淑女的欲望

"Father, thank you, the idea sounds awesome!" Martha was delighted to hear that. She looks at Scarlett with her beaming-looking eyes.

"Let's go shopping, Scarlett! You know we have a shopping center, right?" Martha has had this idea ever since she knew Scarlett. She wanted to take Scarlett shopping, but seeing this girl so busy with work, discouraged her.

Scarlett didn't know what to say because she never liked places like that, shopping malls or public places. She  had always considered herself the only girl who might hate going to shopping malls. Sigh!

However, how could she refuse a lovely and kind woman like Martha?

Whenever she met Martha, she wondered if her late mother would treat her just like Martha did. And she couldn't refuse Martha's special warmth treatment of her!

Ultimately, she smiled back at Martha and said, "Okay. Auntie, let's go to the mall. But first, please let me adjust my spare time, so I can fit it into my schedule."

ραпdα nᴏνa| сom Martha had never felt this excited before. She squeezed Scarlett's hand tighter, which she had been holding since earlier, with apparent overjoy.

"Thanks, Scarlett! I'm so glad I will get to spend more time with you. I hope we can go shopping before Xander comes back!" A sad smile appeared on Martha's face, making Scarlett feel sorry for the woman.

"Xander might not let you go with me if he returns..." Martha continued her words, and her sad smile slowly turned into a warm and happy smile, but Scarlett could see her smile was not coming from her heart.

Martha's relationship with Xander has never been close. Like there was a wall between Martha and Xander. Even though Xander never shows anger in front of her, he always avoids her. And Martha realized since Xander was a toddler, he had kept his distance from her since she married his father.

Even though Martha has tried her best to love him as a mother more than she loved her birth son, Carter!

Martha felt she had done what she could to love a child, but sadly, Xander still didn't like her. But she never hated him and continued to love him. Martha always prayed that he would soften to her one day.  And in the end, sincerely accept her as part of this family.

"I will try to arrange it in a few days, Aunty..."

"Okay, talk to your grandfather! I'll go to prepare our dinner." Martha stood up from her seat.

"Auntie, let me help you!"

Martha stopped and looked at Scarlett, who had stood up from her seat.

"No need, dear. You sit here and talk to your grandpa! He wants to talk to you..." Martha smiled and immediately continued to walk to the kitchen.

Scarlett awkwardly sat back in her chair. For some reason, she felt nervous. This was the first time she had spoken alone with Grandpa Riley.

Even though Scarlett knew this old man was kind to her, his charisma made her unable to put aside her nervous feelings.

Scarlett sat quietly, averting her eyes from him, and tried to think harder about what topics were appropriate to discuss with him. But, as much as she tried, she couldn't find anything. She was nervous. Gosh!

It was hard for Scarlett to strike up a simple conversation with Walter Riley. Thanks to her introverted and shy personality.

Walter Riley could see Scarlett looking so tense. He laughed slightly.

"How's your dad?" Walter Riley asked, trying to break the awkwardness between them.

Scarlett, confused about where to start the conversation, was immediately happy to hear Grandpa Riley's question.

She looked at him with a smile appearing through her eyes. She said, "My father is still not 100% recovered. However, the doctors have allowed him to go home to continue treatment..."

Scarlett explained about her father's condition that she had heard from Aunt Lana, who diligently updated her almost daily.

Now, her father is much better and constantly asks her to return home. Her father said there was something he wanted to tell her.

It was apparent she was curious about what her father had to say.

However, several times Scarlett asked him to say it over the phone, but somehow her father wanted to speak with her in person.

Unfortunately, at the moment, Scarlett can't fly to B Island. She plans to go there after Xander returns from his business trip. And at the same time, she will fulfill her promise to officially introduce Xander as her husband to her father.

"Scarlett, I'm happy to hear that. My grandson was really rude to your father. He should have introduced me to your father before marrying you. So, please tell me, if you want to go to the island, I will follow you there to meet your father!"

Scarlett was stunned by his words — even her father had never met Xander. It would be even more complicated if grandpa found out. This old man must be getting angry.

Gosh! This is troublesome!

Looks like she should talk about this matter with Xander.

"Yes, I will tell you..." All she could say was that.

"Good! And, don't forget, I also want to meet your grandfather." Said Walter Riley before sipping his tea.

Instantly Scarlett's expression darkened. This was the first time someone had asked about her grandparents in years.

After taking a few deep breaths, Scarlett said, "Grandpa, actually my grandparents from my mother and father's side, died long ago before I was born. So, I have never met them..." She smiled, but inside she felt pain and sadness simultaneously.

Walter Riley was surprised to hear that. He put his teacup on the table.

His calm face turned gloomy after hearing Scarlett's words.

This girl has a pretty sad life; She lost her grandparents before birth. And she also lost her mother when she was very young.

Now, she almost lost her father. Luckily her father survived the surgery. What would have happened if otherwise?

It was hard for Walter Riley to imagine this girl alone without any relatives or extended family. She looks so fragile.

Walter Riley suddenly thought of his own family. There was a tragic story in his family too!