CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 249: MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

After Aunt Winters left, Nina Kerr stood beside Seraphina Sinclair. The two of them were so close that they could clearly hear each other’s breathing.

Seraphina focused on washing the dishes, her delicate features showing no excess expression, revealing neither joy nor sorrow.

"Seraphina, I didn’t get a chance to properly catch up with you at the dinner table earlier, and I didn’t have the time to ask how you’ve been lately." Nina was the first to break the silence, smiling as she spoke to Seraphina.

Judging by her appearance, she seemed genuinely concerned about Seraphina.

Seraphina curled her red lips slightly, a subtle smile gleaming in her beautiful almond-shaped eyes: "Thanks for your concern, I’m doing well."

Nina sighed in relief, appearing much more at ease: "Before coming back, I heard quite a bit about you, sister. I heard that after leaving the island, you found Jude Sinclair’s father. Why didn’t you bring him back with you this time?"

"Oh? Are you very interested in my husband?" Seraphina replied with a smirk, knowing full well why Nina was asking given her understanding of Seraphina’s circumstances.

"Just kidding, Seraphina. I was just casually asking. You won’t mind, right?" Nina chuckled, her slender, phoenix-like eyes slightly curved, appearing innocent.

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, her demeanor as calm as calm could be: "I don’t mind, but speaking of my child’s father, Nina, you’re also 28 now, aren’t you? Why don’t you seriously find someone to date? If you don’t settle down, no one will want you anymore."

Nina’s face remained unchanged as she smiled in response: "Everyone says better to have nothing than to settle for less. I wouldn’t want to compromise. But actually, the reason I returned this time was to announce that I’m planning to get engaged."

"Oh? Really?" Seraphina didn’t care much about Nina’s affairs, but pretended to be surprised and said, "What kind of person is the guy? To have chosen you, I wonder if he’s blind?"

"What did you say?" Nina’s expression became slightly stiff.

"Sorry, I misspoke in a hurry. What I meant was, choosing you shows good taste." Seraphina seemed to suddenly realize she had misspoken, quickly raising her hands in apology.

Nina awkwardly smiled: "Haha, yes."

Seraphina let out a deep sigh, looking sentimental: "Nina, you’re not young anymore. Although I, your sister, don’t know what kind of person your boyfriend is, but since you’ve come together, it’s fate. You should cherish it, or else it might be too late once it’s gone."

"You..."

"We’ve never gotten along well, and now there’s no one else around. You don’t need to keep up this white lotus act so seriously," Seraphina smirked mockingly.

Reflecting on those years before, Nina had caused plenty of trouble for her both openly and secretly, yet could still put on this act now—it was indeed quite remarkable.

Being told what’s truly in her mind, Nina’s expression turned ugly. She lowered her voice, warning Seraphina in a voice only they could hear: "Since you understand, you should know why I came back this time."

"If your target is Diamond Island, I welcome you at any time." Seraphina put down the utensils she was holding, her gaze cold enough to freeze someone.

Nina snorted coldly, her tone revealing disdain: "I don’t know why Grandpa favors you and your mother, but as long as I’m here, don’t think you can take what’s rightfully mine."

"I’ve seen a lot of shameless people in my life, but I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you until now," Seraphina exclaimed in admiration, "Not to mention the old man’s never married and has no legitimate heirs; even if you were his real granddaughter, the family business wouldn’t be yours to inherit, would it?"

"Indeed, we aren’t blood-related to Grandpa, but he’s always adored me. Whatever I wanted, he would give me, including Diamond Island!" Nina’s eyes sparkled with confidence.

Seraphina couldn’t help but laugh, looking at her as though she were an idiot: "If you were so confident, why bother telling me this? Wouldn’t it be easier to ask Grandpa directly for the inheritance rights?"

"You!" Nina frowned. Having been educated as a young lady all her life, she wasn’t naturally good at arguing with Seraphina.

Seeing her lost for words, Seraphina raised her eyebrows, set aside the cleaned utensils, crossed her arms, and leisurely watched her: "Nina, if you think you’re capable of seizing the inheritance rights, then let’s wait and see."

Not wanting to waste more words with Nina, Seraphina untied her apron and walked out, muttering under her breath: "Really diligent, Nina. Since you said you could handle it all by yourself, I’ll go rest first. Good luck."

"Seraphina Sinclair!" Nina glared at Seraphina’s retreating back, seemingly wanting to bore a hole through her with her gaze.

Upon hearing Seraphina’s words, the others were incredulous.

Fiona Dunn was even more surprised, her mouth agape: "Didn’t expect she’d handle things so well."

"Naturally, being a student from a prestigious school, she understands the virtues of respecting the elderly and loving the young," Seraphina squinted slightly, contentedly sipping coffee on the sofa.

Aunt Winters, seeing this, stood up, intending to help. But Seraphina quickly gave Fiona a meaningful look, which Fiona immediately understood.

"Aunt Winters, that braised fish you made today was especially delicious. Do you have time now? Can you teach me how to make it?" Fiona enthusiastically linked arms with Aunt Winters, pulling her to sit down on the sofa.

Joel White, watching, revealed a barely visible smile on his otherwise expressionless face.

As for Luna and Reina White, they’d been taken home by their father right after dinner.

So, without their little helpers, there was no one to assist Nina.

But since Seraphina had spoken, someone like Nina, who values her reputation and enjoys feigning goodness and elegance, would never ask for help.

The pile of dishes, pots, and pans from such a big family, leaving it to a pampered young lady like Nina, was certainly tiresome for her.

Nina stood in the kitchen, looking at the pile of dirty dishes that seemed like a small mountain, desperately wishing she could tear Seraphina’s mouth apart.

By ten at night, everyone had dispersed.

Fiona stood at the door, poking Seraphina’s stomach: "You’re impressive. I was worried Nina might bully you, but now it seems there’s no need to worry."

"You should mind your own business," Seraphina gave her a sidelong glance, pulling Jude’s hand, "Let’s go, son, we’re going home."

After Seraphina left, Fiona pouted: "What’s so great about her, hmph."

Back home, Seraphina was dead tired, lying on the soft bed, almost falling asleep. But then her hand touched something cool.

She turned her head and saw it was the USB drive Fiona had given her.

When she came back to change, she had casually tossed it on the bed.

Looking at the USB drive in her hand, Seraphina tightly pursed her red lips, hesitating for a long time before suddenly getting out of bed to fetch her laptop from the study.

Upon returning to her room, she carefully plugged the USB into the port.