Chapter 218
Juliet said, “Why would she come back? Doesn’t she hold a grudge over what happened back then?”
Hilda replied, “I didn’t expect her to come back either, Juliet. Now is not the time to dwell on that. What if she finds out something?”
Juliet chuckled. “She won’t. She has no idea. But to prevent any mishaps, you can finish what you didn’t complete back then.”
Hilda’s eyes brightened. “Alright, I understand!”
Then she asked, “Juliet, when are you coming back? It’s been so long since you visited me.”
Juliet’s tone cooled. “Madam Hilda, I have some matters to attend to here. I’ll send you ten thousand dollars later so you can buy something nice.”
“Alright, Juliet, you’re always so considerate, unlike Aveline, who came back with a bunch of useless stuff. Who needs that?”
After hanging up, Hilda’s eyes gleamed as she scrolled through her phone until she found a number and dialed it.
“Hello? Mr. Portal? Do you remember Aveline Young?”
Outside the orphanage, Zachary said, “Aveline, don’t take Madam Hilda’s attitude to heart. She’s always been like that.”
Aveline looked at him and asked, “Why do you want to stay here? There are broader horizons and more opportunities outside.”
Zachary had studied interior design, a field with limited prospects in a small town. In a big city, he might really make a name for himself.
Zachary replied, “I want to repay Madam Hilda. If she hadn’t taken me in, I would have frozen to death that winter.”
Aveline fell silent. She had once thought the same, but people change, and so do their thoughts.
“Well, I’ll be going now,” she said.
+15 BONUS
Zachary nodded. “Okay, if you’re sticking around for a bit, just give me a call. This place has changed a lot since you left. I can show you around if you want.‘
“Okay.”
Aveline smiled. The sunlight fell on her, highlighting her exquisite features and clear, beautiful eyes.
Zachary was momentarily dazzled by Aveline’s smile.
Aveline got into her car and drove away. Watching her car disappear, Zachary placed a hand over his chest, feeling his heart race wildly.
Aveline drove back to the hotel area and dropped off the car. Feeling hungry, she grabbed a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. Afterwards, she took a leisurely walk through the streets, picking up some local crafts as gifts for Selena and Russell. With her shopping done, she made her way back to the hotel.
Just as she was about to take a nap, her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number, but recalling she had given Hilda her number earlier, she decided to answer.
“Hello?”
“It’s me,” came Hilda’s voice.
Aveline’s eyes flickered. “Madam Hilda, did you remember something?”
Hilda responded, “Yes, I remember you had something with you when I took you in. Let’s meet tonight to talk. Come to Celestial Heights. I’ll be waiting there.”
Celestial Heights was the best restaurant in Arthur Town, frequented by high- ranking officials and important figures. Why would Hilda choose such a place to meet?
Aveline replied, “There’s no need to meet there. I can come to the orphanage to find you.”
Hilda’s voice sharpened. “I want to eat at Celestial Heights. I raised you for years, and you won’t even buy me one meal there? Aveline, don’t you have any gratitude?”