CHAPTER 173: CHAPTER 173: GETTING MARRIED NEXT MONTH

"What about you two?" Florence Fuller looked at her, "How are things between you and my brother?"

"Pretty good, recently she took me to meet her parents." Chloe Quinn said, "Your mom seems to be stable recently, looking a bit more alive."

Upon hearing this, Florence Fuller’s eyes brightened.

Not easy at all.

Chloe Quinn had to leave due to work commitments: "Let’s go together tonight, come to my place for dinner."

"Okay."

Florence Fuller hadn’t been to the company for a long time; she noticed the company’s recent profit trends were very stable.

Lily Hart knocked on the office door and entered: "Boss, a file has arrived from the Fuller Clan."

"What file?"

Lily Hart handed it over.

It was an equity donation.

Sent by Christopher Fuller.

Florence Fuller flipped through it, a gift of ten percent of the shares.

She made a call; the person on the other end seemed to expect it: "You’ve received it."

"I initially agreed to sell you all the shares I held, and now..." she looked at the signed Christopher Fuller on the donor’s side: "What does this mean?"

"I’ve already acquired the shares your father and James Fuller held; after all, you’re also part of the Fullers, so it’s only right these go to you."

Florence Fuller didn’t say anything.

"Take it." Christopher Fuller said, "After all, we’re siblings, albeit technically cousins."

"Then... I’ll accept it."

Florence Fuller signed her name.

"There’s another thing. I’m getting married next month. Will you come?"

"Married?" Florence Fuller was stunned, "When did you meet someone?"

Christopher Fuller chuckled on the other end, "It’s the Sunworth Family."

"Miranda Sunworth?"

"Yes."

Florence Fuller didn’t know what to say at that moment.

Perhaps the Sunworth Family requested it, or maybe Christopher Fuller needed the Sunworth Family for the Fuller Clan.

Florence Fuller felt more that it was a decision he made after weighing the pros and cons.

"Alright, what date?"

"The end of the month."

"Got it."

They hung up the phone, and Florence Fuller handed the contract to Lily Hart. After Lily left, she closed the door.

Florence Fuller walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside at the bustling city center filled with towering buildings.

She felt a cold solitude.

Many people strive relentlessly to climb up, some may succeed, or perhaps after success, they might fall with a thud back to the ground, never to recover.

Yet they still choose to pursue.

Money is the foundation of power.

It’s a fact she’s always known.

She seemed to have lost sight of the music she loved in this process, becoming someone contrary to who she once was.

Both possessing and losing.

___

That evening at Chloe Quinn’s home for dinner, Florence Fuller went home to grab a bottle of wine before heading upstairs. She knocked on the door, but no one opened it.

Fortunately, she knew Chloe Quinn’s home code, and skillfully unlocked the door; the house was very quiet.

"Chloe?" Florence Fuller placed the wine on the entryway cabinet while changing her shoes, "Did you take out the decanter?"

There was no response.

"Brother?"

Florence Fuller walked further in.

Chloe Quinn was supposed to be home before her; she only went to grab a bottle of wine, and all the lights were on at home...

Florence Fuller walked into the dining room, her heart suddenly constricted.

She widened her eyes, seemingly unable to believe the person appearing in front of her.

Amelia Linney sat in a chair, tears already filling her eyes as she looked at her.

"Florence."

The familiar voice, the familiar person, Florence Fuller opened her mouth, yet no sound came out.

"Come over here, let mom take a look at you."

Florence Fuller felt her eyes instinctively heating up, her legs moving as if independent of her will towards her mother.

How long had it been since they were this close?

The moment Amelia Linney held her hand, she felt how thin and bony it was, and Florence Fuller’s tears began to fall.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Why are you crying?" Amelia Linney shed tears too, looking at her fully grown and changed daughter, feeling a pang of sorrow.

She never imagined when Henry Shaw took her out that day, it would lead to ten years of separation.

"I’m not crying." She choked out.

Amelia Linney reached out to wipe her tears: "You’ve grown into such a beautiful young lady."

"I heard from Charles and Evelyn that you’ve already established a career, you’re really remarkable."

Florence Fuller could only let her tears flow silently.

Amelia Linney stood and hugged her.

Florence Fuller bit her lip; emotions seemed to suddenly pour out. She buried herself in Amelia Linney’s shoulder, whimpering a soft "Mom."

Once a healthy and beautiful woman who held her in her arms.

Now a frail, bony woman she embraced.

Ten years.

Amelia Linney was very grateful she persevered until now, getting to see the daughter she raised.

"Do you blame mom?"

"No." Florence Fuller shook her head, "I’ve never blamed you."

"Good child." Amelia Linney’s eyes welled with tears, "But we owe you."

"No." Florence Fuller shook her head repeatedly, "If it means you can live, then that’s enough. I understand everything."

Amelia Linney looked at her: "You’ve always been so understanding, but you should resent us."

"That resentment has already passed." Florence Fuller said.

Amelia Linney touched her face and smiled.

The sound of a door opening came from the bedroom; Florence Fuller and Amelia Linney looked over as Charles Shaw and Chloe Quinn came out, followed by Evelyn Shaw and Christopher Somerset.

Everyone’s eyes seemed to be red, especially Evelyn Shaw, who had already cried.

"Mom has been actively undergoing chemotherapy to get a few days out of the hospital." Charles Shaw explained, "Florence, mom always missed you."

Evelyn Shaw wiped her tears: "Now our family is reunited."

"Yes." Amelia Linney nodded, "Reunited."

"Since it’s a good day, let’s celebrate; our feast is finally ready to begin." Chloe Quinn perked up, "Let’s eat, let’s eat."

The food was plentiful and excellent; Florence Fuller sat beside Amelia Linney, who patted her shoulder: "I made you your favorite pastries from when you were little, have a taste."

Florence Fuller picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.

"How is it? It’s been a long time since I made them, is mom’s cooking rusty?"

Florence Fuller shook her head, looking at the pastry in her bowl: "It tastes the same as before, it hasn’t changed."

"Then I’ll make them more often for you; it’s been a long time since you’ve had them."

Thinking of Amelia Linney’s condition, Florence Fuller still shook her head: "When I want to have them, I’ll tell you, and you can make them for me."

"Alright."

"Try mine." Wary of the sad atmosphere at the table, Evelyn Shaw picked up a shrimp ball for her, "I’m telling you, this is a new dish I’ve learned, apart from Brother Somerset you’re the first to try it."

Florence Fuller had eaten Evelyn Shaw’s cooking before; not quite terrible, she confidently put it in her mouth and then caught Christopher Somerset’s struggling expression.

Somewhat sympathizing with him.

Florence Fuller instinctively frowned.