Jane McCainâs gossip primarily came from her motherâs connections and the news from entertainment weeklies. Purple Summers and Zara Jameson didnât pay much attention to this, so they seemed rather uninformed.
But a private tutor being dismissed by the Douglas Family wasnât exactly big news. It wouldnât be common knowledge, and since Janeâs mother had no connections with the Douglas family, how could Jane know about their affairs?
Purple Summers was puzzled.
Jane said with a smile, âBastian called me and told me.â
Sebastian Douglas had his first cell phone very early in life, which was a childrenâs watch phone.
âBastian called you?â Purple Summers was even more surprised; her expression was almost one of shock.
Beside her, Zara Jameson didnât sense anything unusual and smiled, âI couldnât tell, Jane, you seem to have a way with kids.â
âSo-so, hahahaâ¦â Jane laughed.
Purple Summers asked, âDid Young Master Douglas mention the reason?â
âThe private tutor was hired when Bastian was five, at a critical time when he was transitioning from kindergarten to elementary school. Mrs. Douglas couldnât look after him because of her depression, so Mr. Douglas hired her,â Jane explained. âNow Bastian is almost eight, has adapted to elementary school life and is very smart. He really doesnât need a tutorâs help, and that tutor only had an English level of Grade 4, not much better than Bastian, so there was really no point in keeping her at the Douglas home.â
âNo point? Then why not dismiss her earlier? Why now?â Purple Summers narrowed her eyes, filled with suspicion as she stared at Jane, âCouldnât be⦠that youâve been badmouthing her, could it?â
Jane blushed slightly, âDonât be like that. Do I look like the kind of person who gossips behind someoneâs back?â
Purple Summers stared at her: ââ¦â
Jane said awkwardly, âI really didnât badmouth her. I just told Bastian that for English⦠you could find a teacher with better spoken language skills, to practice moreâ¦â
A tutor for kindergarten kids might have good academic qualifications, but their spoken English would definitely not be a match for an old hand like Jane.
Jane would travel abroad several times a year with her mother to attend various fashion shows, mingling exclusively with foreigners. She didnât just have good spoken English; she could even imitate different accents from several states.
âSo⦠are you now Young Master Douglasâs spoken English teacher?â Purple Summers asked.
âOf course not!â Jane immediately shook her head. âI can barely finish my own homework; how could I have time to tutor someone else? Itâs just that I occasionally talk to him on the phone, using a foreign language to communicate and help him with his pronunciation.â
After Jane finished, she couldnât help but feel sentimental, âBastian really is the smartest and most sensible kid Iâve ever met. Ah, what was I doing at the age of seven or eight? Playing with Barbie dolls?â
âYouâre still playing with Barbie dolls,â Zara Jameson teased her.
Jane immediately retorted, âThatâs different, okay? Now I design fashions and accessories for the dolls. I play in a very high-end and meaningful way!â
âAfter all, itâs still playing with dolls!â Zara Jameson continued to laugh at her.
Purple Summers was silent on the side, her expression suddenly became somewhat somber.
Jane McCain and Zara Jameson kept chatting back and forth.
Jane said, âIf my future kids could be as smart and well-behaved as Bastian, that would be great. Heâs like a genius contestant, winning right from the starting line⦠Oh right, heâs even asked me to play baseball with him this weekend.â
âHe asked you to play baseball?â Purple Summers was surprised.
âAh, I know itâs a bit inappropriate to go to the Douglas home just to play baseball with him,â Jane sighed. âBut he looked so pitiful. His mom died in a car accident, and after finally getting a stepmom who adored him, sheâs now divorcing and moving out. Mr. Douglas is furious; the servants are gossiping every day, and no oneâs looking after him⦠I just couldnât bear to say no.â
Purple Summers felt there was something very strange about this.
She wanted to persuade Jane not to go, but when the words reached her lips, she couldnât find the right reason.
She thought: Letâs just see how things go.