Chapter 102 Horseback Riding and Mountain Climbing
Mandy looked up, her eyes all puffy and red. "Michael, why did they say that about me?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Michael squinted, trying to get a grip on what she was saying. "Who?" he asked, sounding cautious.
Mandy sniffled, wiping away a tear. "Ms. Williams and Mrs. Turner. I wanted to go to Monica's trial today, but at the courthouse entrance, I saw Mrs. Turner kneeling to Ms. Williams, begging her to forgive Monica. Ms. Williams refused, and I just helped Mrs. Turner to persuade her a bit..."
Michael's eyes widened. "Wait, you tried to get Rachel to forgive Monica?" he interrupted, raising an eyebrow.
Mandy nodded, looking serious. "I saw Mrs. Turner begging so desperately, so I wanted to help."
Michael's face turned serious, and he spoke in a deep, earnest tone. "Mandy, you shouldn't have gotten involved in this."
Mandy's face darkened, not wanting to accept his words. "What did I do wrong?" she asked, frustration creeping into her voice.
"You got involved in something that wasn't your business. Monica messed up, and Rachel's the one who got hurt. It's up to her whether to forgive or not. You shouldn't interfere, got it?" Michael said sternly.
Mandy bit her lip, wanting to argue but holding back.
"Also," Michael continued, his tone softening a bit. "You might think Mrs. Turner's kneeling was unbearable, but it could be a form of subtle pressure. Have you thought about that?"
"Pressure?" Mandy looked surprised, her brow furrowing.
Michael nodded. "Mrs. Turner could have handled it privately, but she did it publicly, clearly trying to use public pressure to force Rachel to forgive Monica."
"I see," Mandy said, lowering her head, sadness filling her eyes. "No wonder Mrs. Turner was cold to me. I messed up her plan."
"Think more before you act next time," Michael advised gently, smoothing her hair. "And stay away from the Turners. They're not good people."
"Got it," Mandy said, forcing a smile.
After a moment, her eyes lit up with excitement. "Michael, can we go out this weekend?"
"The weekend? Why do you suddenly want to go out?" Michael asked.
Mandy nodded eagerly and then grumbled, "Because you're always busy, and you hardly spend time with me. I'm bored at home alone. Michael, please?"
She shook his arm, acting all cute.
Michael couldn't resist her plea. Since he had no urgent matters over the weekend, he nodded. "Alright, I'll take you out this weekend, but only for two days. We can't go far. Just around Summit Ridge District. Where do you want to go?"
Mandy's face lit up with joy. "I just woke up not long ago, so I'm not sure where's fun in Summit Ridge District. You decide, Michael."
Michael thought for a moment, his smile deepening as if he remembered something. "I recall you once wrote that you wanted to go horseback riding and mountain climbing. Tyler White has a ranch on a mountaintop. After riding, we can climb the mountain. How about that?" he suggested, looking at her.
A trace of nervousness flashed across Mandy's face. Horseback riding and mountain climbing? Climbing was fine, but she didn't know how to ride a horse! And she was instinctively afraid of such large animals.
"Don't you like horseback riding and mountain climbing?" Michael asked, noticing her silence. His smile faded slightly.
Afraid of being misunderstood, Mandy quickly waved her hand. "No, I'm just so touched that you remember these details."
"I remember everything you like," Michael said gently.
Mandy forced a smile, saying half-heartedly, "Really."
Michael didn't notice her reluctance, muttering to himself, "I'll contact Mr. White then."
"Okay," Mandy nodded uneasily, realizing the ranch visit was inevitable. As for horseback riding, she had her ways to avoid it. Thinking this, she felt much relieved.
Meanwhile, inside the courthouse, Monica's trial was wrapping up. Facing the judge and Rachel's lawyer's relentless questioning, Monica finally broke down, admitting that her initial intention in posting was to damage Rachel's reputation.
Even though her actions were pretty awful, Monica only got 15 days in detention and a $30,000 fine because of some loopholes in the law.
"The punishment is way too light," John grumbled as he walked out of the courthouse, looking a bit let down. He had hoped Monica would get a harsher sentence.
Rachel smiled, trying to cheer him up. "That's just how the law works. At least Monica got some punishment. We should be thankful for that."
"Yeah, you're right," John agreed, feeling a bit better. "How about we celebrate? I heard there's a new seafood place on Emberglow Street. Want to check it out?" he suggested with a grin.
Rachel, realizing she hadn't had seafood in a while, lit up and quickly agreed. "Let's do it!"
"Awesome!" John exclaimed, about to unlock the car when his phone rang. "I'll take this call first," he said with a wry smile; the timing couldn't be worse.
He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was his mom, Victoria Hall, raising an eyebrow. "It's my mom!"
"Oh, it's Aunt Victoria. Then you better answer it. ," Rachel urged.
John swiped to answer and brought the phone to his ear. On the other end, a gentle and loving middle-aged woman's voice came through. "John, is the trial over?"
"Yeah, it's over," John replied, then asked, "Mom, do you need something?"
"Actually, I'm not looking for you. I'm looking for Rachel. Is she with you?" Victoria's voice had a playful tone.
John's gaze softened as he looked at Rachel, responding softly, "Yeah, she's with me."
Victoria chuckled, "Then hand the phone to Rachel."
John handed the phone to Rachel with a smile. "Here, she wants to talk to you."
Rachel took it lightly, her voice sweet and obedient. "Aunt Victoria."
"Rachel, I've missed you so much!" Victoria's voice was filled with joy.
Rachel laughed too. "Aunt Victoria, I've missed you too."
"If you missed me, why didn't you come see me? Really," Victoria pretended to complain, but her tone was full of affection.
Rachel stuck out her tongue playfully. "Aunt Victoria, I'm sorry. I've been really busy lately, couldn't find the time."
"What about now? If you're free, come to my house. I'll cook your favorite dishes," Victoria invited warmly.
Rachel was about to respond when John interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Mom, I was planning to take Rachel for a seafood feast."
"Nothing outside is as fresh as home-cooked. My cooking is the best," Victoria responded firmly.
Rachel chuckled. "Then thank you a lot for your treat!"
"My pleasure; just come quickly. Don't keep me waiting," Victoria urged. She was overjoyed to hear Rachel agree, and the call ended soon after.
John took back his phone, looking at Rachel with a helpless smile. "Looks like the seafood feast will have to wait."
"No problem, there will be plenty of opportunities. Let's go buy a gift for Uncle Ryan and Aunt Victoria first," Rachel suggested, taking John's hand and heading to the car.
At the mall, after some browsing, they picked out a stylish shawl for Victoria and a fine tie for Ryan Davis, then drove to the Davis Manor.
The Davis family and the Williams family had been close friends for many years, their relationship very intimate. Victoria and Rachel's mother were best friends. After Rachel's mother passed away, Victoria treated Rachel as her own daughter. To Rachel, Victoria was like a second mother.
Soon, the Davis Manor came into view. Six years had passed, but nothing had changed; everything was still familiar and warm.
"Rachel!" Before the car even stopped, Victoria had rushed out, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Rachel, her smile radiant as she opened her arms to embrace her.
"Aunt Victoria," Rachel stepped forward with a smile, and they hugged tightly, swaying slightly as they held onto each other.
John stood by, feeling slightly jealous. "Mom, didn't you see me?" he asked, pretending to be hurt, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he raised an eyebrow playfully.
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