Chapter 101
The next day, after Jade returned home, Ash was seen sitting on the sofa with Josh, Brooke, and Jackson. They were chatting and having a good time laughing.
Jade stood at the door and looked at them for quite some time. She suppressed the bitterness and hatred in her heart and calmed herself down before walking in with her things. “I’m back.”
Jade was wearing clothes from the set. She also had herself exquisitely made up early in the morning. “Dad, Mom, great to see you all here.”
“Hey, Jackson. Hey, Ash.” Jade placed the bag in her hand on the coffee table with a gentle smile.
Ash heard Jade. The former then tipped her head up to look at the latter. When she saw Jade’s fake smile on her exquisitely made face, she felt the irony. Acting is like second nature to her. It is amazing that she can constantly live in the persona she created for herself‘
Brooke still had a smile on her face as she spoke. Her tone was also loving. “Why didn’t you tell me in advance that you are coming back?”
Brooke was only asking out of concern. However, when Jade heard it, she twisted her intention. To Jade, it sounded like Brooke was blaming her for coming back without telling them in advance and ruining their harmonious time together.
She couldn’t help but gripped the hem of her clothes and immediately looked aggrieved. “I am sorry, Mom. Because of the weather today, we had to adjust the filming schedule. I have not been back for a while and missed you guys. Um, did I come back at the wrong time? I didn’t mean to.”
Jade’s conniving comportment was very obvious.
Ash sat beside Brooke and held her hand. They sat very close to each other and looked especially doting. Ash was calm and indifferent as she quietly watched Jade, who was in front of her, put on a show.
Josh cleared his throat. His deep sonorous voice was comforting. “Jade, you are overthinking it. We are thrilled to have you
back home.”
“Great. I hope I am not disturbing you guys. I shall make sure to tell you in advance in the future. I just… I just wanted to give you guys a surprise. Here are some cookies I bought from Shannon’s Bakery on my way here. They are freshly baked. Try them while they are still a little warm.” Jade still did not sit down. She was humble and polite like a servant.
Lachlan frowned slightly. “Jade, people have to queue for about an hour to get stuff from this bakery. Did you queue to get these for us?”
Jade first nodded, then shook her head. “It did not take that long. Mom has always loved their snacks. It happened to be on the way, so I bought some.”
As she spoke, she bent down and took out a box of pastries from the bag. She then took out a small but exquisite pastry and carefully handed it to Ash. “Ash, try it. I’m not sure if it is to your liking, though.” .
Ash did not take it immediately. She looked up at Jade and met the latter’s seemingly innocent eyes. The corners of Ash’s lips curled up slightly as she reached out to take it.
In the next second, the pastry did not land on her palm. Instead, it landed on her pants. It was almost the same as what she had predicted.
‘She always needs to create a scene, doesn’t she?‘ Ash sneered in her head.
“I am sorry, I am so sorry. I didn’t place it properly. I thought you had reached out to take it.” Jade immediately knelt on one knee and used her hand to pat the pastry crumbs off Ash’s leg.
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07:25 Sat, 22 Feb
Chapter 101
Jade looked like she had done something wrong. “Ash, I really did not mean to,”
Ash was a little annoyed. She frowned and said coldly, “Did I say that you did it on purpose?”
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Jade’s hand paused for a moment because of those words. Her expression also changed slightly, but she instantly returned to her innocent and pitiful act.
“All you did was drop the thing on my leg, not breaking my leg. There is no need to panic.” Ash hoped that Jade was a wee bit
smarter.
That way, she would have a more challenging nuisance to deal with. “This conniving bitch’s schemes are too green, Ash thought.
There was some scrutiny in Brooke’s eyes. She looked at Jade and saw that she was kneeling on one knee. She pursed her lip and said, “Alright, it is not a big deal. There is no need to be so apologetic. If there were outsiders around, they would think that Ash is bullying you.”
Brooke thought that Jade was making a scene over nothing.
In the past, this adopted daughter had been obedient, sensible, and docile. She was generous, thoughtful, and outstanding in everything. However, ever since Ash returned, things were slowly changing.
Jade pouted and her tears dropped onto the wooden floor. She lowered her head and sobbed softly. For a moment, everyone was at a loss.
Lachlan sighed slightly, stood up, and came to her. “Jade, what is wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden? Ash did not blame you. It is just a small mistake and no big deal. Come, get up.” Lachlan took out a piece of tissue and handed it to her.
Jade shook her head and cried even harder. When she opened her mouth and started talking, she was basically whimpering her every word. “I am sorry. I really did not do it on purpose. I really just wanted to give it to Ash.”
“I’m so stupid. I can’t even do a small thing without making a mistake. I just want to be closer to my Ash, but it always backfires. I really want to make up for my previous mistakes and be on good terms with Ash.
“Although I am not related to Ash by blood and this family, I will always remember how well you have treated me all these years. Previously, I was only jealous because I was insensible, but now I understand. This is Ash’s home. You have all treated me well enough, and I should not be asking for anything else. I just want to do as much as possible to treat you guys well.”
Jade wiped her tears and her body jerked intermittently. “But the more I do, the more mistakes I make, causing more and more misunderstandings. I am so sorry. I am too stupid.”
Although Jade was adopted, the Turner family had been taking care of her since she was a child. For a moment, Brooke and Josh felt a little sorry for Jade.
“Alright, let’s not talk about the past anymore. It is not a big deal. Stop crying.” Josh patted Ash’s shoulder. “Get up now and wipe away those tears.”
Jade still did not move. Everyone present knew that she was waiting for Ash to speak.
Ash sneered in her heart, and the sarcasm on her face was very blatant. ‘Here she goes again, crying to win hearts. Honestly, this is so out of date!
“If you do not stop crying, it would look like I am the bad guy. Get up,” Ash said calmly as she leaned back on the sofa.
Jade suddenly raised her head, and again, shook it non–stop. “I do not want to embarrass you. I will get up now, and I won’t
cry anymore.”
“Alright. You hardly come back, Jade. Stop fooling around and go up to your room.” The empathy Brooke initially had for Jade was gone because of what Jade had been doing. Brooke waved her hand, signaling Jade to go upstairs.
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