Book 2 : She Becomes Glamorous After the Engagement

Chapter 35

Chapter 715: Nora Is Orchidiance!

Iris was very nervous. Despite her trying to make herself appear calm and collected, her tightly-clenched fingers, as well as her dilated pupils, had exposed her emotions. Justin’s gaze landed on the unfamiliar number and he said, “Your phone is ringing.”

“Huh? Oh, it’s probably just a sales call.”

Iris said as she rejected the call again. Then, as if she was afraid that they would call again, she switched off her cell phone. She even tried to gloss over the topic and said with a smile, “They are so annoying. There are simply so many such sales calls these days. It wasn’t easy for us to have a meal together.”

Seeing her like this, Justin merely nodded.

Nora and Justin exchanged a look, neither of them exposing her lie.

Afterwards, even though Iris tried her best to pretend she was very excited and happy about the meal, the two of them could still tell that she was a little distracted.

After all, Nora and Justin were more insightful than most ordinary people and had astounding observation skills.

After the meal, the two bade goodbye to Iris.

Before leaving, Nora looked at Iris again and asked tentatively, “See you at the orchid exhibition tomorrow?”

Iris seemed a little hesitant. It must have been because of those phone calls.

However, she only stayed quiet for a second before she raised her head. “Yeah.”

Her voice was firm.

This showed that she would not be changing her mind again.

She was really taking a gamble. If Nora managed to cure the pot of Ghost Orchids, then she would tell them the truth. If she failed, then she would take the truth with her to the grave, and never cause the children any trouble.

Seeing her like this, Nora and Justin looked at each other again and left.

Nora and Justin were in the same car. Justin was driving. After they turned the corner ahead, he stopped the car.

By then, Nora had already set her cell phone number as an unknown caller. Then, she keyed in the string of numbers that had been displayed on Iris’s cell phone just now.

She had a photographic memory, so she had memorized the phone number with just a single glance.

Nora then handed her cell phone to Justin.

Justin dialed the number without hesitation.

The other party quickly picked up. A man’s voice came through the phone: “Hello?”

A prompt and decisive Justin asked, “Who are

you?”

The other party was silent for a while. Then, he let out a low chuckle and hung up without saying anything else.

Justin: !!

Inexplicably, what Herman had said about Iris cheating on him flashed past his mind.

He frowned.

Nora also frowned. “He kept the call time within fifteen seconds, I can’t trace his location.”

Justin took a deep breath. “Don’t bother anymore.”

Nora looked at him.

Justin said, “I won’t ask anymore. I’ll wait for her to tell me everything herself.”

He didn’t want to investigate anymore.

He had suddenly realized something because there were always people trying to sabotage his investigations, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

Nora knew what he was thinking. She gave him a thumbs-up right away and said, “Yup, that’s the way. You’re family, so you shouldn’t harbor suspicions about each other. Besides, from what I saw just now, Iris… I mean, your mother didn’t change her mind just because of that call.”

Justin nodded.

Iris wasn’t a weakling or a pushover.

She had taught Justin to be strong and aggressive since he was a child. This was also why Justin hadn’t believed Herman’s nonsense.

How could Iris possibly be someone who easily accepted fate?

If she really had a lover, then she would definitely have tried to think of ways to spend the rest of her life with him instead of wasting her youth away here.

The next day.

Nora drove to the suburban villa early in the morning.

Iris had dressed up for the occasion and was wearing an elegant and beautiful white fitted dress. She got into the car after she left the house.

The woman didn’t look at all like she was nearly fifty years old. After dressing up, she was dazzling and graceful. Her figure was curvy, and coupled with her fair skin, it was only when one looked closely that one would see any wrinkles on her face. With the way she looked as she stood there, some people might believe it if one said that she was only twenty years old. Nora raised her eyebrows and formed a heart with her hands at Iris.

_

Iris got into the car, and the two headed straight to the orchid exhibition.

Lauren’s orchid exhibition was held at a hotel in central New York. The orchids she borrowed from various families had all been placed on shelves.

At a glance, there were all kinds of orchids that one could ever think of.

