Why Should I Give it to You?

"Mom, this is my sister." Seeing Selena's eyes shine like they're staring at a gold nugget, Augus had complicated feelings because he truly understood her nature. "Sister? When did you have such a beautiful sister?" Selena was genuinely baffled and took a closer look at Valentina. Could she be a relative's child? Impossible, those relatives' girls were not striking in the least. Augus couldn't possibly have such a beautiful and elegant cousin. Could she be a distant relative? Augus didn't tell his family Valentina was coming home today. Otherwise, Selena would have had to go to the airport with him. "This is Val." Augus said helplessly. "Val..." Selena was stunned. When she finally grasped the situation, she exclaimed, "Valentina?" She turned her head to look at Valentina who had already entered the courtyard, and her facial expression immediately changed to surprise and delight as she hastily chased after Valentina. "Good heavens, my baby girl, you've become so beautiful after losing weight. I did say, how can my daughter be anything but extraordinary?" "Oh my God, look at your pretty face. I dare to say none of the wealthy ladies even holds a candle to you." Having reached Valentina, Selena rubbed her hands and took a meticulous look, her face full of excited smiles. "Even when you were a child, not chubby at all, I already knew you'd be more beautiful than Diana. I didn't miss the mark." "Sweetheart, with your petite face and delicate skin, and coming from a prestigious university, having a rich husband in Biddeford after graduation should be a piece of cake." Thinking of Valentina marrying into a rich family and thereby raising their status, Selena grinned so widely she couldn't even orient herself. If she had known that Valentina would look so gorgeous after losing weight, she would have been nicer to Valentina before. Augus, upon placing the luggage in Valentina's room, overheard this and stepped out, frowning angrily. "Mom, what are you talking about?" Selena, overly elated, noticed the displeasure in Valentina's gaze. She immediately slapped her own mouth. "Oh, look at me, always saying the wrong things." Upon returning for lunch, George didn't recognize Valentina at first and even pulled Selena aside to whisper and ask. Fluttering with pride, Selena exclaimed loudly, "This is my darling daughter." George was greatly shocked. Following this, his face filled with surprise and joy, and he commended on how good Valentina looked after slimming down. "Val, thanks to you, Mr. Howard arranged an easier job for me with a good salary. I no longer have to work at the factory." George tugged at his not-so-cheap suit and lovingly touched the fabric. Valentina ate her meal, glanced at him upon hearing his words, and nodded, but didn't add anything else. "Thanks to our precious daughter, I no longer have to work. From now on, I'll just wait to enjoy life at home," Selena followed. It was evident that she had been living well these past two months. Her complexion was radiant, and she was now even sporting jewelry. "Diana also got admitted to Biddeford University. Do you know that? With you two sisters at school together, your father and I will feel much more at ease," "Diana went ahead to the school a few days ago. I asked her to wait for you to go together initially, but she said that she had other matters to tend to at the school." "When are you leaving? I will ask for a leave so that I could accompany you there." Valentina replied, "No need, I can manage on my own." George knew that she was capable, and thus did not insist. "Alright, take care of yourself." "The school provided us with a house, and I was initially thinking of moving us all to Biddeford. That way we could take care of you and Diana, but your brother is about to start his senior year of high school. I'm sure he would have a hard time adjusting if we switched schools now. We'll wait until after your brother's SAT next year, and we can move." Selena seemed to talk non-stop. Valentina listened and felt annoyed. Just as she was about to set down her fork, Selena suddenly said, "Baby, there's something I need to talk to you about." "Mr. Jefferson mentioned about rewarding you a house. How's that going? And whose name are you planning to put down for it?" Selena said this with a sycophantic smile plastered across her face. She'd have confronted Mr. Jefferson about the property location and whose name to put as the owner the instant she'd heard about his plans to give them a house - if she hadn't been worried that he might recognize her and expose Diana's cheating. Valentina just stared at her. "Here's what I think. That house isn't