The voice was a bit cold, and somewhat low.
Avoid looking when it is impolite?
Good heavens!
When did Terrence Lentz become such a gentleman?
A moment later, Terrence Lentz let go of his hand, using his slender, fair fingers to adjust his sunglasses. "Let's go."
Adam looked around and asked doubtfully, "Where's the fairy?"
"What fairy?" Terrence Lentz countered.
Adam continued, "The fairy in the red dress just now! Third Brother, don't tell me you didn't see her!"
"Your eyes are playing tricks on you," Terrence Lentz said, his face emotionless behind his sunglasses. "There are no fairies in this wild mountain."
Mistaken?
Adam rubbed his eyes. "Impossible! I clearly saw her. Third Brother, are you fooling me..."
Terrence Lentz ignored him, took a big step with his long legs, and left Adam behind.
"Third Brother, wait for me! Why are you walking so fast?" Adam caught up. "Where did that fairy go just now?"
Terrence Lentz automatically ignored the last question. "My leg is not good, so I need to walk fast."
Need to walk fast because your leg is not good?
What kind of logic is that?
Adam continued asking about the fairy's whereabouts, but Terrence Lentz acted as if nothing had happened, making Adam doubt whether he really had a hallucination!
...
Viola Thompson picked a bright bunch of wildflowers in the mountains and brought them to Cynthia Wallace's grave.
The old woman in the black and white photo on the tombstone stared straight ahead, her smile kind.
"Old lady, rest assured that since I became your granddaughter, I will definitely fulfill her unfinished wish." With that, Viola bowed deeply to the grave. "I hope this trip back to the Thompson Clan will not disappoint you nor Viola."
By the time Viola returned from the mountain, it was three in the afternoon.
The sun was setting.
The golden sunlight cast a glow over the small mountain village with its curling cooking smoke, resembling an oil painting.
Viola walked through the village, and as she passed each place, the original Viola's memories surfaced in her mind.
The original Viola's childhood was both miserable and happy.
The misery came from the Thompson Clan, while the happiness came from Cynthia Wallace and Show Village.
"Viola, have you eaten? If not, come to my house for dinner."
"Viola, I heard you were sick. Are you better now?"
"..."
The villagers were very enthusiastic, knowing that Cynthia had just passed away, they took extra care of Viola.
This child had a hard life, clearly a lucky star, but treated by the Thompson Family like a broom star...
Luckily, Cynthia was there.
Cynthia was indeed the only light in Viola's dark days.
"Viola, wait a minute." At that moment, a plump middle-aged woman caught up to Viola, holding a cooked corn cob.
Viola turned and looked at the woman, her mouth curving in a smile. "Auntie."
The auntie stuffed the corn cob into Viola's hand. "This is my newly picked corn today, sweet! Have a taste."
"Thank you, Auntie." Viola took the corn with both hands.
"Never mind 'thank you,' child." The aunt looked at Viola. "Viola, remember to behave when you get to your new home. Your parents have a cold exterior but a warm heart, in fact they always think about you. Otherwise, they wouldn't have come to take you back. You... sigh..."
In the end, the aunt didn't know how to wrap up her words.
If the Thompson couple really thought of Viola as their own daughter, they wouldn't have left her in the countryside for so many years.
Viola looked up at the aunt, a shallow dimple forming in the corner of her mouth. "Okay."
The aunt stared at Viola's smiling face and suddenly froze.
The girl before her had eyebrows like paintings and clear, bright peach-blossom eyes that were captivating. The aunt had always known that Viola was a beauty, but she didn't realize how stunningly beautiful she could be.
After bidding farewell to the aunt, Viola turned to leave. She was currently staying with Grandma, and although their small courtyard was dilapidated, it was tidy.
...
Next morning.
Viola had just finished breakfast when she heard a knock at the door.
Grandma heard the noise and said with a smile, "It must be your mother."
With that, she immediately ran to open the door.
Standing outside was a well-dressed middle-aged woman.
It wasn't Olga.
It was the housekeeper of the Thompson Clan.
Viola looked at the visitor, leaning against the door frame, her manner languid. Her peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, revealing no emotion.
"Old lady, Mistress asked me to take the young lady back."
The housekeeper spoke of "old lady," but there was no respect on her face. Looking at Grandma, she seemed to be looking at a pitiful ant.
After all, what kind ofA month ago, the original Viola had picked up this little kitten that was on its last breath, clinging to half a life.
Perhaps she felt it was connected by fate.
Using all her savings accumulated over these years, she took the kitten to a pet hospital.
Although Viola Thompson was not very fond of small animals, she would still take good care of the kitten the original Viola had brought home using all her savings to save its life.
As Housekeeper watched Viola holding the kitten, the disgust in her eyes became even more apparent, "Miss, your mother detests these strays of unknown origins!"
