"Mommy..."

Ophie was wearing a little pink dress, her sparse hair tied into two tiny pigtails.

Pinned to her pigtails were incredibly cute pink bunny clips.

With every wobbly step she took, the pigtails bounced.

The little girl was growing to look more and more like her mother. Especially when

she smiled, her sweet little face was a carbon copy of Charlotte's.

"Mommy, f'ower for you!"

"Oh my, careful now, little miss."

Seeing her teetering gait, Helen rushed forward in a panic, intending to hover protectively by her side.

"No, don't want..."

Ophie puckered her lips, pushing Helen away. Clutching a flower tightly in her hand, she marched over to her mother.

"Here!"

She proudly presented the flower to her mother.

"Good girl."

Charlotte reached out and accepted it. Staring at the 'flower' that had been shaken until only the bare stem remained, she managed a strained smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Ophie clapped her hands happily, spinning around to look for her brother.

Spotting her brother squatting on the carpet surrounded by a pile of fascinating toys, her eyes instantly lit up, and she hurriedly waddled over.

"Bubba!"

Ophie had walked quite a distance and finally lost her balance, flopping right onto her brother's back. Her bright, clear eyes betrayed an endearing innocence.

Whatever her brother was looking at, she was determined to look at too.

To avoid distracting the babies from their Choosing Ceremony, everyone in the sprawling living room held their breath, too afraid to make a sound.

Fred was a calm and collected child. His eyes darted around, meticulously surveying every single item on the carpet.

Finally, his gaze locked onto the replica gun his father had laid down.

Everyone held their breath.

Choosing the gun was a great sign!

He'd be a police officer when he grew up, protecting the innocent!

Charlotte and Anthony exchanged a glance, keeping their thoughts to themselves.

They could only marvel at the fact...

That their empire would have a worthy heir!

"What do you think Ophie will pick?"

Emily crouched on the floor,

watching Ophie crawl around, her

eyes curving into a smile.

ques

is she'll definitely go straight for the Bun."

That girl loved to eat.

"I think..." Kenneth glanced at his sister beside him, clearing his throat as he deliberately lowered his voice. "She's definitely going to take after Her mother. She loves money

Like mother, like daughter.

"Play time!"

Ophie awkwardly squatted down on her chubby little legs, examining one item, then the next.

Finally.

She slowly crawled all the way to the back, grabbing the plump white Bun and the hundred-dollar bill Charlotte had tossed down.

Everyone was left speechless.

Well then.

She loved food, and she loved money.

"That's wonderful, just wonderful!"

The elders of both families exchanged glances, forcing bright smiles onto their faces.

A healthy appetite is a blessing.

Truly a blessing.

"Mommy!"

After grabbing the money, Ophie shakily pushed herself to her feet. She carefully shuffled over to Charlotte, hugged her leg, and declared in her sweet, babyish voice, "For Mommy!"

Ophie was an observant little girl. She knew perfectly well who ruled this household and exactly who she needed to curry favor with.

Staring at the little girl hugging her leg, trying so hard to stand on her tiptoes, Charlotte's heart melted. She leaned down and scooped her up int@her arms, then called out to coaxing a "Come here."

Pre like she was sitten.

Fred pursed his lips, working hard to stand up, and walked steadily over to his mother's side.

"Daddy's got you."

Anthony leaned down, picking him up.

The brother and sister obediently rested in their parents' arms, clutching the birthday treasures they had selected.

The two families eagerly presented the gifts they had brought with them.

The presents for the brother and sister were separated, forming two massive, colorful mounds.

"Do you want to look at your presents?"

Anthony tapped Fred's little cheek, asking softly.

"Later."

Fred shook his head, resting obediently against his father's chest. He let out a tiny

yawn, his speech remarkably clear.

"We'll look later, then."