Chapter 46 Sending Flowers
The flavor, mingled with the essence of the sauce’s aroma, saturates the duck offal, leaving behind a lingering fragrance on the palate and an endless aftertaste. The taste is so exceptional that it evokes a profound emotional response!
Initially, he grappled with a minor hesitation deep within his heart. Perhaps he contemplated critiquing the dishes as unappetizing, irrespective of their true taste. Such a declaration could drive Julia to part ways with his brother.
However, the idea of doing so felt tremendously ungrateful.
Realization dawned upon him! He was resolute now because the dishes crafted by Julia were genuinely mouthwatering!
“How does it taste?” Julia’s unwavering confidence in her culinary skills resonated with her question.
Shiloh lowered his head slightly; his cheeks tinged with a blush he tried to suppress. After a tentative bite, he looked up at Julia, his determination evident as he gritted his teeth. “Julia.” Julia experienced a moment of surprise. Her comment to Shiloh had been playful, meant to tease him briefly. Unexpectedly, he responded earnestly.
His unexpected outburst left her perplexed.
Jared concealed a subtle smile and turned to Shiloh, his lips curving as he remarked, “Just one
word?”
In the wake of Jared’s reminder, Shiloh belatedly realized that he had unwittingly engaged in a betting agreement with Jared and Julia.
Once again, Shiloh clenched his teeth and raised his voice toward Julia, calling out, “Julia!” Julia tilted her head in confusion, casting glances between Shiloh and Jared.
What was the significance of this?
Both Jared and Shiloh immersed themselves in their meal, showing no inclination to explain. Gradually, Julia started feeling that there was more to the situation than met the eye, and it likely involved her closely.
However, observing their behavior, she understood they weren’t willing to share. No matter how much she probed, it seemed unlikely she would get any answers.
Over the following days, Julia diligently explored both the interior and exterior of the villa, searching for a clue for her next move.
Her current mission was to locate a small jade figurine, a task she would only sometimes take on. Yet, upon seeing a picture of this jade pendant, an inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over
her.
As if from a distant past, hazy memories and blurred recollections of events and people surfaced. She felt like she had encountered this jade pendant long ago. Not only that, but a faint pang of nostalgia and recognition also accompanied it.
In her previous life, she had grown up within the confines of a welfare institution, her memories going dark at the age of six when she was struck by a high fever. Since then, recalling anything
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Chapter 46 Sending Flowers
before that age was an insurmountable challenge.
The welfare home’s director had recounted to her a snow–filled day where the air was thick with drifting goose feathers. The moment they opened the door, they discovered her lying there, at feverish six–year–old.
After being rushed to the hospital for treatment, her recollection of the past grew increasingly faint.
Lost in contemplation, Julia strolled through the yard, her fingers unconsciously plucking at the surrounding flowers.
Abruptly, the shrill voice of a maid sliced through the air from behind her.
“Julia! Look what you’ve done! These are Jared’s favorite flowers, nurtured with utmost care. Even a fallen leaf pains us. And now, you’ve severed the entire flower head. You’re in for it.”
Gazing at the blossom in her hand, Julia acknowledged, even though she wasn’t an expert in flora, that this particular flower was of significant value.
After all, if it weren’t precious, it wouldn’t have captured Jared’s affections.
Just as Julia was ruminating, coincidentally, Jared approached.
Spotting Jared’s arrival, the maid hastened to report.
“Sir, she damaged your cherished flower.”
From the very beginning of her stay, Julia had noted the hostility the maids in the villa held
towards her.
Yet, in the presence of Cameron, they transformed into models of respect and courtesy, as if they were in the company of the lady of the house.
Julia had a keen eye for judging people. Cameron might exude an air of wealth, but her intentions. mirrored those of Vivien.
However, Jared wasn’t like Carter. Carter was blinded by his indulgence in pleasure, while Jared
was not.
He possessed wisdom, discernment, and a principled approach to life and people.
This led Julia to believe that Jared’s heart was unlikely to succumb to Cameron’s schemes.
Even as Julia entertained these thoughts, Jared had already come to stand before her, his gaze fixed on the flower in her hand.
A chill swept over Julia. While she wasn’t fearful of Jared at present, the realization struck her that she had erred by damaging something so dear to him.
Truthfully, if the roles were reversed and someone had ruined her cherished possession, her expression would have turned stern immediately.
“This-”
“Do you
find it beautiful?” Jared inquired.
Julia’s eyebrows lifted in confusion, struggling to grasp the intention behind the man’s question.
“Um, these flowers are really beautiful.”
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Chapter 46.2 Sending Flowers
Before Julia could fully comprehend, she watched Jared pluck another blossom from a nearby branch and hand it to her.
“Mmm.”
