Chapter 917
Chapter 917:
In truth, Bella hadn’t prepared any new gifts. The gift she presented to Elianna was actually one she had received in previous years. Since it had never been unwrapped, it still appeared quite new even after being stored for a few years.
Yelena noticed Bella’s glance and felt perplexed. It was just a gift; why the need for such a scene?
Despite everything, when Bella handed out the gifts, everyone received them with genuine happiness. Yelena did not distribute gifts to everyone like Bella did. Her relationship with the extended family members wasn’t as close as with her parents and sibling. Furthermore, their attitudes toward her were less than cordial, so she had never planned to give them gifts.
Bella’s display had no effect on Yelena. Bella believed that Yelena hadn’t given gifts to the family elders because she felt upstaged by her taking the initiative. Bella was quite pleased with herself, thinking she had finally gained the upper hand for once.
“Today is Christmas, and usually, our family goes out for a trip. Where would you like to go this year?” Callum inquired.
Elianna suggested, “Let’s go to Lochspell Church. I go there every year. It’s a place of peace and calm, and you’ll feel more at ease in your hearts after a visit p>
“That works p>
Bella saw this as a perfect opportunity to make an impression. Upon arriving at the base of Lochspell Church, which was built halfway up the mountain slope, the family prepared to climb. Although there was a nearby elevator, Elianna insisted that using it would not reflect true devotion.
As they started their ascent, Bella suddenly dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead against the step, before rising, walking a few steps, and repeating the motion.
Yelena couldn’t help but smirk, thinking Bella’s theatrics were a bit much.
“Bella, what are you doing?” Jarvis asked, his tone laced with concern.
Bella’s actions were so striking that no one could simply turn a blind eye.
Don’t miss out gαℓησν𝒆ls․cøm
“Bella, what are you doing? Get up this instant!” Jarvis, filled with concern, rushed forward, eager to help her up.
But Bella shook off his hand with determination and walked a few steps before kneeling once more in prayer.
“Don’t stop me. I heard that doing this shows my devotion and brings blessings to their family, and I wish to pray for mine,” she declared, her voice firm yet trembling ever so slightly.
Callum, standing nearby, made no move to intervene. He wanted to see whether Bella was truly sincere or merely putting on a show.
At first, Bella had only intended to stage an act, expecting everyone to pity her and urge her to stop. But to her dismay, only Jarvis spoke up in her defense.
Realizing there was no easy way out, Bella had no choice but to grit her teeth and persist.
Jarvis, deeply worried that something might happen to her, remained close by her side.
Elianna, watching the scene unfold, let out a sigh filled with emotion. “Bella is such a sweet child—so different from certain others,” she remarked pointedly.
Elianna would never criticize her grandsons, so her target was clear—Yelena, the granddaughter she had never taken a liking to.
Yelena, no fool, immediately caught the hidden jab.
She had no intention of engaging in a pointless argument, but then Elianna added, “How can we let Bella shoulder all the hardship alone p>
Yelena, knowing Elianna’s ways all too well, sensed what was coming—she was about to be asked to pray for the family just like that as well. But Yelena had no interest in making a spectacle of herself, unlike Bella.