CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 107: REMINISCENCE (8)

When Florence Fuller was sixteen, Ethan Harper gifted her a violin.

Previously, at the Shaw Family, Amelia Linney had rented an expensive violin for her lessons. Later, Abigail Monrose hired a teacher for her, and she used the violin from the teacher.

Now, for the first time, she owned a violin of her own.

Florence tried it and looked at him: "It must be expensive."

Back when it was decided at the Shaw Family to nurture Florence’s path in violin playing, Amelia Linney discussed with Henry Shaw about buying her a violin. Amelia thought that since this was going to be a long-term development, they must buy a good, expensive one, but it was overly costly.

Besides her violin lessons, the family also bore the expenses of Charles Shaw’s tutoring and Evelyn Shaw’s dance class.

The burden was heavy.

Later, Amelia Linney discussed with her if she could rent an expensive one for now, and when she and Henry Shaw saved enough in two years, they would buy her an expensive one.

Florence gladly accepted.

Ethan Harper’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts: "Whether it’s expensive or not is secondary; what matters is that it can achieve its greatest value in your hands."

Florence looked at the violin: "Why are you giving me a violin?"

"Naturally, because you need it." Ethan smiled: "If I must say... you’re like a sister next door; after knowing you for so long, it’s about time I gave you something."

The sister next door...

"Then I’ll accept it first." If she needed to take an exam later, she really would need a good violin: "When I earn money in the future, I’ll get you something expensive too."

Ethan looked at her and suddenly laughed: "Alright, I’ll be waiting."

But her dreams were ruthlessly crushed at seventeen by Michael Fuller and Laura Yates.

The teacher hired by Abigail Monrose took a liking to her, communicated with a foreign school in advance, and arranged for her to take an exam, which she could definitely pass with her qualifications. After two years of training at the school, she could join an orchestra through selection.

Abigail Monrose shared this news with Florence, and she was overjoyed.

She was thrilled, feeling she could not only fulfill her dreams but also break away from the control of the Fuller Family.

Yet, she worried a lot about Amelia Linney.

But then she thought, if she went abroad and studied well, she would earn more money to treat Amelia Linney’s illness.

Naturally, this news had to be shared with the Fuller Family.

She chose a day when Michael Fuller was at home to talk about it.

"A recommendation letter from a top violinist." Clara Fuller listened and chuckled slightly, jealousy flashing in her eyes: "Florence, you weren’t deceived, were you?"

"Dad, would you think Aunt Monrose is lying?" Florence laid out the emails and notifications from the school: "It’s an internationally renowned music university. Look, there’s an official stamp here, and the principal’s signature as well."

She craved this opportunity, her usual tone with the Fuller Family softened slightly.

Laura Yates looked closely; indeed, it seemed genuine.

She found it hard to believe that the daughter she hadn’t valued in the nearly two years since she returned home could actually have such an outstanding opportunity.

"I didn’t know you were so good at playing the violin." Her tone was a bit stiff.

Florence gave her a look: "I told you back then that I wanted to continue learning the violin, but you didn’t agree!"

"So you really were learning in secret." Michael Fuller slapped the tablet on the table: "The Monrose Family arranged the lessons for you."

Florence pursed her lips: "My academic performance hasn’t suffered."

"Hmph!" Michael Fuller snorted coldly: "No way!"

If she left, how could he control her? He was waiting for a few years until Florence matured for an arranged marriage.

Florence was his daughter. Despite limited interaction over the two years, Michael Fuller’s intuition told him that Florence shared some traits with him.

Unlike Clara Fuller, who had always lived in the Fuller Family and couldn’t break away.

Florence never liked this home since she returned; she couldn’t blend in.

She wasn’t even willing to maintain a basic harmonious and loving relationship with her parents.

She was rebellious by nature, not inclined to obey. If she went abroad and escaped control, he would lose a leverage of interest!

Florence looked at him resolutely: "I want to go!"

"Try to go!" Michael Fuller stood up, exuding the oppressive aura of an experienced businessman: "Even if you get accepted, I can make the school expel you."

"What right do you have to do that?" Florence looked at him defiantly.

"Because I am your father!" Michael Fuller looked at her: "You can only grow up under my watchful eyes."

"Don’t even think about it!" Florence looked at him, her gaze cold and determined: "You can’t hold me back; I will go."

Michael Fuller’s tone was definitive: "I won’t give you money to go, even if the Monrose Family helps you go. Once you’re enrolled, I’ll find the principal at the school. I’m your father; I have ways to get you expelled!"

Trembling with rage, Florence’s heart pounded.

Father and daughter confronted each other, and Florence was utterly unafraid of Michael Fuller, which alarmed Laura Yates.

"I vaguely remember you carrying a violin before!" Michael Fuller turned to a servant inside the house: "Aunt Wangford, go find her violin."

Florence was taken aback: "What do you want to do?"

"If you were just learning it as a hobby, I wouldn’t interfere with you. But if you want to learn this as a career and go abroad, that’s a no-go!"

Michael Fuller looked coldly at Florence.

"Speaking of which," Clara Fuller suddenly voiced: "Florence, you often carry that violin in and out. At night, sometimes you play, and I can’t sleep well, and that violin doesn’t seem cheap either. Parents haven’t given you much pocket money."

Hearing this, Laura Yates also frowned slightly: "Where did your violin come from?"

"It was a gift."

Michael Fuller said coldly: "Everything is given by the Monrose Family, and you keep going over there; don’t forget what your surname is!"

The resentment accumulated in Florence’s heart erupted: "Forget my surname? Of course, I know. I may carry the name Fuller, but does anyone in this family care about me? I live here like an irrelevant outsider. Clara Fuller’s constant showing off in front of me, and no matter what she does or says, you all believe her. You never listen to my explanations. So-called biological parents are no more than that!"

"Florence!" Michael Fuller was a bit angry now: "Your life now is so much better than before, be grateful. Comparing yourself to Clara, she grew up in this family pampered from a young age; how could you compare right after returning? Look at yourself, never speaking or trying to please anyone. Saying you’re my biological daughter while outside embarrasses me!"

"Then why did you keep me here at all?! Forcefully dragging me back and not letting me go." Florence retorted: "Do you think I wanted to come back to this family? This family is rotten to the core! Everyone is disgusting and hypocritical, it’s simply..."

"Slap!"

The crisp sound of a slap echoed in the living room.

Laura Yates was taken aback, and Clara Fuller quickly held onto Laura Yates: "Mom."

She was secretly delighted.

Finally, she got hit.