After her rebirth

Carlton pulled out his gift list and handed it over to Daphne.

Samuel muttered under his breath, calling Carlton a sly old fox. Not wanting to be outdone, he quickly whipped out his own list and shoved it into Daphne's hands. "Here's mine, take a look." After the New Year, Maximilian would be turning 28. Most folks their age already had kids in kindergarten.

They'd been worried sick about Maximilian's health. Despite all their care, he just kept getting worse.

Now that Maximilian had finally found a girl he liked and was getting married, with the hope of having a kid to carry on the family name, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief. They didn't mind showering Katniss with gifts to help Maximilian marry her.

The gift list was already crazy long, and now with two lists combined, it was enough to make anyone's jaw drop.

Daphne's face turned red with anxiety. She was barely literate, having only gone to elementary school for a few years before her family pulled her out to work.

"I can't really make sense of this, Wesley, you take a look." Daphne handed the two lists to Wesley.

Wesley took them and was immediately floored.

Looking closer at the contents, he was even more shocked and instinctively wanted to hand them back.

Such extravagant gifts would drain their family's savings, and they couldn't afford it.

But another thought quickly stopped Wesley. He hesitated for a moment and then pulled his hand back.

Katniss was amazing-beautiful, hardworking, and sensible. She deserved such a grand gesture. If the other side had only prepared a few things carelessly, that would be a problem. Plus, the gift list showed the Hamilton family's respect for Katniss.

Wesley felt a bit reassured and reached out to take the list, but someone snatched it away.

Seeing him hesitate, Anna couldn't stay calm any longer. She stood up and grabbed it.

Looking at the dazzling array of gifts, she was so pleased she couldn't stop smiling. "Good, nothing needs to be changed. We're very satisfied! Let's go with this list!"

Seeing Anna's greedy and vulgar behavior, Daphne felt so ashamed.

The Hamilton family was watching. Wouldn't this make Katniss look bad?

In front of the Hamilton family, Daphne couldn't say anything harsh, so she frowned and said, "Mom, the gift matter hasn't been discussed yet. Don't meddle."

Hearing this, Anna was displeased. She pouted and, with the attitude of an elder, said, "What do you mean? Marriage is a big deal. Even though I'm not Katniss's biological grandmother, I treat her like my own granddaughter, just like Saskia. Of course, I should help."

"Katniss is just twenty, it's not safe for her to have so much money. We should help her save and look after it." With that, Anna, assuming the role of an elder, decided on the gifts' destination on her own, her face full of greed and hypocrisy. Everyone could see what Anna was thinking.

At the table, Carlton and Samuel exchanged glances, calmly sipping their tea.

Wesley and Daphne looked displeased. Anna was an elder, and in such a setting, they couldn't say anything harsh, making the atmosphere a bit tense.

Maximilian suddenly chuckled softly, his tone gentle and calm. "Anna, you make a good point. We didn't think it through. Katniss is still young, and having a lot of money could indeed cause some trouble."

Seeing that Katniss's fiancé agreed, Anna's face lit up with pride. She straightened her back and smiled, "Exactly."

Katniss glanced at Maximilian, unable to resist reaching out to remind him.

Anna was greedy and shameless. Previously, the medicinal ingredients bought for Maximilian's diet had mysteriously disappeared because she had stolen and sold them for money.

If those gifts and assets fell into Anna's hands, it would be a struggle to get them back.

Maximilian flipped his large hand, holding Katniss's soft, delicate hand, his thumb soothingly stroking her hand.

Maximilian's hand was dry and warm, and his touch sent shivers through her skin, making her forget what she wanted to say.

Her earlobes turned red, and Katniss lowered her head, staring intently at Maximilian holding her hand.

They were holding hands.

Under the table, Maximilian held Katniss's hand. Above the table, he smiled and said, "I will hire a professional manager to handle these gifts for Katniss. Wesley will be the supervisor, with the monthly earnings deposited into a bank account. The statements will be in duplicate, regularly given to Katniss and Wesley, and only they can access the money."

He added, "If Wesley doesn't understand, Micah can help. I remember Micah works at a securities firm."

Micah's eyes darkened, his gaze coldly falling on Maximilian.

Wesley was stunned by the sheer amount of gifts, property, and funds he was being offered as a wedding gift, not to mention mutual funds and stocks, along with several properties. Any one of which would take them several lifetimes to afford.

At this moment, whatever Maximilian suggested, Wesley agreed to, showing a simple and honest face.

As soon as he finished speaking, Anna's expression changed, and she immediately turned hostile, "That's not acceptable!"

She coveted the money but spoke righteously, "The managers are outsiders. How can they be trusted more than family?"

Her eldest son was struggling outside, supporting his wife, educating his children, and running a business, all of which required money. Without this money, how could she support her son?

Wouldn't it all fall into Wesley's hands?

Anna was anxious and tried to pull Daphne to her side, "Daphne, tell me! Am I right? And Katniss is still a student. Business people are cunning, and there are many scams!"

After saying this, Anna pointed at Katniss, "Katniss, I am telling you. A few days ago, when you insisted on staying with Wesley and Daphne instead of at home, we accomondated you. Would I harm you?"

Katniss sat opposite, quietly watching her bring up old grievances, feeling a bit cold inside.

Staying at Wesley's house was indeed an imposition, but she had given a few hundred dollars for food, which Anna had pocketed.

And Anna seemed to have forgotten all about it.

"Enough! Mom, stop talking." Amid Anna's incessant chatter, Wesley slammed the table and shouted, his face livid.

Usually good-tempered, Wesley had never shown such anger, and Anna was so frightened that she fell silent.