Chapter 357
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Widi glanced down at Yvonne beside her, nodding thoughtfully in approval. It wasn’t just Jeremy–she couldn’t help but admire how delicately beautiful the girl was, and with such a sharp mind too. No mischievous boy in the world deserved someone like her.
After a brief pause, Widi asked, “So, how long have you known Anna? Where did you meet her?”
Her inner gossip instincts kicked in again, and this time, no one, least of all a child, was off–limits for her questions.
However, Yvonne was more than happy to share. She loved telling everyone about her friendship with Anna, practically bursting with pride that they were such good friends.
With a slight tilt of her head, she looked up at Widi, her voice both sweet and eager as she recounted everything
Widi thought, ‘If Anna were here, Yvonne would have dragged her right over and introduced her to me without a second thought.
When Widi heard how fondly Yvonne spoke of her best friend, she couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity. “Has she come today?” Widi asked, her voice casual but laced with genuine interest.
She knew that Laura’s engagement party was packed with guests–any family in their circle that hadn’t had any conflicts or rivalries with them was likely invited. Widi thought, ‘Maybe I’ll finally see what Anna looks like!
Yvonne had praised her to the heavens, speaking of her as if she were something unique and irreplaceable. The adoration in her voice made Widi feel a small pang of jealousy.
Why hadn’t she had a friend like Yvonne when she was younger? If someone had treated her that way back then, who knew how optimistic and sunny she would have turned out today?
But Widi’s thoughts were quickly interrupted when she noticed the little girl’s sudden shift in mood. Yvonne’s lips pressed together in a small frown, her big, dark eyes blinking twice before she spoke in a soft, almost sad voice.
“Anna went home with Grandpa. I won’t be able to see her again until school starts,” Yvonne said quietly.
Hearing the sadness in her voice, Jeremy quickly stepped in to change the subject. He moved to sit next to Yvonne and. smiled brightly at her.
“Don’t worry, Yvonne, you can still call Anna tonight on your watch. And Blorence City isn’t too far. If you miss her, we can always fly back. We still have a house there, remember?”
Yvonne’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she nodded enthusiastically, her voice soft and full of excitement. “Sure, sure!” she said eagerly.
Though she couldn’t visit Anna right now, she kept up with everything happening in Anna’s world every day. She also made sure to share her own experiences, so loneliness never even crossed her mind.
At that thought, Yvonne’s face brightened with two soft, white dimples, her legs swinging contentedly.
Widi couldn’t help but envy that kind of pure, genuine affection. She thought, ‘A child like Yvonne, with such an innocent and loving heart, would surely be cherished no matter where she went.
People who are loved often share certain qualities. As Widi watched, she couldn’t help but imagine what Yvonne would look like when she grew up.
Widi thought, ‘How wonderful. When I’m four in my next life, I want to live as joyfully and endearingly as she does!
As she was lost in thought, Widi’s phone suddenly buzzed with several incoming messages. She glanced at it and saw a text from one of her friends. After quickly.typing a reply, she stood up and said her goodbyes to Yvonne.
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“I have a friend waiting for me in the hotel lobby,” she explained. “I’m going to meet her now.”
Yvonne looked up at her, listening quietly, then raised her small hand in a gentle wave, much like a little lucky charm. “Goodbye, Widi,” she said softly.
Widi’s expression softened as she smiled. “Bye–bye.”
She turned to leave, but then, as if remembering something, she suddenly looked back at Jeremy.
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Her tone shifted immediately, becoming stern as she pointed at his hand. “Jeremy, your hands are filthy. Don’t touch Yvonne until you wash them.”
Jeremy, mid–reach for Yvonne, froze, a bit taken aback. He muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed. But after Widi left, he begrudgingly went to wash his hands and even applied hand–cream afterward.
Only then did he feel ready to hold Yvonne without guilt.
Not long after, the place began to fill up as more guests arrived. As the evening drew nearer and the dinner hour approached, most people had already arrived. Yvonne even spotted a familiar face in the crowd.
Today, her family had come, but not Carol. Instead, it was Ian. He had arrived with Wendy, and they brought along Grave as well. They exchanged a few words with Yvonne, making sure she was having fun before they left, satisfied that she was in good hands.
Meanwhile, the area around Richard was becoming particularly crowded, with a growing crowd gathered around him.
Wherever he went, he was always the center of attention. Even when he occasionally decided to attend a gathering on a whim, the hosts treated him like a prized guest, carefully and respectfully catering to his every need.
His public image was one of cold authority–stern, unreadable, and never showing a hint of emotion. People never knew what he was thinking, so no one dared to act out of line in his presence.
Most people kept their distance, eager to make a good impression but too afraid to approach him directly.
Yet today, something felt different. Richard was smiling, his usual imposing aura softened, and several guests began to shift, feeling a surge of courage.
After observing him, they realized he was in a good mood today. That was all it took for them to approach finally. Once the first brave soul stepped forward, others followed quickly, and soon, a crowd had gathered around him.
The room was filled with sharp minds, and regardless of their initial intentions, everyone’s first priority was to win Richard’s favor. So flattering words spilled out of their mouths as if they were free, each person keenly observing his expressions, quietly wondering what he was truly thinking.
Richard’s appearance was remarkably better now–the occasion’s joy lifted his mood. He appeared, in fact, a good ten years younger than the last time they’d seen him.
Those standing closest couldn’t help but be astonished. Richard’s vitality seemed to surpass even that of the forty- somethings around him.
An elderly man, about the same age as Richard, couldn’t hide his envy and muttered with a touch of bitterness, his eyes dark with longing, “Had I known, I wouldn’t have sat next to you. It’s tough getting old enough, but now you’ve made me look
even older.”
The two who were aware of their shared age chuckled, while those who didn’t know better might have thought they weren’t even from the same generation.
Richard’s smile only widened at the mention of this, his joy uncontained. “Nonsense,” he chuckled, his voice full of warmth.
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The others joined in, their compliments sincere despite their clear desire to flatter him. As Richard paned his cities His satisfaction was unmistakable.
However, he couldn’t resist adding with a wink, “Ah, thanks to Carol for making me this outfit. it makes for hisk yo
