Chapter 144 Reinforcement
+8 Pearls
Caroline dialed the number and immediately started rambling into the phone. “Ivy, something came up at home this afternoon. I won’t be doing deliveries today.”
Alaina didn’t suspect a thing. She didn’t even wait to hear the full conversation before turning and heading back to the living room.
Catching her departure from the corner of her eye, Caroline curled her lips into a sly smile. She strolled over to the balcony and leaned against the railing in a lazy posture. After saying a few louder sentences to keep up appearances, she lowered her voice and asked, “Are you still near Waterford Gardens?”
That morning, just as she arrived at the Somerton Residence, Maia had texted her.
Apparently, a supermarket near Waterford Gardens was having a grand opening event–anyone who stepped inside got a free gift.
Maia said she was heading there and planned to swing by afterward so they could go home together.
“Yeah, what’s going on?” Maia asked over the phone.
“Girl, I need your help. Big time,” Caroline said.
She gave Maia a quick rundown of the situation from beginning to end.
Then, not wanting Alaina to come looking for her again, she hung up quickly.
When she returned to the dining table, Alaina pointed toward the empty seat beside Jamie. “We’ve already set the e for you. Come, sit down and eat.”
Caroline knew this had all been orchestrated ahead of time, but she didn’t turn it down. She sat down without a word.
Her eyes swept over the spread on the table. With a smirk, she remarked, “This meal looks amazing. You really went all out, Alaina.”
She placed extra emphasis on “went all out,” hinting not just at the food, but at the scheme they’d cooked up for her today.
Alaina, missing the deeper meaning, thought Caroline was just being polite. “It wasn’t too much trouble,” she said casually. “Though it did take me a while to find a decent chef online. If you had made the me yourself, it would’ve been perfect.”
Caroline smiled modestly. “You’re too kind. I’m just average in the kitchen,” she said, then added after a beat, “But cooking really isn’t that hard. If you ever find other people’s food lacking, maybe it’s time to learn yourself.”
At the mention of cooking, Alaina’s expression turned into one of disdain. “I’m too old for that. My health’s not great, and the smoke from the kitchen messes with my skin.”
Spending long hours in the kitchen wasn’t just bad for her health–it also made her pores larger.
And for someone like her, who invested heavily in skincare and beauty routines, that was absolutely
unacceptable
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young and smart. I’m sure she’d pick it up quickly–probably even better than I could. And you’re her mom. I bet she’d be more than willing to do it for you.”
Her eyes turned to Helen, and she asked, “Right, Helen?”
Helen froze, her fingers clenching slightly around her fork.
She looked up to see her mother’s expectant eyes locked on her.
Damn you, Caroline!
She’s clearly trying to mess with me.
If she agreed, her mom would be thrilled–but Helen had zero interest in cooking.
If she refused, though, her mom would think she was ungrateful and unfilial.
After a quick internal debate, Helen decided to change the subject. “Aunt Caroline, the wine in front of you –that’s from Uncle Jamie. He had it brought back from overseas by a friend. You should give it a try.”
Alaina chimed in supportively. “Yes, red wine is really good. Great for the skin, especially for women.”
Caroline glanced between the two of them. Sensing their eagerness, she picked up the glass and swirled it gently. “Imported wine, huh? Then I really must give it a proper taste.”
As she raised the glass to her lips, Helen and Alaina exchanged a secretive look filled with satisfaction.
Jamie, clearly enjoying the moment, cracked open a bottle of white wine and poured himself a glass. “Drinking alone is no fun. Let’s all drink together!”
Alaina lifted her glass of wine with a fake smile. “Yes, together!”
She raised her glass to make a toast, waiting for everyone to join her.
Helen and Jamie clinked glasses with her.
Only Caroline was not joining in.
She glanced at the time–Maia should be arriving any second.
With a sly smirk, she finally reached out and let her glass touch theirs.
The four glasses had barely clinked when the doorbell rang.
The three others froze, confusion all over their faces.
Jamie knew Alaina’s plan and was certain no one was supposed to show up.
He didn’t like the idea of forcing Caroline into anything, but since the proposal had come from the Somertons themselves, he figured he had nothing to lose.
He had just lifted his glass of wine, ready to enjoy a few sips to set the mood, and now someone had to come
ruin it!
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Cement
Only Caroline was smiling. She knew Maia had arrived.
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