Chapter 135

The car halted at the entrance, and Monica’s parents were the first to step out.

Following them, Monica emerged.

The moment Monica stepped out of the car, Susan swiftly cast a glance at her.

Then, she felt immensely relieved about the thorough preparations she had made the night.

before.

Clearly, Monica hadn’t just thrown something on either!

Decked out in a goose–yellow dress paired with a matching headband, Monica exuded at youthful aura. The ensemble worked wonderfully to counterbalance her inherently delicate features.

She had even added a touch of flair to her outfit, with the hem of the dress stopping right at her ankles, giving glimpses of them as she walked–a subtle yet tantalizing detail.

At the same time, Monica caught sight of the impeccably dressed Susan.

Her face immediately clouded over.

She had anticipated outshining an unprepared Susan with her meticulously planned attire, leaving her in the shadows.

To her surprise, Susan had been equally cunning, transforming herself overnight.

Moreover, Monica had had a rather rough year, and despite the makeup artist’s best efforts, a hint of fatigue was still visible on her face.

In contrast, Susan seemed to be in high spirits recently, leading a comfortable life. Her skin radiated a–

healthy glow, and there was a vivacious twinkle in her eyes.

Somehow, she seemed to have outshone Monica.

Unbeknownst to the others, the two women had already engaged in a silent duel.

“Mr. and Mrs. Lynn,” Ben greeted, “this way please.”

Monica’s parents seemed to be in a good mood.

T 14% 09:51 Mr. Lynn gave Ben a friendly pat on the shoulder, saying, “You didn’t have to bother coming. to receive us personally.”

“It’s only right for the younger generation,” Ben replied.

Mr. Lynn’s smile broadened, warming up even more.

After Monica’s previous accident at sea, he had held a grudge against Ben for a while. Now that Monica was back, he felt a bit embarrassed about his previous hostility.

Now, no matter how he looked at Ben, he found him agreeable.

“Edie,” Monica called out in a sweet, coquettish tone, walking towards him in her towering four–inch heels.

Her eyes shone as she looked at Ben.

Earlier, just from seeing the picture circulating online, she already thought that Ben’s looks were excessively handsome after getting his scar removed.

Now, seeing him in person, she almost couldn’t restrain a gasp..

“So handsome, way too handsome!”

Even that painter who had previously enchanted her couldn’t hold a candle to this visage.

If she had known earlier what Ben actually looked like, why would she ever divorce him? Why pursue something called “true love“?

Looks are the embont of true love.

Lost in her infatuation, she hurried over and instinctively reached out to hug Ben.

Ben was confused.

Lost in her infatuation, she hurried over and instinctively reached out to hug him.

But she stumbled slightly, her face turning a shade of awkward red.

Quickly, Ben moved aside, taking Susan’s hand. “Let’s lead everyone inside first he suggested, with Susan by his side.

shall we?”

Monica eyed their intertwined hands, her lips pressed tightly together for a moment before she forced a smile and said, “Yes, let’s listen to Edie.”

Suddenly, Ben felt a sharp twist on his hand.

He refrained from yelping in pain, only shooting Monica a glance. “We are grown–ups now, maybe drop the childhood nickname,” he suggested.

A puzzled expression took over Monica’s face. “Why? We grew up together, and I’ve always called you that. Even after we got married, I continued calling you that.

Realizing what she just mentioned, she suddenly covered her mouth, shooting at somewhat annoyed look at Susan. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Landor. Should I not have brought that up? If it really bothers you, I won’t call him that anymore.”

Susan offered her a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, I am quite bothered by it. It would be wonderful if you could correct that.”

Monica was speechless.

Why should Susan get to be bothered?

She couldn’t help but cast a pitiful glance at Ben and say, “Edie~~”

The way she elongated the ending made Ben shudder involuntarily.

“I mind it too,” he chimed in immediately.

Monica was speechless again.

Monica’s parents exchanged somewhat perplexed looks at their daughter’s behavior.

In their memories, Monica had always been quite averse to Ben.

Pair un the two you Back then, they had to forcefully with Monica wearing an unhappy expression each day.

Now that Ben was married, they had let go of their stubborn insistence. As long as Monica was happy, they didn’t care about family background or anything of that sort.

But why had Monica suddenly become close to Ben?

Monica’s parents couldn’t have imagined that their daughter was such a fanatic for handsome faces.

The atmosphere was getting a bit awkward.

Mr. Lynn tried to smooth things over. “Monica, we’re all adults here. The childhood nicknames sound a bit inappropriate now. You two are from the same generation, so calling each other by first names would be more suitable.

Even her father wasn’t siding with her. Monica felt increasingly aggrieved.

She looked as though she was on the verge of tears, but she managed to respond pitifully, “I understand.”

Ben pretended not to notice the longing glances Monica kept throwing his way and led the Lynn family inside the house.

Charlie had already prepared some top–notch coffee and snacks, ready to welcome them.

Seeing Monica, Charlie greeted her with a genuine smile. “Monica, come, sit next to Grandpa.”

“Grandpa!” Monica’s spirit lifted at once, and she hurried to sit beside him.

“You’ve been through quite an ordeal. When we heard about your sea accident, your parents were beside themselves, even I felt like my heart was breaking,” Charlie said kindly.

Monica offered a gentle smile as she replied, “I was fortunate that a fishing boat was nearby to rescue me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to return.”

“That was a stroke of luck on your part,” Charlie said, patting the back of her hand affectionately.

“What luck do I have?” Monica sighed heavily. “I was only away recovering for a year, and to think, when I came back, Edie… Ben had already married someone else.“.

She cast a deeply resentful glance at Ben, her eyes filled with sorrow and regret.

Ben, Monica’s parents, and Charlie were all confused.

The look in Ben’s eyes turned noticeably colder in an instant.

What was she talking about? She had been recovering for a year?

This him?

lie might have passed with her parents, but she had the audacity to say it in front of “Ah, I’m sorry. I… shouldn’t have said those things. Monica put on a face that seemed to show she realized that she had misspoken, yet her eyes rapidly filled with tears. “I… I just couldn’t help but reminisce about the times Ben and I shared together. We were childhood. friends who entered into marriage with the support of both our families. I initially thought that we would be together forever. I never expected… that one accident would ruin everything. I… I just couldn’t hold back.”

As she spoke, Monica covered her eyes, seemingly on the brink of collapsing.

Tears streamed ceaselessly through the gaps between her fingers.

She was throwing herself wholeheartedly into her performance.

The grand hall of the Landor’s‘ house fell into a deep silence.

A shadow seemed to pass over Charlie’s eyes.

He had been overjoyed at Monica’s return initially.

But what did she mean by this now?

Was she trying to sabotage the relationship between Ben and Susan?

Charlie found himself becoming increasingly displeased.