Book 1: She Becomes Glamorous After the Engagement Annulment

Chapter 24

Chapter 70: I Already Have A Spot

Chester grew up with Justin, so his elder brother had always inspired awe and respect in him as though he was his father.

Therefore, he actually felt very guilty about hiding the truth from Justin.

If Justin didn’t ask, he wouldn’t say anything. But now that he had, he mustn’t lie!

“I-it’s your daughter.”

His daughter? Well, the little streamer had called him Daddy for two hours, but he was indeed her true blue Sponsor Daddy.

At this time, a calm voice reached them. “What live stream are you talking about?”

Pete sat with his back straight. Although his voice still had a childish quality to it, it nevertheless gave off a calm and steady feeling.

Chester replied, “My team leader in the game hosted a live stream today…”

Justin snorted coldly. “You’re actually acknowledging a five or six-year-old girl as your leader? How promising of you.”

Pete, “…”

Uncle Chester’s team leader in the game was Cherry.

He stilled his expression and started spouting nonsense with a straight face. “Uncle Chester, you must have been tricked.A lot of people use voice changers these days.”

Chester, “?”

However, Justin said, “It didn’t sound like she was using a voice changer.”

He didn’t dwell on these, though. Instead, after casting a glance at Chester, he asked dispassionately, “Are you intending to play games for the rest of your life?”

Chester shook his head. “Actually, I want to be a professional e-sports player and start my own team, but I don’t have that much money. I—”

“Is eight million enough?”

Justin’s voice was cool and crisp as he casually cut a piece of his steak.

Chester was stunned.

As he looked at Justin, his eyes suddenly reddened. It was just like back when he was still a child. When he said that he didn’t want to study, no one in the family had supported him. Everyone had called him a good-for-nothing.

Justin was the only one who had asked, “Then what do you want to do?”

Justin had always respected his dreams.

Chester lowered his head. His voice sounded a little choked as he replied, “Yes.”

“Well, I think that little girl has a bright future ahead of her,” Justin said, “You can recruit her into your team.”

Chester, “?”

All his emotions from just now evaporated in an instant.

If Justin knew that was his daughter, he probably wouldn’t think so anymore!

He stammered, “Justin, you s-seem to like my team leader quite a bit?”

“She’s fine, I suppose.”

Justin speared another piece of steak and said, “This tastes pretty good.”

“…”

At the Smiths.

Before one knew it, it was already noon. Joel entered the room and saw Ian staring at the screen of the live stream that had already ended.

After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Is there anything you would like for lunch today, Uncle Ian?”

He had initially thought that he wouldn’t have any appetite as usual and would just patronize him a little, but unexpectedly, Ian actually answered, “Steak, I suppose.”

Joel was taken aback.

His uncle hadn’t had meat for several years. Because he had lost all will to live, he had lost interest in everything, including eating.

What had happened?

Joel couldn’t figure it out, so he simply decided not to think about it anymore. It was fine as long as Uncle Ian was willing to eat!

_

“Mmm!”

Cherry put a piece of steak into her mouth, which was stuffed so full that her cheeks were bulging. Her lips were all greasy and her big black eyes were filled with a rich sense of contentment.

Her speech was unclear as she said, “This ish delicious!”

Her adorable appearance gave Melissa, who had cooked the meal, a sense of satisfaction.

She patted her on the head and said, “If Cherry likes it, Grand-aunt Melissa will make some for you again!”

“Okie!”

Cherry nodded repeatedly as she dished out compliments generously. “Not only is Grand-aunt Melissa pretty, but she’s also kind and a great cook! Aunt Sheril is so blessed to have a mommy like you!”

As soon as she said that, she spied Nora coming downstairs. Cherry blinked and added, “But my Mommy’s also super awesome!”

Nora raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Which part of me do you think is awesome?”

Cherry thought hard for a while. Then, she tilted her head and answered, “You’re awesome at sleeping!”

“…”

Nora decided not to hold it against the little fellow. After stretching and yawning, she walked over, took a seat, and finished her meal in just a few bites.

There was a rare guest at the table today—Logan Anderson.

He ate slowly and gracefully.

When he saw Nora wolfing down her food, he inadvertently curled his lip.

The way his cousin ate as if she had never eaten anything in her life before.

