âPurple, whatâs wrong?â Zara Jameson and Jane McCainâs voices snapped Purple Summers back to reality.
âOh⦠nothing.â Purple Summers chuckled and said, âYou guys are only what, seventeen or eighteen? Already thinking about maintaining your youth? Talk to me in ten years!â
Jane McCain teased her, âHey, listen to how high and mighty you talk, arenât you the same age as us?â
While speaking, she started to tickle Purple, ââ¦making you pay for trying to act mature, making you pay!â
Zara Jameson laughed on the side, âJane, tickle her, tickle her, I canât stand to see her putting on this act of being so old and serious.â
âThatâs just my natural demeanor, a true expression of my feelings!â Purple Summers defended herself with a laugh as she dodged.
The three girls laughed and messed around, becoming a jolly mess.
Soon it was noon, and the feast began.
The servants lined up the exquisite dishes one by one on the table, far surpassing the self-serve dessert and fruit plates from before. Now, the spread was a truly luxurious banquet with lobsters, abalones, foie gras, steaks, presenting both exceptional flavor and appearance.
After their fun, they were all famished and ready to sit down to eat, but Purple Summers pulled them back.
âWhatâs up?â Jane McCain looked back at her, puzzled.
Zara Jameson was also curious and stood looking at the two of them.
âJane, will Max bark when he sees strangers?â Purple Summers suddenly asked.
âOf course.â Jane McCain immediately responded, âMaxâs mother even earned military honors. Heâs of noble breed and very sharp. He isnât reacting now because Iâm here, and he knows youâre my friends.â
After answering, she asked curiously, âPurple, why are you suddenly asking about this?â
Purple Summers grinned mysteriously, motioning with her hand for the two girls to come closer and whispered, âFollow meâ¦â
The luncheon had begun, and the guests were all taking their seats, but the three girls stood out as they headed towards the main entrance.
Not too far away, Yolanda Summers saw them and scoffed coldly, âNo manners.â
As she took her seat, Yolanda Summers noticed Jade Carlson, recalling how Jade had now become a favorite of Mrs. Farrellâs. Wanting to get on her good side, Yolanda greeted her with a smile, âAunt Jade.â
Jade Carlson, seeing her, also smiled broadly, âWhy havenât I seen Laura today?â
âOh, sheâs getting treatment out of town. My dad didnât want to delay her treatment, so we didnât bring her back for the holiday.â Mentioning Laura Summers made Yolanda Summers somewhat uncomfortable.
Jade Carlson asked with concern, âWhat kind of illness? Do you need me to introduce a doctor?â
Jade Carlson always presented herself as very caring and well-connected, which made her more popular with the Summers sisters than the overly principled Suzanne Saunders.
Yolanda Summers vaguely replied, âItâs nothing much, just too much pressure from studying, couldnât eat or sleep. Sheâs been getting better recently.â
The implication was that Jade Carlsonâs help was not needed.
Mentions of mental illness always carried some stigma, with people wondering whether it was hereditary. If the sister had it, could the other get it? What about future children?
If Laura Summersâ mental breakdown became public knowledge, Yolanda Summersâ prospects for marriage would be difficult!
Not wanting to talk about Laura Summers any further, Yolanda pretended to be affectionate and took Jade Carlsonâs arm, âAunt Jade, why havenât you come to see my uncle latelyâ¦â
She moved a bit too enthusiastically and bumped into Jade Carlsonâs small purse, causing its contents to be exposedâ
âWhat are you doing?!â Jade Carlson suddenly snapped.
Yolanda Summers was startled by her intense reaction, and the nearby guests turned to look as well.
Jade Carlson quickly forced a smile, snapped her purse shut, and explained, âSorry, Yolanda, I overreacted⦠Everything in this bag belongs to Mrs. Farrell, so Iâm quite nervous about it.â
âItâs okay, it was my faultâ¦â Yolanda Summers mumbled, feeling embarrassed.
Jade Carlson smiled briefly, then hurried off to find Mrs. Farrell.
Yolanda Summers stood there, feeling somewhat perplexed.