“Caroline, I hope you can bring our family to greater heights and back to its prime. That way, you will be respected instead of receiving their faux courtesy. For all we know, they could be badmouthing us behind our backs.”After a moment of silence, Caroline said, “Mom, even you couldn’t lead the family back to what it was before after all these years. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to do it. Fisher Enterprise has much room for improvement in various aspects. However, those in charge of the respective departments are my brothers and children of other elders in the family.”Caroline had not gained enough foothold in the company, so there was nothing she could do to those people yet. “With them around, it’ll be difficult for the company to return to its peak. They’re only thinking about filling their own pockets instead of putting the company before themselves.”It was all because of Belinda. Although she obeyed the family tradition of handing down the position of matriarch to
After all, Wildridge Manor belonged to the Yorks; not just anyone can stay there. Belinda stared at Caroline. If Caroline had been by her side all this while, she would have become more outstanding than she was now. Heck, she could have been chosen by Old Mrs. York to be the York family’s granddaughter-in-law. “You’re still young. There’ll be many opportunities for you in the future. I’m old. I might not even go to Wiltspoon anymore after this.”Caroline smiled. “You’re right. Since you’re heading there to relax, why don’t you bring Dad along? He can’t do much, but he can accompany you and make you happy.”Belinda chided Caroline, “How can you talk about your father that way? No matter how incompetent, he’s the reason you’re even born.”Caroline pouted. “It’s a fact. You should’ve looked for a better man back then.”“A capable man would’ve refused to be a live-in son-in-law for our family. It’s fine if you dislike the man Hunter brought last time. I can introduce someone else t
Things would have been different if so. Belinda only had one option now—Caroline. Moments later, Celine barged in. Belinda frowned upon seeing her adopted daughter while she was reminiscing about her past. Frustration overtook her expression, and she said, “How many times have I told you to knock before entering? You never listen.”The daughter she had spent much effort raising did not even have basic etiquette. She had spoiled Celine rotten. Belinda was glad that Celine was not her biological daughter. Otherwise, she would have been angered to death upon seeing the successor she spent over two decades nurturing being such a failure.”“Sorry, Mom. I forgot.”Celine immediately went out and closed the door. Then, she knocked on the door again and only entered after obtaining Belinda’s permission. She sat opposite Belinda. “I want to ask you something, Mom. Did our family receive the York family’s invitation?”Since Celine could not attend the wedding as Hayden’s partner,
“You look great. My daughter is always beautiful,”“Mom, I need new clothes to go with this new necklace.”Belinda smiled. “You have plenty of new clothing in your dressing room. Some of those have never been worn.”That being said, she still handed a card to Celine and said, “You can buy whatever you want. Cheer up.”Celine perked up upon receiving the card.“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”“You grew up by my side. Even if we’re not blood-related, I’ve always treated you as my own. Even Caroline doesn’t get such good treatment from me.”“But you allowed Caroline to chase me out of the company and stopped me from returning to work.”Belinda’s smile disappeared. She said strictly, “Celine, you should be grateful that I allowed you to keep Fisher as your last name instead of reverting it to your father’s. Stop desiring more. Don’t forget that if it weren’t for your father’s ambitions, Caroline wouldn’t have grown up in a farming village.“You stole everything that should’ve belon
Celine alighted the car and walked toward her mother. She pushed her and scolded, “Are you crazy? Even if you wish to die, don’t do it under my car and dirty it.“If you were to die because I couldn’t hit the brakes in time, what would people say about me? They’ll say I look down on the poor, and that I would rather stay with my adoptive mother than my birth mother for that very reason.”The woman’s gaze was fixed on Celine. She was no different from any other mothers who would never not miss their child.Carmen had always known that her daughter was the Fisher family’s successor. However, the truth was exposed just when she thought her husband’s scheme would succeed. Although Carmen was disappointed, her daughter could finally return to her side. With the education and training Celine had received from the Fishers, her daughter could bring their family out of poverty. Unfortunately, Celine refused to return while Caroline went back to the Fishers too. It was as if Carmen ha
Celine said coldly, “Spend this money on nicer clothes. Stop dressing up like an old-fashioned farmer. Oh, but you’re already one. Take the money and get lost. Never, ever, appear before me again.”After saying her piece, Celine walked to her car and drove off. Carmen was left crying on the street. Her biological daughter hated her. She knew she could not compare to Belinda Fisher. It was all that woman’s fault for snatching her daughter away. While crying, Carmen picked up the cash and started counting it on the spot. Her tears gradually stopped flowing as she counted the money. Celine often had about ten thousand dollars in cash inside her wallet. With a casual throw, Carmen obtained quite a lot of money. As a farmer’s wife, it was a cash windfall. She thought of Caroline, who had grown up in her home. The same girl had already become Belinda’s successor and snatched everything that was supposed to be inherited by Celine. Carmen resented Caroline for that. She go
Quinn was unaware she was Julian’s destined woman, the only one he was attracted to, and nobody else.“I just arrived, Ms. Crawford,” replied Julian with a smile. Seeing his hands full, Quinn said, “You could’ve come without bringing anything along.”“It’s my first time meeting my coach. It’s only appropriate to prepare some gifts. I can’t possibly come empty-handed.”Quinn smiled. “Are you so confident my dad will accept you as his student? Let’s go. My house is nearby. You can have a meal at my house and meet my dad. We can see if he’s willing to take you in.”“Sounds great.”Quinn led Julian to her house. “Didn’t you say you would be Mr. York’s groomsman? Why are you here?” she asked while she took some of the load Julian was carrying.She had just returned from Wiltspoon two days ago. Looking at the stuff he brought, she told him, “You bought so many expensive gifts. It must’ve cost a lot.”The cigarettes, alcohol, and supplements Julian bought were from well-known bra
Quinn brought Julian to her house. It was not far from Power Fitness, and she met many acquaintances along the way. They saw Quinn walking beside a handsome man who was holding lots of stuff. They naturally assumed that Julian was Quinn’s boyfriend. “Is this your boyfriend, Ms. Crawford? He’s handsome.”“Is he your boyfriend, Quinn? To think your parents were worried you couldn’t get married. I told them not to worry because there’s no way you can’t get married with your looks.”“Your parents will be happy that you’re bringing a man home. They won’t have to worry anymore.”The parents of Quinn’s students or her neighbors would greet her and ask about her and Julian’s relationship. Quinn quickly explained to one of her neighbors, “This is Mr. Bucham. He’s here to learn martial arts from my dad.”Mrs. Patterson said, “Oh, I thought he was your boyfriend.”After glancing at Julian, she pulled Quinn aside and whispered, “I recognize all of your father’s students, Quinn, but this