He lowered his beautiful almond-shaped eyes. However, there wasn’t any disdain in his eyes but just a thoughtful look.

After lunch, Nora went upstairs and packed Cherry’s school bag for her. By the time she went back down, Cherry was also almost done with her lunch.

At the sight of the schoolbag in her hands, a dazed Melissa asked, “Where are you going, Nora?”

Nora replied, “For an interview.”

“At the International Golden Sunshine Kindergarten?”

“Yeah.”

Melissa said apologetically, “But we don’t have any interview spots. Give me some time; I’ve already asked my family about it, though they haven’t given me any answer yet.”

As soon as she said that, the piercing sound of the chair dragging against the floor rang out.

Logan stood up abruptly. “Mom, did you go back to the Woods and let them bully you again?”

As though she was afraid that Nora would realize something, Melissa frowned at Logan and said, “Logan, shut up!”

Logan snorted. “Mom, have you forgotten what you told Sheril and me in the past? Does attending that kindergarten even bring any meaning?”

Melissa had never been one to care about superficial formalities like that.

When Sheril and Logan didn’t get places for the interview to enroll in the kindergarten, she had told the two children, “Enrolling into the kindergarten doesn’t make one noble.What gives you a noble character is when you value and respect yourselves.”

Melissa, however, frowned.

She grabbed Logan, lowered her voice, and said, “Nora is different from the two of you! She grew up elsewhere. If Cherry can’t even attend that kindergarten, I’m worried that Nora won’t be able to hold her head up high in the circle in the future!”

Logan understood all of this.

But the moment he thought of his elegant and graceful mother returning to the Woods to be mistreated by others.

He said in an unruly manner, “Do you really think she can enroll Cherry into the kindergarten even if she has a recommendation letter? There’s no way she’ll pass the interview!”

Melissa patted him on the shoulder and said, “That’s why I got you back here. I want you to take them there and accompany Nora for the interview.”

Logan was stunned.

He clenched his jaw. His features, which were similar to Nora’s, carried an air of unruliness and defiance.

He said, “But the Woods haven’t sent the recommendation letter yet!”

Melissa sighed. She knew that her sister-in-law must be making things difficult for her again. She said, “I’ll call them and urge them.”

Rather than saying she was ‘urging’ them… It was actually probably more like she was begging them instead.

Logan’s expression turned even colder. It was at this moment that the two of them heard a cool and indifferent voice: “You don’t have to beg them for one. I already have an interview spot.”

Taken aback, Melissa looked at Nora and asked, “How did you get the spot, Nora?”

Nora was about to give her a simple explanation when her cell phone rang.

When she picked up, she heard the voice of Lisa, her cousin in California, reaching her through the phone. She said, “Nora, I suspect you aren’t Uncle Henry’s daughter at all!”

Chapter 71: The Hidden Big Boss of The Anderson's

Nora’s cat-like eyes flickered when she heard her. Then, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why do you say that?”

By then, Lisa had already continued to speak angrily.

Even so, her voice still sounded tender as she said, “Uncle Henry heard that I’m going to New York for my internship, so he came to our housetoday and told my mother and me to approach you for money! He even said that he won’t make life easy for you if you refuse! Is there anyone who would treat their daughter like that?”

Nora chuckled softly and asked, “Are you coming to New York?”

Lisa sounded disappointed as she said, “Yeah… Both Angela and I are going to New York. I’m… going for an internship while she’s applying for a postgraduate position at the New York Medical College. The reason why I’m calling is to tell you this.”

She was probably worried that Angela would give her trouble after she came to New York.

Nora didn’t take it seriously, though. Instead, she asked, “Do you need me to arrange accommodation for you?”

No, it’s alright. I’ve already made a hotel room reservation.”

Nora didn’t insist. “Okay.”

It was almost time for the interview, so she didn’t say anything else after telling her to look for her if she met with any trouble. After hanging up, her expression turned chilly.

Her eyes were downcast and her emotions unreadable.

Henry had probably treated her badly because of her stepmother marrying into the family, as well as the fact that she had gradually gained weight, so it was embarrassing to bring her around, right?

However, Lisa’s “I suspect you aren’t Uncle Henry’s daughter” couldn’t help but keep echoing in her mind.

