Chapter 6: The Stranger
941 Words
Jennifer wasn't sure what she had done wrong, but like a guilty student, she stood obediently to the side of the room. "Grandma..."
"Shut it. Call me Mrs. Eleanor, just like Nancy does." Eleanor Vanderbilt glanced at her askance.
"Mrs. Eleanor, did I do something wrong? Please, enlighten me." Jennifer thought to herself, "What era are we living in? Still demanding people to kneel down at every turn. It's clear Mrs. Eleanor Tyler's behavior is old-fashioned and traditional."
Eleanor Vanderbilt didn't look at her again, rocking in her chair as she said, "What do you think?"
Straightening her posture, Jennifer replied, "I don't know. Please, Mrs. Eleanor, teach me."
"Your temperament seems stubborn and wild. Are you not willingly here? Why weren't you willing to marry Quentin and were so protective of him at breakfast?" Eleanor's questioning tone wasn't heavy, but it carried a palpable intimidation, the manner of a seasoned parent who had seen it all.
Jennifer answered promptly, "When my parents arranged this marriage, I was extremely unwilling. But when I saw Quentin at the wedding, I found him incredibly handsome, like a celebrity. Maybe because of his good looks, I realized he's a bit simple-minded, but he seems reliable. Since I've married him, I want to make the best of it and live well with him."
Eleanor Vanderbilt stared at her for a few seconds, then softened her tone. "Stand up. Nanny Rose, fetch a chair for the young lady."
Jennifer stood up, her knees already red and sore from last night and this morning with Quentin. She knelt only briefly before the pain became unbearable, and she had to carefully rub them with her hands.
Observing this, Eleanor Vanderbilt couldn't help but smile faintly, thinking she might soon have a great-grandchild. Nanny Rose brought a chair and placed it beside the rocking chair. Jennifer sat down, and Eleanor Vanderbilt took her hand, sliding an emerald bracelet off her own wrist and onto Jennifer's left wrist, saying, "This suits you better. I've aged, and my wrist has thinned. This bracelet doesn't fit me well anymore."
Although Jennifer didn't fully understand the value of such jewelry, she could tell from the vibrant, translucent emerald that it was precious. She wanted to refuse, but Eleanor Vanderbilt held onto her wrist tightly, preventing her from taking it off.
"Mrs. Eleanor, this bracelet is too valuable. I can't accept it..."
"Consider it something I'm entrusting you with," Eleanor interrupted. "I'm choosing to believe what you said earlier about taking care of Quentin. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to help Quentin myself. If you truly see the good in him, then protect him as I would. Otherwise, not only will The Anderson Family lose a major project, but your father, Edward Anderson, will also... Well, never mind. You know what I mean."
Jennifer wasn't sure what Edward Anderson would do. Curiously, she asked, "What about my dad?"
Eleanor Vanderbilt seemed somewhat surprised. Didn't she come here to marry Quentin for The Anderson Family and her father, Edward Anderson? Or did Edward not inform his own family?
"He could face ruin, even imprisonment."
"That serious? What did my dad do?"
Eleanor didn't want to say more, releasing Jennifer's wrist and leaning back in her chair. "That's enough. Just take care of Quentin well. Don't harbor any ill intentions. Otherwise, neither you nor your family will have a good life."
"I understand." Jennifer didn't press for further questions. It seemed Mrs. Eleanor had leverage over Edward Anderson. If she could get her hands on that leverage, she could reclaim her child from them. But now wasn't the time. She needed to establish herself firmly in The Tyler Family and earn Mrs. Eleanor's complete trust.
"You may go now. I want to rest." Eleanor Vanderbilt closed her eyes again, feeling her body deteriorate day by day. She increasingly enjoyed sitting quietly in her rocking chair, reminiscing about the past. But her only concern was Quentin.
Jennifer stood up, knowing Mrs. Eleanor had issued her instructions with both kindness and authority.
She gestured to Nanny Rose, not wanting to disturb Mrs. Eleanor, and quietly left the room.
Alone, she strolled leisurely through the garden, acquainting herself with the surroundings of The Tyler Family estate.
The estate, more akin to a connected villa, resembled an ancient castle composed of three distinct buildings.
The main building, where William Tyler's family lived, was a three-story, deep red house.
To the left rear of the main house was a two-story building where Mrs. Eleanor lived alone. To the right rear was another three-story building, slightly narrower but with a dome on top.
From a distance, the dome-shaped structure appeared to have stained glass, making its architecture particularly unique.
Approaching the building, Jennifer intended to go inside but found the door locked. All the curtains were drawn from the outside, adding to its mysterious allure.
She lingered in front of the house for a while before returning to the main house. The vast Tyler Family estate always seemed eerily quiet, with servants going about their tasks silently. Even in broad daylight, walking through the seemingly empty mansion made her feel uneasy.
She quickened her pace, eager to make a phone call to Edward Anderson while Quentin was away. Hearing Lil Sam's voice would provide some comfort.
Hastening up to the second floor, she lowered her head as she turned at the top of the stairs, only to unexpectedly collide with a solid figure.
"Excuse me, please."
"Are you the wife that i***t Quentin just married?" The stranger not only didn't step aside but also playfully grabbed her shoulder.
- Writer
