Chapter 103
As expected, a car arrived after only a dozen minutes.
Prompted by the noise, Madeline raised her head and saw her grandparents exiting the car.
Uneasy and embarrassed, Frank stood at the door, looking at the courtyard. The placement and planting of every flower and plant in the courtyard garden were meticulously planned to create a beautiful space. Just this place alone would require a lot of workers.
He couldn’t control his urge to look around. Hesitation rose in his heart, and he zipped his mouth so as to not speak rashly. There were many questions that he dared not ask
Helena stood beside him, looking a little timid. Frank, is this the Larson residence? It looks much bigger than the Larson family’s
mansion..
Seeing such a gigantic house, she was awestruck but also scared. She felt her heartbeat accelerating, and her body trembled.
The Larsons disdain and insults toward her were still on her mind.
However, she was too happy to have the chance to see Madeline. Preparing herself mentally, Helena thought, “Who cares if they mock me again! I won’t die from that!”
What she wanted was to take a good look at her granddaughter.
Even if she only had the chance to take a short peek at Madeline and had to leave immediately, it was still a worthwhile opportunity. Madeline did not come for nothing
1 heard the driver talking about this place. What was it called, some kind of manor? It has land, houses, and a forest behind it. Frank was also confused. “Why is Maddie here?”
Helena frowned because she had no idea either. “I don’t know, either. That man who claims to be Maddie’s second brother has arranged everything properly. Madeline never told me her second brother is such a kind person.”
Helena knew the Larson family had five sons, but she had never met them.
At the same time, the Larsons had never been friendly to them. She was bailed by the situation.
Therefore, when someone who claimed to be Madeline’s second brother treated them so well, Helena was flattered and suspected that she was dreaming!
Frank reminded Helena, “The Larsons are kind enough to invite us for Thanksgiving. We still have to thank them
A housekeeper led them to the middle of the living room and then turned to the dining hall.
Helena was over the moon when she caught sight of Madeline,
“Maddie!” she exclaimed.
When she was about to say something else, three handsome, graceful, and affluent men came into her sight, which made her lower her head immediately.
The Larson family upheld many rules. They were different from the people in the countryside
Feeling inadequate and lowly, Helena tried to be on her best behavior. Helena didn’t want the Larsons to despise her more, nor did she want to cause embarrassment for Madeline.
Madeline felt a sharp pang in her heart when she saw Helena’s behavior.
‘My grandparents suffered too many grievances from the Larson family because of me!
I am so sorry, Grandpa and Grandinal‘ she lamented internally,
Nolan stood up
and welcomed Helena in a kind and gentle tone. “Mrs. Lewis, come here and sit next to Maddie. You must miss her very much. He then turned to Frank “Mr. Lewis, you haven’t fully recovered yet and shouldn’t stand for too long. Please, come sit next to
me
Nolan was polite
and considerate when he made arrangements for the elderly.
11:42 AM ₫
Chapter 108
Seeing his attitude, Frank and Helena felt more at ease.
Madeline cast a grateful glance at Nolan. Madeline was very thankful for his thoughtfulness.
Compared to receiving good gifts and eating good food for the festival, what she truly hoped for was to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family.
Sining beside Madeline, Helena took her hand and asked in a low voice, “Maddie, why do you only have three brothers here? How about the other two? Moreover, where are your parents and sister? Aren’t they celebrating Thanksgiving here?”
Madeline’s smile froze, “Grandma. These three are like my brothers because we were close during our orphanage years. I’m celebrating Thanksgiving with them. Meanwhile, the Larsons… They have other plans”
Helena knitted her eyebrows, and her eyes showed distress. Must the Larsons exclude Maddie from such an important occasion as Thanksgiving?
How awful! They’ve gone too far!
As always, they’re heartless. They’ve never changed at all!‘ she thought angrily.
A considerate person, Helena immediately stopped talking about the Larson family.
She quickly changed the topic in an unnatural tone. “Maddie, Nolan is very kind to us! We were home this morning, and he drove to pick us up! Nolan asked us to celebrate Thanksgiving with you in town and take the opportunity to have your grandpa see a doctor. Nolan even asked us to spend some time together and have fun in the provincial capital”
Helena hurriedly continued. “But we don’t need to have fun. You still need to attend school. Don’t worry about us. We’re already very happy to see you.
She didn’t want to make things difficult for Madeline.
Madeline’s heart ached to see the sadness and helplessness in her grandmother’s eyes. The old lady’s willingness to compromise saddened her granddaughter even more.
Nolan sighed. “Mrs. Lewis, don’t worry. Our ties with Maddie are tighter than biological siblings. We’re different from the Larsons.” He continued to persuade them, “It’s a rare occasion for Mr. and Mrs. Larson to be here. Please make yourselves at home. You’re not outsiders. Actually, I hope you can live here because Maddie needs her family.”
