Shaun was annoyed by the bitterness in her tone. “So what? Are we going to tell her the truth about five years ago?”
Sylvia answered, “That’s what Nell said but I’ve pondered over it. Since she’s fine, she can’t go into hiding forever. She’s only bluffing us and probably doesn’t know the entire truth.
“It’s not like she can do anything to us if we keep it together. As for Celine, I’ll have someone make some arrangements.
“She’ll have to bear with the inconvenience in the meantime but she’s not a nobody, so it won’t be too much of an unpleasant stay. It shouldn’t be a problem as long as she’s able to withstand the pressure and refuse to confess at any cost.”
In total disbelief, Sally could not believe her ears.
“Mom, you’re making an assumption! There’s still a possibility that she might crumble and confess. Celine has never faced any hardships. How could she possibly tolerate remaining in that place?”
Sylvia darted her an impatient stare.
“I said I’ll have someone make some arrangements. She’s the one who created this mess. It’s great that she faces a little hardship now, maybe she’ll know better then. God knows if she’ll stir more trouble when she returns!”
She unhappily scoffed.
Sally was rendered speechless, unable to find the words to refute.
A while later, she probed. “Didn’t you say, the capital side...”
Sylvia frowned.
“I’ve already tried to make contact so I should hear back in a few days. Don’t let Celine know about this yet. She might not be able to keep her mouth shut and mess it up.
“Don’t worry. Celine will turn out all right once it goes to proper channels. We won’t entertain even if the Mortons come licking our boots to be our relatives.”
With her mind at rest to hear this, Sally nodded.
“Okay, I leave everything to you.”
...
On the other side, Nell had never thought that she would bump into the person, who, by right, should not be in Tranquil Dwelling.
She ran into Stephanie the moment the latter arrived at the hotel.
Stephanie wore a plain white shirt and straight pencil pants underneath. She looked rather refreshing and clean with her hair tied into a ponytail.
The sight of Nell caught her by surprise.
“Miss Jennings, what a coincidence. I didn’t think I'd see you here.”
Nell smiled. “Miss Garrett, what a pleasant surprise as well.”
Struck by a thought, Stephanie blinked her eyes.
“It has become quite the talk of the town outside about you going missing and abducted. I thought it was real but it seems...”
She did not finish the sentence but the intention could not have been more obvious.
Nell felt a migraine coming.
Such was life, offering a blow out of the blue.
She composed herself before letting out a poised grin.
“Are you here for Grandma?”
There was no point in hiding certain things now that it had been discovered.
However, she was not in the mood to explain herself to Stephanie.
Fortunately, Stephanie was a smart cookie. Without enquiring further, she smiled. “Yes. I heard that Grandma Leith was here. I thought of looking for her but bumped into you instead.”
“Grandma is in the room. Shall I take you there?”
“It’s okay, Miss Jennings. I’ll ask at the reception. You seem to be heading out, I shouldn’t take up too much of your time now.”
Saving the formalities, Nell nodded and turned to leave.
“No, Mommy promised me before my nap. She said I’ll be able to see her once I wake up. I can then go swimming with her in the sea. Mommy won’t lie to me!”
The old madam was dumbfounded in the face of the aggrieved child.
Nell did indeed give her word that she would bring Lizzy swimming once she awakened.
However, Lizzy had a light nap today and an abrupt visit by Stephanie had her up half an hour earlier.
Normally, she would get up after 2:30 p.m. Nell would be done with her business and be back by then.
For a moment, the old lady could not find the words to explain to Lizzy.
Stephanie kneeled over and looked at her gently.
“Lizzy, Miss Jennings is busy now. How about I teach you to swim?”
Over the years, Gideon was without a female companion. Firstly, it was because he had no interest in women and secondly, the little kid was an eccentric character. She seemed to hate any woman who appeared beside him.
Nevertheless, Stephanie was the exception.
Although Lizzy was not the least bit enthusiastic, Stephanie was not treated or rejected like an enemy as she would to everyone else.
Hence, she always believed that in the kid’s mind, she should be different from the common run.
Besides, the old madam had once tried to pair Stephanie and Gideon up, allowing her and Lizzy plenty of time to foster a relationship.
All the more Stephanie was certain that she was Lizzy’s favorite.
To her surprise, Lizzy looked at her as though she resented her existence this time.
“I don’t want to. You don’t have a better figure than Mommy. You don’t look like you have Mommy’s patience. Most importantly, you’re not as beautiful as Mommy! I don’t want you to teach me. I want my Mommy!”
Stephanie, “...”
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