It seemed like she should find an opportunity to do a DNA test soon.

Logan walked up to her. He was wearing a set of black sportswear and white limited edition sneakers, and his short hair was tousled. He glared at her with his cat-like eyes that were so similar to hers and asked impatiently, “Are you coming or not?”

Nora took Cherry’s hand and followed behind him leisurely. She dragged her feet lazily when she walked, giving off the feeling that she was a very sloppy person.

When the two reached the garage, she found a flashy yellow sports car parked there—it was actually a Ferrari!

Nora raised her eyebrows and subconsciously let out a whistle.

During the past few days at the Andersons, she had already figured out their financial situation.

The Anderson's had already fallen into decline during the last two decades.Harmonia Pharmacy’s monthly sales volume fluctuated around 1.5 million dollars. To large enterprises that dealt with funds amounting to as much as dozens or hundreds of millions of dollars, it indeed was lacking.

The market value of most of the cars that the Andersons owned also ranged from $300,000 to $500,000.

However, Logan’s sports car was a limited edition. The value of the car was enough for one to buy a villa.

Neither Simon nor Melissa were people who overindulged their children, so they certainly couldn’t be the ones who had bought the Ferrari. Besides, neither could the Andersons afford it,

either.

Therefore, this unassuming cousin of hers must be the true hidden big boss of the Andersons, right?

“It’s so cool!”

Cherry circled the sports car. She touched the headlights with her little hand, turned to look at Nora, and said, “Mommy, I also wanna buy a sports car when I grow up! I want a pink one!”

Nora smiled and casually replied, “Sure.”

When Logan saw how both mother and daughter had the guts to say what they did, he couldn’t help but scoff.

He slid into the driver’s seat suavely and said, “Come on in.”

Nora felt a little speechless. “… Are you taking us there in this car?”

Logan frowned impatiently and said, “Just get in if I tell you to. What’s all that superfluous nonsense for?”

If he didn’t drive them there in this car, how was she going to suppress those people in the kindergarten?

The car was exactly why Melissa had summoned him back home.

It was his precious treasure.

Even Sheril wasn’t allowed to sit in it usually.

He turned to see that both Nora and Cherry had taken a step back. They said in unison:

“No way!”

“No way, yeah!”

Logan raised his chin slightly. The two of them had a pretty good eye for things, huh.

Indeed, not just anyone was qualified enough to sit in this car’s passenger seat. It was understandable why they would be nervous or scared.

However, since his mother had made the request, he wasn’t such a petty person, either. He was about to say something when Nora said, “This car is too ugly!”

A soft and tender Cherry agreed. “Mommy’s right! Cherry hates poop-yellow, yeah!”

Logan was bewildered.

What the heck was ‘poop-yellow’?!

He was about to speak when Nora took Cherry’s hand and got into the back seat of a Mercedes Benz. Cherry opened the car window and waved her chubby little arm as she called out,

“Handsome Uncle Logan, come and drive this instead!”

Logan, “!!”

Those two practically couldn’t recognize something good when it was placed right in front of them!

His heart had initially been aching at the thought of someone sitting in Little Yellow, but now that they weren’t getting into the car anymore, it just so happened to be exactly what he wanted.

In any case, no matter what car they went there in, they would still fail the kindergarten entrance interview anyway.

Back then, Melissa had been well-known in New York as a lady of talent. Even so, she had failed the interview due to her family background.

Logan got out of the sports car and walked over to the Mercedes. As he opened the car door to the driver’s seat, he said, “You made the decision yourself. You’d best not complain that I didn’t try making you guys look good!”

Nora found this cousin of hers rather stuck-up in a cute way. She rubbed her chin and stared at Logan.

Going by how old he and Sheril were, they likely just graduated from college. Sheril didn’t come home often because she was always at the pharmaceutical laboratory. What was Logan doing, then?

Logan felt a little uncomfortable. He hopped into the car, closed the door, and said, “What are you looking at? Have you never seen a handsome guy before?”

Nora looked up a little at the Ferrari. Suddenly, she asked, “Are you into racing?”

At the mention of racing, Logan’s eyes lit up.

He started the car and drove out. “Yeah.”

