Chapter 216 The Rules Of An Influential Family
Charlie handed his phone to Helen. “If she calls again, tell her I’m busy.”
Helen hastily took the phone from him and answered, “Yes, Mr. Hadley.”
Charlie then gazed at Julia and asked, “Can I start eating now?”
He was now more certain of what his heart desired after going through so much for the past few years.
Julia couldn’t stop smiling. “I never said you can’t.”
The couple exchanged glances and smiled wordlessly, not saying anything else since Christina and Nathaniel were around.
Christina couldn’t help beaming upon seeing their harmonious interaction. She then placed some food on Nathaniel’s plate. “Here. You should eat more.”
Nathaniel leaned closer and whispered into her ear, “Are you happy?”
Christina seemed to care a lot about him and his family. All the feelings she harbored in those few minutes were clearly displayed on her face, ranging from worry, disappointment and finally, happiness.
She seemed to treat his family like her own, for the smile on her face looked genuine.
Her watery, gleaming eyes narrowed into slits as she grinned. “Of course. It feels great to spend Thanksgiving together as family.”
After dinner, the four of them sat on the couch in the living room to watch television.
They were watching a soap opera. During an advertisement, an interview was shown.
The reporter curiously asked, “Ms. Ada, since you’re representing Radiant Corporation to attend the Thanksgiving gala, would you mind answering a question? I heard that you’re the one who designed the clothes for the fashion show. Is that true?”
Shelley appeared to be glowing as she smiled brightly at the camera. “That’s right. Those are all my designs. I’m honored to represent the company and meet everyone.”
The gala was hosted in Jadeborough. Zachary had been the one to invite Shelley to the event.
Obviously, the Jansson family was very supportive of Shelley’s career and was helping her secure a stable position in the industry.
Julia stared at the unfamiliar face on the screen and frowned as she asked Christina, “That is Ada?”
Shouldn’t Ada be Christina? Why was she replaced by someone I’d never seen before?
Christing chuckled as she met Julia’s concern–filled gaze. She did not seem to be bothered by that. “It’s just an alias. If she likes it, she can have it.”
She couldn’t care less, for she was never interested in the fame and fortune that came with that name.
Ada was merely an alias. The real question was whether the person using that name could produce a signature work that impressed others.
The truth would be revealed sooner or later.
Julia stared at the young lady sitting beside her with surprise. Looks like she’s aware of this but chooses not to expose that imposter. Does she not care about her fame and fortune at all? She might be young, but she sure knows what’s truly important in life.
Julia returned her gaze to the television and scoffed inwardly upon seeing the woman on the screen facing the camera with a smile. A discreet glint flashed past her eyes.
It was late after they had supper. Hence, Christina and Nathaniel stayed the night at the Hadley residence.
The faint silver moonlight shone into the room, covering the entire carpet.
Christina stood beside the bed and untied her long hair. Her slender figure that was coated by the moonlight made her look like a mischievous but elegant fairy that trespa*sed into the mundane world.
Nathaniel approached her, smelling a faint fragrance when he ran a hand through her hair.
Christina turned around and narrowed her eyes as she leaned closer to him. “I won’t let you off the hook so easily if you have an affair like your father in the future.”
She was quite sensitive toward issues like infidelity, for she was once the victim of a broken family:
Her experience had caused her trauma and darkness which she knew she would never be able to
overcome.
Nathaniel flicked her forehead and said lovingly, “What nonsense are you talking about? I would never do something like that.”
All I want is to care for her and shower her with unconditional love. I would never hurt her.
Early the next morning, Nathaniel left for the company.
Christina went for a walk in the garden after breakfast, and not long after, Helen came to inform her that a guest had come to visit.
She was met with Moira and Julia chatting in the living room when she entered the residence. They seemed to have a close relationship.
The gifts that Moira brought were placed at the side and were all high–quality supplements.
Christina turned around and was about to head upstairs, not wanting to join in on their conversation, when her name was called. “Christina, come here.”
Sighing, Christina had no choice but to make her way over. She respectfully greeted them and forced a smile.
Moira scrutinized the young lady before her. She looks to be in her twenties, young and immature. She’s nothing like the heiress of a wealthy family. How can she compare to Madison?
“Mrs. Hadley, you’re such a nice person. Your daughter–in–law doesn’t even greet you when she sees you, nor does she show you respect. She only does so when you call her over. How spoiled!”
Moira was clearly picking on Christina, indirectly criticizing her for being disrespectful, arrogant, and
insolent.
Julia froze and fell silent.
The atmosphere in the living room immediately tensed.
The look in Christina’s eyes darkened. We’ve only just met, yet she’s already picking on me.
Noticing she was gaining the upper hand, Moira continued, “My daughter–in–law, on the contrary, would get up at six in the morning every day to pay her respects to me. She must watch her manners, or else, I would punish her.”
Pay respects to her? Who does she think she is? The empress dowager or the emperor? Is she still living in the past or something?
Christina rolled her eyes inwardly at Moira.
Julia, on the other hand, smiled elegantly and upheld her demeanor as the matriarch of a noble family “Of course, such etiquette is important for influential families. However, I believe it’s more important for family members to feel at ease and get along with each other. That’s why I didn’t force those rules on her.”
Hearing that, Moira flashed an awkward smile. “That’s why I said you’re a nice person!”
Christina stood beside them silently and didn’t take Moira’s words to heart.
“I heard you have a garden in your backyard. Why don’t we go for a walk?” Moira suggested.
The Hadley residence was as huge as four sports fields, and the backyard used to be an open space. was transformed into a garden with lots of flowers.
Many of the Hadleys‘ friends wanted to visit the phenomenal garden.
Julia happily agreed to her friend’s suggestion. “Sure. Let’s go take a look.”
She purposely came here to have a look at the garden?
Christina had a gut feeling that Moira had ulterior motives but could not quite put her finger on it.
The trio made their way outside and headed toward the garden.
that
Various kinds of flowers were planted in the garden, and as they ventured further in, the garden seemed like a maze with its tall hedges that provided shade from the blazing sun.
They soon got exhausted from all the walking and stopped to rest at a nearby gazebo.
Moira shot a look at the housekeeper behind her as soon as she sat down.
The housekeeper seemed to have gotten the message as she quietly left.
“Mrs. Hadley, should I bring some tea and snacks?” asked a female housekeeper of the Hadley family.
– Julia nodded. “Yes. Go ahead.”
The three women were the only ones left at the gazebo. As the two older women chatted, a pungent smell wafted into Christina’s nostrils all of a sudden.
She scanned her surroundings and did not find anything abnormal.
Was that my imagination?
After some time, the scent got so strong that even Julia sensed something was wrong. “Why do I smell something burning?”
At that moment, Moira stood up and pointed in a certain direction. “It looks like there’s a fire!”
Christina turned to where Moira was pointing and saw flames.
Her heart sank. Why is there suddenly a fire? Did someone start a fire on purpose?
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