Chapter 133 The Birthday Gift
“It’s fine; we really don’t need it.”
Jonathan, who had just been rushing around urgently, was now slumped hack onto the sofa, his voice tinged with resignation.
Seeing his sudden change of mood, Ace paused before suggesting. “Jonathan, should I ask the driver to take us back to that secret room we were just in? Maybe it’s still there.”
Jonathan’s face remained impassive as he responded, “No, let’s just head back. It’s not that valuable. I don’t even want it anymore.”
Ace was confused.
Hadn’t Jonathan just been insisting on its importance? Why this sudden shift in attitude?
Do celebrities really change their minds so quickly?
Jonathan leaned back, closing his eyes and radiating a chilly aura that seemed to ward others off. Even Stephanie, who had been playfully trying to get his attention, hesitated to come closer now.
Maybe Jonathan alone understood the truth behind what he said just now.
That item, while crucial, was ultimately inconsequential.
As the fifth in the Burnett lineage, two years junior to his brother Xavier, Jonathan had always felt somewhat overshadowed. From his earliest years, his older siblings had carved out significant paths: the eldest as a prominent CEO and the second as a celebrated designer.
Meanwhile, his third and fourth brothers were stars in their fields, too.
Yet, he remained unremarkable.
In a family orbiting around successful figures, he often felt neglected. Even in times of crisis, a call to the family doctor was about as involved as anyone got with him.
With Anthony and his sister now in the picture, he felt even more like a ghost in the grand Burnett household.
Many envied his privileged life filled with wealth and status, but for him, these were just the traf his birthright, not a source of genuine satisfaction.
Often, he wondered what life might be like in an ordinary family where even small achievements were recognised and celebrated.
In his reality, such recognition was absent.
Driven by a desire to carve out his own identity, he plunged into the entertainment industry, aspiring to dominate the spotlight and become a familiar face on screens everywhere.
It was this same drive that made him a supportive figure to Stephanie, even though they did not share blood. Her calling him her brother gave him a semblance of the familial warmth he craved.
Chapter 133 The Birthday Gift
with a soft and sweet voice like Stephanie, However, she would silently tend to his wounds.
She would also choose a band–aid for him, the same unsightly, childish one that he had lost.
However, Milly was undeniably closer to Jordan and Anthony, leaving him feeling sidelined once again, stuck in a familiar feeling of isolation.
The car was still moving steadily.
Oliver glanced at Jonathan, who was sitting in the back with his eyebrows furrowed and eyes closed, wearing an unhappy expression. He scoffed softly, leaned towards Milly, and whispered conspiratorially, “Ms. Milly, I think he might be going through an early midlife crisis. He’s so easily startled.”
Milly arched an eyebrow but chose to remain silent.
She could not ignore the nagging feeling that Jonathan’s glances carried a trace of resentment, though she could not fathom why.
Engrossed in their thoughts, none of them noticed Stephanie sitting quietly in the corner, her face etched with a somber expression.
She had tried to create a rift between Milly and her assistant during a live broadcast, but the feed had unexpectedly ended early.
Yet, with all the preparations in place, wouldn’t it be a shame to give up now?
As she glanced at Michelle beside her, her intentions were clear in her calculated gaze.
Michelle, unable to ignore Stephanie’s intense scrutiny, met her eyes and gave a subtle nod of understanding.
Stephanie noticed the gesture and allowed a small smile to escape.
I’d like to see how you’ll get out of this one, Milly,
At the film set, Ace completed his duties and departed after a brief exchange with Clark.
Milly and the team received instructions from Mr. Hawkins to return before evening to reshoot some
scenes.
Only Jonathan, who had been sulky all day, carried a noticeable air of despondency.
As he was about to lean back and rest in the van with his eyes closed, a gentle voice stopped him. “Jonathan, please wait.”
He paused and turned.
Milly, who was supposed to have already left, was rushing towards him, battling against the wind. Her approach, with flushed checks and hair billowing, seemed like something out of a painting.
Wait, why was he admiring Milly?
She had been unkind to Stephanie: he should have felt resentment towards her.
Chapter 133 The Birthday Gift
Even though Milly was his sister and had looked out for him in the haunted house, he had reciprocated in the secret passage. It was a mutual protection.
Thus, he needed to stay detached! He must adhere to the rule of having only one sister, Stephanie, and not be swayed by the seemingly clever woman before him!
With this resolve, he quickly mastered his emotions, adopting a composed demeanour. “Why are you back here?”
Milly, seemingly oblivious to the shift in his tone, pulled a cloth bag from her pocket and handed it to him. “Here, happy birthday! I brought you a gift.”
Jonathan was momentarily stunned, his eyes widening in surprise. “A gift for me?”
“Yes.” Milly beamed. “I wanted to give it to you earlier today, but you were busy with your live stream. It thought now would be a good time. Happy birthday!”
Jonathan’s heart pounded so loudly he thought it might burst from his chest.
Even his fingers were quivering with anticipation.
“What’s in it?” he asked, gently squeezing the bag, feeling the soft contents inside.
“Just open it and see,” Milly encouraged with a smile.
With trembling hands. Jonathan untied the bag, his excitement delaying his movements.
“Is this…”
He carefully withdrew a sachet from the bag-
The sachet was made of green fabric, beautifully embroidered with a plum blossom and a magpie perched above it–vivid and striking. The reverse side bore the embroidered word for
Milly watched him intently examine the sachet and took the opportunity to explain, “The magpie and the plum blossom on the front represent ongoing happiness and good fortune, while the ‘peace‘ on the back is a wish for your lasting health and safety.
“I’ve also filled it with cassia seeds to help with sleep. If you find it comforting, you might take it with you on your travels,” she added.
