It was three in the afternoon. Lorraine was watering the plants in the garden in Madilyn’s mansion when three black Mercedes-Benzes rolled to a stop at the entrance. A few bodyguards hopped off their cars and opened the door of the Mercedes-Benz in the middle.
A well-dressed middle-aged man with a cane stepped out of the car followed by a woman of similar age, bedecked in expensive jewelry. After emerging from the vehicle, she glanced at the mansion, disdain evident in her gaze.
“It looks like your daughter is doing well in Horington. She can even afford to buy a mansion!” the middle-aged woman said arrogantly in a thick Xandenian accent. The man bore an icy and intimidating expression.
He was Norton Sheffield, the owner of Sheffield Group, which was the biggest company in Xendale. The woman standing beside him was his wife, Mildred Hinton. His assistant came nearer to him and said politely, “Mr. Sheffield, this is the right address. Ms. Madilyn stays here.”
“Let’s go. It’s time to talk to Lorraine,” Mildred said with a mocking smirk. She was talking about Madilyn’s mother, Lorraine Xander.
When the doorbell rang, Lorraine assumed the delivery guy was there to drop off a parcel. Without checking who it was, she pressed the button to open the iron gates. A smile nudged her lips as she walked to the gate to receive the parcel.
Without warning, a cane appeared in her sight. Something occurred to her, and a look of panic crossed her face. She then saw the face of the man outside her house.
Even though they had not seen each other in seven to eight years, she still couldn’t stop her heart from racing. Despite being flustered, she was unable to contain her anticipation. Norton soon came to a stop in front of her.
At first glance, Norton still looked the same as before. She couldn’t help but notice that he had aged. over time. His cheekbones were now more prominent, and his hair had turned partially white.
Lorraine felt her heart sink when she noticed he was gazing at her frostily. When Mildred showed up, Lorraine swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue. Two years ago, Mildred came to boast that her daughter would be marrying into an influential family in the south.
Meanwhile, Mildred was similarly at a loss for words when she saw Lorraine. She had expected Lorraine to look ill and much older after being abandoned, but to her shock, Lorraine looked elegant and even a few years younger than her. Fury flashed across her eyes as she glared at Lorraine.
“It’s been a while,” Norton greeted Lorraine. His gaze flickered with a hint of emotion, but it quickly vanished. A bitter smile played on Lorraine’s lips as she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but who are you? Did you come to the wrong place?”
She knew playing dumb was a childish act, but the sight of the man she once loved standing next to his seemingly perfect wife was the last thing she wanted to see. Lorraine couldn’t help but remember Madilyn’s advice.
The man had been cruel enough to break their wedding vows and abandon both her and their child for his own selfish interests. Hence, she didn’t bother being nice to him.
As it seemed that Lorraine didn’t welcome them, Mildred flew into a rage and barked angrily, “Lorraine Xander, stop putting up an act. You might’ve changed a lot, but it’s still possible to recognize you. We’re here to discuss something important. It doesn’t matter whether or not you welcome us, for we must talk today!”
