Chapter 204: All for Show
“Not much,” Meredith glanced at Terrence, trying to gauge the reason behind his question.
“What’s wrong?” It was the first time Terrence had asked about Fiona since they had been together.
Meredith felt conflicted when she thought of Fiona. “Just asking,” Terrence advised, “Try to keep your distance. Even if you’ve been friends for over twenty years, if someone’s character is questionable, it’s not worth maintaining the relationship.”
Had it been earlier in their relationship, Terrence might have considered their long-standing friendship and spoken less bluntly. Now, knowing Fiona had sent the photo with hostile intentions, as Meredith’s husband, it was his duty to protect her.
Meredith nodded, “I understand.”
Soon, they arrived at Ravenwood Hall. Terrence led Meredith into the house, where Grandma Sterling descended the stairs, exclaiming, “Charlotte! I’ve missed you so much.”
Now it’s not Terry that the old lady missed.
The lady’s affection for Meredith was evident as she greeted her with a beaming smile. Meredith responded warmly, “Hello, Grandma.”
Stella also appeared, returning from the garden with a disgruntled expression as if someone owed her something. She coughed lightly to make her presence felt.
However, Meredith continued chatting happily with Grandma Sterling, both seemingly oblivious to Stella’s presence.
Grandma Sterling complimented Meredith, “You’ve gained a little weight, and it looks good on you. Girls should have some curves; being too thin isn’t attractive.”
Meredith laughed, “Yes, I’ve probably been eating a bit more lately.”
Terrence, ignoring Stella’s presence, sat across from the two women, peeling an orange for Meredith. Since she was pregnant, she needed to eat more fruits.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
Stella felt ignored and coughed louder, but still, no one paid her any attention. Seeing her son attentively peeling fruit for Meredith only worsened her mood. She couldn’t believe her son was at home attending to “that little witch” like this.
Unable to bear it any longer, Stella moved to sit beside Meredith and coughed again. Before she could speak, Terrence intervened, “Mom, if you have a cold, it’s best to keep some distance from Meredith and Grandma. They both have low immunity right now, and you wouldn’t want them to get sick, right?”
Stella was taken aback, “Terry, are you really treating your mother this way now?” She frowned, “Your wife doesn’t even greet me when she sees me. I am your mother, and she shows no respect. How is this acceptable?”
Terrence had already reassured Meredith that he would handle any issues, so she remained silent and watched as he handled the situation.
He continued calmly, offering Meredith another slice of apple, “How should she greet you? As Aunt? Madam? Or as Mom? If she calls you ‘Aunt Sterling,’ I’m afraid it might upset you. If she calls you ‘Mom,’ perhaps you should ask Dad how that should work.”
Stella was infuriated again, “Yes, yes, you’ve got your wife now, so just side with her.”
Grandma Sterling and Meredith sat close together, merely observing Stella’s reaction.
Terrence casually remarked, “Meredith is my wife now, and we’ve started our own family.”
Implying clearly that he would always support his wife.
Stella, unable to respond, stormed upstairs, perhaps expecting someone to come up and coax her back down. However, nobody came, and even when Julian returned home, no one called her to dinner.
Stella peered down from the balcony and saw Meredith and the others sitting down for dinner, laughing and talking. This only fueled her anger further.
Mumbling to herself, “Julian, you traitor, not even calling me for dinner.”
With no one coming to fetch her, and too proud to descend on her own, Stella stayed upstairs, unwilling to join the others without being asked.