Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 462

For now, Roxanne handled most of the workload. After all, Mara needed to focus on studying and didn't have much energy left for actual management.

Lenny Forbes quickly reported their dynamic to Mira.

A mocking smile played on Mira's lips. "Idiots. They have a perfectly good opportunity for hands-on experience, yet they spend all day memorizing textbook rules. Does that even make sense?" But then again, that was where Roxanne's cunning lay.

Seeing her daughter working so tirelessly, Lacey's heart ached. She personally cooked nutritious meals for her husband and daughter every morning and evening, and even prepared lunches to deliver to their office.

One afternoon, when Lacey went to deliver lunch, she found Mara and Fiona already eating in the company cafeteria.

"Mara, why didn't you wait for me to bring your food?" Lacey asked, confused. She wasn't even late.

"Mom, I just didn't want you to work so hard," Mara said, stepping forward to take the lunchboxes from Lacey's hands.

"As long as you're healthy, this little bit of effort is nothing to me," Lacey said, giving Mara an affectionate look.

Fiona chimed in, "Lacey, seeing how close you two are makes me so jealous."

"Hahaha, our Mara is just so thoughtful. Fiona, there's no need to be jealous. She's your goddaughter too, isn't she?"

"Yes, yes, she's my daughter too."

The three of them chatted happily, drawing envious glances from the employees eating nearby.

Lacey stood by with a warm smile, watching her beloved daughter eat. Taking care of her husband and daughter was an unparalleled joy for Lacey. She felt that fate had treated her incredibly well in this lifetime, blessing her with a considerate husband and a daughter who was obedient, sensible, and eager to learn. She felt like the luckiest woman in Mavaria.

It was just a pity about those rebellious, ungrateful children. Otherwise, she would be the luckiest woman in the world, not just in Mavaria.

Lacey insisted on watching Mara finish every last bite of her nutritious meal before finally leaving. Mara played the part perfectly, not wasting a single crumb of the food her mother had brought.

But the moment Lacey left the building, Mara glanced out the door and muttered to Fiona, "Ugh, she's so annoying. I have to deal with her every single day."

Fiona quickly shushed her. She looked around cautiously before saying, "Watch what you say. Walls have ears. I'm telling you, until you get her shares in your hands, you have to tread carefully. We can't afford a single mistake."

That bastard Ethan had already gutted seventy percent of the company. They absolutely could not let anything go wrong with the remaining portion.

Mara nodded solemnly. "I know, Mom."

Mara's lips curled upward. "Thanks, Dad."

Then, she feigned dejection. "It's all my fault for not doing better. Now you have to go through all this trouble."

"It's fine. Your dad is happy to do anything for our precious girl," Lacey said with a smile.

"But... but Mira was the top scorer..." Mara tested the waters.

"Don't even mention her. Even if that disgraceful brat ranked first in the world, she wouldn't compare to a single finger on your hand," Adrian snapped, unable to tolerate the comparison.

"Exactly. What's the point of good grades if her character is flawed? Our Mara is much better," Lacey added.

Adrian glanced at Lacey. Truth be told, his wife had been quite good to him. No matter what he did, a little coaxing was all it took for her to stand loyally by his side, always putting his needs first.

But his hesitation lasted only a second before he dismissed it. Fiona had waited half her life for him; he couldn't let her suffer any longer. As for Lacey, he had spent most of his life with her, which was fair enough. When they divorced, he would just leave her a generous sum so she could live comfortably. That would settle his conscience.

Meanwhile, Mara thought to herself, life without those annoying pests was great. If they could just kick this old crone out and bring her real mom back, it would be perfect.