After coming out of Sophie's bedroom, Charlotte Young was humming a little tune as she walked, seemingly in a good mood.
Just the thought of Terrence Lentz about to have his marriage annulled made her extremely happy.
It would be even better if it could anger Patriarch Lentz into some sort of illness.
After all, old people's bodies are already weak, so it's not impossible for them to be directly angered to death.
"So, did I guess it right?"
As soon as Charlotte returned to her room, Bartley Lentz couldn't wait to ask her.
Charlotte nodded, "However, it's not Miss Thompson breaking off the engagement, but..."
At this point, she deliberately left a suspense.
"What is it then?" Bartley Lentz immediately asked.
Charlotte continued: "It's... a substitute bride."
"Substitute bride?" Bartley Lentz narrowed his eyes. "Is the Thompson Clan trying to pull the old switcheroo?"
"It's not quite the old switcheroo."
With that, Charlotte shared everything she had heard from Sophie with Bartley Lentz.
Hearing this, Bartley's eyes were full of calculating expressions.
Now there will be a good show to watch!
...
In the study.
Patriarch Lentz looked at Terrence and said with heavy emphasis, "Terrence, your engagement with Miss Thompson was arranged since childhood. After the engagement, you should get along well with her..."
A self-mocking smile appeared at the corner of Terrence's mouth. "Grandfather, do you think she will see anything in me?"
One is the laughing stock of River City.
And the other, a great talent known throughout River City...
"Terrence! How can you say that?!" Patriarch Lentz continued, "In the world, who hasn't encountered setbacks? I've been through bloodshed as well! As a man of the Lentz Clan, we should be more courageous in the face of setbacks, not feeling down..."
Patriarch Lentz truly went through blood and mud in the past. He had been on the battlefield, and achieved great things. He had eaten grass roots and gnawed on tree bark. When he crawled out from a pile of corpses, he thought he had already died.
At this point, Patriarch Lentz sighed and said, "I am an old friend of Miss Thompson's grandfather. We've been through gunfire together. I believe in the character of the Thompson Family! All these years, the Thompson Family hasn't made a fuss about this marriage arrangement, which means they aren't the kind of people who would climb up high and step on the low! Also, I believe in you! The current difficulties are only temporary, and I believe that one day you will see the light!"
Terrence just sat there in his wheelchair, not saying a word.
Old Master Thompson looked at him, his heart aching.
There was a time when Terrence was also a proud man through and through.
Ever since that accident, he never recovered, as if he had become a completely different person.
"Terrence, believe in me. Miss Thompson is not that kind of person," Patriarch Lentz patted Terrence's shoulder, "You two will be happy together."
Patriarch Lentz placed great hope on Elizabeth Thompson.
He longed for Elizabeth to become a ray of light in Terrence's remaining life, illuminating him, warming him, and walking hand in hand with him.
What Terrence needed now was someone to brighten his world.
And Patriarch Lentz believed that Elizabeth was that person.
"Since she can come into my life at my peak, she can leave me at the lowest point of my life," Terrence slowly looked up at Patriarch Lentz, "Grandfather, don't overestimate human nature."
"How can I... be worthy of the glamorous Miss Thompson?"
Though it's rhetorically a question, Terrence stated it so assertively, beyond any doubt, full of self-mockery.
"Terrence! Don't think like that!" Patriarch Lentz followed, "In my heart, you've always been an outstanding child! You deserve Miss Thompson!"
"Grandfather, I'm tired."
With that, Terrence turned the wheelchair and left.
Watching Terrence's lonely figure, Patriarch Lentz sighed softly.
At the same time, Patriarch Lentz was also looking forward to the engagement day, where he must let Terrence know that he is not abandoned by the world and that there are still many people who love him and wait for him.
Patriarch Lentz believed in Elizabeth Thompson, and he believed in the Thompson Family even more.
...
On the other side.
The Thompson's residence.
Viola Thompson, with her backpack on, walked into the hall.
"Stop!"
At this moment, a stern voice filled the air, along with an oppressive atmosphere that made it difficult to breathe.
Somehow, Viola found this scene strangely familiar.
If she remembered correctly, this was her second time experiencing such a thing since returning to this family.
Would the original timid Viola still be able to stand firm in such a situation?
"What's the matter?" Viola glanced back at the pale-faced Olga.
Olga frowned, "Where have you been? Don't you know your sister has been waiting for you at the school gate for a long time!"
Elizabeth accepted Viola as her sister, but Viola never accepted Elizabeth as hers.
The more Olga thought about it, the angrier she became, wishing she could slap Viola.
Elizabeth interjected amiably, "Mom, don't be angry with my sister. It's my fault. I was so busy taking Lingling home that I forgot about her being at school. It's only normal for her to leave when she couldn't wait any longer!"
Although Elizabeth's words seemed to be easing the tension for Viola, every word she uttered was a subtle accusation, implying that Viola had no sense of gratitude.
"Are you done?" Viola lowered her gaze, looking at Elizabeth.
At 5'3", Elizabeth was considered tall among southern girls, but it still wasn't enough in front of 5'7" Viola.
For some reason, Elizabeth suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of oppression at this moment.
Viola, after all, was just a little country girl!
Viola's red lips parted slightly, and she continued, "First, I don't need you to wait for me. Second, if you want the engagement banquet to proceed smoothly in ten days, you better behave."
Despite the very low tone, it carried an irresistible momentum.
She had been in a high position for a long time, and this aura emanated naturally from her bones, something others couldn't mimic.
Olga trembled with rage, thinking that the uneducated Viola of unknown origin was testing her patience every day!
Elizabeth clenched her fist hidden in her sleeve, her eyes slightly red, looking up at Viola. "Sister, did you misunderstand something? Mom and I really do care about you..."
Viola couldn't be bothered with Elizabeth, and she just turned around to walk upstairs.
"Why are you explaining anything to her?" Seeing Elizabeth almost in tears, Olga's heart ached and held Elizabeth's hand. "That wild child, she doesn't know what gratitude is! We've raised her for so many years, and now she treats me like an enemy! She should think about it; without me, would there even be her? It's said that nurturing is greater than parenthood. What about her? Does she see me as her mother in her eyes? I've truly raised an ungrateful and vicious person!"