As a baby, Seraphina Ashworth did little more than eat and sleep—a rather carefree existence.
On the day of her first birthday party, Seraphina Ashworth was woken early in the morning by Sylvia Blaine.
"My darling girl, it's your first birthday party today. Mommy's going to dress you up beautifully." Sylvia Blaine picked up a light blue silk outfit and changed her into it. The entire outfit was embroidered with blooming roses, and the light blue fabric made Seraphina Ashworth's skin look even fairer. Her entire being seemed to radiate Spiritual Energy.
"So beautiful. Mommy's little Princess."
"Well now, who is this little fairy? So beautiful! Let your auntie get a good look at you." Sharon Forrest walked in from the doorway with a gentle smile, then turned to Sylvia Blaine. "Sylvia, it's about time. Everyone has arrived. Let's bring Seraphina downstairs."
"Okay." Sylvia Blaine held Seraphina Ashworth and followed Sharon Forrest downstairs.
When they reached the living room, they saw that everyone from both the Reginald and Blaine families had arrived.
All eyes were immediately drawn to Seraphina Ashworth.
Many of those present had never seen Seraphina Ashworth before, and seeing her for the first time, they were stunned by her appearance.
After a month of the Ashworth Family's meticulous care, Seraphina Ashworth had grown even more exquisitely beautiful. This was especially true of her eyes, which were more brilliant than black jewels; it was as if nothing could hide from her gaze.
"Come here, little Princess. Let Daddy hold you." The moment Sylvia Blaine entered the living room with Seraphina Ashworth, Paul Ashworth came forward to take his daughter into his arms.
But before he could even get a proper hold, Mr. Ashworth snatched her away. "My dear Seraphina, let Grandpa give you a kiss."
Paul Ashworth shot a resentful look at Mr. Ashworth but didn't dare try to take his daughter back from him.
"Old man Ashworth, it's my turn to hold her now." Mr. Blaine walked up to Mr. Ashworth, holding out his arms to take Seraphina Ashworth, but Mr. Ashworth sidestepped, foiling his attempt.
"If you want to hold a granddaughter, go hold your own. This is *my* granddaughter," Mr. Ashworth said, giving Mr. Blaine a smug look.
"You old coot, she's my maternal granddaughter too! What gives you the right to not let me hold her?" Mr. Blaine glared at Mr. Ashworth's triumphant expression, wishing he could take off his shoe and throw it in his face.
The others watched in amusement as the two old men bickered.
Listening to the two grandfathers squabble, Seraphina Ashworth's gaze swept over the people in the living room. By listening to the adults' conversations, she began to understand everyone's identity.
The patriarch of the Reginald Family, Mr. Reginald, had three sons and a daughter. A general himself, he had just broken through to the rank of Junior Martial Venerate. His eldest son, Timothy, and second son, Hector, both held significant positions in the military. The third son, Tobias, however, had not followed his brothers into the service; he had instead pursued a career in education and was now the president of Aethelburg University. The wife of the eldest son, Grace Lawson, was a doctor. The second son was married to Rebecca Ashworth, Mr. Ashworth's only daughter, who was a lawyer. The third son's wife was Wanda Blaine, the second daughter of the Blaine Family and a professor at Aethelburg University. The youngest child, a daughter named Rosalind, was said to have been one of the "Twin Belles of Aethelburg," along with Seraphina's mother, Sylvia Blaine. Rosalind was an internationally renowned piano virtuoso who had later married a foreigner and now lived abroad. In total, the Reginald Family had three grandsons and two granddaughters.
Her maternal grandfather, Raiden Blaine, had one son and two daughters. He was a titan of the business world, with the Blaine Group being a top-tier corporate powerhouse. He had since retired, handing over control of the Blaine Group to his eldest son, Robert. Under Robert's leadership, the company's empire had expanded considerably. Robert's wife, Hayley Hayes, was the sole heiress of the Hawthorne Group; they had met through their work, and their marriage had been a celebrated romance in Aethelburg. Wanda Blaine was the second child in the family, while Seraphina's mother, Sylvia Blaine, was the third. The Blaine Family had two grandsons and one granddaughter.
Sylvia Blaine carried Seraphina Ashworth over to where the women were gathered, while the men stood off to the side discussing matters of state and business. The children had all run off to play in the game room.
"Sylvia, how come Rosalind didn't come back this time?" Rebecca Ashworth asked while playing with Seraphina Ashworth.
"She said her husband's family is holding an important banquet that she has to attend with him. But she prepared a first birthday gift for Seraphina ages ago and had it sent over yesterday. She said that once this busy period is over, she'll come back and stay for a few days," Sylvia Blaine said with a light laugh, sipping her tea.
"Ah, I see. We haven't gotten together in a while. Let's have a proper get-together when she gets back," Rebecca Ashworth said, nodding. "By the way, Seraphina, your auntie has been playing with you for so long, and you won't even give me a little smile? Auntie is so heartbroken." Rebecca Ashworth put on a dejected expression. Listening to this, Seraphina Ashworth was speechless. 'I may have been reborn as a baby, but I'm not a *real* baby.'
"Haha, Rebecca, that's perfectly normal. Seraphina doesn't usually smile much. No matter how we try to play with her, the most she'll do is give a faint smile." Hearing Rebecca Ashworth's words, Sharon Forrest suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie.
"Sylvia, why is Seraphina so quiet? She doesn't cry or make a fuss. She must be so easy to take care of, right? Seeing her makes me want one too," Grace Lawson said with an envious expression, looking as if she wanted to snatch Seraphina Ashworth and take her straight home.
"Pfft. Grace, Seraphina has been like this since she was born. She has a very quiet temperament. When she's hungry or needs to be changed, she'll let out a couple of wails to let me know, so I really haven't had to worry much." Sylvia Blaine had a contented look on her face. Whenever she spoke of Seraphina Ashworth, her entire expression would soften, radiating a powerful maternal love.
Susan Lindsey turned to Grace Lawson, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't even joke about it, Grace. Seraphina is the Ashworth Family's treasure, especially to Mom and Dad. If you really took Seraphina away, my dad would lose it."
"Alright, enough joking around. It's time to eat," Sharon Forrest said, walking over to call everyone to the table.
At the dining table, the adults occupied two tables while the children sat at another. Seraphina Ashworth was in Sylvia Blaine's arms, being fed a bottle. Watching the happy, harmonious scene at the table, Seraphina Ashworth felt an immense warmth in her heart.
After lunch, Seraphina Ashworth, having woken up so early, quickly fell asleep. The women started a game of mahjong, getting two tables together. The men, meanwhile, chatted over tea in the living room, occasionally wandering over to help their wives with their mahjong game. The children continued to play and make a racket nearby. The entire Ashworth Residence was filled with the sound of laughter and cheerful chatter.