Chapter 258 The Woman Doesn't Like Riley
When Donovan and Hollis's wedding came up, Riley glanced down briefly, swallowing her retort and simply saying, "Thanks for the reminder. I'll keep that in mind."
The woman thought she nailed it and figured telling Hollis later would score points with the future Mrs. Wilder.
She looked down at Riley smugly. "Good you know. Someone like you could never be worthy of Mr. Wilder."
They'd been talking too long. Finley, waiting for Riley, peeked out from behind a tree and saw the woman being aggressive. Thinking she was bullying Riley, Finley ran over on her little legs.
"Ma'am, don't bully Riley!" The little one clung to Riley's leg, glaring at the woman like an angry kitten.
The woman was stunned by Finley's sudden appearance. She quickly smiled, squatted down, and reached out to touch Finley's head. "Isn't this Miss Wilder? You're so cute."
Finley, wary of strangers due to her autism, swatted the hand away and looked at her warily.
Rejected and seeing how close Finley was to Riley, the woman's smile stiffened. Still trying, she said, "Finley, don't be afraid. I mean no harm. I just think you're adorable."
She reached out to Finley again.
Finley panicked, clinging tightly to Riley's leg and hiding behind her.
Riley frowned and stepped between them. "The child is shy. If you really like Finley, you should keep some distance."
The woman, rejected again, stood up with an unpleasant expression. "I have some acquaintance with Miss Sutton as well. In the future, Finley will be Miss Sutton's daughter. How is my closeness to Finley any concern of yours?"
Riley's expression changed at Hollis's name.
The woman was right; she had no right to interfere.
But Finley was clearly scared, still trembling as she clung to Riley.
"Since your daughter is in the same class as Finley, you should know she doesn't like strangers. I've noted your reminder. If there's nothing else, you should leave. Finley is scared." Riley said, squatting down to hold Finley.
Finley, both angry and scared, looked at the woman with teary eyes.
The woman, of course, wouldn't listen and was about to say more when footsteps approached.
Then came Donovan's low, cold voice, "What's wrong with Finley?"
Seeing Donovan, Finley ran past the woman and hugged him, tearfully complaining, "Ma'am doesn't like Riley."
Donovan frowned slightly.
He had meant to come over with them but got delayed by other parents.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived, he saw this scene.
The "Ma'am" Finley mentioned was clearly the woman standing in front of Riley.