“Yes, You’re such a nice young man. You’re very considerate of Maddie. I’m grateful to your Frank quickly nodded.
Madeline huffed a sigh of relief, “Grandpa and Grandma, please stay and make yourselves at home. Since I have a few days off for Thanksgiving. I can take you to explore the provincial capital. I believe you haven’t experienced the provincial capital, right? Don’t you want to see where I go to school?”
The only times we come to the provincial capital is when we visit you. We’re from the countryside, and we don’t have opportunities to have fun here.” Helena replied.
She thought. The one–way fare to town alone costs over 60 dollars. No, it’s nearly 80 dollars!
Not to mention the accommodation fees.
Moreover, we have many
many
y chickens and ducks at home. We need to feed and take care of them. We also can’t neglect our farm. It’s time to harvest corn when we return to the countryside. She made calculations in her mind.
in the future.”
Madeline’s smile had a hint of bitterness and sadness. “Grandma, I’ll take good care of you and Grandpa in “Your parents from the Larson family will be upset if they find out Frank shook his head. “We understand that your family, the Larsons, don’t want us to see each other anymore. Once again, don’t worry about us. We’ll be happy as long as you live well!”
Don’t concern yourselves with them. They don’t matter a single bit. You two are what matter Yulissa and Hazel had served their meals. They had even made warm, creamy soup for Frank and Helena.
most to me.” Madeline pursed her lips. Caleb inadvertently glanced at Nolan. Caleb didn’t expect Nolan to leave home so early today, around 5 or 6 a.m., to pick up grandparents.
Seeing Madeline so happy, a hint of joy crept into Caleb’s s
stone–cold heart,
Madeline’s
24
Chapter 103
“Everything’s great as long as Maddie is happy,” he thought.
In order to leave a good impression on Frank and Helena, Gavin hastily acted and served grilled chicken to the old lady. His charming eyes were soft, and his sweet smile was innocent as if he was harmless and honest.
eus.
“Here, Mrs. Lewis, have more grilled chicken. By the way, I’m Gavin. I rank third among
Helena stared at Gavin’s face. “Gavin, you’re so handsome. Are you about the same age as Maddie?”
“You’ve very sharp eyes. Mrs. Lewis. I’m one year older than Maddie. We study together and are university classmates. Besides, I’m not related to her by blood. Technically, we’re not brother and sister. So…”
Helena was stunned. “D–Does that mean
you’re dating Maddie?”
Smiling coyly without giving any explanation, Gavin had a bashful look on his face. “Well, you know, Mrs. Lewis.”
Madeline would’ve strangled Gavin if Helena were not sitting between them!
“Grandma, don’t believe what he said. He likes to talk nonsense! I’m not dating him!”
“Mrs. Lewis, please don’t misunderstand. Maddie is just shy. We’re living together now, Gavin quickly interjected.
Helena was a little surprised. “Ah, are you living together while dating? That’s not a good thing to do!”
Madeline slammed her fork on the table, anxious to explain the truth. With her hands on her hips, she angrily demanded, “Gavin, if you keep talking nonsense, I’ll stop talking to you!”
The atmosphere at the table was very cheery as they chatted and ate.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Larson residence was strikingly different
Layla sat at the dinner table. The seat next to her was empty because Thomas hadn’t returned home.
Even on Thanksgiving, he was still busy and had to work at the company.
Their family’s business deteriorated dramatically and suffered a large deficit in recent days. Thomas was busy working, and he barely had time to rest. Even so, things didn’t improve, and he wore a sullen expression in the company daily
“This is the worst Thanksgiving in many years. Layla lamented in her heart.
There was nothing she could do except worry:
There were vague rumors about the company going bankrupt, Which distressed her. Due to this, she couldn’t sleep for many nights. There were many delicious dishes on
bes on the table, but she was not in the mood to eat.
Although Thomas was not here, all their children were at home
Wrapped in bandages, Winslet had to sat in a wheelchair while a housekeeper fed her her meal. Injuries to the muscles and bones usually need about 100 days to heal. Therefore, there was naturally no obvious sign of recovery in such a short time.
She has been more ulent and inconspicuous recently. The injuries on her hands and feet were such an inconvenience to her, Since she got into the vocational school due to special privileges, she didnt get along with other students.
For someone who used to be the center of attention. Winslet found her current predicament very humiliating.
Her annoyance and fury reached the lughest point when she saw that Madeline, a country bumpkin from her high school years, had changed so much. The latter was now rated as the freshman belle of Acorester University and was popular among countless people.
She felt even wore.
She was far superior in the past, and there was no comparison between her and Madeline. “She only deserves to stay in a low position to show how accomplished I am! Winslet howled internally.
