Chapter 5

Mrs. Hayes's face was pale. She struggled to sit up and tugged at Violet's sleeve.

"Violet, Mom missed you so much. Every night I dream of you."

"These five years you've been away, Mom could only look at your SnapChat, not daring to call you, afraid of disturbing you."

"Now that you've finally found your place, Mom is happy for you."

Violet's face was full of impatience.

"Everything I have today, don't I owe it all to myself? What could you two do to help me?"

Mrs. Hayes was speechless.

After a long while, she couldn't help but cautiously ask.

"Is the wedding all ready? When will it be? Mom can help prepare…"

Before she could finish, Violet cut her off, her eyes full of disdain.

"How can you attend my wedding looking like this?"

"You just lie in a hospital bed all day. What if you have an accident at the wedding? Do you want me to lose face in front of Julian's family?"

"Let me tell you, from now on, I only have one mother, and that's Mrs. Vance."

Mrs. Vance, Julian Vance's mother.

I couldn't stand it anymore and pushed the door open.

"Sis, how can you talk to Mom like that?"

"I'm your sister. It's none of your business how I talk, is it?"

Violet said, then slammed the door and left.

I watched her retreating back, suppressing my anger, and was about to comfort Mrs. Hayes.

But I met my mother's gaze.

"Autumn, don't be so harsh on your sister."

"She was just spoiled as a child; her nature isn't bad."

My fingertips clenched.

"Mom, Sis is practically disowning you. Are you still going to defend her like this?"

Mrs. Hayes didn't answer, weakly saying.

"Autumn, Mom has wet the blankets. Can you help Mom change them?"

Seeing Mom's head full of white hair, I still couldn't bring myself to blame her further, and neatly changed the bedding.

After everything was tidied, I left for work.

That evening, at The Skyline Club.

After finishing my makeup and changing into my red slip dress for work, I came out to find Liam Foster, the head manager, leaning against the dressing room door.

Liam saw my pale face, his expression worried.

"Feeling unwell?"

I nodded. "Just came from the hospital, a bit tired."

A flicker of concern crossed Liam's eyes.

"If you're tired, rest. Don't aim to be number one here; aim to leave."

"You've earned a lot of money over the years. Why don't you think more about yourself?"

"Your sister is back now; it's her turn to carry Mom's burden."

Liam knew about my family situation and that my sister was back, so he couldn't help but advise me.

My heart warmed.

"Yeah, I'll try to think more about myself."

Liam then slipped me an anti-hangover pill.

"Tonight, you're assigned to The Platinum Suite. The clients there are high-profile individuals, so they shouldn't cause trouble. But still, take this, just in case."

"Thank you."

Over the years, Liam had taken good care of me.

I sincerely thanked him, then headed to The Platinum Suite.

At the door of The Platinum Suite.

I knocked and entered, immediately spotting Julian Vance sitting among a group of men.

He wore a dark suit, his face under the golden-rimmed glasses looking cool and distinguished.

My body stiffened.

And Julian, at that moment, looked up, our eyes meeting.

Then, a colleague next to him asked.

"Julian, you know her?"

All those with him were prominent lawyers, sharp-eyed enough to know everything with just a glance.

Julian subtly shifted his gaze from me.

"Not well."

Not well…

My expression faltered slightly, then I quickly regained composure and walked inside.