Chapter 245
Gillian returned to her room next door in a daze.
Ernesto was on the phone. When he turned around and saw Gillian, he hung up and said, “Something happened in Fesmuowana. I have to go over and will only return in about two weeks. Do you want to stay here?”
Gillian pondered for a moment and shook her head. “I’m going back to Mala.”
Ernesto raised his eyebrows quizzically.
Gillian explained, “Olivia has only been here for a short while. She has yet to experience the power of favoritism. Let her stay with her biased parents for a while first. Gradually, she will crumble under the weight of the bias she faces.”
Olivia was almost done making sandwiches.
She had suggested to her parents that she wanted to start a business in town.
Megan rejected her suggestion immediately. “Don’t you need capital to start a business? You don’t have any capital. We have used all our money to support Doris‘ studies. Doris will take her graduate entry test next year. We have to set aside money for that.”
After being rejected by her mother, Olivia was not angry. Instead, she explained gently, “Mom, I don’t need a lot of capital. Isn’t Derek running a barbecue business in the town? I can stay at Derek’s place and use his kitchen. After making sandwiches, I can sell them on a food truck.”
As Olivia said this, she held Megan’s hand.
Megan felt a little uncomfortable when her hand was suddenly held. She subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back.
Olivia’s hands were warm and slightly calloused. Her grip on Megan’s hand was gentle and delicate, as if she was caressing some precious treasure.
Megan could even sense that Olivia relied on her and respected her.
Megan’s heart softened.
She looked away but did not pull back her hand.
Olivia tilted her head and carefully sized up Megan’s slightly white sideburns. Her eyes glistened as she said, “Mom, I did some calculations. Doris‘ fee for graduate studies is affordable, but she’s playing the violin and taking drawing lessons. These are not insignificant expenses. It is too heavy a financial burden for you and Dad. I can run a small business to supplement our income.”
Megan still refused. “I don’t need your money. What if your business fails?”
“Mom.” Olivia’s gaze was gentle. Her fingertips caressed Megan’s thick and red knuckles. She said sadly, “I don’t want you to burden yourself anymore. Yesterday, when you returned from the fields, you couldn’t straighten your back. Also, you can’t straighten your fingers.”
Megan was stunned. She subconsciously lowered her head and looked at her own hands.
Although Ernesto hired her to play the role of Olivia’s mother, she was a real farmer. Derek and Doris were indeed her children. It was just that she had to pretend that Olivia was also her child now.
Every day, Megan still had to work in the fields.
To her surprise, something that even her children had overlooked was noticed by this pretend daughter of hers.
Megan was touched. She did not know how to reject Olivia’s kindness.
In the end, Julian ended their conversation by saying, “I’ll discuss it with your mother and tell you our decision tomorrow.”
After Olivia left, Julian immediately contacted Stefan next door to report this.
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15:49
Stefan said, “It’s alright. Let her do as she wants.”
Julian bowed and acknowledged. “Understood.”
After Julian hung up the phone, Megan frowned and asked, “What are the true intentions of these people? Will they hurt Olivia?”
Julian glanced at her. “What’s wrong? Have you actually accepted Olivia as our own daughter?”
Megan sighed. “Haven’t you noticed how adorable Olivia is and how nice she is to the two of us? She wakes up early daily to make breakfast and drinks for us to take to the fields. She makes sure to keep our meals fresh.”
Honestly, even her real daughter did not dote on her so much.
Julian and Megan had to go to the fields early before the sun rose. Usually, they went to the fields at three in the morning. They didn’t have time to make breakfast at all. They ate whatever they had from the previous night to keep themselves full.
Julian puffed his cigarette and said helplessly, “We can’t get too involved with Olivia. We can only try our best to protect her from a distance.”
“I know.” Megan felt terrible.
you kidding me? When Olivia first came to us, she couldn’t even make toast. It’s only been a few days, but she plans to sell sandwiches. Let’s pray that she doesn’t lose money from this.”
After lunch, Olivia went to buy ingredients for making sandwiches. She also took a walk around town. After getting everything she needed, she returned to the restaurant and organized them nicely. Stella pursed her lips and muttered to Derek, “She got all the equipment she needs, but I doubt she’ll be able to sell her sandwiches. It’s summer now, and schools are on break. Let’s see who she sells the sandwiches to.”
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