Chapter 185

Chapter 185 The Nasty Aunt Nathaniel stepped forward to greet Sharon. “Mom.”

He might not be a man of many words, but his actions spoke volumes about his demeanor.

Christina linked arms with her mother and Nathaniel, leading them to the dining table. “Let’s dig in. I’m starving.”

The three of them sat at the table and began eating.

Christina was the only one chatting away during the meal. The household kitchen knew of her love for shrimp, and the chef would always prepare shrimp scampi when Christina was dining at home.

Nathaniel dutifully shelled the shrimp for her while she nattered away.

She made quick work of the shrimp and shot Nathaniel a doe–eyed look of anticipation.

Sharon watched on in disbelief as Nathaniel shelled each shrimp carefully and handfed Christina.

Is this really the proud, distant Mr. Hadley that everyone speaks of? I thought he would be some aloof man, but he’s so sweet toward Christina!

Back then, Sharon had been bedridden for several days after learning that Gideon had married Christina off to the Hadley family for money.

Sharon cleared her throat and said, “Christina, shell your own shrimp. Don’t dirty Nathaniel’s hands.”

A CEO’s hands are meant for more important things like holding a fountain pen and signing contracts.

Christina pouted and defended herself, “I’d love to shell my own shrimp, but Nathaniel won’t let me. He likes to do it for me. Isn’t that right, Nathaniel?”

“Yes.” He followed up with his brief reply by feeding Christina another freshly shelled shrimp.

Sharon cringed internally at their public display of affection.

Although the butler and the help were usually immune to the couple’s sappy behavior and Nathaniel’s penchant for romantic and cringeworthy gestures, they happened to let down their guard then and squirmed.

So... cringey.

After dinner, Christina accompanied Sharon for a stroll in the front yard.

The night breeze was rather chilly, so Christina draped her jacket over her mother’s shoulders. She also held her mother’s hand tenderly, just like in old times.

The pair talked for a long time. Christina took the opportunity to thank Sharon for being with her while she worked through the rocky parts of her life.

Sharon stroked her daughter’s face gently and uttered apologetically, “I’m sorry my illness has caused you so much trouble all these years.”

The mention of her past always filled Sharon with a wave of guilt.

“Don’t say that, Mom. You’re my mother. As my family, you’re my pillar of support,” Christina replied. reassuringly before enveloping Sharon in a hug.

Sharon continued to stroke Christina’s hair as tears welled in her eyes. “Christina...”

She had been concealing the truth about Christina’s background for a long time. Is it time for me to come clean? But will she be mad at me and ignore me if she knows I’ve been lying to her? I can’t afford to lose this precious relationship with her.

Before she could utter a word, Christina piped up. “It’s getting late. The wind’s getting stronger too. You should get some rest.”

Christina settled her mother in a room on the second floor and even poured her a glass of warm milk.

She only left the room once Sharon was asleep.

When she returned to the room, Nathaniel was already out of the shower. He was scrolling the financial news on a tablet while sitting on the couch.

“You’re not sleeping yet?” asked Christina while eyeing the contents on his tablet.

He spends the daytime poring over documents and attending meetings. In his free time, he reads through more Anglandurn and numbers. Aren’t his eyes tired?

Nathaniel looked up at her. A pair of glasses sat neatly across his nose bridge. He exuded both elegance and austerity.

“Is Mom asleep?” he asked.

Christina curled into his lap and mumbled, “Mm–hmm. Fast asleep.”

His fingertips massaged her head gently while his dark eyes flared with desire. “I have a business trip tomorrow and will only be back the day after. Take good care of Mom while I’m away.”

“I know.”

She smiled after their conversation and traced his handsome features tenderly.

His features were angular but not too sharp like an Epean’s. It made for an attractive face that could never bore Christina no matter how long she stared at it.

She hooked her arms around his neck, planning to give him a peck on the lips. Alas, things heated up more quickly than she had expected.

When Nathaniel left for work the next morning, Christina was still sound asleep in bed.

As he was getting dressed, he noticed a few hickeys across his shoulder.

That cheeky minx.

Nathaniel did not forget to kiss Christina softly on her cheek before leaving the room.

When Christina awoke hours later, she freshened up quickly and accompanied her mother to do some shopping.

The pair rarely had a chance to shop together and concluded their trip with a decent haul. It was afternoon by the time they returned to Scenic Garden Manor.

The air in the house felt off the minute they entered. Christina thought she recognized the aroma of Earl Grey tea.

In the living room, a lavishly dressed, middle–aged woman perched elegantly on one of the couches.

The butler said to Christina cautiously, “She is Mr. Hadley’s aunt.”

The woman in the living room was none other than Charlie’s younger sister, Sierra Hadley.

Christina strode into the living room and greeted their visitor politely, “Hello, Aunt Sierra. I’m Christina.”

Sierra’s disdainful gaze traveled up and down Christina’s body. She scoffed and spat, “I know who you are, you uncultured woman. I seriously question Nathaniel’s taste.”

Her words dripped with mockery. She did not bother to hide her disgust.

Society often likened marrying into a wealthy family to taking a leap into the unknown depths of the ocean. Christina’s own experience of internal feuds in the Steele family could not compare to the amount of infighting among the Hadleys.

Sharon was even more concerned over her daughter’s well–being in the Hadley household after hearing Sierra’s nasty remarks.

Meanwhile, Sierra’s gaze landed on the shopping bags held by the butler. They all had the logo of an eye- catching brand. It only convinced her that Christina was nothing more than a gold digger.

Christina already noticed that the visit from Nathaniel’s aunt was brimming with hostility. Worried that her words would agitate Sharon, Christina asked the butler to escort her mother upstairs.

That did not stop Sierra from snarling. “What a waste of money it was saving the failing Steele family. Does Nathaniel have any idea what kind of woman he married? He’s too young and doesn’t have our family’s best interests in mind. Allowing a woman like you into our family will only disgrace the Hadley name!”

Each merciless insult struck Christina like an unyielding brick.

Are all the Hadley women born with such foul mouths? Haven’t they heard of basic courtesy? Perhaps they’re behaving so obnoxiously because they think my dignity is worthless.

Christina brushed off the comments and settled herself on a couch. “I’m sorry. I paid for all these clothes. with my own money.”

She had used her debit card instead of the black card Nathaniel had given her.

I can afford to shower my mom with pretty clothes and jewelry!

Sierra was unconvinced. The money Christina spent was hardly more than a penny for the Hadley family.

In her eyes, no amount of hard work on Christina’s part could qualify her as a fitting addition to the Hadley family.

Sierra raised her voice and said bitingly, “I’ve come bearing a warning in the capacity of a family elder. You’ve married into the Hadley family for nearly three years. If you still can’t give us a grandchild, you can expect some divorce papers soon!”

The living room plunged into silence.

The butler and the help felt nervous for Christina.

Ms. Sierra is a force to be reckoned with!