Chapter 43 Conference
That Friday night, the Lombard family returned to the Lombard residence for dinner with
William. William sat at the head of the table as a dozen of them took their seats. Although William
was over seventy years old, the aura he had amassed over the years since he became an
entrepreneur was still strong.âTristan, I've heard that you're rather conspicuous recently."Tristan put
down his wine glass and replied, âDad, since you've handed over Lombard Group to me, I'll handle
everything. You can put your mind at ease and enjoy gardening at home.â Tristan, how can you talk
to Dad like that?â William's eldest son, Lincoln, chided Tristan for disrespecting their aged
father."That's right, Tristan. Dad wanted to remind you for your own good. Others won't let you off
the hook once you harm their interests.â Soon, William's second oldest, Sarah, chimed in.âSarah, I
know what I'm doing. Don't worry about me. Tristan was confident and had made the necessary
preparations for the drastic action.âSarah, how are things going between you and that brat from the
Quigley family? You're not getting any younger. If he's not okay, youâ""Dad, please don't bother
yourself with this matter.â Sarah felt a little frustrated once William brought it up.âDo you guys think
I want to poke my nose into your business? I'm worried about all of you!"âGrandpa, I'm well-
behaved!â Ysabelle interrupted after she had been eating quietly for some time. William put on a
smile when he saw his beloved granddaughter.âYou're right. You're such a good girl.ââGrandpa, I
have a friend in Jipsdale Premier High. I'll bring her here on my birthday. I'm sure you'll be fond of
her.â"Sure.ââBy the way, the parent-teacher conference will be held next Monday. Dad, will you be
going?ââMonday? I'll be in Mapleton that day. Let Uncle Tristan go on my behalf."âUncle Tristan? Are
you free to join the conference?â Ysabelle thought Tristan was busier.âOkay.â Much to her surprise,
Tristan agreed After dinner, Tristan was chatting with Sarah in the greenhouse.âSarah, Juan isn't the
right man for you.â Among the siblings, Tristan and Sarah were the closest to each other.Sarah put
on a wry smile once Tristan finished." Tristan, sometimes you find yourself unable to do anything
when you've fallen for someone.âAs if I don't know what kind of a person Juan is. Despite that, I
can't control my heart.â don't want to see you get hurt.â Tristan could settle everything for Sarah
except for this.âAll right. Don't be bothered by my business. People are saying that you've been
quite close with a young lady lately. Why didnât you tell me? Let me evaluate her for you!""Who said
s0?"âSo it's true? Bring her home someday. I'm eager to meet her."âSure, but don't let Dad know.â
Since William was bad-tempered, Tristan didnât want Sophie to get hurt.âl understand. Dad is indeed
bad-tempered.â"On Monday morning, Ysabelle came up to Sophie once Sophie arrived in
class."Soph, which of your family member will come to the parent-teacher conference this
evening?"âNo one.â Since Josiah was getting on in the years, Sophie didnât want him to be troubled
by the trivial matter. As for Yale and Charmaine, she hadn't told them about the event.âl see. My
uncle will be coming later. I'll ask him to bring Felix along to help you.ââNo need for that.â"No
worries." There's really no need for that.""Soph, you're my friend. My uncle is also your
uncle.âSophie was rendered speechless.At noon, Tristan and Felix came to Wisteria Apartments to
have lunch with Sophie and Ysabelle.Sophieâs and Ysabelle's lips twitched when they saw the
dressed-up men.It's merely a parent-teacher conference. Do they have to dress up like this?"What's
wrong? Ysabelle, do you want to rate my outfit today?"Ysabelle sat on the couch and replied, âMy
god. Others might think you're going to attend an award-giving ceremony!"âDonât I look
good?âTristan had faith in his appearance, for he was known to be a handsome guy.Sophie didn't
say a word. She knew that Tristan would remain handsome and eye-catching even if he wore some
ordinary clothes from the thrift store.âMr. Northley, thank you for acting as my parent.âFelix rubbed
the back of his head awkwardly.Didn't Mr. Tristan tell her I'll act as Ysabelle's parent? Her parent will
be Mr. Tristan!After a while, it came to Felix's mind that Tristan would probably act as Sophie's future
husband.Since Tristan didn't reveal it, Felix certainly wouldn't say a word about it."You're welcome. I
don't have much work to do today anyway.ââSophie, you don't have to thank him. I asked Uncle
Tristan to bring him along.âYsabelle, do you have a problem with me recently?"Ysabelle scoffed at
that but didn't utter a word in response.âAll right. Come and have lunch already.â Just then, Tristan
interrupted and stopped their nonsense.At two o'clock in the afternoon, the driver drove Charmaine
and Willow to Jipsdale Premier High. Since the parent-teacher conference was being held today, no
cars were allowed to enter the building.Hence, the driver stopped at the entrance for Charmaine
and Willow to get out of the car.Since the students of Jipsdale Premier High came from wealthy or
prominent families, the entrance was packed with many luxury cars.Even the Tanner family's car
wasn't the best one.âWillow, you have to get close to the Laird family. It's the only way that the
Tanner family can prosper.â Oftentimes, humans would not feel satisfied with what they already
had.â"Mom, I understand.â"Willow was a well-known student in Jipsdale Premier High, for she was
always among the top three students in her grade.As they headed toward the classroom, many
parents who knew Charmaine came and commended Willow for being beautiful and clever.At that
moment, Charmaine thought she had made the right choice. Willow is the one who can bring me
great honor.Meanwhile, Willow was also pleased at their praises.Yes, I should always be in the
limelight. No matter how excellent Sophie is, no one will care about her because of her
embarrassing past.Just then, a white Porsche Cayenne pulled over at the entrance of Jipsdale
Premier High.The well-dressed Felix hopped out and quickly opened the door for Ysabelle.The next
moment, a silver Lamborghini stopped right behind the Porsche Cayenne. After the driver opened
the door, Tristan and Sophie got out of it.As both were good-looking, the people around began to
stop and stare at them.Some young girls even screamed in excitement. My god! Are these movies
stars here for filming?Hearing the commotion, Charmaine and Willow also stopped walking and
turned around.Charmaineâs expression turned grim once she saw Sophie.âLet's go.â Charmaine
grabbed Willow's wrist to continue walking. She couldn't tolerate the thought that people would
ridicule her because of Sophie. After all, she always treated Sophie as a disgrace.In the meantime,
Charmaineâs reaction sparked joy in Willow's heart.Just as I thought, Sophie has become an
embarrassment. No matter how hard she tries to prove herself, she will always be a nobody in the
Tanner family!âSoph, don't be sad. You still have me.â Noticing Willow and Charmaineâs disdainful
reaction, Ysabelle quickly held Sophie's arm.
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