SWNOVELS Chapter 50
Chapter 50
The two were upstairs chatting when a car broke the silence, followed by
Laurinda’s excited voice from outside. “Madeline, Rosina, you finally made it!"
Then came a boisterous chout, “Mom, why the tears? Don't tell me Lorna has
been giving you grief again!”
Just by the rudeness of the voice, one could tell the owner was not someone to
mess with
Lorna instinctively furrowed her brows and whispered to Cordelia “That's your
aunt, Madeline She's. Lorna, who never liked talking behind people's backs,
hesitated but cautioned, “She married young and, well, she’s a bit rough around
the edges. Her daughter Rosina isn't the easiest, either. Just keep your distance,
Lia"
Cordelia was stunned momentarily but understood the unsaid implications in
Lorna's words
The middle-aged woman who helped Laurinda inside was tanned and huge,
especially noticeable in her tight-fitting dress, with her belly fat layering one over
the other, quivering with every step she took
And trailing behind her was Rosina, a girl with a delicate name but a sturdy build
with vulgar manners. As she entered, she plopped down on the couch and
looked up at Juliana adoringly. “Juliana, you look so beautiful today. You're sure
to be chosen.”
Juliana had just finished a piano piece and responded with feigned modesty
“Nothing's certain. There's also Cordelia and the Collins family’s darling to
consider! And Rosina, you play the piano, too!”
Rosina snorted, “Me? I'm here for fun. As for Cordelia, well, I heard she grew up
in an orphanage surrounded by disabled kids. She probably doesn't present well,
just here to make up the numbers.
After her spiel, Madeline interrupted, “Rachel, where's Lorna? They've found
Cordelia, and why hasn't she come to greet me? Isn't she hiding because she's
too unsightly? Come on, we're all family. There’s no need to hide!”
As Lorna descended the stairs, hearing this, her expression soured, and she
intentionally stomped a little harder.
At the sound, all eyes turned to see the girl following Lorna. With her hair tied in a
ponytail and a fresh face framed by delicate features, she was more dazzling
than a movie star, her eyes clear and mysterious.
Madeline and Rosina were stunned.
Seeing their reaction, Lorna chuckled. “Lia, say hello to your Aunt Madeline.”
Cordelia spoke slowly, “Hello.”
Madeline felt a slap to her pride but quickly sought to recover. “If the mother’s
pretty, the daughter can’t be far off. But looks aren't everything. It's academics
and talents that count. Our Juliana aces in school, top five in her grade! Lia, you
should learn from Juliana!”
The atmosphere in the living room instantly grew tense.
Both Rachel and Juliana’s expressions darkened. Why did this woman have to
bring up the most awkward subjects?
Laurinda tugged at Madeline's arm. “Enough already.”
When Madeline walked in, Laurinda had already muttered her discontent,
suggesting that Lorna had overshadowed her in the Delaney family. Thinking her
mother was intimidated by Lorna, Madeline scoffed, “Mom, what's there to hide?
If a child has weaknesses, we should point them out! Lorna won't mind me
saying so, right?”
Feeling vindicated, Lorna smiled with a gentle elegance. “I believe you're right.”
Madeline nodded. “So, Lia, no matter your past, focus on your studies as a
student. Have you had your mock exams for senior year? Don't compare yourself
to Juliana right away. That would be too much pressure. Set yourself a small
goal, like breaking into the top one hundred in your grade. What was your rank?
Without a word from Cordelia, Loma happily interjected “Our Lia is a fighter She
did quite well this time and ranked fest.”
Madeline was about to launch into a lecture when she was stunned by Lorna's
words, “What?”
Her gaze returned to Cordelia, the gorgeous girl who shouldn't have her mind on
studies, right? Had she micheard?
Laurinda coughed, changing the subject. “In families like ours, academics arerit
everything Bookworms bred from exam cramming don’t make waves. Look at
Juliana. How beautifully she plays the piano!” Madeline quickly shifted focus.
“Yeah, Juliana’s piano skills are amazing Four auditioners today, and the other
three are just making up the numbers! Speaking of which, has the Collins family's
gem arrived yet?”
Rachel answered, “They should be here any minute.”
As they spoke, another car arrived. Rachel and Lorna went out to greet the
newcomers and soon returned with a fashionably dressed, well-maintained
woman, presumably Mrs. Collins. Following her was a girl in a white dress, slight
and timid.
The girl's hair cascaded down her shoulders, adorned with a pearl clip, her skin
sickly pale. Upon entering, she hid behind Mrs. Collins, peeking at the others, her
demeanor both endearing and pitiful.
Mrs. Collins smiled politely. “Joy loves the piano, so when I heard Stanton was
coming to Greenmeadow, I couldn't resist bringing her along. Rachel, I hope you
don’t mind!"
Rachel maintained her smile, replying, “Not at all, I've heard great things about
Joy's piano playing. Let's have Juliana show her around later!”
After her comment, Rachel added with a chuckle. “All of us here must have
scared poor Joy. Why don’t we have Juliana take her upstairs to relax?”
Juliana’s eyes twinkled as she said, “Sure, Joy, come up with us!”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
: “ )
Mrs. Collins coaxed Joy, “Aren't you
having some trouble with that piano
piece? Maybe Juliana can give your
some pointers. Off you go, then. Have
” :
fun.” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Joy cast a timid glance at Juliana and nodded.
Lorna joined the conversation. “Lia, you should join them.”
The four girls ascended the staircase, heading to the upstairs parlor for fun.
As soon as they entered, Rosina blurted out. “Juliana, why isn't Ms. Collins
saying anything?”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
With a cough to clear her throat,
Juliana leaned in and whispered
: , ¢
something into Rosina’s ear, causing
. « )
her to exclaim. “No way, she's mute!
Can someone deaf and mute play the
3 M .
piano?” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Juliana pulled Rosina down onto the
couch beside her, and they began to
whisper among themselves,
completely ignoring their guest. The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
Cordelia glanced at Joy and noticed her looking utterly lost, her fingers twining
together nervously.
Meanwhile, they still had half an hour before Stanton would arrive.