Inwardly, Roxanne applauded Winnie’s instant change in expression. The latter was clearly an expert at this. She also spoke as if they had a very close relationship.
However, Roxanne did not forget the life she endured at the Jarvis residence after her mother passed away. Her mother had just passed away for a year when her father had brought Winnie along with her children, Yosef and Yuliana.
From that moment onward, Roxanne realized that her father’s betrayal of her mother was not something that had begun recently. She and Yosef were only two years apart, while she was three years older than Yuliana.
Although Roxanne was older than both of them, the younger siblings did not consider her their older sister. They showed her no respect, often mocking and playing tricks on her.
Back then, Winnie was a stepmother who did nothing for her. She never bought Roxanne new clothes. Whenever they had treats, she would always put them away for her own children. Eventually, it escalated to Winnie refusing to allocate funds for Roxanne to continue her studies at university.
Thankfully, Roxanne was able to meet a good mentor in when studying medicine. Relying on her medical skills, she treated some people and managed to scrape together enough to pay for her tuition fee.
Eventually, Grant opened his own factory and became wealthy. However, Roxanne only grew unhappier by the day. In the end, Roxanne was sent to the Farwell family to get married to Lucian in order to appease Ethan. Then, if Roxanne had not been in love with Lucian for a long time, she would not have agreed to it.
When she thought of everything that happened in the past, she found it difficult to eliminate the anger and indignation she felt in her heart. Honestly speaking, she did not care about Grant’s humble behavior. Thoughts of cutting ties with them were always in her mind.
“Mrs. Jarvis, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t address us with such familiarity, After all, I’m not your biological daughter. You’ve made that fact very clear.” Roxanne utterly rejected Winnie’s familiar form of address.
Roxanne’s words caused Winnie’s expression to stiffen. Forcing a smile, Winnie said, “That’s right. I’ve overstepped my bounds. Come on inside and have a seat! I may have been a tad overexcited because you’re getting married tomorrow!”
Lucian sighed to himself when he saw how fast Winnie switched gears. What a shameless woman!
Nodding, Grant opened the door wider. Upon entering the room, Roxanne and Lucian saw two sets of formal clothes neatly arranged on the couch. It was obvious that Grant and Winnie had prepared the clothes for tomorrow.
“Where are the children? Ah, I’m such a terrible grandfather!” Grant was extra attentive. He hurriedly poured them drinks and carefully carried the glasses over. Following that, he turned around and went into the other room. Winnie stared at Roxanne enviously. She was jealous of the confident way the latter carried herself.
If we’re talking about family connections, it’s obvious that my daughter, Yuliana, is more superior. She also has plenty of wealthy friends. I just don’t understand why she’s still a lowly tour guide and remain single. On the other hand, Yosef dated a well-to-do lady before, but their relationship did not worked out.
The more Winnie thought about it, the more intense her jealousy became. Despite that, she kept her emotions in check and maintained a pleasant smile on her face.
Soon, Grant came out of the room with several sets of clothing in his arms. “I feel bad that I can’t afford more expensive clothing, but I hope you’ll accept these gifts for the children!”
He came to a stop before Roxanne. Furrowing her brows, Roxanne refused to accept the proffered gifts. Lucian’s expression grew a tad chilly. “These look a bit too small. Children tend to grow fast. I don’t think they will fit them.”
Grant stood there awkwardly, at a loss for what to do. Winnie went over to Grant and chided, “I told you! Kids these days tend to grow quickly. You refused to listen when I told you to get a size larger. It’s all right. We can return these and get a larger size.”
With that, she took the three sets of clothes away. “Roxanne, I came back in a hurry, so I don’t have much money on hand. I also don’t know how to provide you with a dowry. I’m really a failure of a father!” Grant scratched his head embarrassedly.
“Roxanne, your father owed a lot of money that he couldn’t pay back after his factory went bankrupt. These few years have been very difficult for us as we have to go into hiding. Your siblings aren’t doing well either. Perhaps it is our fate,” Winnie added in a tearful tone.
