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Novel Catalog
Chapter_112
Nellie didn’t dare show any attitude toward Zachary, so she forced a smile. “Darling, I was just in a hurry. Please forgive me this time. I’ll be sure to let you know before I come next time.”
Her smile was bright, but despite her charm, the subtle lines on her face—the telltale signs of a woman in her fifties—were impossible to hide. She still had a striking presence, but the youthful allure of a woman in her twenties was long gone.
Standing beside Yvette, the contrast was striking. Where Yvette exuded a youthful elegance, Nellie looked every bit her age. Zachary’s eyes narrowed, a faint frown appearing as he noticed Nellie’s coquettish demeanor. Doesn’t she see where we are? Yvette is right here. How inappropriate, he thought, his irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior.
Nellie, however, hadn’t expected her attempt to charm Zachary to backfire. The usual tricks that worked on him now seemed to only irritate him further. The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming awkward and strained.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, Yvette got up. With her hands casually in her pockets, she tilted her head and raised an eyebrow. Her carefree attitude was apparent as she spoke in her usual detached tone, “I’m leaving.”
Zachary’s expression immediately softened. His concern was evident, and he quickly tried to rectify the situation, his words rushed. “Yvette, we can put the matter we’ve just discussed aside for now. Think it over, and we’ll talk later. The most important thing right now is your welcome home party this Sunday. You must come. I’ll have Lucas pick you up from school that day. I’ll get a designer to make you a dress. Let me know if you have any other requests—anything at all. I’ll make it happen.”
Nellie stood frozen beside them, her smile faltering as her temper simmered. What about Winona? She clenched her jaw, trying to keep her composure, but inside, she was seething. The welcome home party for Yvette was being prioritized over Winona’s apprenticeship ceremony.
Zachary had always cared so much about Winona’s milestones—her apprenticeship was supposed to be the event of the year. But now everything had shifted. This isn’t just a party, this is about control. It’s about him prioritizing Yvette, just like everything else. Nellie’s gaze hardened, and the hostility toward Yvette was palpable.
Lucas, standing a little further back, noticed the tension in the room. Mr. Chambers is so blatantly favoring Ms. Zeller without even trying to hide it. Doesn’t he notice how grim Mrs. Chambers looks? He thought, unable to mask his concern. What if Mrs. Chambers finds out about the will? I can’t imagine the fallout from that. What if the Smith family gets involved?
As for Yvette, she didn’t miss the tension between Zachary and Nellie. She paused on her way out, her back still turned to them. Without looking back, she gave a subtle nod. It was a small gesture, but to Zachary, it meant everything.
The relief in his chest was instant, and a grin slowly spread across his face. She’s agreed, he thought, almost beaming. Now I can relax. I can finally do something for her. The prospect of his daughter’s acceptance, however minimal, was more than enough for Zachary.
Nellie, on the other hand, suppressed her jealousy. Yvette’s mere nod had shifted the balance of the family dynamic. Yvette’s return means everything, even if it stings, she realized bitterly. I’ll have to play along, but it doesn’t mean I’ll forget this.
Nellie’s voice was sweet as ever, her face smoothing into a smile. “When Yvette returns, I’ll find her a top designer team. Don’t worry, Darling.”
Zachary’s face softened, his gaze turning a little kinder toward Nellie. Good. At least someone’s making an effort, he thought. “Okay. Put in the effort, Nellie. Money’s not an issue. Just make sure Yvette’s happy,” he said, his tone warm but his focus already shifting toward Yvette.
Nellie, ever the strategist, could see the change in Zachary when Yvette was mentioned. His expression softened, almost parental. It was clear he had a soft spot for Yvette, and that only fueled her growing frustration. Every time he talks about her, it’s like he’s a completely different man. He’s so eager to please her, Nellie thought, her annoyance mounting. But she maintained her sweet demeanor and replied, “Okay, Darling. I’ll make sure you see a gorgeous Yvette. The tailors are downstairs; I’ll call them up now.”
Zachary nodded, clearly content with the arrangement. “Let them come up,” he said. “I have work after they take the measurements, so you should leave.” There was no mercy in his tone; it was a clear dismissal.
Nellie’s fingers clenched around her bag, but she didn’t dare show her frustration. Instead, she smiled and said, “Okay.”
As the tailors arrived, Zachary prepared for his fitting. Nellie had a moment of distraction—this was her chance. She had seen Zachary quickly stash away the document he’d handed to Yvette earlier. What was that? Nellie wondered, growing more curious by the second. What kind of document needs to be locked away like that?
As she sipped her coffee, her gaze followed Zachary’s movements. She saw him slip the document into the safety deposit box with practiced ease. That document must be important, Nellie thought, her mind racing. I need to find out what it is.
The next day, Yvette found herself called into the Principal’s office. Just half an hour earlier, she had been in her physics classroom, unaware of the call waiting for her.
When she entered, Simon Sunderland, the Principal, greeted her with a warm smile. The office had a cozy, almost casual feel, with coffee brewing in the background and snacks laid out on the table. Is this the Principal’s office or a small gathering for friends? Yvette thought, slightly amused.
Simon’s eyes brightened as he saw her. He was careful in his observations, especially considering her recent events. If Yvette had been hurt outside, Mr. Owens might have come rushing over here, Simon mused silently.
“You’re here, Yvette. Please, take a seat.” Simon gestured toward the couch.
Yvette nodded politely, her demeanor as calm as ever. “Hello, Mr. Sunderland,” she greeted him, glancing at the snacks. She sat down casually, not missing a beat.
Simon grinned. “Have you sorted everything out? If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Yvette, as always, was matter-of-fact in her response. “Everything’s fine, Mr. Sunderland.”
Simon didn’t push her any further but smiled as he pushed the snacks toward her. “I got these for you. Not sure what young girls like to eat, so I had someone gather a selection. Let me know what you like, and I’ll keep some here for you whenever you visit.”
Yvette paused for a moment, eyeing the snacks. Then, after a beat of silence, she picked up a chip and took a bite. For the first time, she looked up at Simon and thanked him sincerely, “Thank you, Mr. Sunderland.”
Simon’s smile widened. It was a small victory for him, but he appreciated it.
However, Simon wasn’t just here to offer snacks. He cleared his throat, diving into a more serious topic. “A couple of days ago, the Chambers family sent me an invitation for Sunday’s event. They’ve combined Winona’s apprenticeship ceremony with your welcome home party. I’m curious, whose side are you on?”
Yvette paused for a moment, a small smile tugging at her lips. She chewed thoughtfully before replying, “I’ll be on my own side.”
