The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1839

Shirley was still in a daze as Charlotte pulled her into The Gates Family estate. The grand living room was packed with people, echoing with warm laughter and conversation. "My baby is back!" Seeing Charlotte, Nora immediately stood up and rushed over. She quickly scanned her daughter's face for any signs of fatigue before her gaze dropped to the baby bump. With Charlotte carrying twins, Nora spent every day wracked with anxiety. Thankfully, the antidote was working, and Charlotte's body was steadily recovering. As for the little girl growing inside her... Nora just prayed she would be born healthy and safe. "I took the antidote, and I came back in one piece." Seeing Nora's endless worrying, Charlotte affectionately ruffled her mother's hair, her voice teasing. "Happy now?" "Yes." Nora nodded, her eyes reddening slightly as she lowered her voice. "Your father already knows about Allanson passing away. Please, don't mention that man in front of him." Charlotte looked up, her gaze landing on her father, who was quietly sipping tea. He looked slightly detached, lost in thought. "Understood." Her father's relationship with Allanson was different from theirs. Even though he utterly despised the man, Allanson was still his father. Right now, his emotions had to be incredibly complicated. "Shirley, come sit over here." Spotting Shirley, Samantha eagerly hurried over, pulling her toward the sofa to sit right next to Geneva. "Hello, Mrs. Gates," Shirley greeted politely, though her eyes darted in confusion toward the older woman beside her. "Grandma, what's going on?" Geneva looked at her granddaughter with profound affection and gently relayed the conversation she had just had with the family. "G-Goddaughter?" Hearing that word, Shirley's brain completely short-circuited. She barely processed it. Was this the surprise Charlotte had mentioned? At the dining table, the family discussed the formal arrangement. Shirley sat quietly, her eyes sweeping over the people gathered around her. The Gates Family was taking this incredibly seriously. They had even called Donald, Roger, and Kenneth back home specifically for this. The grander the gesture, the more anxious Shirley felt. Even if she had saved the world in a past life, she never would have dared to dream that a family like this would take her under their wing. She wanted to pinch herself, convinced this had to be a dream. "Kevin and I have always wanted a daughter, but we never had that blessing." Samantha smiled warmly at Shirley. "If you don't mind, how would you like to be our goddaughter?" "I..." Having been an orphan practically her whole life, Shirley never imagined she would ever have a mother again. Let alone a mother who was one of the most powerful women in Cabinda. "Why would I mind? It's just..." "If you don't mind, then it's a yes!" Samantha clapped her hands in pure joy. She dragged her chair right next to Shirley and pressed a thick, heavy red envelope into her hands. "Don't overthink it. Kevin and I want you as our goddaughter purely because you're such an outstanding, lovable girl. We adore sweet kids like you. So ignore whatever the outside world says, and don't put any pressure on yourself. Just keep being the wonderful girl you are." Holding the weighty envelope, a massive lump formed in Shirley's throat. Her voice trembled. "I'm sure you know about the mess online. I'm just so afraid of bringing your family trouble, so maybe it's better if you..." "I see." The radiant smile instantly vanished from Samantha's face. She slumped in her chair, pretending to pout. "You just don't want me to be your godmother." "No!" Shirley frantically shook her head, her stutter returning in her panic. Her cheeks flushed bright red. "I-I'm just terrified of causing trouble for you and the family!" Charlotte had already done so much for her. She refused to become a burden to anyone else. "What trouble could you possibly bring?" Robert laughed boisterously, a little flushed from the wine. His deep voice boomed across the room. "If our family has no issues with it, who would dare complain? And if anyone tries, your godparents will handle them!"