In the most eye-catching position was Matthew’s Ghost Orchid.

The Ghost Orchids were very rare, so they had occupied the central position of the orchid exhibition.

After Nora and Iris got out of the car and entered the hall with the invitation, they immediately noticed the pot of Ghost Orchids.

When Iris saw the orchids, she exclaimed, “Lauren has really cured that pot of Ghost Orchids. They look so full of vigor.”

Only then did Nora reveal something: “There is a problem with her prescription.”

Iris, who was a little taken aback, looked at Nora.

Nora whispered, “Her prescription has one more ingredient than mine. That herb is too powerful. It can quickly allow orchids to look energetic and filled with vigor, but over time, even bigger problems will appear. It’s just like how humans suddenly become very energetic before they pass away. Going by how much time has passed since the medicine was given to the Ghost Orchids yesterday, the Ghost Orchids will wither after another half an hour. In the first place, there are a lot of restrictions when it comes to using drugs on plants. Those who are not proficient in it really shouldn’t do it.”

Iris was dumbfounded. She couldn’t help but say, “Orchidiance has also said that before, and told everyone not to imitate them. Aren’t you also imitating Orchidiance, though?”

Nora raised her eyebrows. Suddenly, her lips curled into a smile and she replied, “Who says I’m imitating Orchidiance?”

Iris: “???”

Then, as though she had realized something, she looked at Nora in astonishment.

Could it be… that Nora was none other than Orchidiance?!

Just as she was about to speak, Lauren entered the hall and said with a smile, “Iris, you’re here! Did you bring any orchids with you today?”

Iris immediately reined in the complicated look she was giving Nora. She looked at Lauren and replied, “No.”

“You didn’t?”

Lauren was shocked. “It is written on my invitation that everyone who comes to the orchid exhibition should bring a pot of flowers, so that everyone can appreciate and admire each other’s flowers.”

After she spoke, Lauren sighed silently and said, “Iris, surely it’s not because you can’t bear to show us your flowers, right? I have heard that you have gathered a lot of rare orchids in your private collection over the years! I am holding this orchid exhibition precisely because I hope that orchid lovers can gather and share their joy with each other. In fact, an orchid exhibition like this should have been held long ago. What’s the point of hiding and keeping all the good things to ourselves? Everyone here is an orchid lover, it’s not like they’ll spoil the flowers, right? Iris, you are being overly cautious.”

Although she said that she was being too cautious, she was instead implying that Iris was too stingy and petty, just so she could highlight how generous and capable she, Lauren, was instead.

A group of people from wealthy families gradually gathered around them. Everyone looked at Iris.

Iris, however, scoffed.

Was she trying to compete with her in terms of eloquence?

She wasn’t someone who would take sh*t from others!

Chapter 716: Face-Slapping pt.1

Lauren had organized the orchid exhibition to suppress Iris’ arrogance.

Back then, even though she had succeeded in changing her status from a homewrecker to the man’s lawful wife, to be honest, she knew that there weren’t many in the circle of wealthy ladies who approved of her. Everyone approved of Iris instead.

In that case, Lauren would outdo Iris in the latter’s forte! This way, she could also show off in front of everyone else!

She said, “Iris, why are you keeping quiet? Are you upset? Well, that’s true. There’s no one in New York who doesn’t know that you love orchids the most. By right, you should have been the one organizing the orchid exhibition instead, but because you didn’t take any action, I found someone to do it instead. What a shame. I heard that you also have a pot of Ghost Orchids, so I even wanted to let everyone admire them!”

As soon as she said that, Iris looked at the people around her. She smiled and said, “The things you say are so ridiculous. Must I hold an orchid exhibition just because I like orchids? In that case, since Mrs. Lange likes diamonds, must she also hold a diamond exhibition? Since Mr. Sullivan likes antique paintings, should he open a museum then? These are just personal hobbies. On the other hand, why haven’t I heard anything about you liking orchids before?”

Her few simple words had immediately suppressed Lauren.

How would the wealthy and the noble possibly take out whatever they liked and show them off to everyone? If they did that, then they wouldn’t be showing off their wealth instead!

