Chapter 9
When Gloria rushed back with the medicine, Averie had already composed herself and was sitting on the bed waiting for her.
“Averie, are you feeling better?” Gloria asked with concern. “If it really hurts, we should go to the hospital.”
Averie clung to Gloria’s arm like a spoiled child. “Thanks, Mom. I’m fine now. Thinking about getting your love makes me feel like I’m dreaming!”
Gloria was taken aback. “Wasn’t your foster mother nice to you?”
Averie lowered her head, pretending to be upset. “She doesn’t have much education and brags about being from a top university, but can’t even show her diploma. She just lies all day and yells at me. How could she compare to you?”
“That’s outrageous!” Gloria said angrily. “We were planning to give them some compensation when we sent Solana back since they raised you for 18 years. But we never expected them to mistreat you! Hmph, those uncultured country bumpkins just aren’t up to standard! Don’t worry, Averie; now that you’re home, we’ll take good care of you and make up for all those years we missed out on with you!”
“Mom, what are you talking about? You’ve been so good to me. I’m already very content,” Averie replied.
Seeing such a sweet daughter made Gloria feel even more guilty. She said quickly, “I’ll have Hana clean up Solana’s room so you can move in there soon. You’re the lady of this house, and of course, you should live in the best room!”
“It’s okay, Mom. Actually…” Averie hesitated.
“What is it? You’re in our own home. You can say whatever you want.” Gloria frowned.
Averie finally spoke up. “Mom, as you know, my foster parents aren’t educated and act rudely, especially my foster father, who thinks he’s rich despite not being one at all. I’ve long been fed up with them. And since Solana has always been pampered by both of us while growing up, I’m worried she might not adapt right away; when Dad told her about her background earlier today, she was so shocked she couldn’t speak properly. So maybe let her stay here for a few more days until she gets used to it before sending her off? So I’m in no rush about switching rooms.”
“Averie, my dear child!” Seeing her daughter so sweet and understanding, Gloria felt even more tender towards her and pulled her into a warm embrace, saying, “Alright, whatever you say. After all, it’s not like we can’t afford her food.”
Over the years, due to Solana, Robert had become suspicious of her infidelity, causing her considerable mental torment. Therefore, when she learned that Solana was not her biological daughter, a surge of resentment instantly directed all her accumulated dissatisfaction towards Solana.
Now that Averie had made a request, she’d definitely agree to it.
This was her way of making up for eighteen years of lost time with her biological daughter.
And still not enough. Her biological daughter deserved even better treatment!
Averie continued, “Dad said he’ll transfer me to Knight International School next semester. So, Mom, can I ask Solana to accompany me and check out the school tomorrow? I want to familiarize myself with the route before classes begin.
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“I heard that the school is huge, so I won’t get lost once school starts. After all, Solana is already very familiar with that area.”
Gloria nodded eagerly. “Sure thing.”
Thinking about how Solana, who had smoothly progressed through elementary school straight into high school at Knight International School, would soon bid farewell to this nationally renowned institution almost made Averie laugh out loud.
‘So what if Solana excelled academically? No money means no access to Knight International School,’ she sneered inwardly.
“Alright, I’m off to tell Solana the good news.” Averie sprang out of Gloria’s embrace and darted out the door.
Gloria sighed, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. She had been worried that the country bumpkin couple would spoil Averie, but she never expected her daughter to be so sweet.
She was truly grateful to God for bringing Averie back, thinking she needed to plan a grand welcoming party for her gem’s
return.
Hana zipped through packing Solana’s clothes in just three minutes.
Solana couldn’t help but chuckle seeing the two outdated outfits Hana had dug out from the bottom of her wardrobe.
Hana tossed the clothes at her feet, saying, “Ms. Web- Oh, I mean, Ms. Spencer, grab ‘em and scram. Be grateful for Mr. Webb’s kindness that you even get these. They weren’t cheap, ya know. Bet you’ll never afford anything like them again in your life. Cherish them while you can.”
