Hearing Grace’s voice, Arnold was the first to react.
He quickly smiled and said, “Ma’am, you’re back.”
“Perfect timing. I was just about to take Miss Aurora out, and here you are what a rare coincidence.”
At that, Grace nearly teared up.
What seemed insignificant in her eyes could still be weighed and judged by others.
She looked at Arnold with a mocking smile. “Do you take me for a tool? Do things really happen by coincidence that often?” Arnold lowered his head, unsure how to respond.
Why hadn’t he noticed before how overpowering Grace’s presence could be?
Just a few words, and we already didn’t know how to continue.
Realizing this, he had no choice but to speak the truth.
“Ma’am, things are a bitplicated right now. And honestly, even if I tell you the truth, I don’t think you’ll believe me.”
Arnold stood straighter, visibly anxious. “So please understand, I truly wasn’t trying to go behind your back or do anything wrong to Miss Aurora.
“Thispetition is quite prestigious. It’s internationally recognized, and a lot of important people are paying attention. Even some of the judges are well–known foreign experts.”
Grace froze at his words.
“You’re saying Aurora has apetition today?”
Arnold saw she was finally beginning to listen, and relief flooded his chest. “Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. Ma’am, Miss Aurora has really worked hard for this.”
Grace’s well–maintained face showed a rare trace of confusion.
She looked toward Aurora, who was sitting on the sofa, and asked in shock, “If it’s that important, why didn’t you tell me from
the start?”
Aurora didn’t even know how to respond.
The older Aurora standing off to the side couldn’t help but feel a bit exasperated.
Even Arnold knew about this.
Yet Grace, her own mother, had to ask?
Was that question really necessary?
Of all things, how could she be unaware of what her own child had been preparing for?
Still, young Aurora kept herposure and said patiently, “Mom, I knew you were busy, so I just kept it to myself.
“And it’s not my first timepeting either. I have some experience with this sort of thing.”
Grace looked at young Aurora’s calm expression and felt a sudden wave of irritation.
This child did look a lot like her.
But there was something in her eyes–a resemnce to that man, especially when she wasn’t speaking, the quiet defian
her face reminded Grace too much of him.
That proud and untouchable air made her ufortable..
<b>“</b><b>So </b>what, are you ming me now? saying I’ve wasted your tim
Her tone was sharp.
Rather than reflect on her own behavior, she threw the usatio
Aurora nced at Arnold, who looked just as helpless.
He hadn’t expected this.
The temper between this mother and daughter was like a fuse-
It hadn’t always been like this.
Lately, though, something had changed. They both seemed to ha
Grace in particr had developed a habit of nitpicking.
It was as if one moment she could treat Aurora decently, and the about her displeasing.
That proud and untouchable air made her ufortable.
“So what, are you ming me now? Saying I’ve wasted your time because I didn’t take you?”
Her tone was sharp.
Rather than reflect on her own behavior, she threw the usation right back at Aurora.
Aurora nced at Arnold, who looked just as helpless.
He hadn’t expected this.
The temper between this mother and daughter was like a fuse–<b>one </b>spark and everything ignited.
It hadn’t always been like this.
Lately, though, something had changed. They both seemed to have grown more intolerant of each other.
Grace in particr had developed a habit of nitpicking.
It was as if one moment she could treat Aurora decently, and the next–over nothing at all–she’d suddenly find everything about her displeasing.