CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: GRANDMA’S AFFECTION

Wind and rain raged, the sky was gloomy.

Looking out from the car window, the visibility was very low.

Eugene Vaughn tightly gripped the steering wheel, focused on driving, and curiously asked, "Why did you come to my neighborhood for coffee?"

Vivian Miller’s eyes flickered as she looked out the window, "I have a friend living nearby who just went through a breakup. I stayed with her all night and got really tired, so I thought about getting some coffee to perk up. Didn’t expect such heavy rain."

Eugene, lacking interest, didn’t pursue further.

Vivian turned to look at him, "I heard from your assistant that you’re flying to Australia tomorrow morning?"

Eugene’s tone was stern, "Don’t pry into my affairs."

Vivian, with a spoiled proud demeanor, leaned towards him, elbow resting on the divider, supporting her chin with one hand, "What a coincidence, I booked the same flight and hotel as you, but I’m going for vacation."

Eugene snorted coldly, "I’m going for work, no time to indulge you."

"I don’t need you to accompany me." Vivian muttered, complaining, "You know my parents, they always treat me like a child, won’t let me go abroad alone, saying the place is chaotic and they’re worried. So I can only use your work schedule as an excuse, tell them that having you with me makes it safe, and they’re reassured."

Eugene remained silent, saying nothing.

Vivian continued, "If by any chance I run into trouble overseas, with you on a business trip there, I can seek your help first thing, being brothers and all, there’s some cover."

Eugene: ...

——

This spring rain, on and off, lasted six days and finally stopped.

The air was particularly humid, the gloomy sky showed not a hint of sunshine, leaving one’s mood somewhat dreary.

The taxi drove into Splendor Estate, stopping in front of a two-story detached villa.

Victoria Sinclair got out of the car, looked inside through the iron gate.

Her mood was even heavier than the overcast sky.

In two years of marriage, she had rarely visited her in-laws’ house, let alone a stepmother-in-law.

But this time, it was her grandmother who called her.

Learning her grandmother had come from the countryside, she was very happy, eager to see her.

She pressed the doorbell.

In a moment, the nanny came out from inside.

A thick-set, honest-looking middle-aged woman, she smiled kindly and opened the iron gate, "Victoria, you finally came, the old lady was really looking forward to seeing you."

Victoria politely nodded, "Hello, Auntie Rose."

"Good, come inside quickly." Auntie Rose closed the gate and led Victoria inside.

The lavishly decorated living room was brightly lit, four European leather sofas of different lengths surrounded a large low coffee table, with people seated all around.

On the coffee table were tea, snacks, and all sorts of beautifully wrapped gifts.

Her father-in-law and stepmother-in-law, second uncle, second aunt, cousin Jenny, Vivian and her parents, and her elderly, kindly grandmother.

Victoria followed Auntie Rose inside.

No one noticed them.

Vivian was exuberantly narrating happy travel stories, while distributing gifts.

"This was specially picked by Eugene, it’s for Auntie."

Catherine Ingram smiled broadly; as Eugene’s stepmother, receiving a gift chosen by her stepson was delightful. She quickly accepted it, "Eugene went on a trip with you and still thoughtfully picked a gift for me. I’m so pleased. Thank you both."

Jenny was expectant, "Vivian, is there one for me?"

Vivian affectionately smiled, "How could I forget our cousin? Of course there is."

Vivian picked a large box and handed it to Jenny.

Jenny’s smile grew even brighter, "Thank you, Vivian, and thanks, big brother."

Vivian picked up a delicately small box for her grandmother, her smile softened, her warm voice held a touch of flattery, "This is carefully chosen by Eugene and me, for grandma, hope you like it."

"Thanks." Grandma Vaughn’s expression was indifferent as she took it with one hand before placing it on the sofa, looking back toward the door, thinking aloud, "Where’s my eldest grandson’s wife..."

Halfway through speaking, she saw Victoria just a short distance behind, her face immediately brightened, smiling, and she rose to greet her, extending her hand to take Victoria’s offered hand.

"Grandma." Victoria held her grandmother’s frail, fair hand, politely greeting her. Seeing the smile on her grandmother’s face, she was relieved her grandmother had moved past the grief of grandpa’s passing.

After all, at her age, she’d long understood life and death; people grow old and die, thus easier to come to terms with.

Grandma Vaughn’s eyes were filled with doting affection, she was delighted, "My dear granddaughter-in-law is finally here, I’ve missed you so much."

The previously warm atmosphere turned cold the second Victoria entered, everyone’s smiles disappeared, replaced by condescending looks, impatient attitudes, except for grandma.

Victoria was not talkative, she held grandma’s hand, softly asked, "Grandma, how’s your health?"

"Apart from some old ailments, everything’s quite well." Grandma took her hand and walked her toward the sofa.

Victoria nodded a greeting to everyone inside, "Father, mother, second uncle and aunt, Uncle and Aunt Miller."

Everyone remained above it all, wearing cold expressions, eyes bearing a hint of disdain, too lazy to respond, merely nodding as acknowledgment.

Grandma looked toward the door, "Why didn’t Eugene come? Didn’t he come with you?"

Victoria felt her heart tighten; she hadn’t seen Eugene for six days, and came directly from the research institute upon receiving grandma’s call.

Grandma Vaughn sat with Victoria beside her, Vivian squeezed a smile, reluctantly speaking, "Sister-in-law, sorry, I forgot to bring you a gift."

Grandma Vaughn sat beside Victoria, gently holding her hand, looked at Vivian, her tone a few degrees colder, "The internet is well developed, anything you want can be bought, purchasing is very convenient."

The implication: Who needs your gifts.

Vivian’s expression instantly darkened, she returned to her parents’ side and sat down, lamenting with resignation, "Eugene is something else, I thought to take him abroad to relax and enjoy. Didn’t expect he’s a workaholic, ran straight to the branch office once abroad, with plenty of troublesome matters there."

Mrs. Miller frowned and complained, "Eugene traveled with you and was this irresponsible? Then how can I trust him to take care of my daughter in the future?"

In these people’s eyes, Eugene marrying Victoria was temporary, while Eugene and Vivian, well-matched, were destined for each other, the family’s true wish.

Vivian hurriedly explained, "Mom, don’t say such things about Eugene, his career-driven nature is understandable, besides, he takes me with him even when busy working."

Mrs. Miller’s mouth lightly curved upward, "At least he has some conscience."

Victoria sat silently, her chest feeling like a stone pressed on it, an indescribable suffocating frustration drained her strength.

Grandma Vaughn couldn’t listen any longer, her face cold, displeased, she retorted, "My eldest grandson has parents and a wife to care for, will have his own children to care for. Your Vivian isn’t missing arms or legs, why should she be entrusted to my grandson’s care?"

Mrs. Miller looked awkward, smiling, "Old lady, don’t misunderstand, I meant care in a brotherly sense, as an elder brother would his sister."

"Our Jenny never thought to ask her cousin to care for her, yet you’re so unabashed?" Grandma Vaughn didn’t coddle them one bit.

After a rebuke, Mrs. Miller lowered her face, saying nothing more.

Vivian clenched her molars, biting back, forced out a stiff smile to conceal her displeasure.

She had garnered everyone’s affection, except the old lady who favored Victoria.

She felt unwilling, unconvinced, and very displeased.