Chapter 20
Gina was still watering the flowers in the yard when she saw Veronica, who had already gone upstairs earlier, coming back down with a bright smile, asking to borrow the hose.
Gina asked, “Ms. Weston, is something wrong?” When it came to Veronica–who had just taken David and Linda down a peg–Gina felt both fear and respect.
Veronica smiled, “My room’s filthy. I need to clean it.”
Before Gina could make sense of it, Veronica had already dragged the hose upstairs.
By the time Veronica returned the hose, Linda still hadn’t come back from chasing after the group of socialites. Veronica turned around, went back upstairs to change clothes, and headed for Weston Manor.
In the evening. Chloe and Grace came home from school. When they saw their mother sitting there looking gloomy, Chloe immediately ran up to her and tried to cheer her up. Grace, on the other hand, stopped a maid nearby and asked what had happened.
The maid stammered as she explained what had gone down in the afternoon.
Chloe, who was still trying to comfort Linda, blurted out in shock, “What? That hillbilly came back?” She quickly followed up, sounding eager. “So? Did she look miserable?
The maid thought, Ms. Veronica Weston did seem to have hurt her arm somewhere, so maybe that counts as miserable, right?” She nodded.
Chloe couldn’t help but laugh, “Can’t believe you actually called it, Grace
Grace stood off to the side, still looking soft and delicate, though there was a faint glint in her eyes that couldn’t be ignored.
Linda, still sulking, heard her daughters‘ exchange. She looked at them and asked, “What’s going on?”
Chloe grinned as she told Linda about how she had set a basin of water that had just been used to bathe their dog right on top of Veronica’s door.
Chloe figured the moment Veronica came home and pushed it open, she’d get drenched in the nastiest surprise. Just picturing Veronica dripping wet like a drowned rat made Chloe giddy with excitement.
Linda couldn’t help smiling too, “No wonder Veronica got changed before she went out this afternoon,” she said.
Linda thought, ‘So Veronica really did get soaked. I can’t believe my daughters pulled it off. They make me so proud. Next time, maybe we should add something extra to the water, like sulfur. I’ve had enough of that little tramp’s face
Grace lowered her gaze and caught every flicker of expression on Linda’s face. Grace smiled and thought, Like mother, like daughter. We’re on the same page. One pretty face is enough in the Weston family. And it sure as hell isn’t going to be Veronica’s.
Assuming Veronica had gotten what she deserved, Linda and her daughters were in a great mood all evening. Even David, coming home from work, was drawn into the cheerful atmosphere.
The four of them spent the night like one big happy family until late at night, when two sharp, ear–splitting screams tore through the quiel
Chloe shouted, “What the hell happened to my room! Why is there water everywhere! My clothes, my purse, my limited edition shoes –everything’s ruined”
Grace cried out, “My bed is soaked. My books and my autograph from my idol are all destroyed.”
David and Linda had already climbed into bed and were about to get a little intimate when their daughters‘ screaming sent them scrambling for clothes. David got stuck in his pants from moving too fast, his face twisted in pain. He shouted, “Linda.”
But Linda had already bolted out the door, leaving nothing but her retreating back.
David sucked in a sharp breath, patted his junk in frustration, yanked on a jacket, and stormed out.
While chaos erupted at Weston Villa, things over at Weston Manor couldn’t have been more peaceful
1/3
5.09 PM
Chapter 20
Veronica stayed for dinner at Mason’s request in the evening. Because of her injured arm, Mason insisted she remain at Weston Manor
for a while.
Naturally, Veronica didn’t want to stay that long. She thought, “If I move in here, wouldn’t that just make David and his whole family way too happy?
After some back and forth, she reluctantly agreed to stay ten days. But ten days was the limit–after that, she was absolutely returning to Weston Villa
Mason was overjoyed and personally brought her to the room he had prepared for her in advance.
As soon as Veronica stepped in, she was hit by a wave of pink–pink walls, pink bed, pink furniture, pink stuffed animals. Even the carpet was a pale shade of pink. She thought, Just how obsessed with pink can someone be??
Mason said, “Ronie, have a look around. If there’s anything you don’t like, just tell me. I’ll have Simon call someone to fix it.”
Veronica shook her head and smiled. Normally, pink really wasn’t her thing, but it was a thoughtful gesture from Mason. She had no reason to reject it. I love it. Thank you, Grandpa”
Mason’s eyes welled with tears. “As long as you like it. That’s all that matters.”
He thought, The Weston family owes her. David hasn’t been honest and failed as a father, so I’ll be the one to protect my granddaughter!
“Get some rest. You can sleep as long as you want around here.” Mason said.
“Thanks, Grandpa, Veronica replied.
“No worries.” Mason waved her off. With the butler’s help, he left the room. Only after watching Mason walk away did Veronica step into the sea of pink.
After Veronica took a shower, her phone started buzzing–it was a video call request from Isabel, all the way from across the ocean.
Veronica’s old flip phone had been destroyed in the car crash. The one she had now was a replacement Raymond had bought her.
Veronica tapped to accept the call, and Isabel’s face popped up on screen. Isabel asked, “Ronie, are you home now? Are you at your dad’s place or with Mr. Harrington? Did you look into what I told you before?”
Ever since finding out about Veronica and Raymond, Isabel had become their number one shipper. She had completely forgotten how she used to complain about Raymond sticking his nose into everything and even making money all the way in Oakrella.
Veronica lay down on the soft bed. The faint scent of greenery clung to the covers, along with a hint of sunshine. Something in her heart softened. “Bella, don’t be such a gossip. You know I don’t do relationships.
Isabel remarked, “Why not? Just because of your crappy dad, you’ve given up on men? I’m telling you, Ronie, don’t let your trashy father make you miss out on a guy like Raymond”
Veronica asked, “And what makes you so sure Raymond’s a good guy?”
Veronica’s grandfather, Harold Brown, had told her that back when David was pursuing her mom, he had also been willing to do anything for her. But even so, David still cheated just two years into their marriage.
Isabel replied, “Well, I read faces. I look at Raymond and I just get a good vibe. Besides, a guy with his status could have any woman he wants. Why do you think he’s stuck on you? Obviously, he’s obsessed with you.”
Veronica pinched the bridge of her nose and thought, “What else could it be? He’s latched onto me!
They chatted about random things for a bit until Veronica brought up her plan to buy a gemstone mine in Mydria. The prospect of making money finally pulled Isabel’s attention away from gossip. After a little more back and forth, they ended the call.
Over in Northvare, Raymond’s phone buzzed with a message from Oakrella: [I did my part to help you win Ronie over, but she didn’t seen too impressed. You’re on your own now. Good luck, Raymond]
