CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 122: REMINISCENCE (22)

Abigail smiled and took a tissue to wipe her tears, "Still so pretty even when crying."

Florence couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

"Try it on." Abigail picked up the ruby necklace, "In a few months, you’ll be celebrating your eighteenth birthday. If possible, Aunt Monrose hopes you’ll debut with this set of jewelry."

A coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen is quite grand.

Abigail even thought about settling the dress for Florence, but she knew that was Laura Yates’s responsibility.

The Fuller Family should still announce her identity at this age, shouldn’t they?

By then, Florence will surely shine brightly, outshining everyone!

The thought of her eighteenth birthday made Florence a bit distracted.

She’s almost eighteen.

The cold sensation on her neck brought Florence’s thoughts back. The stunning rubies had a solid presence on her neck; she couldn’t help but touch them. Abigail pulled her, "Come, let’s go to the dressing room to take a look."

She finished speaking and took along the necklace and ring.

The ring was a bit big for her finger, and Abigail planned to have it adjusted.

As she put on the matching earrings for her, Abigail sighed repeatedly, "Too beautiful. Have you ever been ugly since you were a child?"

Florence couldn’t help but laugh, "Aunt Monrose, you’re beautiful too."

Elegant and gentle, intellectual and warm.

Just standing there, that gentle aura is quite extraordinary, making people yearn for it.

"Wear a red gown then, and put your hair up." Abigail imagined Florence, "Incomparable beauty."

Florence felt embarrassed by her words.

"What will the Fuller Family do when I’m eighteen?" Florence said softly.

Although she didn’t care about what the Fuller Family would do with her, Michael now even controlled her future. As his daughter, she didn’t even have a formal identity...

Clara Fuller was publicly the eldest daughter of the Fuller Family.

She felt it was unfair.

"No matter what, they should show some acknowledgment." Abigail patted her hand, "Aunt Monrose doesn’t have the right to discuss this with you concerning the Fuller Family, but she thinks you’re a very opinionated and understanding girl."

Florence nodded.

Florence didn’t think deeply about what the Fuller Family would do for her eighteenth birthday.

Expecting it? She wasn’t, but she did wonder what kind of attitude the Fuller Family would show.

——

The next day.

Clear skies and bright sun dispelled some of the winter chill.

Since it was sunny today, Florence followed Abigail to the garden area at the villa entrance to tend to the flowerbed.

Abigail had a dedicated greenhouse for growing flowers outside, with all the desired varieties available year-round, regardless of the season.

Every once in a while, Abigail would replace the flowers in the flowerbed, the choice entirely based on her mood.

Over the past two years, Florence picked up gardening skills from exposure and started rolling up her sleeves to work alongside Abigail.

This time, the variety being planted was pink and white roses, which surprised Florence. She recalled the last time she gifted Abigail the same flowers.

Abigail noticed too, "Surprised Aunt Monrose chose these flowers?"

Florence nodded, "But they are indeed beautiful."

"They were air-shipped from abroad early this morning, but their blooming period is short," Abigail said, "Let’s enjoy them while they last."

Florence touched the unopened buds and sniffed them.

"Watch out for thorns," Abigail reminded.

"Okay."

The two worked together and chatted while the gardener helped, leaving about ten flowers left.

Sister Dawson came out to call, "Madam, you have a phone call."

Florence took the flowers from Abigail’s hands, "Let me handle the rest, Aunt Monrose. You go take the call."

"Alright, be careful not to prick your hands."

"Okay."

Florence was deeply immersed in gardening, seriously focused, only lifting her head when the gardener called her several times, "What’s the matter?"

"Someone is here."

Florence looked in the direction pointed by the gardener and saw someone standing at the wrought iron gate.

Clara Fuller.

Florence frowned unhappily; why did she suddenly come here?

Florence didn’t want to bother, but since it was still the Monrose Family’s place, she washed her hands and walked over.

Because of the gardening, she had some dirt on her, and Florence walked over. Through the big iron gate, Clara Fuller took two steps back disdainfully and then looked at her with contempt.

Florence rolled her eyes, "What’s up?"

"So you’re doing this at the Monrose Family, huh?" Clara Fuller looked her up and down, "I thought you liked the Monrose Family so much, but life here isn’t that good either."

"What’s your problem?" Florence said coldly, "Came all the way here just to mock me?"

Just the two of them, Clara Fuller didn’t pretend, "Mom asked you to come back. Back from abroad and not returning home, always going to someone else’s house."

"Should I go back to see the old man and lady affectionately while I’m standing aside feeling left out?" She sneered coldly, "But didn’t you like seeing me treated that way?"

Clara Fuller raised the corner of her mouth, "You’re quite aware of it yourself."

"Your character doesn’t need clarification, envious, hypocritical, selfish."

Clara Fuller laughed contemptuously, "So what? Now I’ve managed to mess up your image in front of Dad and Mom, and I’m quite satisfied. ’Biological’ doesn’t matter; you’re still no match for me, who grew up in this family."

"You’re even being sacrificed by Dad for an alliance. The mayor’s son looks normal on the surface, but his brain isn’t quite right," Clara Fuller said, laughing heartily, "This family...your return is truly pathetic."

"I think your brain isn’t quite right either." Florence looked at her calmly.

Clara Fuller’s laughter stopped, just as she was about to speak, a car horn sounded behind her.

Florence glanced over, it was an Aston Martin, a Monrose Family car.

Soon after, the back car door opened, and a man in a suit got out.

With an appearance as flawless as jade, a distinguished and gentle aura. Beneath the suit, he had a tall, strong physique. The tassel brooch on his suit’s chest lightly swayed with his movements as he walked, step by step, leisurely, arriving quickly at the gate.

He was truly a composed noble gentleman.

Clara Fuller’s gaze was glued to him, staring intensely.

Ethan Harper walked past Clara Fuller, looking at Florence, who was staring at him without blinking, and smiled slightly, "Waiting for me?"

Florence swallowed.

She didn’t know Ethan Harper could look so striking in a suit.

Broad shoulders, slim waist, tall stature.

This was the first time she saw him like that. Her fingers moved slightly, feeling a temptation to undress him.

"What are you thinking?" He reached in to fix her messy hair, "Open the gate for me."

Florence pressed the gate button.

Ethan Harper came in, seeing the dirt on her and her sleeves rolled up, her pant legs rolled a few times, he slightly frowned, speaking while already reaching out to roll down her sleeves, "Even with the sun, it’s cold. Beware of catching a cold from the wind."