章 7: Dearest Sister (1)
"ADRIENNE!" Lewis slammed his fist angrily on the table. Plates rattled, and a few silverwares jumped off the table and fell on the floor. If it were in the past, Adrienne would cower in fear, seeing her father in this state, but now she didn't.
"Is this how the Jiang family raised you? You are the eldest miss of our family, yet you spout such vicious words in front of us?!" Her father chastised her, but Adrienne remained calm in her seat, meeting her father's furious gaze.
Adrienne scoffed inwardly. How could her father utter such ridiculous words when he'd been mostly absent throughout her life? If anything, the one who paid her love and attention growing up was her mother. She picked up the napkin and gently wiped her lips clean.
"This isn't about how you raised me, Father." She corrected him. "If you cared about how the public perceives the Jiang family, then you should have paid more attention to what's circulating on the news. It's been two years since you and Aunt Camilla married, yet you haven't brought her to be introduced to grandpa and grandma."
Camilla's face turned pale while Adrienne could feel her older brother glowering at her. It wasn't a secret that Old Mr. Jiang and Old Madam Jiang disapproved of their father's remarriage. Though they knew that Cayden wasn't her mother's son, her grandparents had to accept him as part of the family as he was still Lewis Jiang's son, regardless of who gave birth to him.
Knowing her grandparents, Adrienne was certain that they never liked Camilla. Though it wasn't a secret that they were displeased with her mother for not being able to fall pregnant for years until Adrienne was born, they had never forced them to divorce for fear of losing the Zhao family's support.
Adrienne's eyes darkened at the thought. This Jiang family was wicked and rotten, and she was no exception. However, since they had all wronged her in her previous life, how could she easily let them off the hook?
Adrienne didn't wait for her father to say another word as she stood from her seat and left the dining area without a word. She'll allow them to worry about the impending visit of her paternal grandparents in three days.
In her previous life, Elise managed to win the favor of those two, cementing her position as a young miss of the Jiang family. Although her grandparents still disregarded Camilla's presence, it didn't matter much.
She took her bag, changed her shoes from her room, and went outside. No one stopped her this time, not even Camilla, whose thoughts were occupied after being reminded of the older Jiang couple's visit.
Adrienne went to the garage, where the chauffeur was cleaning one of her father's cars. The old man immediately stopped when he noticed her arrival.
"Miss Addie…" He lowered his head in greeting.
Uncle Mo followed his madam after Rosemary Zhao married into the Jiang family. He was the silent witness to her tears over the years. Now, he had to endure the unfair treatment his young miss received from this treacherous Jiang family.
"Could Uncle Mo bring me to Myrtle's place?" Adrienne asked politely.
He smiled and nodded. "Of course, Miss Addie. This old man has nothing else to do here anyway."
They left the Jiang Estate in a hurry, and only then could Adrienne lower her guard, even for just a moment.
Uncle Mo glanced in the mirror, seeing the tension leaving his young mistress. As the years passed by, Adrienne was becoming more and more like her mother. No wonder Master Jiang's expression was always flustered whenever he saw his daughter's face.
The car pulled into a familiar apartment complex, and Adrienne thanked Uncle Mo before alighting the car. She took her time and sorted her thoughts while waiting for the elevator. She didn't know what to feel seeing her best friend whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
She had failed her in her previous life and didn't know how to face Myrtle. Just thinking of how not only had she failed to protect Dylan, but also became the cause of his death brought immense guilt to Adrienne. Myrtle might be able to forgive her, but Adrienne wouldn't be able to do so.
'Myrtle should be at home now. She couldn't possibly return to work given how wasted she was last night.' She reasoned out, convincing herself not to chicken out. Since she was already here, she could only face the inevitable reunion with her best friend.
Adrienne hadn't even decided when she found herself standing right outside Myrtle's door. She stood outside for a long moment, not daring to press the doorbell, fearing that she would only meet disappointment this time.
Suddenly, the door flung open, catching Adrienne off guard. She staggered back, her eyes widening seeing Myrtle for the first time in years. Myrtle seemed surprised as well, seeing Adrienne standing outside her door.
"Huh, Addie? What brings you here today? I didn't get the round two of your birthday celebration memo." Myrtle grinned at her once she recovered from her shock.
Instead of answering her question, Adrienne pounced on Myrtle and hugged her tightly. Before she knew it, she started crying in Myrtle's arms, her body trembling at the same time.
"Woah! Addie, what's wrong with you? Did your wicked stepmother humiliate you again?" Myrtle almost lost her balance, but she kept herself and Adrienne from falling. She patted Adrienne's back and sighed inwardly.
"You're still drunk, aren't you? The Addie I know wouldn't wail like a child." She added with a teasing tone.
Adrienne's hold on her only tightened. Myrtle had no idea how much Adrienne missed her and how long the latter wanted to hold her like this again.
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