Chapter 74
Yulia looked at the girl walking from afar, and for a fleeting moment, she thought it was a young Lilian. They looked so much alike, especially those eyes, as if they were carved from the same mold. However, the girl in front of her was even more beautiful than Lilian.
“Yves, you’re back! The next class is with Top Dog. I thought you might not make it! Bonnie said.
Yvette nodded slightly and lifted her eyes, a laid–back expression in her gaze. She looked at Yulia, who was staring at her in a daze.
Yulia was wearing the latest fashion from LV. Although she was in her fifties, she was well–maintained. Apart from a few visible wrinkles on her face, she looked lively.
When Yulia noticed Yvette looking at her, she suddenly became tongue–tied.
Bonnie, looking puzzled, whispered, ‘Yve, this lady came to find you. Don’t you know her?”
Yvette turned slightly, revealing a portion of her wrist. “Who are you?” she asked in a chilly and lazy tone.
Noticing that people around were starting to glance in their direction, Yulia quickly introduced herself, “Hello, Yvette. I’m Yulia, Victor’s mother, and… and your mother’s close friend.
Last time on the basketball courty–she had spoken ill of Yvette to appease Victor. Yulia didn’t know the full story, only that Yvene had gotten involved, which angered her. She felt Yvette shouldn’t have helped outsiders go against Victor. Later, after calming down, she realized Rebecca was right. Victor’s spoiled nature was her doing, and he deserved some setbacks.
Time had passed, and Yulia no longer harbored those feelings. Seeing Yvette in person now stirred some old memories. Lilian had treated her kindly back then, viewing her as a close friend, though their relationship could never reach a heart–to- heart level due to too many entangled interests. Yulia could never truly be sincere with Lilian.
After hearing Yulia’s words, Yvette’s gaze sharpened slightly, exuding a cold aura that made Yulia feel uneasy. “Let’s go to the cafe outside the campus, Yvette said. Then, she tilted her head and said to Bonnie, “Tell Jeremiah I have something to do and won’t make it to class.”
Bonnie, still a bit dazed, nodded and said, “Got it, Yve
After they left, Bonnie slapped her own head and thought, “How stupid of me!” She hadn’t expected that the woman was Victor’s mother. They didn’t look alike at all. Bonnie didn’t know that Victor had inherited his looks from the paternal side of the family.
But why did his mother come to find Yve? It must be a scheme, an absolute conspiracy!‘ she thought.
While Bonnie was muttering to herself, Jeremiah approached with a textbook in hand. “Where’s Yvette?” he asked, startlingContent held by NôvelDrama.Org.
Bonnie
She clutched her chest in surprise. ‘Why did Top Dog walk so quietly like a ghost?’ she wondered,
By now, Bonnie wasn’t as nervous around Jeremiah as before. After some hesitation, she decided to tell him about Victor’s mother seeking out Yvette. She thought, ‘One can never know someone’s true intentions, and what if that woman tried to threaten Yve? Just like in those TV dramas where money gets thrown at people, followed by angry threats. I’ll go all out for Yve’safety!
Jeremiah frowned slightly when he saw the determined look on Bonnie’s face.
“Top Dog, just now Victor’s mother came to see Yve. They went to the Heartbeat Gale next to the campus, Bonnie said, while mentally assuring herself that she wasn’t tattling.
In an instant, Jeremiah’s eyes deepened like an unfathomable abyss. Someone from the Carter family? he thought.
In the cafe, Yvette and Yulia sat by the window. From Yvette’s seat she could see the school’s plaque with the words “Teach and Educate inscribed by Simon, hanging at the school entrance.
Yvette ordered a milkshake, since she preferred its sweetness over coffee. Meanwhile, Yulia chose an Americano.
For the first five minutes, neither of them spoke. Yvette sat with her legs crossed, head lowered, lost in thought. Yulia considered reminding her to sit properly, but she hesitated and decided against it. Uncomfortably fidgeting with her handbag. Yulia reminded herself of why she was there and felt a pang of guilt as she looked at the girl in front of her.
Another five minutes passed.
Yulia’s coffee was almost gone, but Yvette still hadn’t spoken. Finally, unable to wait any longer, Yulia carefully began, Yvette, I’m here today because of the marriage agreement Lilian and I made between you and Victor. You know that when Lilian was five months pregnant, she disappeared, and you were inissing for over twenty years. Because of that, with your father’s consent, the marriage arrangement was transferred to Winona. This matter has long been settled. Plus, Victor and Winona have developed deep feelings for each other over the years. As parents, we can’t break them up over a mere agreement. I’m here today to… to make it clear that the engagement will be called off.”
Yulia finished in one breath, not daring to look at Yvette’s face afterward. She knew it wasn’t the right thing for the Carter family to do and had prepared herself for Yvette’s reaction. The compensation promised by Robert was set at 15 million dollars, but Yulia privately decided to add an extra 1.5 million dollars, as a nod to her old friendship with Lilian.
Yvette sipped her milkshake, stretched lazily, and yawned.
Yulia had expected Yvette to be furious, to accuse her, or even cry and throw a tantrum over the engagement. She thought Yvette might demand an exorbitant amount of money as compensation. But Yvette’s calm reaction shattered all her expectations.
“Oh, I wish Victor and Winona a long and happy marriage and lots of kids. Yvette said, putting down her empty cup and getting up to leave.
Her interrupted nap time had left her in a bad mood.
Yulia quickly called her back, nervously continuing, “Yvette, you might not know this, but your mother left behind a marriage agreement. Did she give it to you?”
Yvette thought for a moment. A marriage agreement? she wondered. Then, she recalled that she had probably given to someone in the village who needed something to start a fire with back then. She didn’t remember it clearly. Either way, it had probably been thrown away or ended up in some trash can in the village by now
“I threw it away. Don’t worry, it won’t resurface, Yvette said
Yulia didn’t believe her. She thought, ‘How could such an important document be carelessly discarded? Is Yvette planning to use it for some scheme, like demanding more money? With that thought, Yulia’s guilt lessened..
“Yvette, maybe you just forgot where it is. Why don’t you think again? Oh, and I brought this check for you today,” Yulia said, pulling out a check for 16.5 million dollars from her bag and pushing it toward Yvette.
Yvette’s eyes flashed with amusement. Why did people keep trying to throw money at her? Did she look poor?
Yvette definitely did look poor, Yulia had noticed her old, worn–out canvas shoes and assumed she was living in rough conditions. She lud forgotten about the things Rebecca had mentioned about Yvette.
Yvette picked up the check. Seeing that, Yulia’s expression brightened. As expected, how could Yvette turn down 16.5 million dollars? Yulia thought.
Yvette dangled the check between two fingers, waving it arrogantly in front of Yulia’s eyes. “Mrs. Carier, do you think this is a