CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 51: JUST DON’T WANT YOU TO HAVE IT EASY

Perhaps startled by the sight of Rebecca Quentin, Christine Quinn froze in place. "How did you get here?"

Howard Geoffrey squinted, seemingly surprised by Rebecca Quentin’s presence too.

Mrs. Geoffrey approached Christine Quinn and coldly said, "Did I ever say you could step foot into the Geoffrey estate? Get out!"

Christine Quinn’s voice turned gentle. "Auntie..."

Gazing away from Rebecca Quentin’s face, Howard Geoffrey quietly told Christine Quinn, "You go upstairs first."

"Okay."

Just as Christine Quinn took a step, Mrs. Geoffrey coldly interjected, "You don’t need to go upstairs. I’ve already given Howard’s room to Becca to live in."

This scene should have created a tense and awkward stalemate. However, Christine Quinn, her face already pale, managed to force a smile and swallow her bitterness. "Uh, Howard, I haven’t seen Marie for a few days. Perhaps I should go back first. You stay here and keep your mother company."

"Christine..."

Obviously not wanting to put Howard Geoffrey in a difficult position, Christine Quinn gently shook her head at him, still smiling calmly. "I’ll have the driver take me back. I’ll be fine."

In front of everyone, Howard Geoffrey kissed Christine Quinn on the cheek. "Alright then, be careful on your way."

"Okay... Auntie, I’ll be leaving now. I’ll come to see you again when I have time." Before leaving, Christine Quinn still remembered to bow respectfully to Mrs. Geoffrey.

Mrs. Geoffrey’s gaze was cold, completely dismissive.

Rebecca Quentin stood behind Mrs. Geoffrey, surprised by Christine Quinn’s obedience and submissiveness in front of Mrs. Geoffrey. She also wondered who the "Marie" Christine Quinn had mentioned could be.

"Mom, let’s eat!"

As if not angered by Mrs. Geoffrey’s actions just now, Howard Geoffrey walked straight to the dining room without sparing Rebecca Quentin another glance.

Mrs. Geoffrey was very pleased. She pulled Rebecca Quentin, who was lost in thought, towards the dining room with her.

No talking during meals—this was basic table etiquette. Therefore, during the meal, none of the three spoke. Howard Geoffrey and Rebecca Quentin didn’t even exchange glances, each eating their own food.

After the meal, Rebecca Quentin sensed that Howard Geoffrey and Mrs. Geoffrey might need some private space. They likely needed to discuss her presence in the Geoffrey household, so she proactively offered to take a walk in the garden, leaving them time and space.

It had been over a week since Rebecca Quentin came to America. Although everything about the Geoffrey residence was good, she still wasn’t used to it. Sometimes she even wondered if her decision to come here with Mrs. Geoffrey had been the right one. Every time she felt confused and uncertain, she would come to the garden for a walk to soothe her mind and enjoy the excellent environment.

At this moment, Rebecca Quentin was strolling leisurely along a garden path, stretching comfortably.

Suddenly, the conversation of two maids trimming the lawn behind a flowerbed unintentionally drifted into Rebecca Quentin’s ears.

"I don’t know what Madam was thinking, bringing Miss Quentin back..."

"Didn’t you hear from those around Madam? This Miss Quentin was specially brought back from the Flowery Kingdom by Madam... Apparently, she’s Mr. Geoffrey’s ex-wife."

"Oh, that debutante from T City. I’ve heard of her. Mr. Geoffrey apparently divorced her two years after they married..."

"It must be her..."

"But she doesn’t have any of a debutante’s aura at all. She can’t compare to Miss Quinn in any aspect."

One maid sighed. "Yeah, Miss Quinn is so wonderful—beautiful, generous, and so good to us. She and Mr. Geoffrey are truly a good match..."

"What’s the use of being a match? If Madam says she doesn’t like her, then she doesn’t like her. She still can’t marry Mr. Geoffrey!"

"Sigh, Miss Quinn is so pitiful. She’s been with Mr. Geoffrey for so many years without any official status, even bore his child, yet they still can’t have their happy ending together."

"Anyway, I don’t really like that Miss Quentin. Setting aside whether her personality is good or not, I haven’t seen her smile much in all the days she’s been here. It’s like she doesn’t care for any of us..."

"Forget it, let’s not discuss the masters’ affairs. I just hope Miss Quinn remains steadfast with Mr. Geoffrey. Otherwise, Marie will be the pitiful one. How can children whose parents are separated be happy?"

「Five minutes later.」

Rebecca Quentin sat dazedly on a wooden bench in the garden, the maids’ conversation echoing in her mind.

She could actually ignore most of what they had discussed, but the one thing she couldn’t get out of her mind right now was the word ’child’...

It was only at this moment that she realized the ’Marie’ Christine Quinn had referred to was, in fact, her child with Howard Geoffrey.

For the past four years, she had imagined them deeply in love and had even guessed they were already married; her heart had always remained calm. But now, hearing that they had a child, the tranquility and composure she had cultivated over these four years instantly crumbled. Panic surged through her. It felt as if her heart had been dealt a heavy blow, the pain spreading through every limb and bone in her body.