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Chapter_266
When Aurora was a child, she had always been in poor health. Her family, deeply concerned, took her on a pilgrimage to the temple, praying for her health at every step. They hoped the blessings would bring her a brighter future. As fate would have it, once she started wearing a special charm from the temple, her health began to improve. This charm became her constant companion, and she never took it off for years.
Now, years later, Aurora found herself offering that very charm to Yvette. Both Jeremiah and Clifford felt a surge of warmth in their hearts. They understood that Aurora must truly care about Yvette to offer something so precious. It wasn’t just any charm; it was something deeply personal to Aurora, something she had carried since childhood.
Yvette, taking the charm into her hands, noticed the red string was worn and old, showing signs of the years it had been cherished. The gesture wasn’t lost on her. Her usual casual demeanor shifted as she gazed at Aurora. Her eyes, cool and serene, met Aurora’s. In a calm voice, she said, “I can’t accept this.”
Aurora, far from upset, smiled gently, her expression serious now. “Yvette, my daughter-in-law,” she began, “this charm has been with me since I was little. When I was pregnant with Jeremiah, I thought I would pass it on to my daughter. But since I ended up with that rascal Jeremiah, I kept it for myself. However, I’ve always thought that when I had a daughter-in-law, I would give it to her. So, you’re not going to refuse me, right?”
Jeremiah, hearing this, couldn’t help but wonder, “Am I really her biological child?” The statement caught him off guard.
Aurora, seeing that Yvette might still be hesitant, quickly added, “Do you think it’s not worth anything, and that’s why you don’t want it?” She was clearly trying to convince Yvette to accept the charm.
Yvette, after a brief moment of hesitation, glanced at Jeremiah. She saw his eyes and, after a pause, turned her gaze back to Aurora. “Okay,” she said, her voice steady. “Thank you. I’ll treasure your charm. From now on, I’ll protect you.”
Aurora’s heart swelled with emotion. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back a tear. She was beyond pleased that Yvette had accepted the charm. In her mind, Yvette was already the perfect daughter-in-law. “Alright, Yvette,” Aurora said, her voice warm with affection, “with you protecting me, not even the King of Hell can take me!”
It was a joke, but Yvette, without missing a beat, responded seriously, “Yes, with me here, the King of Hell can’t take you away.”
Aurora was momentarily stunned, then smiled in amusement. She was taken aback by Yvette’s unwavering seriousness. There was something reassuring about her calm demeanor, and it only deepened Aurora’s affection for her.
Clifford, watching the exchange with a soft smile, felt a great deal of satisfaction. He had always hoped Jeremiah would find someone like Yvette—a sweet, considerate person who could fit perfectly into their family. As he observed them, he thought, Why did we end up with that mischievous boy? If only we had a daughter, she’d be just as sweet and considerate as Yvette.
Later, Clifford would realize that calling Yvette ‘sweet’ might not be the most accurate description. But for now, he could only appreciate how well she fit in.
Aurora, in her usual whirlwind fashion, wrapped her arm around Yvette’s shoulders. The two women stood side by side, a perfect image of close friends. Without missing a beat, Aurora changed her mood entirely, her energy shifting as quickly as a magician changing masks.
Jeremiah and Clifford, however, were accustomed to Aurora’s antics by now. They exchanged a glance—one that spoke volumes. It was rare for them to find a moment of understanding, but in this case, they both agreed: it was probably time to step in.
With a slight sigh, they both walked forward and gently pulled their wives back to their sides. Aurora, not expecting this, shot them both an indignant look. But when she caught Clifford’s stern expression, she immediately quieted down, knowing that a confrontation would only make matters worse.
Jeremiah, glancing at his watch, noticed it was already five in the afternoon. “Let’s go,” he said, his voice deep with finality. “It’s the perfect time to head home for dinner. Everything’s ready.”
Aurora, eager to spend more time with Yvette, grabbed her hand again. “Come on, Yvette. Let’s go home for dinner. You’re still at Skyland, right? I doubt you’ve had anything decent to eat there. Jeremiah can’t cook, and there’s no help for you. Come with me; our home-cooked meals will surely be to your liking.”
