No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 433

Goodwin Manor

Serena Goodwin had just returned home after spending a week abroad, trying to shake off a lingering bad mood. The driver carried her suitcases into the foyer, where a housekeeper promptly arrived to unpack for her. Serena flopped onto the sofa, phone in hand, utterly exhausted.

“Where have you run off to this time, young lady? You’re never home for more than a day,” Magdalen’s voice boomed from across the room.

Startled, Serena quickly straightened up and puffed out her cheeks. “Grandma, you nearly scared me to death!”

Magdalen sat opposite her, eyeing Serena’s makeup with clear disapproval. “Just look at yourself. Is this how you want to go around, all painted up? Why can’t you be more like Eleanor—fresh-faced and elegant? She always looks so lovely.”

Serena hadn’t expected to be compared to Eleanor the moment she walked through the door. Annoyed, she turned her face away and muttered, “Right, right. In your eyes, it’s always Eleanor who’s the real granddaughter, not me.”

Magdalen let out a heavy sigh, wondering for the hundredth time why Serena seemed to have it in for Eleanor.

At that moment, Gina, returning from outside, caught sight of her daughter and called out, “Go take a shower and change your clothes. I’m taking you out to lunch today.”

Serena slumped back into the couch. “No way. I’m dead tired.”

“Don’t be difficult. This isn’t just any lunch—we’re meeting Mrs. Vaughn.”

“Which Mrs. Vaughn?” Serena arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips. As the realization hit her, she shot her mother a wide-eyed look. “Wait—do you mean Xavier’s mother?”

Gina couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter’s dramatic reaction. “Yes, Xavier’s mother.”

“Really?” Serena’s exhaustion vanished, replaced by giddy excitement.

Gina raised an eyebrow, amused. “Not so tired anymore, are you?”

Serena leapt off the couch, all fatigue forgotten. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she called out, already dashing upstairs. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes!”

Downstairs, Magdalen turned to Gina, frowning. “The Vaughns actually agreed?”

After her shower, Serena dried her hair and sat down at her vanity. She was pondering what kind of makeup to wear when her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind—Eleanor’s clean, understated style.

Maybe Xavier liked girls who looked natural and fresh. Serena bit her lip, studying her reflection. Aside from the dark circles from too many late nights, she was still quite pretty.

She decided against her usual heavy makeup, opting instead for a simple, natural look.

A little later, Gina joined her upstairs to help pick out an outfit. She selected a refined, elegant dress, and Serena wore it without protest—she was eager for her mother to help make this marriage a reality.

“Mom, do you think Xavier’s actually agreed to this arrangement?” Serena asked tentatively as they drove.

“For now, it’s just an idea between the families. There’s no rush,” Gina replied, glancing over at her daughter. Something occurred to her and she asked, “Are you and Xavier close?”

“Mom, don’t you remember? I interned at Xavier’s firm, remember? I was his assistant for two months.”