The atmosphere was heavy. If it had been anyone else, perhaps they would already been deceived by Grant and Winnie. However, Roxanne’s resolve remained firm. She gave Lucian a look, indicating for him to ignore them.
Following that, she replied coldly, “I never got to enjoy the fruit when the factory was doing well then. Didn’t the business fail because you were too prideful?”
Roxanne did not intend to let her father and stepmother off easily. In fact, she was well aware of their personalities more than anyone else.
Hearing that, Grant and Winnie could no longer maintain the facade. Grant trembled slightly as he frowned. His voice was hard as he said, “Roxanne, you’re about to get married soon. As your father, I rushed over in order to attend your wedding. You don’t have to behave so repulsively. If you think I’m being an eyesore, I will leave immediately.”
“Grant, how can you say that? Oh, why are you so stubborn?” Winnie hurriedly tugged the former’s shirt. Smiling awkwardly, she added, “Roxanne’s right. We were too prideful back then. We fell into debt because we were too vain. Roxanne, please don’t be mad. Your father and I will leave immediately after attending your wedding ceremony! We won’t cause you any trouble!”
Roxanne did not believe a single word that came out of their mouths. Why are they pretending to act so humble? Did they forget how they treated me all those years ago? They’ve never thought of me as their daughter for over ten years. Now they are trying to act pitiful and trying to guilt trip me. Anyway, it doesn’t matter what they do. I refuse to let them be part of my life.
“No need to fret, I comprehend entirely. You don’t have to attend the wedding ceremony,” Roxanne said the words without holding back. She had no intention of showing Winnie any respect. Winnie was stunned when she heard the words.
Grant’s expression darkened as he began to tremble as he tried to suppress the anger in him. Roxanne is a completely different person now! I thought we’d be able to win her sympathy if we acted pitiful and miserable, but it looks like she’s turned into a cold-hearted woman.
“In that case, we will not be attending the wedding ceremony. There’s also no need for us to remain here and hold up your preparations. We’ll take our leave now.”
Grant stole a glance at Lucian to gauge his reaction. The man was completely unfazed-he showed no reaction and made no attempt to smooth things over.
Gritting his teeth in determination, Grant shot Roxanne another angry look before turning around and wanted to walk into the room to pack his things. Winnie seethed. Roxanne has matured. She’s no longer the pushover she once was.
However, she refused to let the opportunity slip through her hands. Thus, she decided to back away a little and hastened to persuade Roxanne with a smile. “Roxanne, I don’t mind if you don’t consider me your stepmother, but Grant is your father! I’m sure your mother would not wish for this. How can you not have your family with you on such a big day? What will people say if your own father doesn’t attend the wedding ceremony?”
Lucian loath to admit it, but Winnie really had a way with her words. He even found himself unable to refute her statement. It was true that getting married was a major event in life and there would be no one who did not want his or her parent’s approval and blessing.
“Winnie, forget it. My capable daughter looks down on the Jarvis family and thinks of us as a burden. We might as well make ourselves scarce,” Grant declared coldly. Following that, he went into the room and began packing his things.
Roxanne was surprised. They’re quite good at acting. I can’t believe I’m actually moved by their performance. She had been feeling calm throughout the entire conversation before Winnie brought up her mother.
Irritated, Roxanne stared at Winnie and said coldly, “Mrs. Jarvis, how dare you bring up my mother? Did you forget how you married my father? Honestly, I’ve given you more than you deserve by standing here and speaking to you!” How dare the homewrecker who shamelessly barged into my family put up an act and play the victim?
Winnie was completely dumbfounded. Flushing, she nearly revealed her true colors. However, she was unable to do so as Lucian was still present. She could only continue to hold it in despite the urge to claw Roxanne’s mouth growing stronger.
Still, the fury in Roxanne’s heart was far more intense. In the last two years of her life, her mother had been depressed until she finally succumbed to a terminal illness. Roxanne had always thought that it had something to do with Winnie.
“Fine. We got it. We’re leaving right away!” In the end, Winnie dared not speak further. She picked up the clothes they had gotten for the three children from the couch and went into the room to help Grant pack their things.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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