After the New Year's Eve Tragedy Her Icy Return novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144 Reinforcement

+8 Pearls

Caroline dialed the number and immediately started rambling into the phone. “Ivy, something came up at home this afternoon. I won’t be doing deliveries today.”

Alaina didn’t suspect a thing. She didn’t even wait to hear the full conversation before turning and heading back to the living room.

Catching her departure from the corner of her eye, Caroline curled her lips into a sly smile. She strolled over to the balcony and leaned against the railing in a lazy posture. After saying a few louder sentences to keep up appearances, she lowered her voice and asked, “Are you still near Waterford Gardens?”

That morning, just as she arrived at the Somerton Residence, Maia had texted her.

Apparently, a supermarket near Waterford Gardens was having a grand opening event–anyone who stepped inside got a free gift.

Maia said she was heading there and planned to swing by afterward so they could go home together.

“Yeah, what’s going on?” Maia asked over the phone.

“Girl, I need your help. Big time,” Caroline said.

She gave Maia a quick rundown of the situation from beginning to end.

Then, not wanting Alaina to come looking for her again, she hung up quickly.

When she returned to the dining table, Alaina pointed toward the empty seat beside Jamie. “We’ve already set the e for you. Come, sit down and eat.”

Caroline knew this had all been orchestrated ahead of time, but she didn’t turn it down. She sat down without a word.

Her eyes swept over the spread on the table. With a smirk, she remarked, “This meal looks amazing. You really went all out, Alaina.”

She placed extra emphasis on “went all out,” hinting not just at the food, but at the scheme they’d cooked up for her today.

Alaina, missing the deeper meaning, thought Caroline was just being polite. “It wasn’t too much trouble,” she said casually. “Though it did take me a while to find a decent chef online. If you had made the me yourself, it would’ve been perfect.”

Caroline smiled modestly. “You’re too kind. I’m just average in the kitchen,” she said, then added after a beat, “But cooking really isn’t that hard. If you ever find other people’s food lacking, maybe it’s time to learn yourself.”

At the mention of cooking, Alaina’s expression turned into one of disdain. “I’m too old for that. My health’s not great, and the smoke from the kitchen messes with my skin.”

Spending long hours in the kitchen wasn’t just bad for her health–it also made her pores larger.

And for someone like her, who invested heavily in skincare and beauty routines, that was absolutely

unacceptable

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young and smart. I’m sure she’d pick it up quickly–probably even better than I could. And you’re her mom. I bet she’d be more than willing to do it for you.”

Damn you, Caroline!

She’s clearly trying to mess with me.

After a quick internal debate, Helen decided to change the subject. “Aunt Caroline, the wine in front of you –that’s from Uncle Jamie. He had it brought back from overseas by a friend. You should give it a try.”