Chapter 134 Staying Behind
Chapter 134 Staying Behind
+15 Bonus
Christina commented curiously, “This jar looks really special. I have not seen this sold anywhere before.”
Even though Charlie didn’t know what she had in mind, the keen look on her face was enough for him to explain. “An old friend made this at home and only sold it to close friends.”
Christina nodded in acknowledgment before a cold gint flashed across her eyes. She then pointed at another jar by the side and asked, “Doesn’t this one look a lot like yours?”
When Charlie’s gaze trailed the trajectory of her finger, his eyes suddenly darkened, for he could recognize the jar anywhere.
Why is it being used here at the Hadley residence for drying chamomile flowers?
Given that the signature on the jar was exactly the same, there was no way he would be mistaken.
All of a sudden, an indescribable emotion filled Char. Not many people knew that the doctor had. advised him to drink chamomile tea for his stomach problems.
He immediately understood why there were so many chamomile plants in the backyard. There were enough clues around for him to come to that conclusion.
Noticing the slight change on Charlie’s face, Christina stopped with her questions.
By the time they returned to the living room, the housekeeper informed them that dinner was ready.
to be served
Upon walking in, Julia glanced at Linda, who was still sitting on the couch, and remarked, “This is a family gathering. Outsiders should leave.”
From her speech, there was no mistaking that she was talking about Linda.
The proud Julia would never tolerate Linda joining them at the dining table.
Without any hesitation, Helen walked over to Linda and suggested in a regretful tone, “Please show yourself out.”
Despite being humiliated by the order, Linda was unfazed, for she was confident of Charlie taking her
side.
Standing up in defiance, she met Julia’s gaze brazenly. Now that you’re kicking me out, let’s see who’s going to have dinner with you!
With that thought in mind, Linda walked up to Charlie and remarked in a pitiful voice, “Mrs. Hadley doesn’t want me to stay back for food.” Her voice broke as she spoke.
A glance at Linda’s feigned victimized look was enough for Julia to roll her eyes.
As this wasn’t the first time Linda played the victim, everyone could clearly see through her charade, all except Charlie.
Sniffling softly, Linda snuck a glance at him from the corner of her eyes. He would usually stand up for
her the moment her tears flowed.
Chapter 134 Staying Behind
Why isn’t he reacting today? I must have failed to make it dramatic enough.
+15 Bonus
As Linda bit her lips, tears began to well up in her eyes. “I know that you don’t welcome me, Mrs. Hadley, but ”
Before she could finish, Julia scoffed, “So why do you insist on coming? Is there something wrong with your sense of judgment?”
Stung by the retort, Linda felt as if she had been slapped twice in the face, to the extent she could even feel a burning sensation in her checks.
Unable to resist herself, Linda gave Charlie’s hand a tug. D*mn it, can’t Charlie see how she’s trying to rip me apart? Why isn’t he fighting back on my behalf?
Linda’s tears were already at the brink of flowing. “Charlie, I…”
Seemingly distracted, Charlie turned around and said “I’ll get the driver to send you home.”
Linda was already on her way out, and the realization of what he had said stopped her in her tracks.
She gave Charlie a look of disbelief. “A-Are you asking me to go home alone?”
Is he planning to have dinner with that unreasonable woman? I must’ve misheard him.
“I’ll head home once I finish the meal. It won’t take long.” A complicated expression emerged on Charlie’s face. It was hard to tell from it what was going through his mind.
Linda subsequently gave Christina a suspicious look. That brat must have said something to him. Otherwise, why would he seem like a different person after coming back from outside?
Nevertheless, Linda had no choice but to comply with Charlie’s decision.
Meanwhile, everyone was shocked by the sight of Charlie telling the woman he had doted on all this. while to leave.
Julia, who was in equal disbelief, maintained her composure as she became the first to stride into the dining hall.
As the meal began, the four of them ate in silence, as if they were just four strangers sharing a table.
Even though Nathaniel was busy with his cutlery, he was filling up Christina’s plate instead of eating.
Christina gave Nathaniel’s sleeve a discreet tug underneath the table before glaring at him with her widened eyes and complaining softly, “Stop serving me food. It’s too much for me to finish.”
“He just wants to make sure that you don’t get hungry at the Hadley residence,” Julia remarked flatly.
Christina responded with an awkward smile. Why does she need to make it sound so crude when he clearly just wants me to eat more?
Truth be told, after spending some time with each other, Christina could tell that Julia meant no harm on the inside despite her sharp tongue.
Her character naturally became her undoing. Otherwise, there was no way Linda could actually stop Charlie from coming home.
Chapter 134 Staying Behind
Once dinner was over, Christina felt as if her stomach was about to burst from overeating.
+ID BONUS
When she mentioned that she felt like having chamomile tea, Charlie hesitated briefly before proceeding to make it.
Thereafter, Nathaniel went to his study to deal with work, while Julia, who was seated on the couch, didn’t say a word nor drink tea. In the end, Christina had to make conversation to break the awkward
silence.
Charlie would either chime in when he heard something interesting or hum in acknowledgment at other times.
Before they knew it, it was getting late. Christina had noticed Linda calling a few times during the entire period. In the beginning, Charlie would answer and have a brief conversation.
However, when the incessant calls became a nuisance he silenced his phone and ignored them instead.
As both of them continued to chat, Christina began to burp after filling herself with tea.
In the meantime, Julia gave the two of them a suspicious look from the corner of her eyes. She noticed that Charlie was avoiding Linda’s call while Christina was wearing a cunning smile on her face.
What is Christina up to? Is she stalling for time?
“It’s time I go back.” When he saw that it was close to midnight, Charlie got up and prepared to leave.
Julia, who had no intention of asking him to say, instructed the butler, “Get the car ready.”
Unexpectedly, the butler informed her, “Mrs. Hadley, the car has been sent for servicing today, so we don’t have any available at home.”
At that moment, Nathaniel was coming down the stairs and happened to see them gathered at the door.
Coincidentally, it also began to rain outside, as if fate itself wanted Charlie to stay.
The rain’s intensity increased rapidly and soon turned into a full-blown thunderstorm.
Just as an awkward silence descended upon the scene, Christina came forward and asked in an earnest tone, “Dad, isn’t this your home? Where else are you going back to?”
Her words caused Charlie to freeze. Isn’t it obvious where I’m going? Why is she asking me such a question? She must be trying to get me to stay.
