Chapter 87
“Didn’t you have surgery today? Instead of resting at the hospital, why did you come all the way here?” William asked.
“I came to visit Mrs. Cooper Senior,” Nicole said before glancing at Scarlet. “You’re here too?”
Her tone implied that Scarlet shouldn’t be there.
Emily had returned today, and given that it was a Cooper family dinner, Nicole’s presence made her seem like the Coopers‘ future daughter–in–law.
Ironically, it seemed Scarlet was the one who looked out of place now.
Scarlet’s expression remained indifferent as she shot back, “If you can be here, why can’t I?”
One belonged to the past, the other to the future–neither of them was William’s current partner. Who was to say one was better than the other?
Nicole seemed a bit flustered, and she glanced at Justine. “Mrs. Cooper…”
Justine frowned, lecturing Scarlet, “Is this what I taught you? You’ve got no manners at all.”
In the past, while living under the Coopers‘ roof and relying on their generosity, Scarlet endured Justine’s lectures without a word.
However, that was no longer the case. Scarlet didn’t have to tiptoe around anyone, and she wasn’t about to take it silently.
“You haven’t actually taught me anything,” Scarlet said.
William lifted an eyebrow, giving Scarlet a look she couldn’t quite read.
Justine never expected her to talk back. “What did you say?”
Ellen had raised Scarlet, and while Justine had plenty of criticisms for her, she never actually taught her what to do.
Scarlet’s tone remained calm and unhurried as she replied, “If you think I was shaped by your teaching, then when you call me ill–mannered, aren’t you really just insulting yourself?”
The Coopers actually practiced family values, unlike some other wealthy families who looked polished on the outside but were rotten underneath.
Even though Arthur was busy with work, he never picked up any bad habits. Both of his sons, Julian and William, were accomplished in their own right and respectful toward Justine.
The only person who ever gave Justine a hard time was her mother–in–law, but Emily lived on Mount Plato year–round and rarely came home. No one in the entire Cooper household had ever dared to talk back to her like this.
Justine’s expression turned unpleasant, yet she couldn’t refute what Scarlet said.
William, clearly entertained, asked with amusement, “Did you pick that up from me? I’ve never talked back to Mom.”
Justine’s anger cooled a bit at his interruption. “Haven’t you talked back plenty yourself? You’re the biggest troublemaker
here.”
At that moment, Emily, supported by Ellen, emerged from the room.
“Mrs. Cooper Senior!” Nicole immediately put on a sweet smile. “You’re finally back!”
Emily looked at her, displeased. “What are you doing here?”
“I haven’t seen you in years. Mrs. Cooper told me you were coming back today. I wanted to go to the airport with William to pick you up, but I had surgery this afternoon and couldn’t make it. I’ve been thinking of you the whole time and came over as
$25M/$50M $500B/SIT $58/S108
3 B
soon as I finished.”
Nicole knew exactly how to charm the elders. Her smile was sweet without any signs of being awkward, and she knew exactly how to fish for compliments.
“What’s there to see?” Emily didn’t bother being polite. “You’ve been unlikeable since you were a kid, and I sure don’t feel like seeing you.”
Nicole’s smile faltered at that. Anyone who put themselves out there and got shot down like that in front of everyone would feel totally mortified.
Justine quickly smoothed things over. “Emily, Nicole was just trying to be thoughtful. Her leg isn’t even healed yet, but she was eager to come see you.”
“If she’s injured, she should rest and heal properly. I’m not a doctor. How will seeing me help her recover?”
Emily, as someone much older, wouldn’t usually put a younger person on the spot in public. However, Nicole brought it on herself by walking straight into her line of fire.
FIRST
End of the Contract,Start of His Obsession
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