Was there ever a worse feeling than being abandoned by your loved ones when you needed them the
most?
Odell had her slapped sixty times back then to the point that her face was swollen like she had been
stung by a bee.
Not only did her biological father not feel sorry for her, but he even blamed her for things turning sour
with the Carters and had her banished from the family. From that moment on, Sylvia had completely
lost all faith in her family.
If they would not treat her as one of their own, she would not suffer their wrath for no reason either!
All the memories rushed back to her.
Sylvia came back to her senses and turned to Betty and the others with a faint smile, “She is not my
sister. I have no other family members except for my two children and Aunt Tonya.” Betty heaved a sigh
of relief. “Then, it’s all good.”.
They did not press her for more details and left her to herself after offering her solace.
Sylvia similarly picked up her tools and went back to work.
Meanwhile, Sonia, who ran out crying, ducked into a white luxury car parked outside.
In the car, Tara saw her tears and immediately asked in a concerned voice, “What’s the matter, Sonia?
What did Sylvia do to you?”
“She’s disgusting. I can’t believe this!” Sonia wiped her tears and cursed Sylvia repeatedly before
finally relaying the events that happened in there, from her trying to slap Sylvia to Tristan storming in
and kicking her out.
Tara sighed. “If Tristan is so protective of her, I think chances are that he has fallen for her as well.”
“That bitch! If it wasn’t for Tristan stopping me, I would smash her face right in!” Tara consoled her
patiently, “Alright, Sonia. Being angry won’t help with anything. It’s only going to ruin your mood.” Sonja
took a deep breath and tried to suppress the torrent of anger inside her.
There was a part of her that looked down on Tara. However, she had to acknowledge that Tara did
become an excellent painter over the recent years. She was also a woman whom Odell cared greatly
about. If not for Madam Carter’s objection, she would have married into the family long ago.
Meanwhile, Sylvia who Odell had kicked out of the family would not even have the right to brush the
edges of her feet.
Sonia knew better than to offend Tara. After giving it some thought, she took the initiative to ask her,
“Tara, what should I do now? My feelings for Tristan are genuine, and I don’t want Sylvia to steal him
away.”
“We will have to take the long term approach, “Tara said with a soft smile, “Don’t worry I’ll help you
Odell and I had to split up because of her back then, and I won’t let her do the same to you and Tristan
and destroy your future.”
Sonia was moved by this gesture. “Tara, you’re the best.”
Tara smiled softly. “It’s because you’re a naive, simple girl. I don’t want you to end up like me back
then.”
Sonia had a wounded, innocent look when she said this. She agreed that she was too naive, which
was how Sylvia managed to lull Tristan from her.
Deep down, Tara was silently mocking Sonia, but what she showed on the surface said otherwise, “By
the way, I heard that Sylvia is now living in the Old District, the same house left behind by your
grandparents. I think you should go to her and set things straight with her, considering she’s your sister
after all.”
The look in Sonia’s eyes changed as she smiled back at Tara. “Alright, I got it.”
Meanwhile, Sylvia stayed busy in the studio until lunchtime. She was about to go out to dinner with
Betty and the others when Tristan stepped in her way.
He darted a look at Betty and the others who awkwardly shuffled away.
Tristan looked at Sylvia with a subtle smile. “Sylvia, let’s have lunch together. I have something to tell
you.”
Sylvia observed his tender smile and answered, “Okay.”
She just happened to have something to say to him as well.
She got into his car and they went to a refined fancy Western restaurant where Tristan had reserved a
private room.
After they entered, the waiter escorted them upstairs.
Just as they were going up the stairs, Odell and Tara came in through the front door.
Tara recognized their figures at first glance and was visibly taken aback. She quickly turned to Odell
and whispered, “Odell, I think that was Sylvia and Tristan.”
Odell followed her line of sight and saw Tristan and Sylvia heading to the second floor. Soon, his
expression became icy.
That was when the waiter turned to them to inform them, “Mr. Carter, Miss Avery, your reserved room is
on the second floor. This way, please.”
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