But Olive didn’t mind. Hadn’t she seen enough of the old lady’s expression? She had gotten used to it. This habit had become natural. This kind of nature made her heart harden into an iron wall. She could withstand it no matter how many blows.
“Mrs. Hoyle, everyone says if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper. If you insist on making this family in turmoil, then I can’t do anything about that.”
Mrs. Hoyle slammed the table that it shook. “I’m making this family in turmoil? If you don’t exist, my family will be so harmonious now.”
Olive shrugged and chuckled, “If I don’t exist, Alan wouldn’t fall in love with Ophelia Meyer too. As a mother, if you really love your children, you should give them freedom to choose, instead of thinking to control their lives, including their marriage.”
“If a woman truly loves her man and knows she isn’t his match, she should have left him,” Mrs. Hoyle retorted.
Olive smiled, “Mrs. Hoyle, how are we not match?”
“You two aren’t in everything.”
“Please be specific.”
“Do I still need to say it?”
“Since Mrs. Hoyle can’t tell it specifically, I can only treat you as a childish elder being unreasonable.”
“I’m unreasonable? Hmph. I forgot to tell you that after you left the study, Alan agreed to let Ophelia go and not hold her accountable.”
How could Olive fail to see that Mrs. Hoyle were intending to provoke her? She faintly smiled and wasn’t surprised.
“I’ve said it, I won’t intervene in this matter and won’t say too much. I have no opinion on how Alan will handle it. Alan is willing to let her go because he’s open-minded. If he isn’t, that’s also because Ms. Meyer reaps what she sows. Everyone must be responsible of their actions’ consequences. Mrs. Hoyle, you’re not wrong for protecting her ‘cause it’s natural. I can understand that, but it’ll cause bad gossips about you. As for myself, I don’t care. Jiangcheng doesn’t have the places I miss and I don’t plan to stay here longer, so that I won’t upset you more. I wouldn’t be able to hear any rumors. However, you are welcome when you came to Luo City and visit my family. If you come, my home will treat you as a guest.”
“Forget that. I don’t care,” Mrs. Hoyle snorted coldly and refused to accept.
“Of course you don’t. My home is small and can’t be compared to yours.” Olive didn’t feel disappointed. In front of the stubborn Mrs. Hoyle, she wanted to reach the softest place in her heart. It was a tortuous and secluded path and it wasn’t opened for her.
“Good that you know.” Mrs. Hoyle’s words meant that for Olive climbing up to the Hoyle Family, it was like a sparrow that turned into a phoenix. She should be grateful and tone down her tone.
But love didn’t distinguish between high and low. Olive didn’t want to be a noble phoenix, but she also didn’t see herself as a humble little sparrow. So, she didn’t plan to lower her esteem and flatter her without principle.
“Without doubt, my Steele Family isn’t as wealthy and prestigious as the Hoyle, but my family doesn’t steal and cheat. We rely on our own hands to earn money to eat and we’re not necessarily inferior to the Hoyle. Although the Hoyle is impressive, it’s not necessarily nobler than the Steele.”
To be respected by others, one must respect the other first. If Mrs. Hoyle couldn’t even do this, even if she pleased her for a while, she wouldn’t be able to please her forever.
“My son is bewitched by you now that he doesn’t even listen to his mother’s words. Of course you can say these arrogant words here. You’ve taken my son away, of course you can be proud here.”
Mrs. Hoyle actually knew that she was a bit wrong, but her dignity was repeatedly provoked by this woman. As and elder, if she couldn’t even control a junior, where should she face?
“I’m just stating the fact. Besides, you seem to never have thought about it this way. My appearance isn’t stealing your son from you, but adding another woman who loves him deeply like you. Of course, I know that you won’t necessarily care.” The old lady cared about that woman who was in the detention center.
“I really don’t care and my son doesn’t lack love,” Mrs. Hoyle rebuked her indifferently.
But Alan appeared silently at this moment with a doctor behind him. “But I care. It’s not my business if other women love me or not, but I only lack of Olive’s love and only want hers.”
Mrs. Hoyle pointed at her son, “Will you be more satisfied after you anger your mother until I die?”
“No one wants to make you angry. You’re just being unreasonable,” Alan said lightly.
Mrs. Hoyle was furious, “I’m not reasonable? You don’t even treat me as your mother anymore, of course I’m unreasonable.”
Olive held on the man who wanted to continue. She always put on her smile. “Mrs. Hoyle, don’t get angry. I would like to ask you something.”
The old lady shook her head stubbornly again, refusing to look at her straight.
Olive didn’t care and went on, “I heard that Alan’s father loved you very much when he was alive.”
“Of course. He was so kind to me back then.” Speaking of her deceased husband, the old lady’s eyes shook a little. There was a soft light in them and they weren’t as cold as before.
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