Huh? Julia blinked, her gaze fixed on the flowers now in her grasp.
“You want me to take it?”
Jared spoke with his usual nonchalant tone.
Oh, Julia!
After a momentary jolt, a maid on the side covertly snapped a photo, sending it off to Cameron. When Cameron saw the image, her eyes reddened in a mixture of frustration and jealousy. She knew Jared inside out – his habits, his interests. He held a special fondness for this very flower. She could recall a time when she had accidentally brushed a petal and was subsequently banned from entering that specific garden by Jared.
And now, here was Julia, not merely touching the flower but plucking it completely. Not only did Jared not reproach her, but he willingly detached a blossom himself and gifted it to her.
How could this unequal treatment not sting with jealousy and heartache?
“Thank you very much. Let me know immediately if anything comes up,” Cameron typed out a message along with a red envelope, sending it to the maid.
Julia, wait. Tonight’s family gathering will be your downfall!
Later that evening, Julia accompanied Jared to the Brooks Family’s ancestral home for a family gathering.
The event wasn’t just attended by the core members of the Brooks Family; even extended family members were present, making it a comprehensive gathering.
Upon alighting from the car, Julia noticed a plethora of curious glances directed her way.
These gazes, laden with curiosity and scrutiny, made it all too apparent why they were so
interested in her.
It was simply curiosity: what methods had she employed? Against the odds, she had married into the illustrious Brooks Family, becoming the wife of the family head.
Among those glancing her way, Jordan’s eyes gleamed with an almost luminous intensity.
Neil approached and obstructed Jordan’s view.
“What’s caught your attention now? Can’t hold yourself back anymore?” Neil jested.
“Move!” Jordan rolled his eyes, then, peering past Neil, his gaze fixed on Julia.
“Hello!” Neil interposed once more, preventing Jordan from persistently staring. “We’ve grown up together since childhood. Do you really think I can’t fathom your thoughts? My advice to you is to reconsider your intentions. Even if this woman resorted to dubious methods to secure her position, she’d eventually be ousted from the family,”
“But for now, she still holds the title of the family head’s wife. If you cause her any trouble, you’ll be tarnishing the family leader’s reputation.”
“Why should I be afraid? The family head doesn’t like her anyway,” Jordan retorted, his eyes unwaveringly fixed on Julia.
“I’m speaking to you as a brother, trying to guide you. If you choose to ignore me, be prepared for the consequences. Don’t blame me for not extending a helping hand,” Neil warned.
“Got it. Don’t worry; I know how to behave.”
Cameron, not far away, overheard their conversation, and sinister thoughts began taking shape in her mind.
Naturally, she wouldn’t actively seek Jordan’s cooperation, that lascivious predator, unless absolutely necessary.
Cameron headed directly to the stage, her target being the piano.
Tonight’s festivities lack a special musical element. With your permission, I’d like to offer a performance for everyone.”
At Cameron’s words, Jordan’s attention shifted away from Julia, now fixated on Cameron. While Cameron might not be as striking as Julia in terms of appearance, her talent was her trump
card.
He had no dearth of attractive women, but a combination of beauty and remarkable talent like Cameron’s was a rare find.
Unfortunately for Jordan, Cameron’s affections were singularly reserved for Jared. Her status as Yanya’s adopted daughter also meant he couldn’t easily cross any lines with her.
“Miss Lin is being modest. Placing third in the city’s piano competition speaks volumes of your skill. We’re more than delighted to have you perform.”
Cameron, not paying any heed to Jordan, took a seat, poised her hand elegantly on the piano keys, and glanced toward Jared with a serene smile before commencing her performance.
Julia diverted her attention from Cameron to Jared. “She’s beautiful and plays the piano remarkably well. Aren’t you even a bit impressed?”
Julia, with nothing else to do, playfully engaged in gossip with him.
While she didn’t believe Jared to be as blindly foolish as Carter, who lacked insight, the potential match between Cameron from the Yang Family and the Brooks Family’s future was well within the realm of possibility.
Yet, as Julia chatted, the meaning in her words varied from what Jared perceived.
“Are you jealous?” A tinge of amusement laced his tone.
In posing the question, Jared purposefully closed the gap between them, his deep gaze locking onto Julia for an ephemeral moment.
In this instance, the distance between them was negligible, their breaths almost mingling.
“You’re overthinking things.”
Julia didn’t read too deeply into the man’s sudden proximity, assuming that he had drawn closer due to the piano’s volume, making it difficult for him to hear.
Meanwhile, having finished playing a musical piece, Cameron couldn’t help but assume that her exceptional performance had undoubtedly delighted Jared, hadn’t it?
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With a satisfied thought, a smile danced on Cameron’s lips as she turned her head to direct her gaze at Jared.
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Chapter 47 Julia Plays the Piano
