Chapter 317

S31 60. Preparing a Party

“Yes,” Jeremy stretched out one arm, waiting for Vivian’s back to come within his reach. “Let me introduce her, Grandma. This is my mother, Vivian Bell.”

“Hello, Mrs. Johnson. Nice to meet you.” Vivian gave a warm smile

then offered her hand.

Without warning, Diana let go of Louis’s grip and then cupped Vivian’s hand. “You are Norman’s ex-girlfriend?”

Vivian’s eyes widened. With a high arch of eyebrows, she glanced at Jeremy and the others briefly. Everyone looked awkward.

“Hmm, yes. Before he was betrothed to Barbara’s mother,” Vivian answered stiffly, but still gracefully.

Diana let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry you had to go through difficult times because of my son. I hope you don’t hold a grudge against him. I was the one who was wrong. He grew up without the presence of mother. I didn’t have time to teach him how to respect women or t meaning of love and responsibility.”

The curve of Vivian’s lips shrunk. She could see deep worry from those wrinkled eyes.

“It’s okay, Madam. It’s all long gone. I don’t think about it anymore.”

While knitting her eyebrows, Diana stroked Vivian’s hair and face. Vivian felt strange being treated like a little girl at that age. However, she understood. Diana was studying the face that had been Norman’s choice.

“Do you still remember him often?”

Vivian’s eyebrows arched higher. “Norman?”

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After a blink, she tried to break the ice with a smile. “Yeah, sometimes. Every time I see Jeremy I think of him.”

“Does Jeremy look more like Norman?”

Vivian’s eyes twitched as she studied the Harper brothers. “In terms of face, appearance, and gait, Jeremy is more similar. But when it comes to character and habits, I think Frank is closer.”

Diana let out a laugh. Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Is that so? How about his voice?” She pulled Vivian towards the sofa. Philip, Barbara, and Abigail spontaneously stepped aside, feeling that it would be impolite to listen closely to their conversation.

“Jeremy’s voice is more similar. But when it comes to accent, Frank

inherited it.”

Diana’s laughter returned to the air. This time, lighter, carefree. “What are his habits? Do you remember? I heard you used to be his

secretary.”

While the two women were busy talking, Frank and the others exchanged smiles.

“I think Grandma is much better now,” Kara whispered, drawing n from the people around her.

“Yes, I was worried that Grandma couldn’t handle her feelings,” Fran muttered before glancing at his brother. “Luckily your mother is here

Jeremy shrugged briefly. “But my mother can’t stay long. She has to go back to hiding before your mother comes out.”

Barbara stared wide eyed. “Do you plan on letting my mother wander around?”

Philip elbowed Barbara. “Why do you sound like you want to lock your mother up?”

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“Because it’s a party. I want us all to have fun. If Mom leaves the room, she could cause trouble.”

“Her condition is stable, Barbara. You don’t need to worry,” Kara

intervened.

“Yes. I even plan to bring her and Auntie together.” Frank nodded confidently.

“Are you kidding?” Jeremy furrowed an eyebrow.

Frank shook his head without thinking. “I’m serious. Poor her if she has to keep hiding. It’s time we train my mother to face reality. Ava is still here, right?”

“Yeah,” Jeremy scratched his ear, itching at the name. “I think it’s worth a try.”

Suddenly, Louis frowned and also scratched his ear. “Adult things are. really confusing. Emily, why don’t we prepare the party?”

Emily nodded. “Yeah! Let’s prepare the party before Doctor Wela and Rony arrive.”

Holding hands, the twins looked up.

“Mommy, Daddy, can we go to the back gazebo now?” Emily’s vol

was as sweet as cotton candy.

“We’re still kids. We shouldn’t interfere in adult matters,” Louis added blinking innocently.

Barbara quickly took Philip and raised his hand. “We’ll help the twins out there.”

Frank’s eyebrows knitted together at Barbara. “You don’t want to help. your mother reconcile with Auntie?”

“She’s also your mother, and you’re the eldest child. So, I entrust it to

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you, Big Brother.”

After g

After patting Frank’s arm, Barbara dragged Philip and pushed the twins. “Come on, Louis, Emily. Let’s prepare a party. Abigail, come

with us.”

Frank was stunned to see his sister. “She soon will get married but still doesn’t have a sense of responsibility?”

Kara laughed amusedly at her husband’s expression. “Come on, Frank. Jeremy and I can help you.”

Frank’s lips pursed. However, before he could speak, Ava came with hasty steps. As usual, her expression was flat, hard to guess.

“Sir, Madam,” she greeted Frank and Kara as if Jeremy didn’t exist.

“What’s wrong, Ava?” Kara raised her eyebrows.

Ava blinked tensely. “Mrs. Harris has finished showering. She’s doing her make-up. In a moment, she’ll be out. Can you tell Mrs. Bell to go

back to the room? I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to do it.”

Seeing Ava’s seriousness, Frank smiled amusedly. He felt like he facing a female version of Jeremy.

“It’s okay, Ava. Just let my mother meet Vivian Bell.”

Ava’s expression changed faintly. “What do you mean?”

“We just decided not to hide Mrs. Bell anymore. My mother needs t be trained to face reality. That’s no problem, right?”

Ava’s eyebrows arched, her mouth opened slightly. “Oh, if that’s the plan, that’s fine. I’m actually relieved because I don’t have to act like a

spy anymore.”

The nod of her head was also exactly like Jeremy’s. That made Frank bit his lip, stifling a laugh.

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“Ava!” Melanie’s voice suddenly came from the next room. After a few moments, she appeared holding a bun of hair at the top of her head.

“Ava, I’m trying a new style, but I’m having trouble. Help me!”

With her head bowed, Melanie couldn’t see anyone who was looking at her. It was only when she arrived in front of Ava and saw lots of feet that she looked up.

“Frank? Kara? You’re here!” Her tone was cheerful. When her hand came down, her hair immediately fell down. Her appearance actually looked more natural.

“Hi, Mom. We just arrived. How are you?” Frank hugged Melanie then pressed his cheek to her cheek.

“Good.” Melanie turned to Kara. “How are you, guys?”

Kara hugged her and nodded. “Good”

“I thought you’d come at dinner,” Melanie said as she returned the distance.

Kara shook her head slightly. “The twins want to prepare the p

with their own hands.”

“Those toddlers… they have to learn to rely on other people. Wh are they?”

Melanie turned her head, checking another direction. However, instead of finding her grandchildren, she was fixated on two women who were stunned looking at her.

“Vivian?” Melanie’s face immediately fell.

Vivian spontaneously got up from the sofa. “Hi, Melanie. I just got back from out of town. So, you’re staying here?” she greeted stiffly. The glance in her eyes seemed to ask Jeremy why he didn’t give a signal that Melanie had come out of her nest.