Cherry’s eyes widened and she said, “Uncle Logan, Mommy and I like racing, too! Can you take Cherry and Mommy with you when you’re participating in a race next time?”

Logan subconsciously wanted to refuse.

Sheril had also begged him to take her to one before, but he had refused.

These two, though… He glanced at Nora through the rearview mirror and saw that she was leaning against the seat, seemingly asleep.

Then, he thought of how hungry she had looked when she was eating…

The attitude his mom held toward them was also as if she was afraid that the two of them would be looked down upon, thereby hurting their self-esteem.

It wasn’t like he couldn’t take them there and let them have a look anyway.

The words at the tip of Logan’s tongue ended up becoming “Okay.”

Then, he heard Cherry exclaim, “Wow! All those men who drive racing cars are very handsome! They also wear super nice clothes!”

Logan was rendered speechless.

Why did it feel like they weren’t going there to broaden their horizons but to check out hunks?

Cherry asked excitedly, “Uncle Logan, what’s your placing in the race?”

The corners of Logan’s lips curled slightly as he replied, “First place.”

He spoke neither arrogantly nor impetuously but with strong self-confidence instead.

Cherry clapped and said, “You’re amazing, Uncle Logan!”

This was a subject that interested Logan after all. Thus, he ended up talking a little more than usual. He said, “My achievements are nothing.The international racer Yanci is the one who’s truly impressive. He’s my idol!”

Cherry glanced at Mommy when she heard what he said. Then, she whispered, “Uncle Logan, I’ll tell you a secret. Do you know who Yanci is?”

Chapter 72: Exempted From The Interview!

Logan raised his eyebrows. “Tsk, you make it sound like you’ve seen him before.”

Cherry grinned and said, “Yanci is—”

“Cherry.”

A warning reached Cherry and the words ‘my Mommy’ did a U-turn in her mouth and went back down her throat. In the end, she said weakly, “I’m not allowed to tell anyone.”

Logan was rendered speechless.

His lip corners spasmed and he couldn’t help but think the kid must be bragging.

Never mind, life was already hard for them. He wouldn’t expose her little lies.

Since they didn’t want to embarrass themselves, he would stop talking about it.

The kindergarten was very close to the Anderson's residence, so it took only ten minutes by car for them to reach.

It certainly lived up to its name of being the top kindergarten in New York. The International Golden Sunshine Kindergarten was like a palace, and the exterior looked magnificent and high-end.

There were parents there who had come early and were waiting to pick up their children. The cars they drove were either worth millions or were ordinary cars with flashy license plates.

When their jeep stopped at the kindergarten, sure enough, the security guard frowned and asked, “What’s the purpose of your visit?”

Logan took a deep breath and replied, “We’re here for an interview.”

The security guard wore an expensive-looking uniform. He said gruffly, “You can’t drive the car in, so enter on foot instead.”

Logan parked the car at the roadside. As soon as they got off the car, they saw the security guard eagerly letting a Rolls-Royce Phantom in.

“…”

Logan’s expression darkened. The slim young man was half a head taller than Nora. He lowered his head slightly and said a little unhappily, “Did you see that? Sometimes, a car is a status symbol itself.”

However, the young woman instead took Cherry’s hand and walked ahead as if she was taking a stroll, seemingly unaffected.

Nora scrutinized the kindergarten.

Although the security guard was judging people by the cars they drove, after one entered the premises, one would realize that the kindergarten had been designed very fastidiously with every detail highly exquisite. In

terms of their facilities, they passed with flying colors.

Next to her, a displeased Logan complained, “A place where even the security guards are so judgmental isn’t suitable for children at all, much less for your daughter! You don’t have to prove yourself this way!There are many outstanding people in our circle who didn’t attend this kindergarten!”

Nora knew that Logan was right.

In a place like this where the students were wealthy or of noble background, the children competed more with their family backgrounds instead, so they must already have been classified into different social classes in the school.

While a place like this didn’t suit ordinary children, it suited Cherry very well.

Cherry had a high IQ and was someone who couldn’t sit still. She was fickle and lost interest in things very quickly. On top of that, she was quick-witted and always found various excuses not to study when she was at home.

It was likely that only stimulation provided by an environment like this would be able to make her focus.

