Chapter 50
“This…” Hailey hesitated, just about to refuse when Nicolas said, “Take it. This gift should have been yours long ago.”
Hailey pressed her lips together slightly, accepted the gift, and thanked, “Thank you, Grandma.”
The elderly woman was frail and in poor health, needing support to walk.
Supporting her was Nicolas’s wife, Stephanie, who was also Hailey’s aunt.
They had met briefly at the hospital yesterday, and Stephanie had come across as a gentle and kind woman.
Stephanie helped the elderly woman onto the sofa. She had also dressed up today, wearing a beautiful gown that accentuated her elegance and warmth.
Stephanie handed Hailey a gift with a smile and said, “Last time we met, it was too rushed, and I did not have the chance to prepare anything. Hailey, this is just a small token from me. Please accept it.”
Hailey felt a bit embarrassed and uttered, “This…”
But Nicolas took the gift and placed it directly in her hands, saying, “Take it, take it. No need to be so formal.”
“Thank you, Aunt Stephanie,” Hailey said, expressing her gratitude.
Suddenly, a girl’s cough came from upstairs.
Hailey looked up, her expression freezing for a moment before she called out, “Casey.”
Casey was dressed casually today in a plaid shirt and jeans, yet the outfit flattered her figure.
She walked down the stairs, glanced awkwardly at Hailey, then handed her a gift box. Her tone was slightly stiff as she said, “I picked this up while passing by a boutique. It seemed like something you might like.”
This was her way of making peace.
A smile surfaced in Hailey’s eyes as she took the gift and said, “Thank you, Casey.”
Casey did not respond and simply went to sit on the sofa.
The slap mark on her face was either covered by makeup or had already faded completely–there was no trace of it left.
Hailey still felt guilty toward Casey.
However, with so many family members gathered and chatting, she had no chance to speak with Casey alone.
They talked for quite a while when someone entered the living room.
It was a stunning woman.
“Hailey, this is your aunt, Catherine,” Nicolas introduced.
Hailey’s mother was the eldest in the Medrano family, Nicolas was second, and the third was this woman–Catherine.
Catherine resembled Valerie in appearance, but their temperaments were entirely different.
Valerie, true to her name, was graceful and poised, the epitome of a refined lady from an esteemed family.
Catherine, on the other hand, exuded a sultry and mature charm.
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She wore a bold red backless dress with a high slit that nearly reached her thigh, paired with eight–centimeter heels. Her wavy curls cascaded down, enhancing her striking allure.
The elderly woman seemed particularly displeased with her youngest daughter. The moment Catherine walked in, she let out a cold snort and turned away.
Catherine, however, was unfazed by her mother’s attitude. Instead, she walked over with a smile, her sharp, fox–like eyes scanning Hailey as she asked, “So, this is Valerie’s daughter?”
Hailey stood calmly, allowing Catherine to scrutinize her.
After a moment, Catherine gave her assessment, commenting. “Not bad. She looks just like her mother.”
Hailey could sense hostility from her.
“Catherine, why are you back today?” Nicolas asked, his expression darkening.
Catherine set down her purse and plopped onto the sofa. The strong scent of her perfume filled the air as she parted her red lips, asking. “Nicolas, what kind of question is that? This is my home. Am I not allowed to return?”
Nicolas started to speak, “That is not what I meant.”
“Good, as long as that is not what you meant.” Catherine smiled and pulled a neatly wrapped package from her bag. She handed it to Hailey and added, “I heard Valerie’s daughter would be visiting today, so I had a special gift made for you. Open it and see if you like it.”
Hailey had a gut feeling that this gift was not simple, but she maintained a composed expression as she unwrapped it.
Inside was a photo album. Opening the first page, she saw four or five photographs.
The images showed her mother, Valerie, with die Sc
men, all in intimate poses.
Nicolas immediately snatched the photos, his face turning livid with rage as he slammed them down. He yelled, “Catherine! How dare you slander Valerie like this, and in front of Hailey! Do you even have a heart?”
Catherine raised an eyebrow, utterly unbothered, as she gasped, “Oh?”
“You have gone too far!” Nicolas shouted.
As the two argued, Hailey calmly picked up the album from the floor, flipped through it from start to finish, and coolly remarked, “The Photoshop work is terrible.”
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Hailey casually tossed the album into the trash, her gaze unwavering. She remarked, “Aunt Catherine, your Photoshop skills are truly embarrassing. If you ever need help editing pictures in the future, you can come to me. I am quite the expert.”
“You-!” Catherine’s expression twisted.
She had not expected Hailey to remain so composed upon seeing such photos.
She thought, ‘The photos are fake–I edited them myself–but who has the time to scrutinize details when faced with such pictures? Shouldn’t she be furious and outraged?‘
Catherine had come today for one reason only–to stir up chaos, to see their anger and distress.
But unexpectedly, her plan had failed… just like that?
Her expression darkened with embarrassment.
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Adjusting her dress, she spoke in a sarcastic tone, “As expected of Valerie’s daughter. Sharp–eyed indeed.”
Hailey remained composed and responded, “Thank you for the compliment, Aunt Catherine.”
Catherine choked on her words and shot Hailey a venomous glare.
“I have things to do. I am leaving,” Catherine said, unwilling to stay and endure the humiliation. Since her plan had failed, she left without another word.
Nicolas let out a deep sigh, looking utterly exasperated.
“Uncle,” Hailey asked, “what exactly happened between my mother and her?”
“That is a long story,” Nicolas said with a sigh. “Let Grandma tell you.”
But their grandmother waved her hand and refused, “You tell her. I am too old and do not want to dig up old, unpleasant memories.”
Nicolas nodded and explained, “To put it simply, Catherine and I do not share the same mother. She is an illegitimate child -our father had her with another woman. Later, she was brought into the family and raised as the third daughter of the Medrano family.
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“At first, everything was fine, but in high school, Catherine fell for a boy who, unfortunately, liked Valerie instead. More importantly, Valerie had no interest in him. The rejection hit Catherine hard. Around the same time, she discovered she was not actually our father’s legitimate daughter and overheard the family’s plan to send her abroad for school. Consumed by resentment, she has hated us ever since. From that moment on, she opposed us at every turn, and even now, she cannot let it go.”
“Then the reason for sending Aunt Catherine abroad was…?” Hailey asked curiously.
Nicolas let out another sigh, “Because her grades were too poor. She had no chance of getting into a good university here.”
With that, the room fell silent.
AD
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