Charlotte was dressed in an elegant ivory Chanel set that day. Her long hair was swept up into a neat bun at the back of her head, ented with a pair of pearl studs. She looked polished and graceful–every bit the refined daughter of a well–off family.
But Mrs. Jasper Sr. wasn’t impressed.
She gave Charlotte a slow once–over, then wrinkled her brow slightly.
“All that high fashion is nice, but it doesn’tpare to the grace of a ssic dress<b>. </b>Just look at Vivian<b>–</b>she looks so refined.”
Charlotte lowered her eyes and replied softly, <b>“</b>You’re right, Grandma.”
Mrs. Jasper Sr. raised an eyebrow.
<b>“</b><b>You </b>haven’t married into the family yet. No need to change how you address me. Just call me Mrs. Jasper Sr. like everyone <b>else</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Lilian, seated beside them, looked momentarily stunned. What was that supposed to mean? Something was definitely off about Mrs. <b>Jasper </b>Sr.’s attitude toward
Charlotte.
<b>Wasn’t </b>the engagement between Charlotte and Sean already set in stone? Calling her “Grandma” didn’t seem inappropriate <b>at </b>all. Why was she now insisting Charlotte address her like an outsider?
A
flicker of displeasure crossed Lilian’s face. Charlotte was her soon–to–be daughter–inw, after all. She wasn’t “just anyone.”
Charlotte<b>, </b><b>too</b><b>, </b>was momentarily caught off guard.
<b>So</b>… Mrs. Jasper Sr. had a problem with her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse <b>of </b>Vivian sitting smugly beside Mrs. Jasper, practically glowing with satisfaction.
Charlotte instantly understood.
Vivian must have said something nasty behind her back.
Stili, Charlotte kept her expression calm and <bposed</b>. She lowered her eyes politely and replied, “Of course, Mrs. Jasper Sr.”
Lilian couldn’t stand it any longer. She smiled and gently spoke up, “Mom, Charlotte is <b>Sean’s </b>fiancée<b>–</b>your future granddaughter–inw. Calling you ‘Grandma‘ is perfectly normal. Having her address <b>you </b>as Mrs. Jasper Sr. <b>feels </b>far too distant.”
Mrs. <b>Jasper </b>Sr. took a slow sip of tea from her blue–and–white porcin cup<b>, </b>then shot Lilian <b>a </b>chilly look. Her tone was firm and deliberate<b>. </b>
“The engagement ceremony was canceled, remember<b>? </b>They’re <b>just </b>dating now. It’s <b>too </b>early for her to be calling me Grandma.”
Lilian’s brows furrowed. What on earth was her mother–<b>in</b><b>–</bw trying to pull?
<b>Mis</b>. <b>Jasper </b>Sr. said her <b>piece </b>and immediately turned back to Vivian, chatting away while <bpletely </b>ignoring Charlotte as if she <b>weren’t </b><b>even </b>there<b>. </b>
Charlotte could <b>feel </b>the deliberate <b>cold </b>shoulder, but she didn’t let <b>it </b>bother her.
It was obvious <b>Mrs. </b>Jasper Sr<b>/</b><b>favored </b>Vivian. And since Vivian clearly didn’t like her<b>, </b><b>of </b>course Mrs <b>Jasper </b>Sr. wouldn’t <b>either</b>.
But Charlotte wasn’t bothered. She was marrying Sean<b>, </b>not his grandmother. Whether Mrs. Jasper Sr. liked her or not didn’t really matter<b>. </b>
Besides, her future mother–inw<b>, </b>Lilian, adored her. While Mrs. Jasper Sr, pretended Charlotte didn’t <b>exist</b>, Lilian siniled warmly and chatted <b>with </b>her as if nothing were wrong
That only made Mrs. Jasper <b>Sr.’s </b>expression grow darker.
She nced at the clock on the wall, <b>then </b>said coolly<b>, </b>“It’s almost dinner time. Charlotte, why don’t you go set the table for us?”
Charlotte frowned slightly, about to <b>respond</b><b>, </b>but Lilian <b>spoke </b>up <b>first</b>.
<b>“</b>Mom, that’s the house staff’s job. Charlotte’s a guest. You can’t <b>expect </b>her to be setting the table. It’s not appropriate.”
Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s <b>gaze </b>turned sharp in an instant, her toneced with irritation.
<b>“</b>You just said she’s my granddaughter–inw, didn’t you? It <b>1</b><b>, </b>as her elder<b>, </b>ask her to set the table, what’s so inappropriate about that?”
Charlotte was rendered speechless.
This was almostughable.
Just <b>a </b>minute ago<b>, </b>she <b>had </b>been told. <b>was </b><b>“</b><b>too </b>soon<b>” </b><b>to </b><b>call </b>her Grandina that she should address her like <b>an </b>outsider.
But now that chores were involved? Suddenly<b>, </b>she was the granddaughter–inw?
<b>And </b><b>of </b><b>course</b><b>, </b>Mrs. Jasper Sr. had no problem ying the elder card now.
What a <b>power </b>y.
<b>Last </b>time they <b>met</b>, Mrs. <b>Jasper </b>Sr. hadn’t exactly been warm<b>, </b>but at least she had been polite. When had things turned so hostile?
Whatever Vivian had been whispering in her ear<b>, </b>it clearly worked.
Charlotte had just opened her mouth <b>to </b>speak when a cold,manding voice rang out from the direction of the elevator.
<b>“</b>Grandma, my Lottie is far too precious to be treated like the help.”