Chapter 3659

Elora left the kitchen without saying anything and sat back on the sofa.

Mrs. Ormond brought her some snacks and said, “Elora, if you’re really hungry, you should eat a couple of these. They’re not too sweet. I know you don’t like sweets, so the pastry chef used less sugar.”

Elora didn’t take any. “When I’m not home, the pastry chef makes the snacks for you. They’re based on your taste, not mine. Even if they aren’t too sweet, I still don’t like them.”

It wasn’t just about the sweetness—she simply didn’t enjoy the pastry chef’s style.

“How about some other snacks?” Mrs. Ormond said, feeling sorry for her. She then suggested, “Or you could have some fruit. We always have fresh fruit that you like.” “Mom, there’s no need. Sit down, you don’t need to keep getting me things. Tatum said the soup will be ready in half an hour.

I’ll just wait.”

Elora also didn’t like eating fruit on an empty stomach. She usually had it after meals. “Tatum should’ve known you wouldn’t eat airplane food. Why didn’t he make some snacks for you to take on the trip?” Mrs. Ormond said, complaining a bit.

Her daughter was clearly hungry.

The water in Elora’s cup had cooled, so she got up, refilled it with hot water, and took a few sips.

Hearing her mother’s complaint, she replied, “Snacks are best when they’re fresh. After a long trip from the hotel to the airport and then on the plane, they wouldn’t taste good anymore, especially in this cold weather. They’d get cold quickly.

I told Tatum not to bother. I had breakfast before we left, and usually when I’m busy, I don’t feel hungry. But now that I’m not doing anything, I feel it more.”

Mrs. Ormond nodded, “When you’re busy with work, you tend to ignore hunger, so you

don’t notice it.”

Elora sat back down, waiting for Tatum to call her when the soup was ready. Feeling bored, she stood up and told her mother, “Mom, I’m going to check on the little ones.”

Mrs. Ormond replied, “Go ahead, but put on your coat—it’s cold outside.” Elora grabbed her coat and left the house.

Outside, her two younger brothers were still building snow turtles. They had made a row and were stacking them up around a tree.

Elora quietly approached, watching the boys play. Despite the cold, they weren’t bothered, fully focused on their snow turtles. She felt a little envious of their carefree fun.

Although they would face responsibilities in the future, for now, they were free to enjoy life.

Being the youngest in the family, the boys were adored and spoiled by everyone. When they wanted to climb the roof, the elders would even help set up the ladder for them.

Fortunately, Elora and her sisters were stricter. While the boys were loved, they weren’t allowed to become spoiled brats. They also did well in school. The family business would eventually be passed down to them, so they needed to be well-prepared.

But Elora believed in a balance between work and play. When it was time to have fun, they should enjoy it. When it was time to study, they needed to focus and avoid distractions.

“Sister!”

Alonzo noticed Elora watching them. He turned and happily called out to her, standing up as if to run into her arms.

Elora, teasing him, said with mock disgust, “Your hands are dirty! Don’t come near me or you’ll get my clothes dirty. You’ll have to use your New Year’s money to buy me a new outfit!”