âChristopher?â Caitlin Carter turned her head to see her husband still in a daze and couldnât help but ask with concern, âWhatâs wrong, was todayâs speech too exhausting?â
She set aside the clothes in her hand, walked over to Christopher Simonson, and began to massage his shoulders and head.
âYour complexion has been getting worse lately, although the election is important, you canât neglect your health.â Caitlin slowly massaged him and sighed, âLetâs go to the hospital for a check-up later, shall we? Do you still think youâre a twenty-year-old? At your age, you should know better than to not take care of yourselfâ¦â
Christopher Simonson smiled and said, âWhat, at forty, you think Iâm old now?â
Caitlin smiled and gently tapped him.
The couple chatted for a while in the room before a servant came to call them downstairs for dinner.
Christopherâs parents were there, along with Violet Nelson, who had been fostered by the Simonson family since childhood. The family sat down at the dinner table, and during the meal, Caitlin mentioned to her elders that she needed to make a trip out.
Caitlin didnât go into detail, after all, seeking a child for a legal case was absurd, so she merely mentioned that a friend had referred a lawyer who might be able to appeal her younger brotherâs case, and she wanted to talk to him in person.
On hearing this, Old Mrs. Simonson frowned in displeasure and said, âChristopher is at a critical time right now, you might be needed to attend some events with him later, yet you want to run off to another place. What is this all about?â
âAll right, the matters concerning Christopher are indeed important, but Scott Carterâs case is also a pressing issue,â Old Master Simonson intervened to stop his wifeâs complaints, speaking calmly, âIf the appeal is successful, Christopherâs political career in the future will have one less point of criticism to contend with.â
The younger sisterâs brother committing murder and being imprisoned was no small stain for a future president.
The thought only deepened the frown on Old Mrs. Simonsonâs face.
Caitlin was personally chosen by her as a daughter-in-law. She initially thought that Caitlin, a well-bred and gentle lady, was perfect in every way, but once she became part of the family, she found her increasingly unsatisfactory.
After all these years, not only had she failed to bear a son or daughter, but her brother had viciously murdered his wife, a scandalous disgrace!
If not for the consideration that a divorce might make people talk of Christopherâs heartlessness, the Old Mrs. Simonson would have forced her son to divorce and remarry!
âWhen will you be back?â asked Old Mrs. Simonson coldly, her voice even, âThereâs a charity dinner next week, and you need to accompany Christopher to it. Donât delay the important things.â
Christopher answered for his wife, âCaitlin is just going to Clearwater City, not abroad. Sheâll be back in a day or two at most. Mom, donât worry.â@@novelbin@@
ââClang.
A white porcelain soup spoon fell into the bowl, making a clear sound.
Everyone looked up at Violet Nelson.
Looking shocked, Violet blurted out to Caitlin, âAunt, youâre going to Clearwater City?!â
Before Caitlin could answer, Violet asked again, âYouâre not going to see that Purple Summers, are you?! Donât be fooled by others!â
Old Mrs. Simonsonâs expression turned grave, âWhatâs going on? Who is Purple Summers?â
Caitlinâs heart immediately tensed, fearing the Old Mrs. Simonson would disagree with her trip to Clearwater City, she hastily explained, âItâs not like that. I made a point of observing, and that child indeed has some genuine talent and learningâ¦â
âChild?â seized on the key word, Old Mrs. Simonsonâs crowâs feet deepened, skepticism apparent in her eyes.
Violet spoke with a mocking tone, âYes, that Purple Summers hasnât even graduated high school yet, sheâs best at flattering the powerful with sweet talk. Those rich people in Clearwater City, she has them all duped, ha⦠she certainly has her ways.â
Old Mrs. Simonson flew into a rage, turned to Caitlin, and said sharply, âDo you even realize what time it is right now?! The election is in its final stages, your husband is exhausted every day, and as his wife, instead of thinking about how to share his burden, you want to seek out a child to fight a legal case for the Carter family?! Do you want to make the scandal even bigger?â