. What then?” Queena was very displeased with Mariam’s behavior.
“Madam, you’re right…” Alina felt more distressed the more she thought about it. “But… Mariam is still carrying our family’s child.”
“We’ll deal with it after the child is born,” Queena said, also feeling a headache.
Hearing the words “after the child is born,” Alina hesitated for a long time before saying, “She insists that the child be registered under her name, not Finnegan’s. I can’t do anything… she’s very fierce…”
“Why are you two so weak? The child is part of the Hipps Family; why should it be registered under her name?” Queena was furious. “If she says such things, it clearly means she doesn’t want to live with Finnegan. Why keep such a daughter-in-law?”
“But Madam, you know Finnegan is honest and not the type to attract girls easily. It’s hard for him to find a wife…” Alina became more upset as she spoke.
If her son were tall and handsome, with a good job and family background, what would she have to worry about?
Her eyes reddened as she looked at Queena. “Finnegan couldn’t find a girlfriend on his own, so I asked many relatives and friends to introduce him to someone. He went on more than twenty blind dates, but none of the girls liked him. Only Mariam dated him, and I thought having a daughter-in-law was better than nothing.”
“How many are left? Do you want him to remain single forever?” Queena was at a loss for words. “I advise you not to lower yourself too much as a mother-in-law. Kind people are often taken advantage of.”
“If it really doesn’t work out, just let it go. Forced relationships are never sweet.” Queena tried to comfort Alina.
Alina lowered her head in sadness. “I had Finnegan’s fortune told, and they said he has no wife in his destiny… I don’t know if it’s true or not.”
Queena was taken aback. “Maybe the fortune teller was wrong? Why not consult a few more?”
“I don’t know.” Alina shook her head. “I heard that fortune teller was quite accurate.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for you. You should go back now.” Queena didn’t want to hear more about fortune-telling and sent Alina away.
Alina stood up and said softly, “I’ll go back then.”
Watching her limp out of the room, Queena felt deeply troubled. “Resorting to fortune-telling… I always think those fortune tellers are frauds.”
“Not all of them are frauds,” Mr. Hipps said, taking a sip of tea. “I heard the Sweeney family has a master fortune teller.”
“Why bring up the Sweeney family? It’s bad luck!” Queena glared at him. “I think Mariam and Finnegan will eventually separate. See if any of your chess buddies have suitable daughters for Finnegan.”
“Got it.” Mr. Hipps checked the time and stood up. “I almost forgot; I have a fishing trip planned with them today.”
He quickly walked out, calling loudly, “Butler, help me pack for the fishing trip.”
“In this cold weather? The fish won’t even come out!” Queena snorted. Looking up, she saw Sylvia and Franklin coming downstairs together.
The man was tall and handsome; the woman was beautiful and charming.
They were a perfect couple.
Queena smiled warmly at Franklin. “Are you comfortable staying here?”
“As long as Sylvia is here, I’m comfortable,” Franklin said with a slight smile, reluctant to get out of bed that morning. If Sylvia hadn’t kicked him out of bed, he wouldn’t have wanted to get up.
“There’s breakfast in the dining room. Go eat.” Queena glanced towards the dining room.
“Okay, Grandma,” Sylvia replied and pulled Franklin towards the dining room.
Feeling embarrassed for waking up so late, she didn’t want to continue chatting with Queena.
Just as they were about to leave, Queena called out again, “Franklin.”
Franklin stopped and turned back. “Yes, Grandma?”
“Do you know any good fortune tellers?” Queena asked with a complex expression.
“Who needs their fortune told?” Sylvia asked curiously.
“It’s Finnegan, the one who argued yesterday,” Queena explained Alina’s situation, though she didn’t believe much in fortune-telling herself.
But seeing Alina so desperate made her feel bad too.
After hearing Queena’s words, Sylvia blinked her clear eyes.
Fortune-telling? She could do that herself!
Recalling Finnegan’s appearance, she casually said, “Finnegan is round and chubby with thick earlobes; he looks like an honest and blessed person. He doesn’t need to worry about anything because Alina takes care of everything. Except for lacking initiative, he has no other issues.”
“But his marriage isn’t smooth; he needs to change his fate.” Sylvia yawned delicately, her long lashes making her look particularly enchanting.
“Sylvia… how can you say such things so seriously? Don’t joke around,” Queena laughed at Sylvia’s serious demeanor.
“I’m serious. You can tell his fate from his face,” Sylvia insisted. She had become quite accurate at reading faces recently, practicing during her idle time in the transplant chamber.
“Don’t joke around with me,” Queena dismissed Sylvia’s words and looked at Franklin. “If you know any good fortune tellers, let me know.”
“Okay, Grandma,” Franklin replied, holding Sylvia’s hand as they continued to the dining room. He looked down at Sylvia and asked, “Since when did you become so mischievous?”
Sylvia glanced at him. “How am I being mischievous? I’m telling the truth but no one believes me.”
“Alright, if you’re interested in fortune-telling, I’ll find a master to teach you,” Franklin said with a smile as they sat down at the table.
The servants quickly brought out their warmed breakfast.
The breakfast was quite sumptuous: steamed buns, some side dishes, millet porridge, and scallion pancakes.
Sylvia sighed and decided not to argue further. “No need.”
Her master was already an impressive figure.
After breakfast, Franklin went to work while Sylvia decided to go out as well.
She needed to buy some things. Finnegan seemed like an honest man, especially being part of the Hipps Family; Sylvia couldn’t stand seeing her family being bullied.
She could tell at a glance that Mariam stayed in the Hipps Family for money and delayed getting the marriage certificate as proof.
Mariam’s eyes revealed her materialistic nature; her sharp features showed no signs of good fortune.
She was completely incompatible with Finnegan’s fate; they were bound to separate eventually.
Mariam was an unfortunate person; it was pitiful for the child she carried.
With these thoughts in mind, Sylvia drove to a nearby mall.
She bought what she needed without spending much money.
After shopping, she drove straight back to the Hipps Family estate. Parking her car, she carried her shopping bags to Finnegan’s small courtyard.
The courtyard was somewhat secluded but very elegant; after all, the entire Hipps Family estate was well-designed.
This year, the northwest and central areas had the strongest peach blossom energy fields. Sylvia buried several pink peach blossom stones in these areas.
Then she leaped onto a large tree in the courtyard and hid a string of pink crystal beads in a safe spot among the branches, ensuring it wouldn’t fall due to wind or rain before climbing down.
Pink crystals were always excellent for attracting love.
Finnegan’s true love wasn’t Mariam.
After finishing this task, Sylvia examined the courtyard’s geomancy and frowned.
The geomancy was strange; it was set up to block all romantic prospects.
If not carefully examined, it would be hard to notice.
Finnegan was naturally honest; Alina and her husband didn’t seem like troublemakers either. How did this happen?
Breaking this geomancy setup required altering some basic arrangements in the courtyard.
For instance, the chicken coop behind the kitchen significantly affected Finnegan’s romantic prospects.
Alina had even raised some chickens in the courtyard…
Sylvia’s delicate face showed a hint of confusion.
At that moment, she heard footsteps approaching!
Quickly, she hid behind the chicken coop.
Mariam entered the courtyard with her pregnant belly and handbag, looking very arrogant. As soon as she stepped inside, she shouted, “Where is everyone? I’m tired; come help me with my bag.”
Hearing her voice, Alina hurried out from the small two-story house and quickly walked over to help with the bag while smiling apologetically. “Mariam, you’re back? What would you like for lunch?”