Chapter 57
Chapter 57
I was taken aback. “You want me to convince the new tycoon, Jack, to cooperate with you?”
he didn’t know I was Ethel back then.
He had asked me about this before, but he
William hesitated, but before I could speak again, he quickly said, “Forget I mentioned it!”
For some reason, he suddenly seemed worried that his impression in my heart might worsen.
Before I could say anything more, my father, Arthur, and Karina came back
“Who is this?” Seeing William, Dad asked.
He didn’t know about the connection with the Thorne family, so he naturally didn’t recognize William.
This is Mr. Ripley, who came to learn about your traditional shoe making craftsmanship,” I quickly explained.
“Hello. Uncle. I’m William.” William walked up to Dad and introduced himself respectfully.
He had a clean and tidy appearance with a friendly smile, but it was clear he wasn’t someone who worked with his hands.
“Hello.” Dad gave him a brief look and didn’t say much, just extended his hand to shake fis.
Karina knew William but hardly interacted with him.
Seeing him now and knowing he was my father’s good friend, she timidly clung to Dad, and her big eyes showed obvious
rejection.
t have a good
a good impression of William either.
She didn’t like Hale and knew that Hale’s friends often bullied me, so she didn’t!
Dad just thought she wasn’t used to meeting strangers and didn’t think too much about it.
“Dad, why did you come back?” I asked.
Dad looked at the wet Karina in his arms and said, “It’s windy outside, and I’m afraid she might catch a cold.”
He touched Karina’s wet head without caring that her wet clothes might dampen him.
Karina immediately nestled in his arms like a little kitten, her hands wrapped around his neck, enjoying the intimacy.
“William, please come inside.” Dad politely invited William into the house.
He warmly offered some homegrown watermelon, cut into thin slices, and served it to William on a plate.
William was pleasantly surprised but didn’t know how to approach it..
In wealthy families, watermelon is usually cut into small pieces and eaten with toothpicks.
Karina, who had changed her clothes with me, came running out.
Seemingly aware of his awkwardness, Karina playfully rolled her eyes at him and took a plece of watermelon, sitting at the entrance nonchalantly while munching on it. Occasionally, she would pick up the large fan by the door and fan herself.
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She imitated how Dad ate watermelon, finding it amusing and mimicking him perfectly.
Karina ate quickly, nibbling on the watermelon in small bites, and soon waterinelon juice stained her little face.
With her head bobbing up and downs, she looked like my adorable little bunny.
William seemed a bit mesmerized.
He could clearly feel that Karina had become much liveller than before.
Back at the Thorne family, the child hardly showed herself.
Every time she appeared, she would shrink her body as much as possible and cling to my leg, following me everywhere.
Her eyes were dull and lacked luster.
She was timid and sheltered, unable to face the world.
Now, she had big, watery eyes, acted quickly and decisively, and her reactions were sharp..
Her little legs were crossed on the doorstep, looking intelligent and adorable.
It was a stark contrast to the past, as if she had completely transformed into a different person.
Looking at me, I sat on a chair with more elegance and restraint compared to Karina.
My eyes were curved, and my lips carried a faint smile. Though serene, there was a sense of vitality about ine.
I was no longer confined by the old fashioned, rigid dress code. I now wore a white T-shirt paired with light colored shorts, showcasing my slim waist and long legs.
My long hair was casually tied up, revealing a smooth forehead and exuding youthful charm like a high school student.
It seemed like I had shed the meekness and restraint the lifeless and submissive demeanor I had shown in front of the
Thome family–as if all convections to that lifeless existence were severed.
Could a divorce really bring about such a significant change in a person?
William couldn’t help but curl his lips, recalling a saying: Marriage is like a grave..
It seemed like that saying was true.
Afterwards, Dad meticulously demonstrated his traditional shoemaking process to William.
The traditional shoemaking process is complex, involving mumerous steps that could easily take half a day just to complete the preparations.
Karina had been observing the two of them from a distance, neither too close nor too far.
“Can Uncle William really learn shoemaking from Grandpa?” Karina askell with deep concern.
I remained silent.
I knew very well what William’s true intentions were.
His purpose in coming here was probably not just to learn shoemaking. The real goal was likely to be to discuss the matter
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with Jack.
As night fell. Dad paused his explanation and went to cook for everyone.
Originally, I was going to help, but the old man was stubborn and insisted that his daughter shouldn’t get involved in any
kitchen work.
Helplessly, I stood at the door and watched him work.
“Your father dotes on you so much. You have a good father,” William said as he walked over, his hands in his pockets, and stood beside me with an air of confidence.
He glanced at me again.
I exuded tranquility, unlike the materialistic and anxious women outside.
Even though my father was just a shoemaker, he treated me with tenderness and without a hint of disdain.
Given my situation, why did I have to scheme against Hale and do something so reckless?
Moreover, I was the Thousand–Faced Fox, with millions of fans and a decent income.
The more unpredictable I seemed, the more William wanted to figure me out.
He even thought that a beautiful and intelligent woman like me, if not for that foolish acffcould have found a man who loved me wholeheartedly and cherished me in the palm of his hand.
“Do you find shoemaking enjoyable. Mr. Ripley?” I turned my head to ask him.
When I looked at him, the warmth in my eyes had vanished, but my politeness and courtesy remained.
William knew that this politeness and courtesy were all because of his two acts of saving my life.
I asked the question because I dearly knew his intentions.
Originally, he had come to find the Thousand–Faced Fox under the pretense of learning shoemaking and convince me in
person.
However, after witnessing Dad’s shoemaking craftsmanship, he suddenly became genuinely interested.
“It’s quite fascinating,” he answered truthfully. “And although I’m unlikely to learn shoemaking myself, I do have a good plan
now.”
“What plan?” I asked just as Dad came out carrying a bowl and called everyone to eat.
Our conversation was interrupted, and we walked towards the dining table.
There, Karina had already set up three chairs.
“This one is for Grandpa, this one is for Mommy, and this one is mine!” she declared, intentionally leaving out a chair for
William.
Hmph, anyone who was a friend of her deadbeat father must be a bad person!
She didn’t want to treat him nicely!
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William felt embarrassed by her petty behavior.
I smiled wryly.
I walked over and added another chair, taking the opportunity to educate Karina: “Visitors are guests, and we should treat them with warmth and hospitality.”
“Hmph, he’s not a guest; he’s a bad person!” Karina puffed her cheeks in response.
She didn’t know that William had saved our lives and thought of him as Robert’s accomplice.
“And he definitely won’t learn shoemaking from Grandpal”
What upset her the most was this.
Someone who didn’t plan to learn would come and ask questions; wouldn’t that disappoint Grandpa?
All the people who made Grandpa sad were bad people!
art, but rest
t assured.
I was about to continue educating Karina when William stopped me and said, “The little one is really smart, although I won’t learn, someone else will.”
“Who?”
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