Chapter 14

Audrey, Ada, Zijun, and Finn Townsend were sitting in the same car. The atmosphere inside was awkward, oppressive, and tense. It seemed like whatever person spoke first would be wrong, and talking too much would only make things worse.

Zi Jun took the initiative, getting straight to the point. “What’s your relationship with Abigail Chapman?” With those words, he touched upon the most sensitive topic of the entire meeting.

“Abigail Chapman is my friend,” Ida replied truthfully.

Zi Jun was still full of jealousy, pressing closer step by step. “Friends? I think they’re boyfriend and girlfriend instead.”

When Aida heard Zi Jun speak to her in that way, she immediately became angry. “What are you talking about? If he were my boyfriend, would there even be any need for me to compete with you fairly?”

Upon careful thought, Zijun realized that it seemed to be the case indeed. “So, what exactly happened this afternoon? Would you mind explaining it to me?” It seemed like he wasn’t going to give up until he got some answers.

“Explain? What do I need to explain to you? Do I have to report everything I do to you first?” Ada couldn’t figure out what he was thinking. No one had ever treated her in this way before.

Zijun was momentarily unable to come up with anything to say, so he simply gave up. The atmosphere became awkward again. Finn Townsend quickly tried to defuse the situation. “Alright, alright, let’s not be so tense. Everyone, just relax. We’re here to have fun, so why make things so unpleasant? Let’s not overthink things.”

Everyone remained silent, thereby agreeing with what Finn Townsend said.

After sending Zijun back to the Xu family, Finn Townsend took Audrey and Ada back to the Russell family.

At the Russell’s house—

“Daisy Lawrence? How did she get here? Oh no, she must be here to tell me to go back. What should I do?” Audrey suddenly lost her usual composure and became anxious.

Aida said with disdain, “What’s the big deal? We’re so many people here. Why should we be afraid of him? Besides, how dare he act rudely on my territory? He didn’t even ask if I agreed or not!” Her words were truly full of dominance.

Audrey seemed somewhat worried. She shook her head and said, “Hey, he’s a very troublesome person. What he might do is completely beyond our imagination.”

Ada laughed after hearing this. She said, “I’m not afraid of him causing problems. What I’m worried about is that he might be like his mother—always full of flattery and compliments. As long as he tries to cause trouble, I have a way to deal with him.”

Audrey also seemed to understand the situation. She nodded gently, indicating that Ada was ready and could get out of the car now.

Aida told them to get out of the car first, while she remained seated inside. She made a phone call.

“Hey, Jane Harper, are you free?”

“Aida, of course I’m free since you’ve come to see me. What’s the matter?”

“Come to my place, and you’ll see something interesting.”

“A good show?”

“Of course, there’s also your part in the play.”

“What are you talking about? I can’t quite understand.”

“It’s okay. You’ll understand once you get here.”

“Hmm, I’ll go right now.”

The call was hung up.

Outside the car—

“Audrey, where have you been these past few days? Why didn’t you tell me anywhere?” As soon as Daisy saw Audrey, she began to question her, acting quite indignantly.

“I was playing at a friend’s house. I already told the auntie.” Audrey replied in a very quiet voice, as if she had done something wrong. Her tone was completely different from how she spoke to Daisy earlier. In fact, her entire manner of speaking changed when she was with them.

“Why didn’t you go home that night? Don’t you even know you have a home? Or do you refuse to acknowledge that home anymore?” Daisy continued to question him, acting as if she was in the right.

“No, I definitely didn’t mean that. It’s just that a friend asked me to stay at their place. I felt bad to turn down the invitation, so I agreed. I won’t be going back home these days. This auntie knows about this too.”

“Auntie Zhang, Auntie Bu, do you even care about me at all? Do you know who really has the final say in that household? And when did you make such wealthy friends? How come I never knew? Stop telling me you’re going to your friends’ houses. I won’t believe you. It’s obvious you’re going out with some strange men.” With that, she glared fiercely at Finn Townsend beside her.

“I don’t care who you are. It’s best if you keep your mouth shut, especially when talking to Audrey. If you continue to be rude like this, don’t blame me if I treat you accordingly.” Finn Townsend couldn’t stand it any longer and spoke angrily as well.

Daisy wouldn’t listen to him at all. She said rudely, “Who are you? Why should you stand up for her?”

Finn Townsend really didn’t want to talk to someone like that, but he still said, “Who I am isn’t something you’re qualified to know.”

“What’s the point of qualifications? I don’t even want to know.” With that, he grabbed Audrey and tried to take her away.

Finn Townsend rushed over to stop them. “Let her go! You can’t take her with you.”

“Can’t? Why can’t I?” Daisy Lawrence found Weifen Townsend a bit ridiculous.

“Why? Because she’s my girlfriend.” Finn Townsend said these words almost without thinking, blurted them out instinctively. At that moment, Audrey’s heart skipped a beat. Her face grew warm as she looked at Finn Townsend with a complex expression, hoping to find what she wanted in him. Her heart felt both sweet and fulfilled.

“Hmph, what’s wrong with my girlfriend? Don’t forget, our family has taken care of her for all these years. How dare she not be grateful? Let me tell you, if our family decides to break up with her, then she has no choice but to go.” After saying that, she stared at Finn Townsend in an unreasonable manner.

Finn Townsend sneered, “Oh, what era are we living in anyway? Don’t you know that love and freedom are important these days? You just want to take Audrey away like that. Have you even thought about how she feels? As a man, don’t you find it shameful to say such things? In any case, I’m here, so you won’t take Audrey away from me.”

Daisy remained as naive and oblivious as ever. “It’s not your place to judge whether I’m losing face or not. I have no idea what ‘love freedom’ even means. All I know is what my parents and matchmakers decide. So, just because you’re her boyfriend, you can’t stop me. Because only I am the one who will spend her life with her.”

“What if I wanted to stop him? I’m not sure if I’d be able to.” No sooner had she spoken, Dongfang Jian Harper walked over, hands on his chest, wearing sunglasses, with a mischievous look on his face.

“Oriental Jane Harper?” Finn Townsend was momentarily puzzled. Then he thought again: It must be Ada’s idea. He felt relieved.

“What? You’re not welcoming me?” Dongfang Jian Harper joked.

“No, no, how could that be?”

“Enough. Your friend is here to catch up with old times. What’s Audrey doing staying here? Let’s go.” Daisy Lawrence was very impatient, eager to take Audrey home as soon as possible.