Chapter 238
‘Cynthia was really as stupid as a pig. How could she leave something so precious in this old, run–down house? Cynthia probably did it to outsmart me.
“She must be trying to prevent me from finding it at her place, so she hid it here. The most dangerous place is the safest place. Shirley thought, feeling incredibly smug
Thank goodness I had been more perceptive and managed to piece together the clues from Cynthia’s scattered words, Shirley thought.
Shirley’s uncontrollable laughter caught Rachel’s attention. Seeing the brocade box in Shirley’s hand, Rachel’s face darkened. “Shirley, what are you holding?”
Quickly stuffing the brocade box into her Hermes bag, Shirley snapped, “None of your business!” And she tried to push past. Rachel blocked her way, standing firm.
“Shirley, that’s Cynthia’s stuff. You can’t take it, Rachel said, reaching for Shirley’s bag. But Shirley shoved her to the ground.
“Mom, I’m still willing to call you that. I advise you not to meddle. This belongs to the Jones family and should be mine. Cynthia is just a usurper,” Shirley spat, her eyes flashing with defiance.
“No, you can’t take it away. How did I raise you? We can be poor, but we must never lose our integrity. We don’t steal, we don’t take what isn’t ours, Rachel insisted.
Shirley was furious. “What right do you have to talk about upbringing? Did you give me the same environment as Cynthia My whole life, I’ve been following you, living in constant fear, hiding everywhere. Do you know how much scorn I’ve endured?
Shirley was furious. “If I were really your child, 1/would accept being poor, but I was born to be a privileged daughter, a true heiress. Why should I suffer for Cynthia?
“You all love Cynthia, but if she had grown up in this kind of family, do you think she would still be the elegant lady she is today?”
“Besides, this item was always mine. Taking it is just returning it in its rightful owner,” Shirley said.
“Shirley, you can’t do this. I’ve done everything in my power to give you the best. This is all I can do,” Rachel pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
Facing Shirley’s accusations, Rachel felt utterly helpless. She had poured her entire life into raising Shirley. But she couldn’t understand why it had come to this.
Shirley looked at her coldly. “Mom, considering what you did for me, I’ll still acknowledge you. Once I marry into a top–tier family, I won’t mistreat you. But you need to know when to stop
“Don’t be the stumbling block in my climb to the top. I’ve had enough of this dark and damp bottom. I will become someone of high status, and I will trample all those who once looked down on me, including Cynthia
With that, Shirley turned and left. Rachel felt a deep pain in her heart. She knew there was no way she could get the item back. So, she picked up her phone and called Cynthia.
After explaining the situation, Cynthia’s voice remained calm and untroubled. “Let her take it if she wants. Don’t worry about it; I’ll handle it myself.”
Rachel still couldn’t shake her unease. “But isn’t that thing priceless?”
Cynthia smiled. “Whether it’s priceless or not depends on who holds it.” After hanging up. Cynthia’s lips curled into a sly
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smile.
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From the day Pamela gave her the item, Cynthia had anticipated that Shirley would come for it. So, she had a replica made, using nothing more than ordinaty pink glass, which was utterly worthless
She had said those words on purpose. If Shirley was so fixated on it, then let her have it. It would save her the trouble of being bothered constantly.
Whatever Shirley planned to do with it, it would ultimately turn into a joke. Cynthia was looking forward to watching the
show
However, there were some things in Shirley’s words that Cynthia didn’t know. When Pamela gave her the pendant, she couldn’t explain its origin clearly, only saying that it was a gift from a prominent figure when Cynthia was born.
Shirley had mentioned something about the Xenos family. Which Xenos family? Cynthia wondered. She was a bit curious but didn’t dwell on it too much.
But Shirley mentioning the Xenos family made Cynthia think of Hector. She realized that the sleeping pills he prescribed for her were running out, and she needed to get a new prescription.
Cynthia suffered from insomnia and regularly visited Hector for medication.
Actually, her insomnia had improved a lot during this time. After being completely exhausted each day, she would fall asleep in Jonathan’s arms and manage to sleep for three hours straight. A few times, she even slept until the sun was blazing high.
Maybe soon, she could stop taking the medication. Soon, Cynthia arrived at Hector’s private clinic. Hector seemed genuinely pleased to see her. “You look well, he said with a smile
Cynthia plopped down on the sofa, feeling relaxed. Tve been in a good mood lately.”
1
“Really planning to get married, then?” Hector asked.
Cynthia nodded. “I’ll send you an invitation when the time comes.”
“I’ll definitely be there for your wedding,” Hector replied.
The two of them chatted like old friends. Perhaps it was because Hector was her personal doctor, Cynthia always felt at strange sense of case around him. She had a natural trust in him, even when they weren’t talking.
In the middle of their conversation, Hector took a phone call, his tone soft and gentle. After he hung up, Cynthia, curious. asked, “Girlfriend?”
Hector chuckled. “Just a female client. I don’t have a girlfriend.”
Cynthia shrugged. “Too bad my network is limited; otherwise, la definitely introduce you to someone.”
Hector was warm and gentle, and he had a refined and courteous demeanor. Most importantly, he had a rare, handsome face–the kind that most women would find attractive. The first person Cynthia thought of was Naomi.
Naomi had recently moved to Roncrity, She used to manage the Sullivan family’s car factory, but lately, she had been busy setting up her own har, which was due to open in a couple of days.
Although Naomi was Cynthia’s best friend, pairing her with Hector just didn’t seem right. Naomi had a tomboyish personality and dressed like a boy, leading many to assume she was a lesbian.
But Cynthia knew Naomi wasn’t a lesbian. She was a straight woman, incredibly straight. And she liked tough guys, the
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Chapter 238
rugged, macho type.
This secret was known only to Cynthia. Hector, with his gentle and scholarly demeanor, was definitely not Naomi’s type. So, Cynthia didn’t plan to play matchmaker.
Coincidentally, Cynthia received a call from Naomi, inviting her to her new bar. She mentioned there would be lots of hot guys and girls there tonight.
Cynthia stood up and casually asked, “Dr. Xenos, my friend is opening a bar. Do you want to come and have a drink?”
Hector shook his head. “The mansion on Azuregaze Mountain is under renovation. I’ve been quite busy in the evenings, so I need to go there and supervise. You go ahead without me.”
Cynthia hadn’t really expected him to come, so she left without further comment.
However, it turned out that Naomi stood her up. “Cyn, I’m so sorry. Ivy said her chest hurts, and I need to go back to the old mansion to check on her.”
“Go ahead, don’t worry about me,” Cynthia replied.
Ivy Lane had been Naomi’s nanny since childhood and had followed her when she returned to the Sullivan family. Now that Naomi was back in Roncrity, Ivy had come with her.
To Naomi, Ivy was like family. They were currently living in the villa on Azuregaze Mountain, where Naomi had grown up.
