Chapter 4 Top-Tier Elite Jennings Family

Jennings Family.

Located in the heart of Sea City, Silver River One was the most exclusive community in the entire city.

Even though every inch of land was worth gold, the villas boasted a green rate as high as 80%. Besides a separately excavated artificial lake, there were lavishly designed landscaped rock gardens.

The security of the villas was on par with retired special forces, and to view or purchase a property required verification of financial qualifications, because this was where the city's elite gathered.

Scarlett Garrison knew about this place.

Timothy Garrison had always dreamed of buying a house here.

Living here meant being neighbors with the top echelon and becoming a member of the elite.

A uniform fleet of helicopters was parked on the spacious helipad in the villa district. Nearby, a black Maybach awaited them. The three switched cars, drove through the expansive lawns of the estate, and finally stopped in front of a four-story manor villa.

Donovan Jennings got out of the car with Scarlett Garrison, while Samuel Chalmers remained seated.

When others reunited with family, no matter how good the relationship, it wasn't appropriate to intrude. This was out of courtesy.

Donovan waved a hand, and the Maybach started again, driving deeper into the villa area.

"The Chalmers Family lives just ahead. I'll formally take you to visit them later," Donovan explained, then led Scarlett Garrison inside.

The European-style manor villa exuded a luxurious grandeur.

Walking through the garden and entering the villa doors, they bypassed the entrance to the living room, where Scarlett Garrison was met with the sight of a large group of Jennings family members sitting in the room.

On the way there, Donovan had given her a brief overview.

As Scarlett had previously speculated, the Jennings Family was indeed one of the Four Great Families of Sea City, comprising four branches: three sons and a daughter, each with their own family.

The old master had stepped down due to health reasons the previous year, leaving the Jennings Group to the eldest, Luca Jennings.

The second uncle, Michael Jennings, was a domestic first-tier singer in his youth, later founding his own entertainment company, and was now a top figure in the industry.

The third uncle, Blaise Jennings, served as the Vice President of the Jennings Group, independently managing several key industries of the group.

The aunt, Brianna Jennings, was also a strong woman, having created an international first-tier brand and wielding great influence in the fashion circle.

As for the younger generation, it seemed the Jennings Family had an abundance of male descendants, with the exception of the youngest daughter of the second branch and Azura Loomis, who was a daughter fostered by the Jennings Matriarch from her maternal family.

Looking at the crowd before her, it was apparent that most members of the Jennings Family were present.

Upon seeing Scarlett and Donovan enter, all eyes turned to her, their gazes either scrutinizing, curious, indifferent, or... subtly dissatisfied.

"Grandfather."

Donovan maintained his usual demeanor, stepping forward with long strides toward the elderly man sitting in the center of the sofa, introducing, "This is Scarlett."

He then gestured toward Scarlett,

"Scarlett, greet Grandfather."

Scarlett looked at the elderly man sitting upright with a smile in the center.

She wasn't particularly skilled at face reading, despite the gentle smile in the old man's eyes. However, his prominent nose, broad forehead, and deep-set eyes marked him as someone with strong opinions—

In other words, someone accustomed to giving orders.

"Grandfather," Scarlett obediently greeted him.

The old man nodded and warmly said, "Good, it's good you've returned. From now on, you are the eldest daughter of the Jennings Family; no one can bully you."

Donovan then turned to the man sitting next to Old Sir Jennings, Luca Jennings, and introduced, "This is Father."

Scarlett followed his gaze. Compared to the kindly appearance of Old Sir Jennings, Luca Jennings gave off a relatively cold and composed impression. Especially when viewed in profile, the angles of his features exuded a certain hardness, and his well-defined features hinted at his once handsome visage.

The fine lines etched by time on his face showed not the slightest sign of aging but rather emanated the charm of a mature man—

Quite different from Timothy Garrison.

Scarlett opened her mouth slightly and softly called, "Father."

Luca Jennings' thin lips tightened slightly at this address, his entire face revealing little emotion as he looked at Scarlett. After a long pause, he replied in a deep voice,

"Mm."

Donovan then took her to meet each of the other Jennings family elders individually.

Scarlett silently observed the surrounding Jennings family members. Apart from the grandmother still in the sanatorium and another cousin, almost everyone was present.

However, among these people, her mother was absent.

According to Donovan, when she was abducted, her mother had pursued the kidnapper alone, but she accidentally fell into the sea midway, and to this day, not even her remains had been recovered.

Perhaps she was feeling a bit somber when the woman who had been addressed as second aunt earlier approached voluntarily, affectionately wrapped an arm around Scarlett, her eyes full of pity and affection.

"Scarlett, you're probably tired from your journey. Second Aunt has already prepared a room for you. Let's see if you like it, and if there's anything you don't like, just let me know anytime."

In family matters, Old Sir Jennings adhered to traditional values, emphasizing that while parents were alive, the family should remain united. Except for the already married fourth daughter, the other three branches all lived together in this manor villa.

The woman, named Odessa, appeared to be around forty but had maintained both her figure and skin extremely well. At first glance, she had all the trappings of an aristocratic lady.

Yet, the pity on her face coupled with the vanity and obsession evident in her demeanor struck Scarlett as incongruous.

Scarlett quietly withdrew her arm and was about to express her gratitude when a young boy, around thirteen or fourteen, suddenly jumped out from the side, exclaiming,

"Second Aunt, give her a different room. The one she got was Sister Azura's toy room, and if she takes it, Sister Azura won't have a place for her dolls."

The boy was the youngest son of the third branch, named Lucas Jennings, and was known among the Jennings Family as the most brash.

Indeed, as soon as he spoke, several people in the sitting room showed expressions of exasperation.

Third Uncle Blaise Jennings immediately put on a stern face, "What nonsense are you spouting?! It's none of your concern."

"Why are you scolding me? It's not like I'm lying," Lucas Jennings retorted stubbornly. "The house has so many rooms that aren't used, and as soon as she comes, she has to take over Sister Azura's toy room. Why's that fair?!"

The girl sitting among the younger generation had already stood up without anyone noticing. A look of slight self-reproach appeared on her delicate and fair face,

"Stop it, Lucas."

This was Azura Loomis, as the boy referred to.

Azura Loomis was the niece from Old Lady Jennings' side of the family. Back when Scarlett went missing, to console her eldest son and also to balance the predominance of males in the Jennings Family, Old Lady Jennings especially brought Azura from her maternal home to live with them. She had been raised alongside her cousins since the age of three.

Azura turned to Scarlett and said gently, "Don't mind Lucas, Scarlett. He doesn't mean any harm. He just can't stand me being wronged. That room is yours if it's given to you. I'm fine with it."

Her attitude was gracious and proper, yet each word subtly emphasized her grievances.

She demonstrated the familiar behavior often seen in Isolde Garrison.

Scarlett pondered silently.

Could it be that her peculiar disposition always attracted these types of tea lovers?

The girl turned her head and feigned a scolding manner, "Apologize quickly, Lucas. Scarlett is your sister."

"Tch," the boy scoffed with disdain, muttering under his breath, "How is she my sister?"

With a "clang," a cup was suddenly slammed heavily onto the marble table, abruptly silencing the living room.