novelxo Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Upon hearing that, Emma immediately started to calculate in her mind. She had thought that the Russell family was just a group of merchants when she sent Audrey on the blind date. But now, after meeting them, she realized the true background of the Russell family. She regretted not sending Amelia instead.
The more Amelia mentioned it, the more regretful Emma became.
Thinking of that, Emma looked at Audrey and said in a serious tone of voice, “Come with me.”
Before Audrey left with Emma, Amelia stepped up, grabbed Audrey’s arm, and questioned her, “Did you ask Tyler to accompany you? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left. me alone there.”
“You’re flattering yourself, Audrey responded with a blank expression and a sarcastic remark before walking away, leaving Amelia standing in a daze.
Amelia, finally realizing what had happened, shouted at Audrey, “Just wait and see! Tyler will never marry a woman like you!”
Audrey followed Emma into the study.
“Come and sit,” Emma said, gesturing to a chair. Audrey complied and sat down.
Emma looked at Audrey and asked seriously, “Audrey, honestly, are you not satisfied with this marriage proposal?”
“If I say I’m not satisfied, does that mean I don’t have to get married?” Audrey asked int
response.
Emma sighed and said in a helpless tone, “If you really don’t like him, I won’t force you. But you know, given the current situation of our family, only through this marriage alliance can we have a chance to rise again.”
After those words, Emma sighed again. “But I won’t force you to marry someone you don’t like.”
In just two short sentences, Audrey could tell from Emma’s words what she was up to.
Without beating around the bush, Audrey responded, “I agreed to the blind date. because of Grandma. If you pay for Grandma’s medical expenses, everything will be negotiable.”
Emma reproached Audrey, saying, “What are you talking about? We would never neglect Grandma. Don’t worry about those things. Now, just tell me, do you really not
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Chapter 7
want to marry Tyler?”
Audrey didn’t directly answer Emma’s question but asked, “If I don’t marry him, are you planning to have Amelia marry him instead?”
Emma, seeing Audrey’s directness, responded without any hesitation, “Since you don’t like Tyler and your sister does, then let your sister marry him.”
Audrey chuckled and asked her mother, “Mom, can I ask you a question?”
“What is it?”
“If the person I went on a blind date with wasn’t Tyler, but someone else, would you still make Amelia marry him if I don’t like him?”
Emma immediately glared at Audrey and said, “That would ruin Amelia’s life.”
Emma’s reaction was reasonable, yet unexpected at the same time.
Audrey didn’t say anything more. She stood up, saying, “Whether it’s me marrying into the Russell family or Amelia, it’s not up to you.”
“What do you mean? Don’t you dislike Tyler?” Emma became anxious. “Do you want to see our family continue to decline like this?”
Audrey didn’t explain further and said in a subdued voice, “I’m a bit tired. I’ll go rest
now.”
She went straight to her room, shutting out the sound of Emma and Amelia arguing.
Lying in bed, Audrey couldn’t help but recall the scene of Tyler k*ssing her. She knew very well that Tyler would never like her, not in the past and certainly not now.
But she couldn’t understand why Tyler showed such obvious favoritism that night. Although he claimed to seek revenge on her, he hadn’t actually done anything to retaliate against her in their previous encounters,
As for that k*ss, Audrey tried her best to forget it, but the image of Tyler pressing his l*ps tightly against hers kept lingering in her mind.
Thinking about that scene again, Audrey felt restless and covered herself entirely with
the blanket.
The next morning, Audrey left for work early. However, as soon as she changed into her work uniform, the manager called her into the office.
“This is your salary for the past two months. Take a look.” The manager handed Audrey the salary details. “If you are okay with it, sign it, and the money will be transferred to
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you by the finance department. You don’t have to come in tomorrow.”
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Audrey was confused, not able to understand why she got fired for no reason. “Sir, did I do something wrong?”
The
manager said, “Consider it as me firing you for making a mistake.”
After saying that, the manager glanced at the time. “I have something else to attend to. If there are no problems, sign it and go to the finance department to settle your salary. You can leave then.”
“Sir,” Audrey called out, stopping the manager. “Can I ask why I’m being fired?”
After hesitating for a moment, the manager said seriously, “This is just a small hotel, and I don’t have the guts to hire a big shot like you. So please spare us.”
Audrey could vaguely tell the reason, but she wasn’t entirely sure about it. She collected. her salary from the finance department and went straight to the hospital.
The hospital bill amounted to nearly 10 thousand dollars, and Audrey paid off a small portion of the debt with her entire salary.
“Miss Griffin, you need to settle the fees for Mrs. Griffin as soon as possible. Otherwise, some of the medications won’t be able to be used anymore,” the nurse taking care of Mrs. Griffin reminded Audrey in a soft voice.
Audrey glanced at Barbara, who was still sleeping. “Alright, I understand. I will settle it as soon as possible.”
The nurse nodded.
Audrey sat by the bedside and tucked the blanket for Barbara. “Grandma, I’ve come to
see you.
“Did you get scolded again?” Barbara, who had woken up at some point, looked at her with sleepy eyes. Her tone sounded as if she had seen Audrey like this a hundred times.
Audrey paused for a moment and finished tucking the half–covered blanket. “Getting scolded is a common occurrence, isn’t it? Why are you so surprised?”
Barbara snorted, seeming to have known everything. “I’ve heard about it.”
“Heard about what?” Audrey asked.
“They’re planning to marry you off to some rich old man again, huh? I’m wondering if I can take your place,” Barbara said seriously.
Audrey couldn’t help but laugh. She then teased, “Rich old men like pretty young girls,
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Chapter 7
They would be interested in someone like me, not an old lady like you.”
But Barbara looked at her sternly. “Can’t believe you can still laugh.”
“Well, I can’t cry, can I?” Audrey took an apple and sliced it, placing the pieces next to Barbara. “Just take care of yourself. Don’t worry about anything else.”
“I’m old, and I’ll be gone soon. There’s no need to waste money on me.”
Audrey didn’t respond to that and said, “The person I met on the blind date this time wasn’t a rich old man but a very wealthy and handsome… young man.” She paused for a moment before continuing, “But I don’t like him, and he doesn’t like me either.”
“How could there be someone who doesn’t like you?” Mrs. Griffin looked at her in shock.
Audrey played along. “Yeah, who wouldn’t like me?”
“Who doesn’t like you?”
Just as Audrey finished speaking, a familiar voice sounded at the door.
Audrey turned her head at once. “What are you doing here?”
“Why can’t I be here?” Tyler walked in carrying something, politely greeting Barbara, “Hello, Mrs. Griffin.”
Barbara sized up Tyler, praising him. “You’re right. He’s indeed very handsome.”
Tyler glanced at Audrey. “Did someone compliment me on my looks here?”
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