Aoba Hoyle was defeated by two women. He finally squeezed the words out of his gritted teeth, âAlright, Chloe Big Sis.â
A good man didnât fight woman. One day, he would win it anyway.
Downstairs, his eldest brother and father-in-law were playing chess. His eldest brother was good at winning peopleâs heart. Now, he became more and more native to this family.
His relationship with Chloe Malan was not surprising to Mr. and Mrs. Steele. They had long anticipated this. They were happy about it for their entanglement was inevitable.
However, when the daughters started working, going to school, and dating, the atmosphere in the house quieted down. Mrs. Steele couldnât help sighing, âI hope my kids are doing well.â
âMy children and grandchildren will have their own families. Perhaps, the twist and turn in life will do them good. It will make them cherish each other more.â said Mr. Steele.
Olive Steele went to the hospital. Since Norton Geve was hospitalized, she had visited him regularly every week.
Doctor said that his cancer was not getting any severe. It was a good news.
In the past few days, Norton Geve had been craving for meat and seafood. He said on the phone, âMy tongue is so numb. I donât know the taste of salt.â
Then, after consulting to the doctor, she made his favorite foods and sent them over. She didnât expect to meet Mrs. Hoyle and Ophelia Meyer.
Ophelia Meyer somehow put on a big smile on Mrs. Hoyleâs face. Strangers would think that they were mother and daughter.
She wanted to take a detour, but it was too late to avoid them. Her appearance broke the warm atmosphere between them.
Ophelia Meyer covered it well, but the hatred in her eyes was still obvious.
How could she not hate her? In Ophelia Meyerâs eyes, Olive Steele stole her man. It was not enough, now Olive Steele drove her away from Alan Hoyle.
There was a saying; if it was yours, others couldnât take it away and if it was not yours, you couldnât force to have it.
âMiss Steele, long time no see.â
âLong time no see? Itâs only been two or three months. Miss Meyerâs memory seems to be not very good.â
Ophelia Meyer looked at her with disgust, âDo you come to see my mother? I donât think so. Iâll take a good care of my mother, so you donât have to bother.â
Although her marriage and Alan Hoyle fell through, she still insisted on calling Mrs. Hoyle âmotherâ. It was both to show her determination that she was the rightful daughter-in-law and to comfort her heart.
âI donât think Mrs. Hoyle will be happy to see me, so I better go. Iâm here to visit my boss. Iâm sorry for bumping into you, so donât bother.â Olive Steele smiled gently and walked past them.â
Ophelia Meyer grabbed her wrist, âYou can marry Alan, but you cannot marry the Hoyle. You will lose everything sooner or later.â
âThatâs not certain.â if anything, there was something called retreated to advance.
A woman like Ophelia Meyer would do anything to win Mrs. Hoyleâs favor and love, but if she was to do the same thing, she would have to down herself to her level. She was not stupid enough to curry favor only to win her mother-in-lawâs heart.
But, she couldnât turn a blind eye on her either. What a hassle. Although Alan Hoyle would always protect her, but for the long run, she hoped Mrs. Hoyle and the big family would be happy with her too.
What a hassle.
Ophelia Meyer had a headache herself. She knew that she Mrs. Hoyle favored her, but Alan Hoyle showed no sign of interest whatsoever. Alan Hoyle couldnât wait to get a marriage certificate with Olive Steele. He wanted to tell the whole world that they belonged to each other. Childhood friends in his eyes had become nothing but a laughingstock.
Now, Olive Steele is the young lady of the Hoyle family and sheâs flaunting it in front of her. She could never accepted it. Even if she couldnât win Alan Hoyle, she could still get rid of Olive Steele.
âMom, look at her proud appearance. Now that she has Alan, she doesnât respect you anymore.â
Mrs. Hoyle didnât answer. She just watched her leaving like she did five years ago. She was arrogant, but she didnât seem domineering.
âIâm tired. Help me to back to rest. By the way, itâs going to be fifteen soon. By the time Iâm discharge from the hospital, come to Baohua Temple with me, will you?â
âOf course, Mom. I can accompany you wherever you want to go.â
Itâs been a bad time. They had to go to the temple to worship Buddha for a better days.
Olive Steele had just stepped out of the elevator when she met a familiar nurse, âMiss Steele, are you coming to visit Mr. Geve again?â
âYes. I made him something to eat. How is he today?â
âVery good. Heâs very cheerful today. His condition has been good. Doctor says that it is a miracle. He is also very cooperative with the treatment.â
âIâm glad to hear that.â
Norton Geve was in a good mood. He was sitting leisurely in the sofa with his eyes closed listening to the opera. Olive Steele was not good with opera, but she knew that it was a line from Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion, âOur marriage is as beautiful as flower. Time passes quickly when Iâm with you.â
The opera was telling a story of a couple with happy marriage. They grew old together and it was very touching.
Lory Ted greeted her when she saw her coming. She shushed her so as not to disturb Norton Geveâs vibing. Lory Ted smiled apologetically as she took the hot meal box from her hand and put it on the table.
âHm! I can smell the fragrance!â Norton Geve suddenly opened his eyes and smiled.
âHe has a sharp nose.â
âOlive, thank you for bringing delicious foods. You know Iâm hungry.â Norton Geve stood up with a smile. He knew it was Olive Steele coming.
Olive Steele smiled. She was a mother of a child, but she was still young. Compared to the sixty years old Norton Geve, she was a baby. She laughed, âYou have a sharp nose, donât you?â
âI do, but Iâm not very bright recently. I guess Iâm too lazy. I care about food and that is all.â Norton Geve said it as he twisted the lid. Steamed vegetables appeared before his eyes. It was very appetizing. He was so happy that he drooled. He began tasting it, âHm! Itâs delicious!â
âYou have to wash your hand first!â Lory Ted slapped his hand and scolded, âThe older you are, the more like a child you become!â
âOkay, fine, Iâll wash my hand. If I donât wash my hand Iâll get a long preach from my wife.â Norton Geve walked to the bathroom immediately.
Olive Steele helped put the food on the table, âI made it for two. You can eat.â
âYouâre too kind, Olive.â Lory Ted smiled gratefully.
She smiled faintly, âAuntie, donât say that. Itâs a must.â