"Charlotte!"
Ilisa Lyons walked over, wearing a black silk embroidered qipao with knot buttons. Over forty, she was well-maintained, a woman of enduring charm.
At this moment, her face showed a trace of discreet disgust and resistance as she pulled Charlotte Smith's hand, "Go inside with Robert for dinner, don't worry about things here."
Charlotte Smith glanced at her mother.
This woman gave birth to her but hardly raised her, so meeting again now felt anything but familiar.
Back when the Smith family was calculated by Robert Stephens, what she felt mostly was the fear of a rabbit's demise rather than the sadness of a loved one's death.
Lately, having matured, she understood better her status in the Smith family.
She was born of Ilisa Lyons, sent to the Stephens family as a gift, her sole purpose being to win Robert Stephens' favor.
The aim was to exchange for the Smith family's wealth and status.
