Grace Linney's face stiffened. After all, Florence Fuller was chosen by Old Mr. Gardiner, saying that Florence had no proper upbringing was like slapping Old Mr. Gardiner in the face.
Grace Linney's face kept changing: "Which daughter-in-law isn't filial to her in-laws, but you, you argue with me at every turn."
"When I first got married, I listened to you," Florence Fuller looked at her, "but you always found me annoying. There's never been a time when you didn't pick on me. If we're going to talk about filial piety, the mother-in-law also has to be kind."
Grace Linney's chest heaved with anger: "No wonder you can't develop feelings with Luke after marrying in. With that sharp tongue of yours, it's no wonder he has scandals everywhere."
Florence Fuller shook her head, correcting, "Before I married him, he already had a reputation. Scandals everywhere? He genuinely loves to play around."
"You...!"
"What's all the shouting about!" The sudden voice of Old Mr. Gardiner rang out from the front; seeing him come out of the side hall, both Grace Linney and Eleanor Sussex quickly collected their expressions.
Grace Linney laughed, "Dad, why did you come out?"
"If I didn't come out, you'd be arguing here." Old Mr. Gardiner knew he shouldn't have let Grace Linney call for Florence Fuller, these two have been at odds since their first argument in the house. It's only out of propriety that the facade of harmony is maintained.
"No, Dad," Grace Linney laughed awkwardly, "I wasn't arguing with Florence."
Old Mr. Gardiner didn't want to say much, "You and Florence come over, Eleanor, go back."
Eleanor Sussex's expression dropped, looking at Grace Linney somewhat aggrieved.
The ones the old man wants to meet are always people of significance, and she still wanted to show her face by following Grace Linney, but the old man didn't give her the chance.
Florence Fuller looked at Grace Linney, speaking clearly, "Let's go, Mom!"
Grace Linney didn't dare show Florence a bad face in front of the old man, softly comforted Eleanor Sussex to go back, then hurriedly turned to follow Florence to Old Mr. Gardiner.
This side of the side hall wasn't big, and seven or eight elderly people were seated at the long sandalwood tea table, all around the same age as Old Mr. Gardiner.
Florence Fuller couldn't recognize all of them, but she did recognize a few; in political and business circles, any of whom inspiring respect just by their titles.
Old Mr. Gardiner motioned for her to sit down and looked at the others, "This is Luke's wife, Florence Fuller. She should have been introduced to you at her birthday last year, but she had an accident on her way back home."
"Meeting her this time, she's indeed extraordinary," said an elderly lady with a kind appearance, though friendly, Florence Fuller still felt a scrutinizing gaze.
She picked up the tea in front of her, "I am Florence Fuller, greeting all elders, wishing you longevity and health."
Grace Linney now played the role of a good mother-in-law, introducing her and directing her in greeting each person. Both seemed to be measureable, portraying a deep, close mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship for such a big occasion.
Florence Fuller didn't stay long; Old Mr. Gardiner's goal was to let her show her face in front of these people and for her to get to know them.
After the introductions, it was prudent to leave; staying any longer was of no use.
Leaving the side hall, Grace Linney followed behind her, suddenly remarking, "Last year in Cloudsea you couldn't make it back, but this year you came back from Ireland."
Florence Fuller turned, staring at her, "So, you mean you wish that car accident in Cloudsea last year would have killed me?"
Grace Linney froze, eyes widened. She was dissatisfied with Florence, yes, but she never wanted her dead.
Seeing her speechless, Florence Fuller didn't bother dealing with her, turned around, and left.
Right after getting off the plane, she headed straight here; now exhausted, she went back to her hotel suite to rest.
After freshening up, she took out the custom-made watch from Ireland from her bag, her thoughts wandering.
Her eyes glimmered with a chilly sorrow, a faint layer of tears appeared, she blinked, put the brocade box away, lay on the bed, and looked at the dazzling skyscrapers outside, but felt entirely empty inside.
Two years, and she couldn't forget.
She really missed him.
And also hated him!
——
Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the big bed, and the person sleeping gradually woke. The bright light made her squint uncomfortably and bury her head into the pillow; after a while, she sat up slowly.
"What time is it," a man's voice suddenly broke through, hoarse with sleepiness.
Florence Fuller turned her head, that lazy handsome face was also squinting, not quite accustomed to the sunlight, lazily asking.
Florence Fuller pretended not to hear, got out of bed to wash up. Luke Gardiner sensed the movement and lifted his head to glance at her back as she got out of bed, then fell back onto it.
He reached out and touched the place where Florence Fuller had slept, still with a bit of warmth.
Thinking about it, this seemed to be the fourth time they'd shared the same bed.
The first three times were when Old Mr. Gardiner deliberately left them at the old house; Florence Fuller generally didn't speak to him, and she put a pillow in the middle to clearly indicate he shouldn't cross the line, each sleeping on their own side.
Last night, however, he came back by himself. When he returned, Florence Fuller was already asleep, yet she still had traces of tears on her face, possibly a dream-induced cry.
After lying there for a while, he got up, and upon entering, Florence Fuller had just washed her face.
Her face, bare with no makeup, was fair and bright, still looking quite attractive. Luke Gardiner stood next to her, squeezing toothpaste, "What's that watch you were taking a picture of the other day for?"
Florence Fuller let down her tied-up hair and tidied it, looking at the mirror, "What's it to you?"
Luke Gardiner looked at her downcast reflection, "I'm your husband, doesn't it matter to me?"
Florence Fuller looked at him through the mirror, "It's just an outward relationship."
"Someone else outside?" Luke Gardiner said, "No matter, I'm generous, we can each do our own thing, I won't fuss over it."
Florence Fuller shot him a side glance and left the room.
Luke Gardiner snorted, finished tidying up and went out, the bedroom was empty, and the watch's brocade box from the nightstand had already been put away.
Was she guarding against him?
Luke Gardiner changed his clothes and went out; Florence Fuller was already having breakfast, leisurely enjoying her porridge while making a call, discussing work matters.
Luke Gardiner sat opposite her, eating while watching her, this woman was focused on her call, frowning unconsciously as she talked about issues.
After hanging up, Luke Gardiner met her gaze, "Is your company going public?"
"Yes."
It seemed profitable, but he found it strange, "Didn't you study design?"
"No."
"Then why run a design company?"
"Is that a problem?" Florence Fuller looked at him, "When I invested in this company, we weren't married yet, and the money I put in didn't use a penny from the Gardiner Family."
Luke Gardiner looked at her clearly divided stance and smiled meaningfully, "The Gardiner Family? Aren't you part of the Gardiner Family?"
Florence Fuller finished the last sip of porridge, "I won't be eventually."
After saying this, she returned to her room to change clothes.
The breakfast he was eating suddenly lost its taste; Luke Gardiner looked at the spot she had just sat. Won't be eventually?
This woman wants a divorce?
Heh!