Chapter 5: A Bitter Smile

It was a smart comment from Mrs. Wilson, which seemed a polite and nice invitation, yet with sarcasm implied.

Mrs. Carter's face turned all red with anger. What's that supposed to mean? Isn't she saying I've been mistreating my step-daughter?

"But…er…" Nathalia lightly bit her lower lip, indicating indecisiveness, and threw a fearful glance at Mrs. Carter.

Everyone watched with pity for Nathalia and disapproval of Mrs. Carter. Poor girl can't even express herself without her step-mother's consent.

Mrs. Carter was outraged. You little pretentious bugger! What the hell are you doing? What games are you playing here? However, she couldn't really say anything in front of the crowd but cast a warning glance at Nathalia.

Evette reacted quickly and put her arms around Mrs. Wilson's arm, smiled, and said with a put-on loveliness, "Mrs. Wilson, please don't make it difficult for my sister. You know she doesn't like to be with many people."

"It's not that I don't like to be with people. It's just…" Nathalia defended herself cleverly just to the right amount. She paused, looked at her step-mother and step-sister worriedly, and shook her head, pretending to negate herself. Then, she continued, "Sorry, I didn't mean that. I mean, I'd better listen to my mother, stay home, and work on my study. Evette should go and have fun."

What a clever response! She made the point discreetly yet clear that it wasn't that she didn't want to go to the party, but she wasn't allowed to, and she had to obey her step-mother.

All that, at present, felt sorry for Nathalia. What a terrible step-mother Mrs. Carter is! She says she loves her step-daughter like her own. How is that possible at all?! She's fooling all of us. A step-mother is just a step-mother at the end of the day.

Mrs. Carter was infuriated. When has she turned so irritating?

Mrs. Wilson took a squint at Mrs. Carter and said persuasively, "It's a good thing to study hard, but all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Don't you agree? Mrs. Carter?"

Others couldn't hold their thoughts any longer, and one after another expressed their disapproval. "Mrs. Carter, why won't you allow Nathalia to go out? Even though she's your step-daughter, you shouldn't treat her like this."

"Exactly. Action speaks louder than words. You say you love your step-daughter, but you don't seem to show it."

"I guess some people say one thing and do another."

Mrs. Carter was blushing with anger and shame. She was so mad but had to play smart. "Don't be silly, Nathalia. I would love to have you go out and socialize. That would make me most happy. Come, have a look and pick what you like. I would love to get you some new jewelry to wear for the party."

You little bugger. How dare you! I shall teach you a good lesson when we get home. I must have been too good to you, and you have forgotten who you are. Your mother died young, and your father doesn't care for you. You are nothing but a pitiful, unloved girl.

"Mother, it's alright. I don't need any new jewelry, really." Nathalia shook her head, uneasily. "Please don't be mad, mother."

Now everyone was assured that Mrs. Carter mistreated her step-daughter.

Enraged, Mrs. Carter thought, Damn you! You little fucker. Whom did you learn that from?

Contempt was written all over the ladies' faces. No wonder people say it's rare that step-mothers love their step-children for real.

Mrs. Carter had built her own reputation as a loving step-mother herself and been telling everyone how much she loved her step-daughter.

Now she had shot herself in the foot.

Evette tried to help and pinched Nathalia at her arm secretly. "Sister, what do you mean? Don't be silly. You know, mom loves you very much. Why would she be angry with you?"

Mrs. Carter sighed, "Poor kid, you are thinking too much. You do know I love you. It's not easy to be a step-mother, is it?" a bitter smile on her face.

Nathalia replied at once, "Mother, I've always seen you as my own mother. What do you mean by it's not easy to be a step-mother? Nothing like that at all, mother."

Tears started to fill Nathalia's eyes, and she felt unjust. "Or, have you never seen me as your own daughter? Ouch, Evette, why are you pinching me again. It hurts."

Nathalia put on a painful look and gently pushed Evette away as she rolled up her sleeve to show a rather noticeable bruise on her porcelain-like arm.

People shook their heads in shock and disapproval. This is outrageous. What are these two doing to such a lovely girl? Even in public! They must be bullying her at home—poor thing.

Evette's face froze and forced an awkward smile. "I didn't mean to…" She was just too angry and didn't know what to do.

"I understand. Evette. It's ok." Nathalia lifted her arm up to have a look before she continued, "It's not the first time anyway, and I know you never really mean to. I don't blame you."

That made the crowd even madder and pity Nathalia more.

Evette's face turned red with anger, and she tried to justify herself, but no one was listening.

Mrs. Carter was even more furious. How dare you!You evil thing. You will see it. I must defend my own daughter. I can't have people think of her as a bully to her sister. It will ruin her reputation.

She was thinking fast and soon responded, "Are you two playing around again? I know what you two are like. Of course, Evette was just playful. It was just accidental."

What a smart move!

She then turned to Nathalia and said softly, "My Nathalia, you know I always love you like my own, even more than your sister and brother. You surely know that. Where's the manager? We want the most expensive jewelry for Nathalia. Nathalia deserves the best."

Mrs. Carter was enraged deep down but had to play the role of a loving mother.

Why has she turned into a totally different person? Is she playing games with us? If so, she's playing well. Too well. Mrs. Carter thought.

Despite the uneasy atmosphere, on hearing so, the manager quickly opened the safe and brought out a jade bracelet. Even amateurs could tell it was a fine piece of jade, let alone those at present, all experienced and professional jewelry shoppers.

Like they say, jade's priceless. This must be the most expensive item at the shop.

Mrs. Carter was holding back her rage deep down as she took a look at the price tag. Twelve billion dollars! Crazy.

However, there was no going back. She had to do what she said, with all these ladies watching.

Nathalia glanced at Mrs. Carter and caught sight of the cold sweats on her forehead.

What a pleasant scene!

Yet, she said tenderly, "It's way too expensive, mother. Let's just leave it."

I say leave it, but these ladies here probably won't agree. Ha.

Mrs. Carter saw hope and was about to catch her chance, but Mrs. Smith was quicker. "Just leave it? Why? I'm sure the Carters can easily afford that."

Damn it! Don't you love going against me, Mrs. Smith?! If I let you win this time, I will be a joke all around town.