Chapter 10 You’ve Disappointed Me Completely
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To Austin, those words sounded like they were deliberately meant to provoke him.
Yet before he could even say anything in response, Dawn had already cut off any chance for rebuttal. She simply said, “I’m in a hurry, Uncle Austin. Take your time eating,” before grabbing her bag and hurrying away.
Austin watched her retreating figure while his hand on the table clenched into a tight fist.
He truly hadn’t expected her temper to be this explosive this time!
Dawn was not yet 21 and had lived with the Osbornes for 13 years. Austin was her uncle and their bond could only ever be one of family. How could that possibly change?
He thought that she was young and had mistaken her dependence for love.
He believed that she would understand once she got a little older. However, the moment Sydney returned, it was as if she had awakened some rebellious streak in Dawn’s very bones.
All these years, she hadn’t picked up anything useful, yet somehow, she had mastered the art of passive aggression.
Austin narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned back in his chair.
He sighed and decided to ignore her for a while.
<i>She </i>was <i>old </i><i>enough </i>now–<i>she </i><i>couldn’t </i><i>keep </i><i>acting </i><i>like </i><i>a </i><i>child </i><i>forever</i>.
Dawn had no idea that Austin saw her rush as nothing more than a tantrum. She finally managed to hail a cab, and by the time she arrived at school, only 30 minutes remained before the interview.
The assistant from the magazine was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing her arrive, the girl let out a sigh of relief. “Ms. Porter, you’re finally here! I was just about to call you.”
The young girl’s curious gaze lingered on Dawn’s face for a moment before she grinned. “I didn’t expect you to be this gorgeous in person. If you put on a little makeup, you’d outshine a lot of celebrities. Why don’t you ever appear on camera?”
Beauty was a golden ticket for the new generation. It could give you an edge in any industry.
Dawn had a face that could captivate an audience, yet she willingly gave up the chance to be in the spotlight.
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Chapter 10 You’ve Disappointed Me Completely
It was perplexing.
“I have no ns to work in front of the camera.”
Dawn smiled politely. “I’m preparing to apply for the graduate program at Northville Silverpeak University.”
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The assistant’s eyes widened. “Silverpeak University? That’s one of the most prestigious schools for jewelry design. You’re amazing!”
They chatted briefly before arriving at the makeup room. The assistant handed her the interview script while looking a little apologetic. “I’m really sorry, Ms. Porter. The journalist assigned to interview you hasn’t arrived yet. Would you mind reviewing the questions in the meantime?”
Dawn shook her head. “Sure.”
As the scheduled time crept closer, the interviewer was still nowhere to be seen.
The assistant anxiously made several phone calls, only to hear that the journalist was stuck in traffic. The interview had to be dyed by another 20 minutes.
Time ticked by and the journalist finally arrived-
It was Sydney.
Only then did Dawn recall that Sydney had studied journalism abroad. After returning home, she joined a magazinepany. It was such a coincidence for Dawn to run into her under such circumstances.
“Dawn, have you been waiting for a long time?”
Sydney set down her bag and linked her arm with Dawn affectionately. “I’m so sorry, the traffic was just terrible. How about I treat you to dinner after the interview?”
Her friendliness made the surrounding staff exchange nces.
“Ms. Peay, you and Ms. Porter know each other?”
“Of course we do.”
Sydney smiled warmly and added, “In fact, we’re about to be family, aren’t we, Dawn?”
Dawn was secretly impressed at the act.
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Chapter 10 You’ve Disappointed Me Completely
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Just yesterday, they had parted on bad terms. Yet today, she could pretend as if nothing had happened and act all warm and intimate.
Sydney noticed her silence. Her gaze flickered slightly before she turned to the assistant. “Alright, enough chit–chat. Let’s get started–we have a job to do.”
The others were quickly pulled back into focus. Meanwhile, Dawn remained expressionless. “Sydney, you don’t have to put on an act in front of me. I’m not buying it.”
Sydney’s smile remained, but the warmth in her eyes vanished. “Oh, I never expected you to. But for Austin’s sake, we should at least pretend to get along in public, don’t you think?”
Dawn frowned but didn’t argue.
She still cared about Austin.
Not because she still had feelings for him, but because he had raised her for so many years. That was a debt she couldn’t just ignore.
Seeing her reluctance, Sydney smirked and said, “This interview is simple. As long as you cooperate, it’ll be over quickly. We can talk afterward.”
Since Dawn wouldn’t be on camera, the interview mainly consisted of structured questions- her design inspirations, her reasons for pursuing jewelry design, and so on.
She answered them all smoothly, showing no signs of nervousness.
That, more than anything, caught Sydney off guard. She assumed that the reason for Dawn’sposure was because of Austin’s financial backing.
Otherwise, as an orphan, she would probably be homeless by now.
Sydney’s expression darkened slightly as she abruptly asked a question that wasn’t on the script.
“Ms. Porter, I heard that your family went through a crisis when you were young, and a certain gentleman took you in. Now that you’re living such a privileged life, spending so much on jewelry design and education, don’t you feel guilty toward the man who raised you?”
The room fell silent. No one had expected Sydney to ask something so direct.
However, no one dared to interrupt her as she was the most senior person in the room.
Dawn looked at her and immediately recognized the provocation.
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Chapter 10 You’ve Disappointed Me Completely
She fell silent for a moment, then began calmly, “I have nothing to feel guilty about.
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“Because he gave me a stable foundation, I was able to pursue the things I love. My gratitude toward him will never change, and I will do everything I can to repay him in the future.
“The reason I could use his resources was because he had the means to provide them. I should take advantage of these opportunities to grow and give back to society–not let them be shackles that keep me trapped in unnecessary guilt.”
Her sharp gaze locked onto Sydney. “Ms. Peay, is there anything else you’d like to ask?”
Sydney’s smile stiffened slightly. After a brief pause, she forced a polite response. “Ms. Porter, you’re young, but I have no doubt you have a bright future ahead. I wish you sess.”
With that, the interview wrapped up and everyone exhaled in relief.
That question was far too aggressive. With a more experienced interviewee, it could have escted into a full–blown argument.
As soon as she finished packing up, Dawn turned to leave–but Sydney called out to her.
“Dawn, wait. I have something for you.”
Dawn hesitated before stopping.
Sydney rummaged through her bag as she spoke. “I saw a bracelet the other day while shopping with Austin and thought it would suit you. I know you don’t like me, but think of it as a gift from me. Will you ept it?”
She pulled out a jewelry box and opened it.
“Oh! I grabbed the wrong one.”
Sydney quickly shut the box and reached for another.
Her movements were swift, but Dawn still caught a glimpse of the Virgin Mary pendant inside.
Her breath hitched and her voice turned cold. “Give me the one you just had.”
Sydney feigned confusion. “Dawn, this is the one I meant to give you—”
“I said, give me that one!”
Dawn lost control and reached directly for her bag.
“Dawn, what are you doing? Let go—” Sydney clutched her bag tightly. In the struggle, she
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Chapter 10 You’ve Disappointed Me Completely <fn7fa4> This text is hosted at fin?novel</fn7fa4>
identally crashed into a nearby shelf.
Crash!
The shelf toppled over, scattering items everywhere.
Dawn stood frozen, staring at the person shielding her.
<i>Sydney</i>… <i>Sydney </i><i>had </i><i>protected </i><i>me</i><i>? </i>
The next moment, she understood why.
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A man strode in, pushed aside the fallen shelf, and pulled Sydney into his arms. His gaze turned ice–cold as he red at Dawn. “This is the second time, Dawn. You’ve disappointed mepletely!”