Chapter 306 An Awkward Dinner
As Maggie scrutinized Melissa, the frail girl also observed her in return.
Before coming, Ashley had briefly mentioned Maggie to Melissa and Timothy, only saying that she was the daughter of Mark's former lover.
Melissa, gentle and polite, called out, "Sister."
Her voice was pleasant.
Her face was small, her features delicate, with a sickly beauty. If she were more spirited, she would be quite the beauty.
Timothy, somewhat unwilling, merely glanced at Maggie without greeting her.
Maggie felt indifferent towards the siblings. They were Mark's children but not from the same mother. It was already good enough that she didn't harbor any malice towards them.
If it weren't for Arya, Maggie wouldn't be sitting here.
Ashley helped Melissa sit down, feeling displeased but smiling as she said, "You kids aren't familiar with each other yet, but you'll get to know each other better in time. Let's sit down and eat. Maggie, it's your first time in London. This restaurant is one of the best in London, a very upscale place. You haven't tried this dish before; give it a taste."
Her words implied that Maggie was someone who had never seen anything good.
Unwilling to tolerate Ashley's condescension, Maggie responded with a tight smile, "London is indeed a city of exceptional people. Everyone here exudes confidence, especially Aunt Ashley, with her evident sense of superiority."
Ashley's smile froze on her face. Seeing his mother being spoken to like that, Timothy said, "Respecting elders is basic courtesy."
Maggie curled her lips. "I completely agree. I must say, the Jackson family has excellent manners. My mother is sitting here, and by that logic, she is also your elder. Why haven't I heard you greet her?"
Maggie couldn't stand the hypocrisy of this family and couldn't help but speak out.
Timothy, blushing with embarrassment, was about to speak when Melissa weakly tugged at him and gently called out to Arya, "Auntie Arya."
This acknowledgment of Arya as Mark's original wife and Ashley as the second wife made Ashley's face turn sour, but since it was her daughter who said it, she couldn't say anything.
If it weren't for wanting Maggie to save her daughter, she wouldn't be sitting at the same table with Arya.
Arya, feeling a bit uncomfortable, said, "No need to be so polite."
Seeing Maggie's sharp tongue, Mark found it difficult to handle but didn't say much.
Timothy was unhappy and unwilling to call Arya "Auntie," not understanding Melissa's behavior.
"Melissa, why did you call her Auntie..."
Before Timothy could finish, Melissa started coughing, looking so weak that she seemed about to faint.
Timothy quickly showed concern. "Melissa, I should take you back to the hospital."
Timothy, only a year older than Melissa and having just returned from abroad, was very fond of Melissa. Seeing her pale face made him dislike Maggie even more.
The unexpected introduction of a half-sister stirred Timothy's reluctance, and he had no intention of accepting her.
Melissa shook her head and sensibly said, "Maggie and Auntie Arya are visiting London for the first time. We can't be so impolite, Timothy, sit down."
Timothy didn't understand why Melissa was acting this way. Mark also said, "Timothy, sit down and eat."
Ashley gave Timothy a look, and he sat down with a sullen face.
Maggie didn't care about the family's schemes. She had already started eating and even served Arya some food. "Mom, eat up."
Mark picked up his fork and said with a smile, "Let's eat. Our family is finally complete. This is the first time we've all sat down together for a meal. Let's have a toast."
Mark tried to play the role of the head of the family, but Maggie didn't even glance at him, treating them as if they were invisible and focusing on her own meal.
Everyone raised their glasses. Arya, seeing Maggie not moving, nudged her with her elbow, giving her a hint.
Maggie smiled and said, "You all go ahead; I won't drink."
She had no intention of being part of their family.
As for how Mark persuaded Arya to endure this, she didn't care. Accepting this family so easily was impossible for her.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