Lauren had made a mistake at a fundamental level, making her seem petty and cheap, and also making all the ladies look down on her. They had only attended the exhibition because of Matthew’s Ghost Orchids.

After all, Matthew’s Ghost Orchids really were a rare sight.

Iris’s words had suppressed Lauren’s momentum, causing everyone around them to laugh. They echoed Iris and said, “She’s right, we are not frivolous people.”

Showing off one’s wealth for no reason would only arouse aversion and disgust from other people.

Moreover, even though Lauren wasn’t an orchid lover, she had held an orchid exhibition. Iris had pointed out her objective.

Lauren clenched her fists in anger. She’d finally invited so many ladies to the exhibition today after much difficulty. Originally, she’d wanted to improve her position among the ladies, but little did she expect Iris to be so sharp-tongued!

Lauren lowered her head and smiled. “I certainly don’t have any love for orchids, but don’t forget that I am an alternative medicine practitioner. It’s only because Matthew asked me to cure his flowers that I decided to hold the orchid exhibition. I found his Ghost Orchids such a rare sight and wanted everyone to see it! This way, everyone can also share their experience on growing orchids with one another along the way.”

Her few simple words immediately made the rich ladies around them not dare to laugh at her anymore.

Everyone at the exhibition was a true flower lover. Was there anyone among them whose flowers would never have any problems? Should something go wrong, it would be great to have someone like Lauren help.

She could even cure Matthew’s Ghost Orchids. Lauren was simply too skilled at curing orchids.

Someone immediately said, “Mrs. Hunt, you are so capable. You have even cured such a delicate flower that’s so difficult to treat! It’s amazing! By the way, my flowers have also met with a small problem. I wonder if I can ask you for some advice?”

Lauren smiled gently and replied, “Sure. In the first place, this orchid exhibition isn’t meant for showing off; rather, it’s to facilitate communication!”

With a few simple sentences, she had saved the scene again.

Some of the others walked over to Iris and said, “Mdm. Iris, come to think of it, that woman is actually quite capable. Her methods of curing the flowers’ illnesses are very similar to Orchidiance’s. Everyone’s privately speculating that Lauren may be Orchidiance! Sometimes, for the sake of the orchids, we should bow down to others!”

“Yeah, she actually cured Matthew’s Ghost Orchids. She’s really very impressive.”

Matthew’s Ghost Orchids had been withering day by day for about half a month. He had been tp many orchid masters to cure it, but it had barely seen any effect.

News of it had already spread in New York.

Through his Ghost Orchids, Lauren had made a name for herself.

At the mention of Orchidiance, Iris subconsciously glanced at Nora. Then, she scoffed and said, “She’s no Orchidiance. Compared with Orchidiance, she is far inferior!”

The contempt in her words made the ladies look at one another. In the end, none of them dared to say anything. They could only smile awkwardly.

Lauren also heard her. At once, she narrowed her eyes and said, “Mdm. Iris, now that’s rather meaningless. Matthew had certainly wanted to approach Orchidiance, but the problem is that Orchidiance is so mysterious. No one knows who she is, let alone where to find her. I heard that she’s not even in the country, so it’s impossible for anyone to find her. I admit that my treatment methods are indeed imitating Orchidiance’s, but am I wrong to diagnose and cure Matthew’s Ghost Orchids for him?”

Chapter 717: Face-Slapping pt.2

The place was silent.

No one there dared to offend Iris-after all, she was Justin’s mother. Although they weren’t on good terms with each other, it was said that Justin would still specially visit the suburban villa every month.

Besides, no matter how bad their relationship was, Justin would never sit by and watch other people bully his mother.

Therefore, no one defended Lauren. However, Lauren could cure orchids’ illnesses. Everyone there was an orchid lover, so none of them dared to offend Lauren either.

For a while, no one said anything.

Iris’ lip corners, however, curled into a smile. Although she hadn’t asked Nora just now if she was really Orchidiance, it had given her confidence.

She looked at Lauren and said, “What’s the big deal about being able to cure orchids? My daughter-in-law can also do it!”

She looked at Nora with a proud look on her face.