After all, she couldn’t really let Cherry play games for her entire lifetime, right?

When Logan saw that the young woman didn’t seem to have any intention of changing her mind despite him wording it so clearly, the usually reticent man simply decided not to say any more.

However, he let out a snort inwardly.

Did she really think she could enroll her daughter into the school just because she got an interview spot?

The two went all the way from the security guard post to the kindergarten’s main building. The more Nora saw, the more satisfied she became.

Before they entered the interview room, she squatted down, looked at Cherry, andsaid, “Cherry, if you can stay here for the full duration of three months without revealing your identity or using your family’s power, Mommy will agree to a request of yours. Can you do it?”

A request…

Cherry’s eyes lit up. She nodded and said, “Yes, Okie-Dokie!”

This way, she would be able to have Mommy agree to live with Daddy!

After they came to New York, things were different from when they were staying in a hotel in California. It wasn’t convenient for her to switch places with her brother anymore!

Next to them, Logan scoffed softly.

‘Without revealing your identity’…? Indeed, they mustn’t reveal the fact that she is the child of a woman not from around these parts, lest the other children look down on her.

‘Without using your family’s power’…? The Andersons couldn’t even get an interview spot. What was there for them to make use of?

How exactly did that woman bring herself to say such grandiose things?

Those who didn’t know any better would have thought that Cherry was a Hunt or a Smith!

Light flickered in his cat-like eyes that resembled Nora’s and he gave them a reminder. “It’s time for the interview.”

The three of them entered the principal’s office together.

Logan frowned and subconsciously straightened his back when he thought of the intense barrage of questions he had experienced when his mother had brought him and Sheril for an interview back then.

However, what happened next was…

“This is Cheryl Smith’s school uniform. You can bring her here for classes tomorrow. Do remember not to be late.”

After the polite exchange, the principal personally sent them out and said, “Miss Smith, I’ll see you off.”

“No, it’s fine.”

After Nora’s calm reply, she left the office with Cherry and Logan, who was feeling a little giddy.

After the three of them left, someone asked, “Sir, who’s that? To think they’re exempted from even the interview!”

The principal shook his head and replied, “The bigwigs specially called to leave instructions, and also said that they’re their friends. I didn’t dare ask about the specifics.”

Logan frowned the whole way home.

Even after he got home, he still felt like he was dreaming.

Nora held Cherry’s hand and entered the living room. As soon as she did, she heard two people inside talking. One of them had a very high-pitched voice and she sounded a little arrogant.

She said, “Why didn’t you wait for me, Melissa? I was only an hour and a half late, that’s all. Don’t you even have that bit of patience when you’re asking for help to enroll in a good school?”

Melissa forced a smile and replied, “Sorry about that, Miranda. Nora said that she’s already gotten an interview spot through someone else’s help.”

Nora, Logan, and Cherry entered the living room while the two of them were talking.

Melissa’s sister-in-law was a woman of about fifty years old. Her name was Miranda Wood, and she was Melissa’s elder brother’s wife. A glance at her dressing and demeanor was enough for one to know that she was a wealthy housewife.

Her chin was currently raised slightly as she scanned the people who just entered.

Nora was expressionless, so it was hard to tell whether she was happy or sad.

However, Logan, who had followed her in, didn’t look so good. This made Melissa sigh inwardly. She stood up, walked over, and said, “It’s okay. We can still look at other kindergartens.”

Miranda came over. She sounded gloating as she said, “That kindergarten’s interview questions actually differ depending on who the interviewee is! For families like mine, the interview is just a procedure.Most of the students are excellent children selected from average families…”

After saying that, she smiled and went on. “Oops, when I say ‘average families’, I don’t really mean actual average families but mid-tier wealthy families. Those who have fallen into decline aren’t counted because they won’t even get any interview spots.”

She was obviously insinuating things about the Anderson's.

Melissa’s grip on her handkerchief tightened slightly, and even the smile on her face became somewhat forced.

Miranda smirked and looked at Nora. With a huge sense of superiority, she said, “It’s normal that you failed the interview. After all, it’s not just anyone who can get in even if they have a letter of recommendation.

she said that, Cherry looked up and said adorably, “Huh? Are there people who need to go through interviews?”

Miranda was taken aback. “What do you mean?”