Chapter 82
Zoe shook her head vigorously. “I want to relax myself. I heard this camp is all about physical fitness and is even more exhausting than military training. I really don’t want to waste my vacation like this.”
“All right, then,” said Tiffany. Noting that Zoe genuinely didn’t want to participate, she didn’t insist.
The next day, during the routine pre–holiday meeting, the school made the announcement. They posted the list of participants and emphasized the schedule. One week later, all participants must gather at the school.
This announcement made many excited as they found the camp interesting and thrilling.
However, more were complaining bitterly. “I don’t want my nice holiday to get ruined like that.
Another student said, “Others get two months off, and I only have a seven–day break. I was planning to relax, but now I’m forced to undergo this training. Great. I have to kiss my holiday goodbye.”
Suddenly, the principal’s message came through the loudspeaker amidst the voices of protest. “Get ready for the camp. I’m looking forward to your performance. I know many of you are reluctant, but this is a rare opportunity: Cherish it, kids.”
Objectively speaking, this truly was a rare and valuable opportunity.
All the participants came from prominent families. After graduation, they would invariably join their family businesses. Therefore, the management skills, knowledge, and physical training they were receiving now were all part of a thorough grooming process.
Although these rich kids had bodyguards, the ability to foresee danger and handle situations with a cool head was ant indispensable skill for them.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
Tiffany had always known what was coming for her. However, in her previous life, there was no joint training. It simply didn’t exist. So, it was clear that many things were developing along a different trajectory.
After the meeting, the vacation officially began. With the limited seven–day holiday, the first thing Tiffany did was to return home
When Eric saw his sister back, he rushed over joyfully and shouted with excitement, “Ah, Tiffany, you’re finally back!”
The boy’s break had started earlier than Tiffany’s, and although he enjoyed being at home with his parents, he just wanted to have fun with his sister, who was his idol.
Tiffany picked up her little brother and gave his head a rough rub before patting him to soothe him, saying. “My good boy.” Meanwhile, Charlie and Thalia were equally happy to see their beloved daughter return.
“You’re finally back. Oh my, you’ve lost so much weight these days. Hurry, serve the dinner get the soup for my girl Charlie said.
He knew that Tiffany was coming home today, so he had taken the day off from work specifically to spend time with his daughter because she would be leaving for training again in less than a week.
Charlie and Thalia had long known about the training, and when the school discussed this with them, Charlie was the first to agree.
As a father, his thinking was simple. It was good for girls to learn more.
However, when Eric learned about this, he immediately held onto his sister’s hand and protested. “I want to go tool”
Charlie said, “Go, go, go! You little brat, if you go there, you’ll only distract your sister.”
Charlie glanced at him and added, “Are you complaining that you don’t have enough homework for the holidays! Do you want more extracurricular classes??”
Upon hearing this, Eric immediately kept quiet.
Despite being only the youngest, he was at the bottom of the family’s hierarchy. The ranking from top to bottom was first the mother and daughter, then the father and son.
Tiffany chuckled and put a piece of rib on her brother’s plate, coaxing, “I’ll take you out to play these few days to make up for it, okay?”
“Okay.” Eric’s eyes lit up when he heard that.
Charlie couldn’t help but glare at him, “All you do is cling to your sister. Didn’t all the beating when you were younger teach you anything?”
Due to the big age gap between the siblings, the sister would often bully the brother when they were young.
No matter how many times Eric was taught a lesson, every time he went to kindergarten or met other friends, he would proudly tell everyone he had a beautiful sister.
Beatings aside, the bond between the brother and sister was genuinely strong.
The family chatted and laughed while reminiscing about the past. The atmosphere was especially harmonious and warm. until Sandra walked in and called out to them humbly. “Uncle Charlie, Aunt Thalia, I’m back.”
In an instant, a hint of awkwardness filled the air, and Thalia frowned slightly.
Ever since the last time Sandra went crazy and tried to scratch Tiffany’s face right in front of them, Charlie and Thalia had felt a significant rift with this niece.
Even though they had previously treated Sandra like a daughter, taking care of her in every possible way, there was always limit to everything.
No matter how much they liked her before, no parent would repay harm with kindness when someone tried to hurt their daughter, especially not parents like Charlie and Thalia, who were fiercely protective of their children.
Sandra also seemed to have sensed the subtle atmosphere that she was not welcome.
Her gaze darkened, a mist of tears began to form, and her smile faded into a sorrowful, tearful look.
Sandra said, ‘Im sorry. It’s my fault for making everyone unhappy. I’ll leave now.”
After saying that, she turned around and wanted to leave, but Charlie stopped her. “Where are you going? Since you’re back, wash your hands and sit down to eat.”
It wasn’t that he had completely forgiven her, but Sandra was his niece. Even if he was unhappy with her he couldn’t just kick her out recklessly. Doing so would only give people something to gossip about and tarnish the reputation of the Kelley family and Tiffany,
Sandra, of course, wasn’t planning to leave. It was just a tactic to show vulnerability to gain an advantage. So, she took advantage of the opportunity, wiped her tears, washed her hands, and sat at the table.
Tiffany acted as if Sandra didn’t even exist, continuing to talk with her brother, eating and chatting as if nothing had happened.
The atmosphere at the table became somewhat strained.
Sandra was eager to please them, so she busied herself serving Charlie and Thalia food, insisting on doing it herself even when the servants offered to help.
As Charlie watched her behave so cautiously and obediently, he couldn’t help but think of how his niece was now all by herself, with her parents still wanted for their wrongdoing. Being soft–hearted, he eventually relented.
Charlie was just about to say something when Tiffany spoke up first. “Mom, a master of oil painting visited our school last week. He happened to like one of my paintings and said he wanted to submit it to a competition. If I’m lucky enough to win a prize, maybe people will stop calling me a pretty face with no substance.”
“Really?” Thalia asked, clearly delighted. Her face was full of pride as she went on, “I knew it. My daughter is amazing! That master has excellent taste!”
Thalia was supportive, but as a mother, she knew that her daughter was not the type to show off. Even if Tiffany’s painting did win an international award, she wouldn’t brag about it.
So, Thalia asked, “And then what happened?”
Tiffany said, “Well, there was a small incident. Perhaps by mistake, Sandra took my painting as her own, which nearly caused a misunderstanding.”
Tiffany smiled faintly and continued, “Fortunately, I discovered it in time and resolved the misunderstanding. Otherwise, no amount of explaining would have helped.”
Tiffany spoke as if it was no big deal, but there was no such thing as a coincidence like that, especially not one with such slim odds.
Charlie and Thalia exchanged glances, seeing a thin layer of anger and shock in each other’s eyes.
They were angry that their daughter had nearly been tricked and shocked that Sandra, at her age, had the audacity to try something like that.
When they looked at Sandra again, their eyes were filled with hostility.