Jeremiah, watching as their hands intertwined, couldn’t help but think it was time to upgrade the security system at Skyland. As he looked at the blacklist, he thought, There should be another name added soon.
The two women walked ahead, chatting animatedly. Aurora did most of the talking, and Yvette, as usual, listened quietly. They resembled two close sisters, a bond already forming between them. Meanwhile, the men trailed behind them, each of them wearing an expression that said they had been dealt a bad hand.
Clifford, noticing the intensity in Jeremiah’s eyes, couldn’t help but comment. “Brat, keep your wife in check.”
Jeremiah shot him a defiant look. “Dad, keep your wife in check.”
Clifford raised an eyebrow. “Do you think I can do that?”
Jeremiah chuckled. “Are you giving me too much credit? Do you think I can manage that?”
Clifford shook his head. “Spineless. How did I end up with a kid like you?”
Jeremiah, hands in his pockets, responded slowly, “Takes one to know one.”
The two exchanged playful barbs, but their attention was soon drawn back to the two women ahead of them. Neither man could help but glance at Yvette and Aurora, watching the dynamic between them with a mixture of jealousy and amusement.
At the Chavez residence, the servants, though few in number, had been working there for over twenty years. When they saw Aurora and Yvette arrive, they knew instantly that Yvette was going to be the future matriarch of the Chavez family. They greeted her with warm smiles, eager to make her feel at home. It was clear that Yvette, despite coming from Seacrity, was well accepted by the staff.
In elite families like the Chavez family, the servants were carefully chosen. Their qualifications, behavior, and character were impeccable. There was no room for the kind of snobbish attitude you might expect from TV dramas. Servants here didn’t look down on others. They were a part of the family too.
Cara, the head servant, led the others as they brought out the dishes, carefully arranging everything on the table. The process was so smooth and quiet, there wasn’t a single sound that interrupted the atmosphere.
At the table, Clifford took his place at the head, while Aurora and Yvette sat on the left, with Jeremiah alone on the right. It was no secret that Aurora had arranged the seating. Jeremiah, looking somewhat forlorn, didn’t say a word.
Clifford couldn’t help but think that if things continued like this, Yvette might one day leave Jeremiah. In that case, he’d be left with nothing but his mischievous son.
The Chavez family had always favored Clusian cuisine. Jase had gone through tough times, so they weren’t too keen on Western food. But Aurora, knowing that Yvette might not be used to it, had thoughtfully added some Western dishes: red wine, cheese, steak, salad, and dessert. Everything was carefully prepared to please her.
As dinner began, Aurora eagerly filled Yvette’s plate, urging her to eat more. Yvette, with her usual quiet grace, accepted whatever was given to her. Aurora’s delight was evident. She thought to herself, It’s a blessing to eat well. Skinny people can’t hold onto luck. A little chubbiness makes you cuter.
Clifford, trying to pick up a piece of steak, found himself thwarted as Aurora quickly snatched the last piece and placed it on Yvette’s plate. With a resigned sigh, he grabbed a piece of pineapple, convincing himself that it was just as good.
Aurora, noticing his gaze fixed on the pineapple, chuckled. “Honey, why aren’t you eating? Go on, eat it!”
Clifford smiled bitterly and popped the pineapple into his mouth, secretly longing for the taste of steak. But he kept his composure, only picking at his food.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah, with his small appetite, had already finished his meal. When Aurora saw Yvette finish her last bite, she quickly motioned for Cara to bring orange juice.
Clifford noticed Yvette sipping her orange juice with a smile, while he was left with just a glass of water. Jealousy bubbled inside him. He thought, If we had a little girl instead of Jeremiah, Aurora would probably have ignored me entirely.
Jeremiah, in the meantime, felt like the ultimate errand boy. He couldn’t help but think about the growing gap between him and Yvette in his mother’s eyes.
