CHAPTER 5: CHAPTER 5: FORCED INTO A BLIND DATE

"Madam, Madam!"

The Vaughn Residence.

Sharon Sheridan stood in front of a birdcage in the backyard, feeding the birds.

The bird in the cage was a colorful macaw, with vibrant plumage and smart eyes. Upon hearing the urgent calling, it echoed, "Madam, Madam!"

The pleasing sound brightened anyone’s mood.

"Alright, you play on your own."

Sharon Sheridan tapped the parrot’s head, placed the leftover bird food aside, and walked inside unhurriedly.

The visitor was someone from Sharon Sheridan’s side, Sister You, who used to be her maid and had been serving her until now.

Seeing Sharon Sheridan walk in, Sister You hurried over to her, breathless, and said, "Madam, great news, great news!"

Sharon Sheridan was calm and authoritative, respected by the younger generation of The Vaughn Family.

The people around her were also steady, so Sister You’s rare urgency and joy piqued Sharon Sheridan’s curiosity about what had excited her so.

"What good news?"

She sat down at the tea table, picked up a tea cup, and sipped her tea.

Sister You knew that even the biggest matters couldn’t shake the Madam, but today was different.

She took a breath to calm herself a bit, then leaned closer to Sharon Sheridan, and whispered, "Today, the person cleaning the third young master’s room said that last night, a woman was in the third young master’s bed."

Sharon Sheridan was seventy-nine years old, soon to be eighty in two months, having almost reached the end of her life’s journey.

Over the years, what hadn’t she seen? So when Sister You mentioned good news, she wasn’t very interested.

But now, hearing Sister You’s simple statement, her elderly eyes instantly lit up with a flash of light!

"Really?"

"Really!"

"There was virginal blood on the bed, and I’ve had someone preserve it! If you don’t believe me, I’ll have them bring it for you to see."

Sister You said happily, her face full of joy.

Sharon Sheridan gripped the tea cup tightly, her aged eyes sparkling, no longer calm.

...

The plane arrived in Varden at noon, and Ava Sterling headed straight to the hospital.

On the way to the airport, Anya had sent Ava Sterling the address, the city hospital in Varden.

"Anya, make sure you don’t let anything slip later, just say what Mom taught you, got it?"

In the hospital ward, Lillian Donovan kept instructing Anya, holding her hand.

Anya furrowed her brow, her face full of concern, "But won’t sister be angry if she finds out...?"

"Angry over what? Wasn’t my fainting real? Isn’t my illness real?"

"Even if she gets angry, what does it matter? Can it surpass my anger? She’s my daughter; when it comes to temper, her mother is superior!"

"But..."

"Alright, alright, go remind the doctors and nurses to exaggerate a little."

Lillian Donovan pushed Anya out the door, and Anya stood outside, observing the person inside calculating, her formerly gentle expression gradually fading, revealing a mild look.

But soon, the mild look disappeared, and she reverted to her gentle and weak demeanor.

No trace of unusualness could be seen.

Ava Sterling had done well these ten years, transforming from an obscure model to a supermodel who constantly received advertising offers and couldn’t keep up with runway shows.

If it weren’t for an incident two years ago that led to her semi-retirement, she’d probably be mobbed whenever she stepped outside now.

Wearing a baseball cap and today’s outfit, with a clean bare face, she briskly entered the hospital low-key.

"Oh my... oh my..."

Even before entering the ward, Ava Sterling heard the cries from within, immediately recognizing Lillian Donovan’s voice.

She hurried in the door, and saw Lillian Donovan lying on the bed, crying out.

As soon as Lillian Donovan saw Ava Sterling, she immediately closed her eyes, and cried out even louder.

Ava Sterling had been somewhat uneasy just now, but seeing the look Lillian Donovan gave her, she quickly calmed down.

Her face was flushed, her voice strong, though her face feigned pain, a closer look revealed the person on the bed was perfectly fine.

As good as can be.

Ava Sterling slowed her pace, came to the bedside, pulled up a chair, and sat down.

With arms crossed, she coldly observed Lillian Donovan crying.

Lillian Donovan expected Ava Sterling to hurriedly ask what happened, whether something was wrong, and how serious it was, so she could relay what she wanted to say.

But now, Ava Sterling remained silent, just coldly watching her.

Lillian Donovan opened her eyes slightly, saw Ava Sterling’s demeanor, and instantly her anger surged. Throwing caution to the wind, she sat up and said, "What’s that expression? Your mother is in agony, yet you stand by coldly, have you no conscience?!"

Starting with a heavy accusation against Ava Sterling.

Though she’d heard such words countless times over the years, her heart still twinged upon hearing them again.

"I see you’re in good health."

Ava Sterling surveyed the vigorous Lillian Donovan, who seemed fit enough to tackle a bull, and her lips curved slightly, smiling.

Being exposed, Lillian Donovan knew she wasn’t cut out for acting, so she dropped the act and said directly, "Since you’re here, go for a blind date this afternoon; everything’s arranged: two o’clock, The Fleur Restaurant."

Ava Sterling’s expression instantly turned cold.

"What? Unsatisfied? I’m telling you! Your mother’s well aware of what kind of circle you’re in. You’re no longer an innocent girl, and who knows how many men you’ve been with up to now. While you still have your looks and youth, hurry up and find a man to marry, so I can be at ease and not have people gossiping behind my back every day."

Ava Sterling thought she’d be infuriated and argue fiercely with Lillian Donovan as before. But she was surprised to find she wasn’t angry at all.

She even wanted to laugh.

"Haha..."

"What’s so funny? Let me tell you, I have no patience to waste here; I’ve already accepted the dowry from the boy’s side. Meet them, then get the certificate, or don’t blame me for being unkind!"

"Now that I see you’re in good health, I’m relieved."

Ava Sterling picked up her bag and turned to leave.

Lillian Donovan realized Ava Sterling was resisting her in her own way, and she yelled, "Ava Sterling, did you hear me?!"

"I heard, but I’m not marrying."

"Whoever accepted the dowry shall marry."

"You!"

Lillian Donovan was furious, picking up the water cup from the bedside table and hurling it at Ava Sterling.

"Bang!"

A heavy muffled sound accompanied by a slight grunt, Ava Sterling stood frozen.