cheap, and you kids certainly wouldn't know how to handle it. Therefore, the ownership should be recorded under the adults. Mr. Jefferson also intended to gift a house to Diana, which I proposed bears my name as well. We're all family after all. Isn't it the same whether it's under my name or yours?" "Why should it be yours if it's the same?" Valentina's tone was indifferent. Selena's smile froze. She thought back to the times when Valentina had lost her temper and took another look at Valentina's valuable face. She carefully considered the situation, and then said lightly, "All I want is the best for you. I'm afraid if there's any problem in the future with the house, you wouldn't know how to handle it. If you insist, let's write it under your brother's name." Augus said, "I don't want Val's house." "What do you know? You're still young," Selena glared at Augus. Then, with a smile, she said to Valentina, "Look, your relationship with Augus is so good. Besides, you're a girl who will get married someday. Surely, we can't afford to pass such a great house to your future husband, and thus our family loses out. But if the house is under Augus's name, that's different. In today's society with so much pressure, who would marry a man without a house? Even in our small town, many in their thirties remain single." "If you were to leave this house to Augus, that could be your shelter if you ever face difficulties after you get married. Once Augus owns this house, he will be able to stand firm in Biddeford, and you too can be emboldened in your future married life. Don't you think it makes sense?" "Mr. Jefferson specifically said the house is a personal gift to Val. Let her decide for herself. Didn't you already put your name on Diana's? You also have quite a lot of prize money, and you could use it to buy a house for Augus in time." George interjected. "I'll earn and buy a house myself." Augus sincerely disliked the calculating and exploitative mindset of his mother. Selena gave George a stern look. "Are you crazy? Diana's house is set aside for our retirement. What good house can we buy with our little money? Is your son not going to get married?" "Val, I have no choice. Once you become a mother and have a son, you'll understand me. You are talented. In the future, you can earn big money, but George doesn't have your talent." Valentina nodded. "Do you have Mr. Jefferson's number?" Selena was overjoyed. "Val, I don't want it," Augus immediately said. Selena again gave him a severe look and hurriedly said, "I don't have it here, but Diana will definitely have it. I'll ask Diana." Selena was over the moon and took out her phone to call Diana. "No need." Valentina took out her phone. William, resting in a hotel, was surprised to see the incoming call and answered it with some anticipation. "Please tell me Mr. Jefferson's number, thanks." William was briefly stunned. After that, he exited the call interface, found Geoffrey's number, and shared it with her. After that, he wanted to say something else, but the call got disconnected. He was silent while holding the phone. Valentina then dialed Geoffrey's number. "Mr. Jefferson, it's me, Valentina." "Valentina." Geoffrey didn't expect to receive a call from her and said in a surprised way, "Oh, I'm so glad that you took the initiative to call me." "I want to discuss the house with you." "Did you pick a location? Tell me, and I'll go there right away," Geoffrey said in a hearty manner. "Somewhere downtown," Selena reminded softly from the side. Valentina said, "The location and the size of the house don't matter. As long as it's under my name. I will send you my bank number in a while. Deposit the scholarship there." "You dam..." Selena succumbed to her tongue and nearly spat out an insult. In response to a cold glare from Valentina, she faltered for a moment, quickly put on an anxious face, and said timidly, "Val, didn't you agree with me just now to put the house under your brother's name?" Augus, upon hearing Valentina's words, picked up the fork and continued eating. His worry was unnecessary. Valentina wasn't the same as before. It was unlikely that she would put herself at a disadvantage. Geoffrey said, "Of course, it's going to be in your name." He continued to ask her if she had arrived in Biddeford. If so, she could visit his home. They talked briefly on the phone, and then Valentina hung up. Not giving Selena the chance to say anything, Valentina put down her phone and directly said to her, "Rory gave you quite a sum of money, didn't he? Hand it over." Selena played dumb. "Wha... What money?" Valentina questioned, "Do you want me to get Rory himself to come and ask you for it?"