She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 213

Thinking about the prodigy, and then looking at her volatile daughter, a deep wave of exhaustion washed over Valery.

"Mom, are you still taking me to the ladies' social club this month?" Cora asked.

If she was going, she needed to prepare. She had her eye on a new designer bag recently. Once Victor Yates transferred her allowance this month, she planned to buy it and show it off at the club.

Valery turned back to the mirror. "You're sitting this one out. I'm taking Sylvie. She has a lovely temperament and carries herself well. She's far better suited for it than your firecracker personality. If you absolutely insist on coming, you'll stay behind us and keep your mouth shut."

Cora didn't actually care about the social club itself; she just wanted a valid excuse to buy the bag.

"I'm going to bed." She stood up and marched out.

Once back in her room, she finally pulled out her phone.

An hour ago, she had sent a message to Justin Jameson. It had been over sixty minutes, and he still hadn't replied.

She swiped furiously at her screen before tossing the phone aside in a huff.

...

Soon, the day arrived for Hulda to leave for the mountainous region.

Before dawn had even broken, she set off alongside Abby Corbett, two other researchers, and one technician. A team of five.

Their journey involved a flight, a train ride, and finally a brutal, winding car trip. After traveling for an entire day, they finally arrived at their destination just before nightfall.

It was Abby's first time enduring such an exhausting trek. By the time they stopped, she could barely walk straight. The endless hairpin turns through the mountains had left her entirely nauseous.

Hulda wasn't faring much better. Her face was pale, and her head was spinning.

As the group filed out of the vehicle, the local official assigned to their project, Mr. Miller, was already waiting with his staff.

Their voices were low, but they made zero effort to hide their disdain. Every word landed squarely on Hulda and Abby's ears.

Mr. Miller clearly heard it too, but he didn't reprimand them. In fact, his silence spoke volumes of his agreement.

At that moment, Dr. Lynch, whose hand was still being vigorously shaken, cleared his throat awkwardly. "Hello, sir... My name is Dr. Lynch. I'm not Chief Consultant Atherton."

"Huh?" Mr. Miller blinked. Out of the entire team, this man was clearly the oldest and most senior.

Knowing exactly why the official was confused, Dr. Lynch nervously smoothed a hand over his thinning hair and gestured respectfully toward Hulda. "This is our Director Atherton. She is the Chief Consultant for this initiative."

Her?!

This fragile-looking, porcelain-skinned young woman?!

You've got to be kidding me!