Chapter 24: Take It Off

"Dinner is ready. Master Sidney, Miss Aubree, you may begin your dinner." Everly put the dishes on the table.

Aubree was already hungry. She got up from the couch and was about to find out what delicious food Everly had prepared today, but Sidney held her back, which caused her to lose her balance and fall right into his arms.

She looked at Sidney with some confusion.

"Where did this come from?" Sidney stared at the necklace dangling between Aubree's collarbones, his face gradually clouding over and his ice-like eyes radiating coldness.

Aubree could feel his brooding presence, but couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

"It's a birthday gift from my friend. Does it look good?" Aubree held it in her hand and showed it to Sidney. "It's my initial."

"Who is he?"

"Riley, I've told you about him before." Aubree raised her hand and showed the star bracelet. "Look, Uncle Sidney. It's a gift from Riley's mom and I love it so much!"

"Take it off." Sidney had no expression on his face, and his voice was also emotionless.

Aubree didn't say a word, and felt a little bit down inwardly. It wasn't easy for her to have the opportunity to receive a gift from someone other than him and Jacob. Why did she have to take it off?

Sidney arose from the couch, "Don't accept any of these pointless things in the future."

"How can you say that these things are pointless things? They're gifts for me... I really like them, why can't I wear them?" Aubree retracted her hand, not wanting to take them off.

"You can keep the bracelet, but you must take off the necklace."

There was no room for negotiation. It was an order.

Aubree pouted and whispered, "I won't take it off."

Sidney looked at her condescendingly. He didn't say anything else, but it gave Aubree a sense of oppression.

Aubree and Sidney were in a standoff for a long time. Sidney knew that Aubree was a stubborn person, but he didn't want to compromise with her at all this time.

"Let's have dinner. It's not good if the food gets cold." Everly was worried when she saw they were in conflict. Master Sidney had always doted on Miss Aubree and had hardly ever lost his temper. Why did he lose his temper twice this time?

"I'm not eating!" Aubree ran up the stairs in a fit of pique.

Wasn't it just a necklace? She really didn't understand why Sidney was so angry.

"Miss Aubree!"

"Leave her alone." Sidney frowned and unloosed his tie impatiently. "I'm going overseas tomorrow, so keep an eye on her."

Since the accidents two years ago, he had rarely been away from home and he would never allow anything to happen to Aubree.

Everly acceded to his request and said, "Aren't you going to tell Miss Aubree?"

He didn't answer, but just looked at the food on the dining table. "I appreciate all the hard work you've been doing lately. You can take a few days off when Aubree finishes her exams."

"Master Sidney, I'm not tired." Everly looked toward the stairs leading to the second floor and asked, "Master Sidney, Miss Aubree has been studying very hard lately and I feel sorry for her. Actually Miss Aubree doesn't have to work so hard, as long as you say a word, she can go to any university she wants."

"What we earn by our own effort is always better than what we reap without sowing," Sidney said flatly.

He was never distressed by Aubree's constant effort; on the contrary, he was glad that she kept trying hard.

Sooner or later, she would lose everything and when she did, she would have to survive on her own terms.

So he wouldn't help her for this matter if he didn't have to.

Thinking of this, Sidney was not in the mood to eat either.

"Bring her dinner."

Everly got the message and brought some Aubree's favorite food upstairs.