Chapter 6050

Cynthia, who typically enjoys conversing and sharing her thoughts, had been meticulously preparing tea for everyone and barely spoke a word. She couldn't help but glance at Angie, and the more she looked, the more envy bubbled within her. As she observed Angie's appearance, skin, demeanor, and her face radiant with youthful collagen, Cynthia felt like the ugly duckling in comparison, so much so that she even felt embarrassed to look up at one point. While she was making tea, she noticed her hands had begun to show signs of aging. Despite her diligent skincare routine, the passage of time had left its mark. Even though she sheltered her index finger from the harshness of daily life, the hands of Cynthia, nearing fifty, still bore evident dryness and wrinkles. When Angie picked up her cup, Cynthia felt an even stronger sense of shame regarding her own aging hands. Angie was puzzled, remembering that Cynthia had always been exceptionally assertive and self-centered in her past. She had a reputation as one of Eastcliff's most stingy women, yet here she was, quietly serving tea and behaving strangely. Without a mirror nearby, Angie didn't have the privilege of seeing her own face, which appeared twenty years younger like Cynthia's. This was precisely why Angie couldn't understand Cynthia's unusual silence. As the men engaged in conversation, she didn't wish to interrupt and glanced at Cynthia with curiosity. For a moment, their eyes met, leading to an awkward realization that they had been secretly observing each other. Especially for Cynthia, her gaze upon Angie lingered on the corners of her eyes—the region women often dread, where wrinkles usually develop first. Yet Angie's eyes were as soft as silken tofu, smooth and unblemished, lacking any signs of aging. Cynthia felt a twinge of jealousy, recognizing the vast difference between herself and others, which caused her to avert her gaze, overcome with a sense of inadequacy. It was then Angie understood why Cynthia had been watching her so intently. The allure of Charlie’s rejuvenation pill was what drew her interest. As a woman herself, Angie was well aware of how tempting a rejuvenation pill would be for a fifty-year-old. Cynthia’s envy was a natural human response. However, when Angie recalled that Cynthia was Charlie's aunt, it filled her with unease. If even Cynthia couldn't get a whole pill, Angie felt somewhat embarrassed. Still, she couldn’t dwell on it, so she chose to act as if she hadn’t noticed. Cynthia was no fool. She detected the slight awkwardness on Angie's face, which left her feeling uncomfortable and a bit wronged. Charlie was her nephew; why was he treating her this way? Cynthia remembered a time when she had been stuck in a rented house in Aurous Hill alone for the New Year, pouring out her grievances in a video call to her father. Had she known Charlie was so capable, she would have willingly asked him to stay in Aurous Hill and assist Elaine without hesitation. Now, regrettably, it was too late. She’d missed out on the chance to invest in Charlie’s initial stock. In contrast, the Sun family had backed him over twenty years ago and held onto their shares through thick and thin. It was no wonder that Charlie was so generous to them now. That left her feeling like an unwelcome outsider in her own family. As this realization washed over her, Cynthia seldom reflected on her life journey. She had been pampered since childhood. Not only had her parents indulged her, but her second brother, Bruce, had always showered her with love. Later, when Bruce married, his wife embraced Cynthia as if she were her own sister.

Although Cynthia had been somewhat arrogant at that time, she had always been well-mannered and respectful towards Bruce and his wife, never speaking out of turn or behaving indecently. In truth, she admired Bruce and Lily deeply and relied on them heavily. She believed that with her brother and sister-in-law by her side, she would always be cared for and protected. However, she never anticipated they would both pass away while she was still young. Since then, the Wade family had fallen into decline. Her father no longer showed her special attention, and her older brother had never been close to her. Gradually, Cynthia found herself marginalized within the Wade family. Her husband was Bruce's brother. and had been quite successful, but with Bruce's death, his potential diminished, and he failed to accomplish anything noteworthy over the years, leading Cynthia to lose patience with him. Looking at her current self, Cynthia felt a deep sadness. Her brothers overlooked her and treated her warily. Although her father cared for her, he was aging and had relinquished control of the family. Now, the entirety of the Wade family's resources was under Charlie's command. Yet, she and Charlie shared a tense relationship. She couldn't help but think of Bruce and Lily, lamenting inwardly, "If my brother and sister-in-law were still alive, Charlie wouldn’t treat me like this. They would have supported me just as they always did. How could it be that no one cares for me now?" After ruminating too much, Cynthia felt overwhelmed by sadness. She bowed her head and sat quietly, silently sobbing. When Nathaniel Wade finished his tea, he noticed his daughter hadn't refilled any cups. He gently tapped the tea table and called out, "Cynthia, please refill my tea." Caught off guard by her father's voice, Cynthia, still in tears, quickly replied, "Okay, Dad." She rushed to the teapot without wiping her tears. Nathaniel then noticed her tear-streaked face and the redness around her eyes. Concerned, he asked, "Cynthia, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" The others glanced over at Cynthia Wade as well. Charlie also noticed her red eyes and the tears that had formed, mingling with her thick makeup, revealing glimpses of sadness and loneliness in her expression. Feeling the weight of everyone's attention, Cynthia hastily wiped her tears and covered her mouth, exclaiming, "Oh? I’m fine... just lost in thought..." Lord Wade felt a pang of sympathy and inquired, "What were you thinking about? Why are you crying at your age?" Cynthia struggled to find words and could only lower her head with a sigh, "Oh, it’s nothing, just missing my brother and sister-in-law." Upon saying this, her emotions intensified, and tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably. Everyone was taken aback, and Cynthia realized that her makeup would surely smudge if she kept crying. She was already embarrassed in front of Angie, and if she continued, she would likely appear ridiculous. Quickly, she stood up in a fluster and said, "You all keep chatting; I need to go to the bathroom." "Go ahead," the old man said, nodding and waving her off. Cynthia hurriedly exited the room. Charlie watched her leave and shook his head gently. The old man recognized Cynthia's sensitivity and turned to Charlie, sighing, "Your aunt has really faced many challenges over the years." He quickly added, "I mean emotionally, not in terms of material wealth." Charlie nodded slightly. Having spent many years on his own, living under the roofs of others, he had witnessed numerous struggles, joys, and sorrows, so he certainly understood.