<h4>Chapter 137: A Hypocritical Woman</h4>


    E’s Grandma Carter was once the driving force behind Carter Group, dominating the business world for years. However, her story ended tragically: her own daughter was poisoned, and her biological son was switched at birth and is now lost somewhere unknown.


    The next day, around noon, E and Chloe were about to head out for lunch when they noticed a woman in a white dress standing under therge tree by the back door. The woman had a polished look, with an air of a strong, sessful woman.


    As soon as Leah saw E, she walked briskly towards them, blocking their path.


    Chloe blinked, confused, as she looked at E. This woman in the white dress—she had never seen her before.


    "Hello, cousin. I’m your cousin, Leah Carter. Are you heading out for lunch? How about I treat you both?" Leah’s eyes shed with a hint of arrogance, but her smile was sweet and approachable.


    E noticed that sh of arrogance and pressed her lips together. "Cousin? Since when did I have a cousin?"


    She knew these people wouldn’t leave her alone.


    And finding her here was the only way they could approach her directly. This Leah must be the woman Brian had mentioned—a woman with a sharp mind.


    "Oh, I’m your uncle’s daughter. Doesn’t that make me your cousin?" Leah responded calmly, smiling as she enthusiastically took E’s hand and led her toward the restaurant across the street.


    "I’ve heard the restaurant across the street is great. Let me treat you to a meal. E, don’t worry about the past—it’s not something I can control. I just want to have a meal with you, that’s all!"


    Without giving her a choice, Leah pulled E toward the restaurant. Chloe frowned. Although the woman had the samest name as her, she didn’t like someone so pushy and domineering.


    E found it a bit amusing, but she knew that refusing would only cause more trouble, so she followed Leah into the restaurant.


    "Is your ’cousin’ really not up to something? E, you should be careful. This woman doesn’t seem simple," Chloe whispered into E’s ear.


    E smiled. "Don’t worry, it’s just a meal."


    Leah handed the menu to E. "E, go ahead and order. Pick whatever you like, don’t be shy!"


    "Thank you," E replied, deliberately avoiding calling her "cousin." After all, Grandma Carter wanted her to sever ties with the Carter Group.


    If her grandfather hadn’t treated Grandma Carter so badly, Grandma Carter probably wouldn’t have been so resolute, right?


    "I’ll order!" Chloe said with a smile, snatching the menu and ordering the most expensive and best dishes, filling the table.


    E watched Leah closely, noticing that her expression and eyes didn’t betray a hint of difort.


    This woman was truly formidable.


    Even though she clearly looked down on E and disapproved of Chloe’s behavior, she remainedpletelyposed.


    "E, it’s your turn to order. Since your cousin is treating us, pick whatever you like!" Chloe said cheerfully.


    E shook her head. "Miss Carter, I believe Grandma Carter cut ties with my mother when she got married, and that was her wish. I won’t go against her wishes. So I can only address you as Miss Carter, and I hope you don’t mind."


    Leah’s smile stiffened slightly. Despite her warm and friendly demeanor, E still managed to say something like that.


    "No problem. Even if you don’t want to call me cousin, we can still be friends. Don’t be shy—order whatever you want."


    Leah’s smile returned, and E faintly smiled back. "Miss Carter, I eat at this restaurant almost every day, so there’s nothing in particr I’m craving."


    Despite being rebuffed multiple times, Leah remained calm and simply smiled. "E, Dad was just talking about you yesterday. He said your grades are excellent, alwaysing in first. It seems you’re on your way to bing a strong woman yourself."


    E pressed her lips together. "It doesn’t matter whether I be a powerful woman or not, as long as I’m happy."


    Frank was indeed impressive, having even dug up information about her academic performance!


    Sending Leah ahead to meet her was clearly just an attempt to y on emotions.


    Just then, a group of boisterous boys walked in. Spotting E and Chloe, they came over to greet them.


    One of them was a new transfer student but already quite close to Chloe—her childhood friend, Damien Sterling.


    In her previous life, Damien had been good to E, a friend worth cherishing.


    Damien nced at Leah briefly. "You all enjoy your meal. I won’t interrupt. I’ll treat you to lunch tomorrow!"


    "Great, Damien! I’ve been waiting for that meal for too long!" Chloe said with a lightugh, while Leah lifted her captivating eyes to take a look at Damien. "Ah, youth is wonderful. Seeing you all reminds me of my high school days!"


    Leah, such an outstanding woman, loved to make her presence known. Unfortunately for her, Damien merely gave her a passing nce before warmly inviting E, "E, do you have time tonight? Want to go sing karaoke?"


    "Karaoke? I really like that too. E, how about it?" Leah quickly seized the opportunity to ingratiate herself with E.


    "Sorry, but I didn’t invite you, did I? It’s a ssmate gathering, and having a stranger there would make me ufortable," Damien said bluntly.


    The boys around them burst intoughter. "Damien, how can you be so stingy? The goddess wants to hang out with you, and you’re being so cruel by rejecting her!"


    Damien let out a snort and winked at E. "E, Chloe, I’m waiting for your answer!" With that, he turned and joined the table of boys nearby.


    Leah’s expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained herposure with an awkward smile.


    E couldn’t help but admire Leah’s ability to keep her emotions in check. Damien had clearly noticed Chloe’s dislike for Leah and purposely made things difficult for her.


    Just then, the food was served, filling the table with delicious dishes.


    However, Leah, who was used to dining at high-end restaurants, looked down on this small eatery. Still, she picked up the utensils and cheerfully ced some sd on E’s te.


    "E, this sd looks nice. You should try it!"


    She forced a smile, but E’s eyes remained cool and indifferent. "Thank you, Miss Carter, but I don’t like others serving me."


    For every attempt Leah made to be friendly, E responded with rejection.


    Even the most patient person would feel embarrassed and angry by now, but Leah’s smile only grew brighter. "Oh, I see. I’ll be sure not to be too enthusiastic in the future."


    Chloe couldn’t help but smirk. "In the future?" It seemed Leah nned to cling to E for a while!


    E kept her head down, eating quietly without engaging in much conversation. When Leah tried to make small talk, E responded with only a word or two.


    After an uneventful lunch, E and Chloe thanked Leah and headed back to school.


    Leah calmly turned and got into her car. Once the door was closed, the slight smile on her lips turned into a severe frown.


    "She’s such a difficult person to deal with! Does she think she’s some kind of princess? Ugh! Just like that old hag, a worthless nobody!"


    Once back in the car, Leah’s demeanorpletely changed, sneering as she insulted E. "If it weren’t for reiming the shares that old hag carelessly gave away, I wouldn’t even bother sitting with that wretched girl!"


    After venting her frustration, Leah felt slightly better.


    But then she recalled the young man in the restaurant, and her eyes grew cold.


    She pulled out her phone and called her assistant. "Look into Damien Sterling and Chloe Carter from S City High School. I want to know exactly who they are!"