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Just then, Averie walked in.
Hana instantly put on a fawning smile. “Ms. Webb, what brings you here? Just say the word, and I’ll get it done right away.”
Averie, still sour about their recent spat, ordered coldly, “Out.”
Hana didn’t dare dawdle and hurried out.
With a click, Averie locked the door behind her.
She turned around, sneering, “Don’t worry. You’re not moving out tonight.”
Solana gave a cold sneer, looking at Averie mockingly. She had known it all along, and at this moment, she just wanted to watch Averie immerse herself in her acting.
Averie continued, “I talked it over with Mom. Tomorrow, you’ll take me to Knight International School for a visit. I’ll scope out the place, and you can say your goodbyes. After all, you won’t be setting foot in a posh school like that again. Don’t you dare cry, please.”
Solana almost laughed, reaching out her hand. “Gimme my parents‘ number.”
“Take it easy.” Averie smiled. “I’ll be out tomorrow. Meeting some friends at Room 10086 in Serenity Hotel. Be there at ten,
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and I’ll give you the number.”
“Fine by me.” Solana withdrew her hand.
Hearing this, Averie visibly relaxed, and as she turned to leave, Solana asked behind her, “Mom and Dad have no idea you’re coming to the Webb family to claim kinship, do they?”
Averie halted her steps instantly at the words.
“What did you tell them?” Solana pressed.
Finally, Averie turned around, proudly lifting her gorgeous little face, and said coldly, “They are so poor. If I told them, they’d definitely come over demanding a fortune. It’s so humiliating just thinking about it. Luckily, they aren’t my real parents. Oh, I haven’t told you how poor that family is, have I?” She smiled, then suddenly stopped and said, “I think I’ll keep that to myself for now, to leave you a surprise. I hope you can accept them when you go there.”
In her previous life, due to the persecution and schemes of the Webbs, Solana never got to see her birth parents, only knowing that her father was ruthlessly run over by Averie when he came to take her home. He wasn’t there for money.
Whether her parents were rich or poor, she simply didn’t care.
Solana clenched her fists at her sides, her desire to slap Averie overwhelming.
But she held back because Averie wouldn’t be laughing anymore after tomorrow.
Averie, seeing that Solana had taken the bait, managed to suppress a laugh and said, “I’ve got things to do. Gotta go.”
As soon as Averie left, Solana went straight to the dressing table and opened her jewelry box.
Over the years, Gloria had bought her a lot of expensive jewelry, which they wouldn’t allow her to take home.
Of course, she hadn’t thought of taking them either. Since the Webbs bought them, it was only fair that they were used by the Webb family.
She carefully selected a few of the most expensive pieces, and when her gaze fell on her phone, it suddenly dawned on her. ‘Odd. Given how I humiliated Mateo that night, it’s quite unusual that he didn’t come for me, considering his hot temper.‘
Well, that was not her concern. She picked up her phone and called Mateo.
For such a big event tomorrow, of course, Averie’s future boyfriend should be there to see it.
But unexpectedly, no one picked up the phone.
Meanwhile, Mateo had been kneeling in his father, Gordon’s study for three days.
The once lively young man was now scruffy, with sunken eyes and a stomachache from hunger. His phone, which he usually kept with him, was on the bed in his bedroom.
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Gordon had his back to Mateo, repeatedly making calls, but no one answered on the other end.
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His wife, Rosalind, pushed the door open and entered, seeing her son in such a state, she said with heartache, “It’s been days. Any anger should have subsided by now, right? Mateo is your own flesh and blood. No matter what, you should let him eat something.”
“All you think about is eating! Why doesn’t he just starve himself to death!” Gordon turned around angrily and slammed
his hand on the table. “And you, look at the fine son you’ve raised! Doesn’t know his place, still wet behind the ears, yet he dares to offend the Sandoval Group!”
With that, he threw his phone down hard onto Mateo’s head. “Do you know how much our stock price has dropped because of you?”
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