With two meanings in one sentence.
She hated the cat, and she hated people more, especially those with unknown backgrounds.
Viola held the cat in her arms, her voice slightly indifferent, "I'll be wherever it is."
Adam frowned, thinking it was already a huge favor for the Thompson family to take Viola back. Instead of being grateful, she wanted to bring a stray cat!
Truly seeing an inch and taking a mile!
"If Miss insists on taking it, I must consult the Madam." Housekeeper took out her cell phone and walked out the door.
"Go ahead." Viola nodded slightly, having been in a high position for a long time, she had an unyielding aura about her.
The housekeeper furrowed her brows. She originally thought that after she said she would call back, Viola would recognize the situation and throw the cat away.
Who knew that not only did Viola not throw the cat away, but she also showed an air of superiority!
Did she really think she was a Thompson daughter?
In the end, who gave her such confidence?
With a stern face, Housekeeper went outside with her cell phone and called Olga.
Soon after, she returned to the room, her expression even darker as she looked at Viola and warned, "Miss, better watch your cat. The Thompson family is not like your countryside."
Viola didn't respond, instead gazing at the kitten in her embrace, her long eyelashes casting a shadow under her lids.
Their skin was as white as jade.
The housekeeper hesitated.
Is the young girl in front of her, with her flamboyant and provocative appearance, really the same timid and wild village girl from before?
Suddenly,
A sneer crept up on housekeeper's lips.
She was just a village girl from the countryside. Even if she changed, she would always just be a village girl from the countryside!
She could never compare to the excellent Elizabeth Thompson.
With that thought in mind, the disdain in Housekeeper's eyes became even more pronounced.
**
Before leaving, Grandma tightly held Viola's hand, her eyes reddened and her voice choked, "Viola, remember to listen to your parents when you arrive in your new home. Don't make them angry. Just endure it and let things pass..."
"I will." Viola nodded slightly, reaching out to hug Grandma, "Goodbye Grandma."
As Grandma watched Viola get into the car and disappear down the small road, she wiped her tears, turning back to enter the house.
Eight hours later.
The car stopped in front of a luxurious villa.
Standing in front of the villa from her memories, Viola's heart suddenly pounded uncontrollably fast.
Housekeeper glanced at Viola and chided, "The young miss has a weak constitution. If your cat scares her, nobody could bear the responsibility!"
Unknown if Viola heard her, she simply held the cat, her back straight.
Housekeeper looked at Viola's side profile, her eyebrows furrowed.
Such an ill-mannered thing!
She couldn't fathom what Reg Thompson and Olga were thinking, allowing a wild girl like her to return home.
Housekeeper suppressed her displeasure, "Mister and Missus are already waiting for you in the study. Let's go there first."
Viola followed her steps.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the study.
"Mister and Missus." Housekeeper stood at the door, speaking respectfully.
"Let her come in." Reg Thompson's voice came from inside the room.
"Understood." Housekeeper turned to Viola, "Mister has asked you to come in."
Viola, with the cat in her arms, pushed the door open with her other hand.
Upon opening the door, she saw a middle-aged man with a pudgy physique seated near the desk. He had a balding head and small, narrow eyes that looked very shrewd.
Beside him sat an attractive middle-aged woman in good shape and well-maintained, her age unclear and her appearance striking.
This was Viola's adoptive father and mother, Reg Thompson and Olga.
"Have a seat." Olga looked at Viola who walked in, suppressing the disgust in her eyes.
Viola obeyed and sat down.
Reg Thompson looked at the adopted daughter who had been abandoned in the countryside since she was a child, and went straight to the point, "Since you have returned, you are now a part of this family. Emma is your only sister, and everything you do from now on should be for her. As an older sister, you should protect Emma with your life at critical moments."
Protect Emma with her life?
Was the meaning of her existence simply for Emma?
Viola slightly lowered her eyes, long and thick eyelashes hiding the emotions within.
Just how foolish was the original Viola, believing that Reg Thompson and Olga would truly accept her and treat her as their own daughter?
Reg Thompson paused before continuing, "We have set a marriage for you. It's the third son of the Lentz family. The engagement banquet will be in half a month."
"If I remember correctly," Viola gently stroked the kitten in her embrace, looking somewhat languid, "the person engaged to the Lentz family should be Emma, right?"
Upon hearing this, Reg Thompson furrowed his brows slightly. He felt that there was something different about Viola but couldn't quite place it since he had never really looked at his adopted daughter before, "You and your sister are not from the same world. Her future is limitless, soaring like a phoenix in the sky. Naturally, she cannot marry an invalid. It will be a bargain for you."
A girl who had nothing—who was she to compare with Emma?
Olga chimed in just in time, "The Lentz family is wealthy and powerful. Marrying into their family is your good fortune. Know what's good for you!"
Her last words served as a warning and a reminder.