The next morning, after washing up, Liz walked into the living room and found Mandy and Kimberly sitting on the couch, chatting with Mrs. Smith Sr.Since leaving the Smith family, Liz hadn’t seen Mandy once.After several years apart, Mandy seemed far more polished than before. She wore a chic Chanel-style suit, her makeup was flawless, and her smile was poised and elegant.Sensing Liz’s gaze, Mandy turned her head with a warm expression.“Liz, you’re up? Grandma was just about to have the maid come wake you.”Her tone was familiar, as though the two of them had kept in close contact over the years.Liz’s face remained cool. She ignored Mandy completely and instead looked at Mrs. Smith Sr.“Grandma, I have something to do this morning. I won’t be staying for breakfast.”Mrs. Smith Sr. nodded, about to respond, when Kimberly’s face tightened with disapproval.“Liz, didn’t you hear Mandy greet you just now? Answering someone is the most basic courtesy. Don’t you even understand
Liz paused for a moment, then smiled. “I’ll be pretty busy over the next week. Let’s plan that dinner after I move into Crestwood Heights.”“Alright. Drive safe on your way back.”After saying goodbye to William, Liz drove off.When she returned to the Smith family’s estate and stepped into the living room, she was surprised to see Mrs. Smith Sr. sitting on the couch.“Grandma, why are you still up so late?”At the sight of her, Mrs. Smith Sr. patted the seat beside her. “Liz, come sit. I need to talk to you.”“What is it?”Liz sat down with a puzzled look.“For Sunday’s party, do you have a style you prefer? I can have Mrs. Wood arrange everything according to your taste.”Liz shook her head. “Grandma, whatever you decide is fine. I don’t have any particular preferences.”A flicker of disappointment crossed Mrs. Smith Sr.’s eyes. “Liz, earlier today your mom asked Mandy the very same question. Do you know how Mandy answered?”Liz frowned. “Grandma, I really don’t care how s
Liz’s distant, dismissive tone left Zac with a sudden wave of disappointment. After a brief silence, he forced a smile.“Liz, I heard the Smith family is planning a party to welcome you back.”Once she returned home, he intended to find a chance to go to the Smiths and settle their marriage first, then take his time softening her heart. As long as he persisted, she was bound to give in—just like before.Liz, however, was already losing patience. “And what does that have to do with you?”Zac frowned and was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang in his pocket.He answered, listened for a few seconds, and his expression shifted. “Got it. I’ll head over right away.”Ending the call, he looked down at her. “Liz, something urgent came up at work. I’ll see you at the Smith estate on the day of the welcome party.”Liz didn’t even lift her eyes, treating his words like they were nothing but hot air.When she refused to acknowledge him, Zac felt a pang of disappointment. He stayed
After sending her message, William quickly replied that he wasn’t home and suggested they meet directly at the restaurant entrance later.Liz responded with an “OK” sticker and told him she was heading out now, estimating she would arrive around six.When she reached the restaurant entrance, she happened to run into William. The two of them walked inside together.Meanwhile, on the roadside, Zac sat with his eyes closed, trying to rest. In the passenger seat, Chase glanced toward the distance and suddenly let out a surprised “Huh?”Zac opened his eyes. “What is it?”“N… nothing. I thought I saw Ms. Smith just now, but I must have been mistaken.”Lately, Zac himself wasn’t sure what was going on. His workload had been heavier than usual, and he hadn’t asked about Liz in a long time.Chase couldn’t read Zac’s feelings and didn’t dare bring Liz up again.What no one expected was that Zac had already dismissed Xena.Xena had caused a scene at the company twice afterward, but wheth
“And if we hold the two parties separately on the same day, people will think Mandy and Liz don’t get along. You know how much gossip that would stir up,” Kimberly pressed.Mrs. Smith Sr. gave her a sharp, mocking look. “All this planning for a foster daughter. You really do go out of your way.”The smile on Kimberly’s face froze the moment she heard the words foster daughter.“Mom, can you not bring that up every time? In my heart, Mandy is my own daughter.”As for Liz, all Kimberly saw was a stubborn, disobedient girl who embarrassed her at every turn.“You can treat her like your own if you want,” Mrs. Smith Sr. replied coldly, “but I will never see her as my granddaughter. Not everyone is blind and foolish the way you are. A foster child is still a foster child. Growing up in this house with every comfort should already feel like winning the lottery. To want more than that is nothing but greed. You’re the only one who can’t see how ambitious Mandy really is.”Kimberly’s chest
“No need. Leave it for now.”“Understood, Mr. Sanders.”*At the Smith estate, Liz also came across the apology statement. She read it over once, saw nothing wrong, and put her phone away without another thought.The next morning, after filing the paperwork to officially withdraw her lawsuit against Victoria, Liz stepped out of the courthouse and immediately received a call from the family estate’s landline.Assuming something had happened with her grandmother, she picked up at once. “Hello? What’s wrong?”Instead of her grandmother, Kimberly’s icy voice came through the line. “Your sister’s back from overseas today. You’re expected home tonight.”Liz glanced at the screen again, realizing it really was the estate’s number. Her brows furrowed. “Why are you calling me from the house phone?”“If I called from my own cell, would you even pick up?” Kimberly’s tone was deliberately low, but her irritation and chill bled through.“Since you know I wouldn’t answer, you should also kn