Chapter 1054: A Pair Of Rings (part four)
Mom, maybe we could just bring them with us. I think the car is big enough to accommodate us all," Leena suggested. As she said it, she surprised everyone, even herself. No one expected Leena to be the first and only one on Claire's side in this situation, and to speak on her behalf, especially considering how badly Claire had treated and hurt her yesterday. It indicated how kind and generous Leena was. She never held animosity against anyone for long. She was kind and it was great generosity on her part to help her sister-in-law out.
"Okay, then. Claire, since your sister-in-law has agreed to bring you with us, I'll take you this time. But it is just this time, no more exceptions from next time. You better keep your mouth shut during the whole time, and don't spout any more of this nonsense!" Shannon relented finally. She sighed slightly to herself, however. She didn't know what to do about Claire anymore. If she really wanted to come with them, then fine, let her come. Even though she disliked Claire's behavior and her aggressive attitude, she was her daughter after all, her family. She couldn't exclude her again and again. Leena had spoken for her, and if she didn't mind her coming, it would be fine. But Shannon had compromised once again for her daughter. She felt like she was never going to be able to teach Claire a real lesson.
"Yes, Mom. I got you. Thank you so much!" Claire replied in excitement. As soon as Claire won Shannon's approval, she let go of Kevin's arm immediately. She turned around and hugged her mother tightly and gave her a big kiss on the cheek for good measure. After all the fighting for her rights, she was finally going out with them. However, while she was grateful to her mother, Claire completely forgot about Leena's help. To be more precise, Claire pretended she hadn't received help from her sister-in-law. She ignored Leena's existence and didn't show her the slightest hint of gratitude. Leena deserved at least a 'thank you' from her, but she was so used to Claire's hostility that she didn't care about her ungrateful attitude. At least Claire was not being as rude as before. She knew it was a long way to go for Claire to accept her as her sister-in-law and stop being her opponent. It was not something that was going to happen overnight. Claire needed time to really get to know her and change her attitude toward her.
"Let's go now. You're such a trouble maker. I can't stand you any longer. I have no idea how to deal with you," Shannon said, shaking her head slightly to express her helplessness when it came to her daughter. Even though her words were meant to blame Claire, her tone was gentle, and the love in her eyes was impossible to hide. Meanwhile, she lifted her hand to wipe her face, just in case there was a lipstick mark left by Claire's kiss. She knew how hard Claire had kissed her.
"Mom, I'll help wipe it out," Leena said, smiling as she saw Shannon's little gesture. Leena was always a considerate and thoughtful girl. She noticed the details that went unnoticed by others. She knew how to stand in others' shoes. That was the reason why she was doted on and loved by nearly all her friends and family. This time, she noticed Shannon's vague attempt to remove the lipstick mark on her face. Upon seeing this, Leena took out a packed wet towel from her handbag and wiped Shannon's cheek tenderly with it, carefully removing the mark. Claire must have kissed Shannon firmly to leave the lipstick mark. It was so obvious that even the shape of her lips was vividly depicted on Shannon's cheek in the lipstick's bright red color.
"Oh! Thank you, Leena. It seems to me that my daughter-in-law cares more for me than my real daughter does. Leena is so much more thoughtful than you, Claire. I think you should really learn something from her," Shannon said as she glanced at her daughter - the culprit who had stamped a mirrored image of her terrifying lips on her mother's face. Didn't Claire know how deeply red her lipstick color was? Didn't she realize that she looked like a vampire, with the blood sucking color on her lips? Shouldn't she be careful not to stain her lipsticks onto other people? What a girl!
Everyone was surprised when they stopped at a jewelry store. They thought that Shannon was just taking them out for shopping, to buy some clothes and other things. When she led them inside the jewelry store, however, they were confused at her action.
"Mom, are you going to buy jewelry?" Kevin asked curiously. He knew his mother was not keen on any luxuries, especially jewelry. Why would she come into a jewelry store? Did she need something here? Had she changed her opinion about jewels? She used to think they were frivolous.
"Why would you ask that? Can't I buy jewelry for myself, son?" Shannon replied, not answering Kevin's question directly. As she entered the jewelry store, Shannon walked directly over to the rings counter, which bewildered the young lot even more. They didn't know why she was acting so strangely today.
"I didn't mean that, Mom. It's just that I thought you were quite opposed to jewels, weren't you?" Kevin asked, frowning a little. According to him, his mother had never been like the other officials' wives. Even though her husband was a high ranking official, she herself never acted like she was the wife of one. While other ladies put on a lot of luxurious jewels, she always kept a low profile and only wore simple accessories. Shannon hardly looked like a real official's wife in that aspect, but she never went unnoticed by others. She had all the virtues that the wife of one so highly ranked should have: she was easy-going, kind-hearted, well-mannered, composed, and dignified. When Shannon stood beside the jewel covered ladies, she stood out, and always exuded a different elegance as compared to them. After all, jewelry could only modify a person's appearance, not improve their temperament. Her innate well-being shone out and could easily overshadow those pretty but superficial faces.