Chapter 436 - 433: Sisters’ Reunion (2)
Nora Ainsworth felt the same way. Their conversation in the wine cellar had brought them a little closer.
At the dinner table, Sierra Ainsworth spoke up. "Dad, I’ve missed a few days of class. Can I go back to school?"
Luna Ainsworth was about to say something, but Claire Sinclair cut in with a beaming smile. "Sierra, your studies aren’t that demanding right now. You can put school aside for a bit. The most important thing is finding you a good husband."
Then she turned to Luna Ainsworth. "Didn’t you arrange for Sierra to have a blind date with Aaron Sterling? Sierra told me she doesn’t like him. Catherine, on the other hand, has taken a liking to him. What do you think? Should we mention it to the Lynch Family?"
Luna Ainsworth was baffled. "Sierra, Aaron Sterling is a good man. Dad has good judgment. Why don’t you like him?"
Sierra Ainsworth started to speak, but Claire Sinclair shot her a warning glance so obvious that even Quentin Grant and Nora Ainsworth noticed it.
"Dad, my mind is focused on my studies right now. I have no plans to date or get married yet."
Luna Ainsworth tried to persuade her. "Your mother is right. Put your studies on hold for now. Our family doesn’t lack money. All I want is for you to marry into a good family, and I trust the Lynch Family."
Hearing this, Claire Sinclair was very displeased, as he had ignored what she just said.
"If Sierra doesn’t like him, don’t force her. Catherine likes him now, so why don’t you try to set the two of them up?"
"But their ages... isn’t there..." Luna Ainsworth hesitated.
Claire Sinclair huffed. "What does that matter? They’re only a few years apart. Besides, relationships with older women are all the rage now. I think it’s great. Catherine hasn’t been back for so many years, and I’ve always felt so guilty about it. Luna, don’t you feel guilty too?"
Upon hearing this, Luna Ainsworth had no choice but to say, "These things require mutual consent. I’ll call the Lynch Family and ask what Aaron Sterling thinks. We’ll see if he’s willing. It’s not a forced deal. It all depends on his attitude. If he’s not interested, then we’ll drop it."
Claire Sinclair could only agree for the time being. "Luna, I’ve found another family for Sierra. The young man is about the same age as her, has a lot of potential, and is currently the general manager at his father’s company. He’s also a strapping young man and is definitely worthy of our Sierra."
Sierra Ainsworth’s grip on her chopsticks suddenly tightened. ’She won’t rest until she’s kicked me out of this family,’ she thought.
"Which family are you talking about?"
A smile tugged at Claire Sinclair’s lips. "Who else could it be? The Chapman Family, of course."
Luna Ainsworth looked at Claire Sinclair as if seeing her for the first time. "Faye, what are you thinking? How could the Chapman family’s son possibly be a match for our Sierra?"
"Why wouldn’t he be a match? Sierra is my biological daughter. Would I ever do anything to harm her?" she retorted. "That boy is very motivated now. The last time I played cards with his mother, she even said how hard he’s working. Why don’t we let Sierra meet him and see what happens? If Sierra is willing, you’ll go along with it, won’t you?"
Luna Ainsworth stood up. "You handle it. It’s Saturday. I’m going upstairs to take care of some work."
He had barely left when Claire Sinclair followed right behind him.
Only the four of them were left at the table.
Sierra Ainsworth also stood up, turned, and went upstairs.
Quentin Grant and Nora Ainsworth exchanged a glance and followed her up.
That left Catherine Callahan alone, staring after their retreating figures as they went upstairs.
She had no appetite to continue eating. She yelled at a servant, "Clear the table, now!"
Then she sat down on the sofa. She wasn’t going anywhere today; she would stay home and enjoy the show.
Nora Ainsworth pushed open the door to Sierra Ainsworth’s room and found her sitting on the edge of the bed, her face covered in tears.
Seeing her, Sierra Ainsworth was taken aback. "You..."
Nora Ainsworth closed the door and slowly sat down beside her. "What are you crying about?"
"There are so many reasons to cry." She pulled out a tissue and wiped her red eyes.
"What’s the reason you’re crying right now? Can you tell me?"
She looked at Nora Ainsworth. "I’m in love with Aaron Sterling."
Hearing this, Nora Ainsworth said instinctively, "Then your mother was lying?"
Her expression grew distant. "Why do you think she would lie?"
Nora Ainsworth said casually, "Only a person truly knows their own mind. Maybe she feels guilty towards Catherine Callahan. Maybe she thinks that since Catherine likes him, she should give him to her and let you be wronged. Or maybe..."
She looked at Sierra Ainsworth and said, word by word, "She has her own reasons, and she doesn’t want anyone else to know them."
Sierra Ainsworth readily admitted it. "I think you’re right about that last part. I’m tired, Nora. You can go back now."
"Okay. Get some sleep. I’ll head out first."
Nora Ainsworth left, quietly closing the door behind her.
The moment she stepped out of the room, Nora Ainsworth once again recalled the words her own mother had spoken as she died.
’If they’re confirmed to be mother and daughter, then I can’t be her daughter... unless... we both are...’
The bold thought sent a shiver through Nora Ainsworth, but she quickly dismissed it. People were unique. Even if someone had plastic surgery to replace another person, many things would still be different, like their habits.
’Luna Ainsworth couldn’t possibly have not noticed, could he?’
’How could he not have noticed anything was wrong at all?’
The more she thought about it, the more she felt like her head was going to explode.
What Nora Ainsworth didn’t expect was what happened at ten o’clock.
The person who was there for a blind date with Sierra Ainsworth arrived at the house.
When she and Quentin Grant went downstairs together, she was instantly dumbfounded.
’This man, who must be over two hundred and fifty pounds, is the "strapping young man" Claire Sinclair was talking about?’
He had no neck to speak of, and his eyes were barely visible.
When he saw Sierra Ainsworth, his squinty eyes lit up and widened considerably.
Claire Sinclair said with a beaming smile, "Quick, have a seat over here."
Fatty Chapman and his mother sat down. Mrs. Chapman looked at Sierra Ainsworth with satisfaction. "She’s very pretty, and has a good figure. I wonder what her temperament is like?"
Claire Sinclair spoke up. "Do you even need to ask about our daughter’s temperament? Of course, it’s wonderful. She’s just introverted and a little quiet."
With that, she shot Sierra Ainsworth a look. "Quick, greet Mrs. Chapman."
Sierra Ainsworth’s voice was flat. "Hello, Mrs. Chapman."
Fatty Chapman extended his hand. "Ainsworth, let’s shake hands."
Sierra Ainsworth didn’t move. Claire Sinclair urged her, "Hurry up."
Only then did she extend her hand, but Fatty Chapman grabbed it and wouldn’t let go.
Sierra Ainsworth struggled to break free, but she couldn’t.
She actually picked up a stone cup from the table and slammed it down hard on Fatty Chapman’s hand.
He cried out in pain and let go of her hand.
Mrs. Chapman’s face changed drastically. "And you call this a good temperament? It was just a handshake! It’s not like he did something to you! And now you’re resorting to violence."
An inexplicable anger began to grow inside Nora Ainsworth, but her rational mind told her not to meddle in other people’s business.
"Apologize to Mrs. Chapman and Chapman right now!" Claire Sinclair’s eyes were filled with fury.