Mrs. Ormond smiled and said, âYouâre not fat at all. Youâve just gained a bit of weight, which is
good. Youâll look better with a bit more roundness. Being too thin doesnât suit you.â
Elora replied, âIâm not overeating. Iâm still busy and exercising every day, but Iâm still gaining
weight.â
Mrs. Ormond responded, âThat just means youâre enjoying Tatumâs cooking. As long as you have
three balanced meals a day and your body absorbs the nutrients, your complexion will improve
too.â
Tatum was Mrs. Ormondâs favorite chef among all they had. Not only did he cook well, but he also
had a pleasing appearance and a refined demeanor. He didnât seem like an ordinary chef but more
like a wealthy, well-mannered gentleman.
âHeâs doing well for now,â Elora said. âMom, is Tinsley still at the company?â
Mrs. Ormond replied, âSince youâre away on business, Tinsleyâs been handling the company and
socializing. Sheâs really busy, leaving early and coming home late. I havenât seen much of her
lately.â
âYour second aunt came over a few days ago, complaining that she hasnât seen Tinsley in days. I
told her this is just how it is in our family. Thank you for all your hard work.â
The two boys in the family, Alonzo and Angelo, were only six and five years old. Even after the New
Year, Alonzo would only be seven, still many years away from adulthood.
And even when they grew up, they wouldnât immediately take over the family business. Theyâd need
experience, achievements, and the trust of the company before assuming the family
responsibilities.
Until then, the women of the family had to keep things going.
Mrs. Ormond sighed. âElora, I feel for you. Youâre always traveling for business, and even when
youâre home, youâre swamped with meetings, documents, and social events. Sometimes, you even
have to attend various functions.â
âGirls should be treated like jewels, living carefree lives. But because of our family, youâve had to
carry such a heavy burden.â
âYouâre already twenty-six and havenât even had your first love yet. Iâm worried about your marriage.
There arenât many eligible young men in Annenburg. Some are already married, and those who are
single donât feel worthy of you.â
When it came to Eloraâs love life, it was a sad topic. She was the most outstanding young woman in
Annenburg, and no man seemed to be her match. Elora was strong and independent, and while
many admired her, most men were intimidated by her strength. Some men were interested, but only
in the Ormond familyâs wealth, not in Elora herself.
Because of this, Elora was already twenty-six, nearly twenty-seven, and had yet to experience her
first love.
Tinsley, also twenty-six, had her admirers, but she wasnât as serious about it as Elora.
âMom, Iâm still young. Iâm only going to be twenty-seven, not thirty-six. People with successful
careers are marrying and having children later these days. Iâm not in a rush. If Iâm still single at
thirty-six, then we can start worrying.â
Elora had once dreamed of love, only to be let down by reality.