Chapter 61

The teacher held young Viola’s hand, who hopped excitedly as they made their way to the parking lot where parents waited in their cars to pick up their children from school. Unlike most kids who were greeted by at least one parent, Viola was always met by her nanny and two bodyguards due to her parents’ busy schedules. The entire school knew who her parents were and understood why they couldn’t pick her up themselves.

Mrs. Hannah, the middle-aged school teacher, walked Viola to the familiar car that always arrived to collect her. The car door opened, and instead of the nanny stepping out as expected, Viola’s mother emerged. Viola’s eyes widened in surprise, and she released her teacher’s hand, running toward her mother.

Lilly bent down and opened her arms wide to embrace her daughter.

“Mommy!”

Lilly hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. “Happy to see Mommy?” Viola nodded enthusiastically, bouncing in her mother’s arms, overjoyed that her mother had come to pick her up.

Lilly stood up, holding her daughter, and turned to the teacher. “Hello, Mrs. Hannah,” she said, bowing her head respectfully.

Seeing such a high-profile woman bow to her made Mrs. Hannah feel uncomfortable; she felt it should be the other way around, especially since Lilly was the child’s parent.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Blake,” Mrs. Hannah replied, bowing and smiling.

“Thank you for being such a good teacher and for always looking after Viola.” Even though she didn’t pick Viola up personally, she always received reports from the nanny and bodyguards about how the teacher took care of her daughter.

“It’s nothing; as her teacher, it is my duty to look after her.”

“Thank you,” Lilly repeated, bowing again.

Other parents who had come to collect their children watched Lilly with interest. They were aware of her influential status, not just as Alexander Blake’s wife but also as the president and future heir of the Blake empire.

The school catered to the elite, but there was always a hierarchy, with some wealthy families outshining others. Many mothers saw this as an opportunity to gain Lilly’s favor and instructed their children to befriend Viola, hoping it would bring them closer to Lilly.

After a brief conversation with the teacher, Lilly got into the car with Viola, who waved goodbye to Mrs. Hannah.

“How was school today? Did you make any new friends?” Lilly asked as the car drove away from the school.

“School was fine, but I didn’t make any new friends.”

“Why not?”

“Because they only want to be friends because their parents told them to.” Viola looked at her mother, seeing her confused expression. “What do you mean?”

“Their mothers want to be close to you, so they tell their kids to be friends with me,” Viola explained, recalling what a classmate had told her.

Lilly nodded, now understanding. “Then just be friends with those who truly want to be your friend.”

Viola smiled and nodded. “I have two real friends.”

Lilly knew who her daughter meant, as she was close to their parents as well. It seemed Viola was content with having a few genuine friends instead of many superficial ones.

“What do you want to eat, sweetheart?”

“I want chicken,” Viola said, her mouth watering at the thought.

Lilly smiled; her daughter loved chicken. “Alright, we’ll get some chicken and other things, then head to great-grandma’s place.”

“Yay, I want to see great-grandma!” Viola exclaimed excitedly.

Lilly laughed at her daughter’s enthusiasm.

Old Mrs. Blake had two reasons to be thankful: first, that Alexander had learned to love Lilly and remained married to her; and second, that she had lived long enough to experience being a great-grandmother. Viola, at just three years old, was already displaying remarkable intelligence, something she had inherited from her parents.

Mrs. Blake stood smiling as Viola ran toward her and hugged her legs.

“Great-grandma, I missed you!”

“And I missed you too, my smart girl.”

Viola blushed; she loved it when her great-grandmother called her smart. While others called her cute, her great-grandmother always praised her intelligence.

“Have you eaten?”

“No, but we bought chicken.”

“Your favorite!”

Viola nodded. “Yes.”

“Alright, let’s go inside. I also had something made for you to eat with the chicken.”

Viola took her great-grandmother’s hand, and they walked inside together.

Lilly followed behind, smiling. It always amazed her how Viola seemed to forget about her and Alexander whenever she was with her great-grandparents.

As they stepped into the house, the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables wafted through the air. The mansion, grand and elegant, was filled with the warmth of family memories and the charm of old-world sophistication. Viola’s eyes sparkled as she looked around, remembering the many happy moments she had spent there.

“Great-grandma, can we go to the garden after lunch?” Viola asked, her eyes pleading.

“Of course, my dear. We can pick some flowers for your mommy,” Mrs. Blake replied, her face lighting up with a smile.

Lilly watched the exchange with a heart full of love. Seeing her daughter bond so deeply with her great-grandmother made all the sacrifices she and Alexander made worth it. She knew they were building a legacy of love and strength that would carry through generations.

They settled at the dining table, which was adorned with a beautiful lace tablecloth and fine china. The house staff had outdone themselves, preparing a feast fit for royalty. Besides the chicken that Viola loved, there were mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a variety of salads.

“Let’s wash our hands first,” Lilly reminded Viola, leading her to the sink. They washed up quickly and returned to the table, where Mrs. Blake was already seated.

The meal was a joyous affair, filled with laughter and stories. Viola shared tales from school, talking about her two close friends and the various activities they enjoyed together. Lilly and Mrs. Blake listened attentively, encouraging her with smiles and nods.

After lunch, they made their way to the garden. The Blake family garden was a sprawling expanse of greenery, with vibrant flowers, towering trees, and well-manicured lawns. Viola ran ahead, her laughter echoing through the space as she chased butterflies and picked flowers.

Lilly and Mrs. Blake strolled behind her, their pace leisurely. “She really is a smart girl,” Mrs. Blake said, watching Viola with pride. “You and Alexander have done a wonderful job.”

“Thank you, Grandma. We try our best. It’s not always easy with our busy schedules, but we make sure to spend quality time with her whenever we can,” Lilly replied.

“You’re doing just fine. Family is what matters most, and you’re showing her that every day,” Mrs. Blake reassured her.

They spent the afternoon in the garden, basking in the sunshine and the joy of being together. Viola’s infectious energy and enthusiasm brought life to every corner of the garden. She made flower crowns, picked bouquets, and even attempted to climb a small tree, much to Lilly’s amusement and mild alarm.

“Be careful, darling!” Lilly called out, laughing as Viola wobbled but managed to balance herself.

“I’m okay, Mommy!” Viola replied, her face flushed with excitement.

As the afternoon turned to evening, they decided it was time to head back home. Viola, now tired from all the running and playing, held her mother’s hand as they walked back to the car.

“Did you have a good time, sweetheart?” Lilly asked, smoothing her daughter’s hair.

“The best time ever, Mommy! I love spending time with you and great-grandma,” Viola replied, her eyes shining with happiness.

Back in the car, Viola quickly fell asleep, exhausted from her day of fun. Lilly looked at her daughter’s peaceful face and felt a deep sense of contentment. Despite the challenges and demands of her career, moments like these made everything worthwhile.

As they drove back, Lilly reflected on the balance she and Alexander had found between their professional lives and their roles as parents. It wasn’t always perfect, but they had created a supportive environment for Viola, filled with love and security.