CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 104: REMINISCENCE (5)

"Didn’t I message you last week saying I was sending two students abroad for a competition and asking if you liked anything, so your aunt could bring something for you? But you didn’t say anything, so Aunt Monrose just bought you some things herself." Abigail Monrose smiled, "Come visit Auntie’s place."

Florence Fuller shook her head.

"What’s wrong?" Abigail Monrose asked keenly.

"I still have to attend tutoring classes." Florence Fuller had a face full of worry, "Aunt Monrose, it’s so hard."

In this elite school, there are both excellent and struggling students. However, families usually develop their children’s specialties. Even if they’re struggling, they can be sent abroad later. Since Florence returned, the Fuller Family has been keeping a close watch on her.

But considering Florence is the only child of the Fuller Family, Abigail could understand.

"It seems your dad has high expectations for you."

"What expectations!" she muttered, "He’s just afraid I’ll embarrass him. He even said he won’t announce my return until my grades improve. I don’t care about these things; I don’t want to stay here at all."

She wanted to go back to the Shaw Family.

Abigail wanted to comfort her but found the girl already tearful, "They don’t seem like my real parents at all. That house doesn’t feel like my home. They don’t care about me one bit."

"Then maybe you can tell your dad what you like or are good at. You can..."

"It doesn’t matter if I do." A string of tears fell as Florence wiped them away, "I’d rather they send me away, but he wouldn’t agree."

Abigail frowned slightly and gently patted her head, "You don’t like those tutoring teachers, do you?"

Florence nodded.

"How about you come to Auntie’s place, and Auntie will teach you?" Abigail inquired.

"They won’t agree."

"If you improve your grades, it will be worth it." Abigail held her shoulders, "Florence, Auntie may not know what’s happening to you. But you have to understand, since everything has changed and can’t be undone, you can only choose to change your current situation and your future."

Florence looked at her, "Auntie..."

"No tears." Abigail comforted her, "Auntie has a way for you to continue learning the violin. But first, you need to improve your grades, and then Auntie can help you."

"But I don’t like those two teachers!" Florence frowned, "She was Clara Fuller’s previous teacher and always compares me to Clara Fuller."

Abigail patted her, "You know, my son could help you; he’s a top student."

Florence recalled that gentle and handsome face.

She stared at Abigail in a daze.

Abigail accompanied her back to the Fuller Family. Upon entering again, Michael Fuller and Laura Yates were both surprised.

Clara Fuller was dressed in a tulle gown, Laura Yates was also elegantly dressed, and Michael Fuller was in a suit, clearly indicating the family of three was going out for a banquet.

Abigail was slightly stunned, "Mr. Fuller, you’re heading out?"

Michael explained, "There’s a banquet we need to attend."

"And you’re not taking the child with you?" Abigail asked.

Laura Yates replied, "Florence has tutoring classes later and doesn’t have time."

Abigail understood why Florence felt so aggrieved. The Fuller Family didn’t care about their biological daughter’s return. With so much money, treating them as charity was easy.

Clara Fuller, this adopted daughter, enjoyed the privileges of growing up in the Fuller Family and, invisibly, had already replaced Florence’s position.

Not being cared for, not being valued, this is the life Florence led in the Fuller Family.

"Speaking of tutoring, I’m here to discuss this matter today. Can we speak in private?"

They went to the study, leaving Florence and Clara Fuller in the living room.

Clara sat gracefully on the sofa, arranging her gown with an obviously conceited smile, "Florence, why are you only back now? Auntie Bennett is still waiting for you."

Auntie Bennett was Florence’s current tutoring teacher.

Florence disliked talking to her. Sometimes, during seemingly nonsensical conversations, the girl would start acting aggrieved and inadvertently complain to Laura Yates, making Florence look bad.

"Why did you come with Teacher Monrose?"

Florence pretended not to hear.

Seeing she was ignored, Clara stood up, elegantly twirled in front of her, "Isn’t my dress beautiful?"

She wore a tulle gown, with sweet makeup, like a princess.

"You’ve never worn such clothes, have you? Well, it’s understandable. After all, you were lost from a young age, raised by a family that couldn’t afford such expensive dresses. This gown was custom-made by my mom; it costs tens of thousands."

She proudly flaunted herself in front of Florence, who didn’t even glance at her.

"Jealous?" Clara walked over, "Jealousy won’t help. No one in this house likes you."

"You’re crazy!" Florence retorted.

Clara sneered coldly, returning to her seat.

After a while, footsteps came from the staircase, and Clara’s expression immediately turned pitiful.

"Florence." Abigail beckoned her over, "After school, wait for Auntie, and we’ll go to Auntie’s place for tutoring."

Michael added from behind, "And don’t make Aunt Monrose mad, understand?"

Florence was surprised; it seemed this issue was effortlessly resolved.

"But about Auntie Bennett..." Clara spoke up, and everyone looked over. Laura Yates frowned, "Clara, what’s wrong?"

Her eyes were red, as if on the verge of tears, looking at Florence and shaking her head.

That glance spoke volumes.

Laura Yates immediately directed the conflict towards Florence, "What did you do again?"

Florence looked at Laura Yates with a blank face, "How should I know."

Clara held Laura’s hand, "Mom, don’t blame Florence. We were just having a little argument."

Wary of outsiders, Laura Yates held back, glancing at Florence before looking at Abigail, "Mrs. Monrose, Florence might seem a bit rough around the edges since she just came back. If she becomes too much trouble for you, you don’t have to tutor her."

"Does Mrs. Fuller want a well-behaved and obedient daughter?" Abigail said, glancing at Florence, "Maybe I can help you with that."

Hearing this, Michael was thrilled, "We’ll trouble Mrs. Monrose then. Florence, you must listen to Mrs. Monrose."

This interruption shifted everyone’s focus away from Clara, and Laura gave her a tissue to wipe her tears.

The Monrose Family was a reputable scholarly lineage with a strong yet low-key reputation, with businesses domestically and abroad. Little did they know Florence had inadvertently connected with Abigail Monrose. If she received favor and was noticed by a Monrose descendant in the future, keeping this daughter wouldn’t be in vain!

Abigail said, "Since you’re going to the banquet, I’ll take the child to my place. Otherwise, leaving her alone in the home she just returned to would be quite lonely."

Michael agreed without hesitation, "Thank you."

He felt no guilt about not taking Florence along.

Michael and his family of three attended the banquet, while Florence followed Abigail to the Monrose Family.

Halfway through the silent walk, Florence couldn’t help but ask, "Aunt Monrose."