When Lauren heard this, she looked at Nora.

A moment later…

“Pft.”

She let out a soft laugh.

After she laughed, Lauren said, “Sorry, I really couldn’t help it. Mdm. Iris, what you said is really funny. I know Ms. Smith is the great Dr. Zabe’s disciple, and I also know that she is Anti the famous surgeon, but neither of those titles is related to orchids. Mdm. Iris, surely you don’t think that every alternative medicine practitioner can cure orchids, right? Flowers are different from humans!”

Iris also smiled when she heard her. “Of course I know that. It’s just that my daughter-in-law happens to have studied orchids a little before. In fact, she is…”

Before she could say “Orchidiance”, Lauren interrupted her. “Is that so? Then why don’t you come over and have a look at Matthew’s Ghost Orchids, Ms. Smith? You should know that pot of Ghost Orchid’s prior condition, right? Can you cure it?”

Nora glanced at it and said calmly, “Yes.”

As soon as Lauren wanted to reply, Iris took out a piece of paper. “This is the prescription that my daughter-in-law wrote for that pot of Ghost Orchids. You can take a look at it!”

“Does Ms. Smith really know how to cure orchids?”

“If you think about it, there’s a chance that she does. Ms. Smith is the best alternative medicine practitioner after all!”

Once Lauren lost the advantage of being able to cure orchids’ illnesses, the people around them immediately dared to speak up for Iris.

When Lauren heard them, she immediately took the prescription from Iris. After she glanced at it, she said, “Iris, Matthew must have told you about this prescription, right? This is exactly the same as mine! It’s just a pity that even if you’ve made a copy, you left out one ingredient!”

“She didn’t leave it out.” Nora said unhurriedly, “It’s because the prescription doesn’t need that ingredient. Orchids are delicate flowers. The ingredient you added will hurt it.”

“It’ll hurt it? No way.” Lauren said confidently, “That ingredient is supposed to revive a plant’s shine and glow, so how could it possibly be harmful? What’s more, that pot of Ghost Orchids is being displayed so vividly and vibrantly in front of everyone right now. Everyone can see for themselves the flowers’ current condition. In just a day, it has regained its vitality. Ms. Smith, you are being too dogmatic!”

Nora looked at the pot of flowers. “Affliction of diseases makes one collapse like a mountain, and the treatment of diseased areas is akin to trying to extract strands of silk from one another. The usage of such strong medication will only keep the orchid alive for a while but make it wilt even faster. As an alternative medicine practitioner, surely you don’t need me to teach you something like that, right?”

Lauren: “?”

Her understatement-like way of talking made Lauren angry. She said, “Ms. Smith, I know that you are Justin’s wife. There’s nothing wrong with protecting and defending your mother-in-law, but even so, you can’t just speak so carelessly like that. This ingredient is certainly a little strong, but I’ve already tested it on other orchids before. There won’t be any problems in the future! Facts speak louder than words. I know that you are an alternative medicine practitioner, but alternative medicine requires many years of practice to accumulate experience. From what I see, you don’t give medical consultations very often, so you’re probably not very experienced when it comes to the practical aspect, right? Besides, humans are different from flowers. I have treated a lot of flowers and gone through a lot before I gained experience. What about you?”

When Nora heard this, she said calmly, “Then let’s make a bet.”

“What do you want to bet on?” Lauren asked.

Nora looked at the pot of Ghost Orchids and answered, “That problems will definitely occur with this pot of flowers within an hour.”

Lauren scoffed. “Ms. Smith, stop joking. How can that be? I’ve already cured that pot of flowers! How can anything go wrong with it when it’s so filled with vitality? But since you’ve said so, then okay, I accept the bet, Ms. Smith. If nothing goes wrong with the flowers, then I hope Mr. Hunt can allow Herman and I to return to the Hunt Manor and stay there.”

Nora’s lips curled into a smile. “Okay. If something goes wrong with the flowers, then I want you to apologize for wrecking someone else’s marriage back then!”

Authors Note

hey guys I managed to get service so I'm able to update today for a bit but it was pretty spotty. enjoy the 2 new chapters.