Chapter 201

S21 31. Too Sad

“Mom? You slapped me?” Barbara’s voice was hoarse and thin.

Melanie gaped and sighed in disbelief. She looked at her own hand. then shook her head quickly. “Sorry, My Dear. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

Barbara laughed bitterly. Stepping back, she muttered, “I hate you.” A second later, she ran into her room.

Melanie suddenly became confused. Barbara’s words kept ringing in her mind. When she came to her senses, she screamed in annoyance. “Aaargh! What actually happened? Why is it so messy?”

With a rumbling breath, she checked Barbara’s account. As soon as she found the insults, her jaw throbbed violently.

“How dare they attack my daughter like this?”

With burning eyes, Melanie growled. “This must be because of Frank and those devil kids! They put Barbara in a difficult position. How dare they?”

Closing her eyes, Melanie tried to lower her blood pressure. However the dizziness never subsided. Like it or not, she had to return to h room and rest. She wouldn’t be able to fight if she’s in bad shape.

In the evening, Frank and the others stared wide-eyed at the dining room. Usually, Melanie and Barbara would have been sitting there. However, this time, there were only five plates provided.

“Where did Grandma and Auntie go?” Louis sighed.

The servant who was arranging the glasses stopped her movements. Her brows furrowed faintly.

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“About that… they had a big fight earlier. Mrs. Melanie even slapped Miss Barbara. Since then, they haven’t left the room.”

Everyone was taken aback.

“What about their lunch and dinner? They didn’t possibly miss their meals, right?” Kara looked worried.

The servant tilted her head. “Mrs. Melanie ate in her room.”

“What about Auntie? Did she eat in her room too?” Emily raised an eyebrow.

Just then, a servant returned with a trolley full of food. “It seems Miss Barbara really lost her appetite. She didn’t even open the door this

time.”

The twins immediately exchanged glances as they shared the same thought.

“This is bad! Auntie must be too sad. She will get sick if she doesn’t eat,” Louis said with round eyes.

Meanwhile, Emily looked up at their parents. “What should we do, Mommy, Daddy? Poor Auntie. I don’t want her to get sick.”

Kara stroked Emily and Louis’ cheeks. “Don’t worry, Little Angels. You aunt won’t get sick. You can coax her after dinner.”

“What if she still doesn’t want to eat?”

“What if she’s getting angrier and sadder?”

Kara shook her head with a shady smile. “You haven’t tried yet. Don’t make such assumption.”

The twins took a deep breath. Their shoulders drooped helplessly.

“Kids,” Frank rubbed the toddlers’ backs, “cheer up! You can’t persuade Barbara with that tired look.”

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Louis and Emily looked up at Frank. While puffing out their cheeks, they nodded.

“Daddy is right. We have to be enthusiastic.”

“Then let’s eat a lot. I think it will take us a long time to persuade Auntie.”

While the toddlers climbed onto the chairs, Philip frowned. Something felt stuck in his heart. After a while, he asked permission to rest.

Without anyone knowing, Philip went out onto the back yard with a folding chair. When he stopped under a window, he immediately stretched it out. Without hesitation, he went up and checked behind

the window.

“She can’t be that reckless, right?” he thought in worry.

Unfortunately, even though the curtains covering the windows were somewhat transparent, Philip’s view was still limited. Whatever angle he shifted his head, Barbara remained invisible.

“What should I do now? Should I knock on her door and have a good talk? But she is stubborn. She definitely won’t listen.”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind. “What are you doing there?”

Philip spun around, forgetting that he was on a folding chai instant, he lost his balance and fell into the bushes.

Barbara gasped. But when she was about to step forward, Philip already stood up with round eyes. “You’re still alive?”

Barbara’s head leaned back. “Still alive?”

After brushing the leaves from his head and clothes, Philip approached Barbara.

“I thought you’re already in a different realm. Thank goodness you’re

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not shallow-minded.”

Barbara sighed in disbelief. “You think I’m committing suicide? I’m scared of even cutting vegetables, let alone cutting my hand.”

Philip raised an eyebrow. While nodding, he muttered, “Well then, it’s good for you to be cowardly.”

Barbara’s expression changed drastically. “You want to find trouble with me again?”

Philip widened his eyes. “No. I’m just saying that I’m glad you didn’t complicate things.”

After a sigh, Barbara shook her head briefly. “It’s useless for me to meditate. My mood is spoiled again.”

“Are you mad at me?”

Barbara didn’t take a step. She met Philip’s gaze through the corner of

her eye.

“You think I’m stupid? I know you were the one who reported my evil plan to Emily. She didn’t go to school to catch me.”

Philip smiled crookedly. “You realize your plan is evil?”

Barbara’s fierce features were in danger. Before her muscles rela she blinked. “Stop teasing me! Don’t you dare to think that I will and forgive you!”

Barbara walked away. Without hesitation, Philip followed her.

“It’s okay if you’re reluctant to forgive me. What’s important is that you’re willing to forgive yourself.”

Barbara was pensive. She slowed down and then froze again.

“Why should I forgive myself? I was innocent,” she said flatly.

Philip stopped beside her. While pocketing his hands, he let out a long

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breath.

“I think,” he continued, ignoring Barbara’s words, “you should also be proud of yourself.”

Barbara’s brows furrowed. Blinking awkwardly, she glanced in another

direction.

“You want me to get even angrier at you? Stop making fun of me.” Her scolding sounded more like a grumble.

Suddenly, Philip turned to face Barbara. The curve of his lips could hypnotize the girl if only she looked.

“I’m telling the truth. It’s not easy to admit a mistake like you did, especially it’s for the sake of your mother.”

Barbara fell into deep thought again. Her gaze wandered as her breathing became heavy. She was no longer aware that Philip was watching her closely.

“From the first time I met you, I thought you were a selfish and spoiled girl who didn’t have a bright side. Turns out, I was wrong.”

Philip twitched an eyebrow. His tone fell, causing vibration in Barbara’s heart. “Not everyone has the courage to face problems like you. And all change begins with awareness. So, congratulations

You’ve taken a step forward.”

Barbara took a deep breath. She could feel the awkwardness run through her veins.

“I said stop teasing me,” she muttered vaguely.

“I’m not teasing you. I’m telling the truth.”

Barbara glanced briefly. Seeing Philip’s gentle gaze, her cheeks heated up. At that moment, Philip tilted his head. His eyes narrowed mischievously.

By the way, have you just come out of the sauna Why do your cheeks blush?

Barbara blinked Her hand rose to cover her face. It’s because I’m too angry Her glance was cynical agaid

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