"Little Sis we are going to Rose Garden Restaurant," Lucas said and Catarina just ignored the man in the car her eyes narrowed for a slight moment that's an eight star restaurant.
"Brother we are poor you shouldn't waste money," Catarina said coldly. Lucas choked huh since when did the Garcia become poor? Ryder also found Catarina statement amusing.
"It's okay sister." Catarina didn't bother with it anymore.
Catarina's gaze remained fixed on the window, her eyes scanning the passing scenery with a detached air. She didn't bother to respond to Lucas's reassurance, her mind already made up about the extravagance of their destination. Ryder, however, couldn't help but chuckle to himself, finding Catarina's candid remark about their financial situation both amusing and intriguing. He wondered what had led her to believe that the Garcia family was poor, and what secrets lay behind her cold, collected demeanor. As the car continued on its journey, Ryder's eyes strayed back to Catarina, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic young woman.
As the car pulled up to the Rose Garden Restaurant, Catarina's eyes widened slightly, taking in the opulent exterior. She looked at Lucas, her expression unreadable.
"You're really splurging, aren't you?" she said, her voice laced with a hint of disapproval. Lucas smiled and nodded.
"Just this once, little sis. We're celebrating your return." Ryder, sensing the tension between them, intervened.
"Why don't we just go inside and enjoy the meal? We can discuss everything later." Catarina's gaze flicked to Ryder, her eyes narrowing slightly, before she nodded curtly and stepped out of the car, Princess still clutched in her arms.
"Little sis, great grandpa, great grandma, grandpa, and grandma are here, oh and don't much about the cost here," Lucas said Catarina eyes darken slightly but didn't say much. They walked inside her outfit was truly cute and comfortable but was not suitable for a fancy restaurant.
"Catarina?" Evelyn said shocked. Catarina eyes narrowed when she saw Evelyn her once sister, her adoptive parents Rosemary and David.
"I can't believe you would snoop so low and come here," Rosemary snapped. David eyes narrowed.
"Catarina I gave you 10,000 credits union."
Catarina's eyes flashed with annoyance as she took in the familiar faces of her adoptive family, their expressions a mix of shock, disdain, and anger. She let out a dismissive snort, her gaze drifting over to Evelyn, her former sister, before focusing on Rosemary and David.
"I'm just here to eat, not to make small talk," she said, her voice dripping with indifference. She glanced down at her outfit, a hint of defiance in her eyes, as if daring them to comment on her casual attire.
"Besides, I didn't exactly dress up for this occasion," she added, her tone laced with sarcasm. Princess, sensing her tension, let out a soft meow, and Catarina's grip on the cat tightened, her eyes never leaving her adoptive family's faces.
"Sister you can't be angry because your family is poor, I know you are angry plus being a mother of three yet you haven't graduated high school yet, as an aunt of your kids I will…"
"Eve when have ever been good at controlling my temper? You all know my temper the best as for me being a teen mother the world can curse me but if anyone lays a hand one my triplets I won't hesitate beat that person to death, including you Eve," Catarina said her voice was dangerous and cold. Evelyn flinched what does this bitch have to say this she is now poor! Evelyn she knew how to act innocent.
Evelyn's eyes widened in mock horror, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"Catarina, how can you say such things? I'm just trying to help, and this is how you respond? You're being completely unreasonable and violent. I'm just concerned about the well-being of your children, and you're threatening to hurt me?" She took a step back, her hands raised in a defensive gesture, as if to ward off Catarina's supposed aggression.
"I don't know what's wrong with you, but you need to calm down and think about what's best for your children. Maybe you should let us help you, for their sake, if not for yours." Evelyn's voice was laced with a sugary sweetness, but her eyes flashed with malice, her gaze darting to Catarina's face, searching for any sign of weakness.
"For my sake I rather go back to Magic juvenile detention," Catarina said after all she has been there before. Lucas on the other hand watched his eyes were cold how dare these people bully his little sister! But he was also shocked he was actually an uncle!? She didn't like a mother.
"Little sis come we are going to the VIP room," Lucas said. Catarina sighed and followed Lucas and Ryder.
As Catarina followed Lucas and Ryder to the VIP room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at escaping the toxic atmosphere created by her adoptive family. She had indeed been to the Magic Juvenile Detention before, and the experience had left her with a deep-seated dislike for authority figures. But at least there, she had been among others who understood her, others who had also been labeled as "troubled" or "delinquent" by society. As they entered the VIP room, Catarina's eyes scanned the luxurious surroundings, her gaze lingering on the fine china and crystal glasses. She felt a pang of discomfort, knowing that she didn't belong in this world of wealth and privilege. But with Lucas and Ryder by her side, she felt a sense of protection, a sense that she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Little sis, here are some of your family members," Lucas said and Catarina whose face was cold. Looked at people they were about eight people.
"You guys introduce yourselves," Lucas said. Catarina just waited for them to introduce themselves.
The eight people introduced themselves, each one more opulent and aristocratic than the last. Catarina's gaze flicked from one to the other, her expression unreadable.
"Great Aunt Victoria, Great Uncle Edward, Great Aunt Sophia, Great Uncle Henry, Aunt Charlotte, Uncle James, Cousin Alexander, and Cousin Isabella," they said in turn, their voices dripping with refinement. Catarina's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing with the sheer number of relatives she had never known existed.
As the introductions came to a close, Great Aunt Victoria spoke up, her voice dripping with condescension.
"And this, of course, is Catarina, the...ahem...surprise addition to our family." She smiled sweetly, but her eyes seemed to bore into Catarina's skin.
"We've heard so much about you, dear. Though I must say, you're quite...different from what we expected." Catarina's eyes flashed with warning, but she said nothing, her gaze fixed on Great Aunt Victoria's face. The air was thick with tension, and Lucas stepped in, his voice smooth as silk.
"Let's not focus on the past, shall we? We're here to get to know each other, after all." But Catarina's eyes never left Great Aunt Victoria's face, her expression a mask of icy calm.
Isabella eyes landed on Ryder. Ryder was a famous man who all rich ladies, celebrities wanted to marry him. You would be a fool not notice his handsome, gorgeous body, sharp dark emerald eyes, jawline, thick navy blue hair. He was like a Greek god. Isabella has been in love with Ryder ever since she can remember she looked at Catarina she couldn't help herself but hate Catarina.Why did she get to ride with Seventh Master Ryder? Catarina didn't seem to care about Isabella she knew to this family she didn't hope to gain any favors for anyone. There an old man with a cane. The old man was so kind.