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“Alexander’s got a lot on his plate back home, so he had to head back. Me? I’m not as tied figured I’d stick around in Coraland for a bit.”
up,
sol
“If I’m sticking around in Coraland, living in the embassy just won’t do. I’ve had Eason snag a villa right next to yours. Looks like we’re going to be neighbors.”
Judith said this nervously, stealing a glance at Susan, “Susan, you won’t hold this against me, right?”
Judith had a soft look about her, and when those hopeful eyes met yours, there was a kind of dreamy
vibe to her presence.
Susan always thought that if she said she would, Judith might just break down crying right then and
there.
So, she hurriedly said, “No, I won’t.”
Judith lit up with happiness, “So not rejecting me outright kind of means you’re open to the idea. Susan, you might not call me ‘Mom‘ just yet, but I can tell I’ve carved out a little spot in your heart.”
It was indeed…
And it wasn’t just Susan. Even Ben couldn’t stop his eyelids from twitching.
Judith’s mood lifted, and after a moment, she said, “I’ve recently settled into a new place and I’d love to
have you over for dinner tonight. Would you grace me with your presence?”
Finishing her words, Judith looked expectantly at Susan.
Susan really couldn’t resist Judith’s gaze and nodded in agreement.
Judith got up with a smile, “I’ll head home and get things ready. Come over when you can.”
After Susan agreed, Judith then left with Eason and Penny, looking very delighted.
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Penny observed Judith’s gleeful display, her eyes dimming with a tinge of discomfort.
It had been many years since Judith had been this happy.
Ever since the loss, she’s been crying herself to sleep every night, and at her lowest, she spent a whole year in silence, not uttering a single word.
Penny caught on quickly after arriving at the Nicholas family. She realized she was only adopted because she looked a bit like Judith; they figured having her around might ease Judith’s ache for her missing daughter.
She understood the significance of her presence.
Thus, for over twenty years, she had been carefully gauging Judith’s preferences, trying her best to take care of and please Judith.
Even though she sometimes managed to coax a smile from Judith, those smiles were forced, mere
facades.
But the laughter now, it was genuine, full of joy – and it made her feel a twinge of envy.
Penny’s hand slowly clenched into a fist.
Susan!
Susan!
Penny thought, “I’ve worked so hard for so long just to earn a bit of affection from them.”
“But you? You don’t do anything, and yet they treasure you like you’re the most priceless.”
“Why is that?”
“You should know that Judith and Eason have their own affairs in Tonico.”
Judith had her royal duties to attend to, while Eason was busy running his business.
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Yet, their attachment to Susan was so strong that they were prepared to give up everything back home just to stay here with her.
When Penny heard about their decision, she even subtly tried to persuade them.
Unexpectedly, Alexander was actually very supportive of them.
What else could she, an adopted daughter, say?
Judith thought she was not adjusting well to Coraland and asked her to go back with Alexander.
But how dare she go back?
If she went back, Susan would undoubtedly steal all of Judith and Eason’s affection.
So where would that leave her in this family?
Penny even vaguely foresaw her own future of being kicked out!
Therefore, she cannot leave!
She must not only stay but also work harder to show herself.
She was determined to show Judith and Eason that, blood ties or not, she was the one who truly held a special place in their hearts.
Weren’t they all buzzing for a bit back when they thought Yana was the long–lost daughter of the
Nicholas family?
But within a few days, Yana’s selfish and vile nature disappointed them, didn’t it?
And Susan, likewise raised in the Miller family, how much better could she be?
As Judith and Eason really spend a few days with her, they will surely be disappointed as well.
Thinking this way, Penny barely managed to calm down.
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What she needed to do now was to perform well.
The evening banquet was her best chance to showcase herself.
As evening set in, Judith, eager to please, rallied top chefs to whip up an array of delicacies tailored to Susan’s and the Landors‘ known preferences.
She even braved the kitchen, dedicating an afternoon to experimenting until she nailed a recipe for roast ribs, which was said to be Susan’s favorite.
The Landors showed up right on schedule.
Judith, with a warm gesture toward Susan, eagerly greeted everyone else to take a seat.
At the table, Judith kept suggesting dishes to Susan, encouraging her to help herself to more.
Susan obediently and cleverly ate.
Seeing how much she relished her meal, Judith grew fonder of her by the minute.
She carefully served a piece of roast ribs onto Susan’s plate.
Susan didn’t think too much and ate it straight away.
Judith suddenly became nervous, “How is it?”
The roast ribs weren’t quite chef–level, but catching Judith’s hopeful look, Susan understood. She grinned and said, “They’re delicious, definitely the highlight of the meal.”
Judith immediately relaxed, her smile becoming even more radiant.
Eason said with a grin, “Susan! Mom whipped this up herself. It’s been nearly thirty years since she last
got behind the stove.”
Susan’s face lit up with surprised delight and she said, “You wouldn’t guess it’s been thirty years since
she last cooked with skills like that.”
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Judith’s laughter grew even warmer. She gestured to the platter, encouraging Susan with a smile, “Help yourself to some more.”
Susan graciously complied, enjoying the meal contently.
Penny observed Judith’s satisfied expression, her gaze shifting subtly.
She nudged a portion of fish onto Judith’s plate with a gentle reminder, “Mom, you’ve got to look after yourself as well, not just take care of Susan all the time.”
Judith responded and took a bite.
Penny’s voice was gentle, “Mom, I remember you like your fish with a tangy kick, sol tossed in some tomato for that extra zing. How’s the taste?”
“It’s delicious,” Judith said with a smile, “It’s my taste.”
Penny said gently, “After all, I am your daughter. If I didn’t know what my Mom likes, what kind of daughter would I be?”
Ben glanced at her, his gaze indifferent, and quickly looked away.
He lowered his eyes to Susan.
Susan missed the subtle hint in Penny’s words and just kept on enjoying her meal.
Ben offered a small smile and helped her to more of the spread.
Penny glanced at Susan and saw her carefree appearance, her eyes narrowing slightly.
If it had been Yana, she would have jumped at the chance to assert her authority after a comment like
that.
But Susan… she seemed oblivious, continuing to eat gladly.
Was this woman feigning ignorance, or did she truly not care?
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Penny was convinced it had to be the former.
Who wouldn’t be curious about the lineage of the princess of Tonico? Susan’s denial of any family ties was likely just a tactical move.
It seemed that this Susan was indeed more challenging to deal with than Yana.
An alarm sounded in Penny’s heart.
