Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

“Oh… nothing.” Purple Summers chuckled and said, “You guys are only what, seventeen or eighteen? Already thinking about maintaining your youth? Talk to me in ten years!”

Jane McCain teased her, “Hey, listen to how high and mighty you talk, aren’t you the same age as us?”

While speaking, she started to tickle Purple, “…making you pay for trying to act mature, making you pay!”

Zara Jameson laughed on the side, “Jane, tickle her, tickle her, I can’t stand to see her putting on this act of being so old and serious.”

“That’s just my natural demeanor, a true expression of my feelings!” Purple Summers defended herself with a laugh as she dodged.

The three girls laughed and messed around, becoming a jolly mess.

Soon it was noon, and the feast began.

The servants lined up the exquisite dishes one by one on the table, far surpassing the self-serve dessert and fruit plates from before. Now, the spread was a truly luxurious banquet with lobsters, abalones, foie gras, steaks, presenting both exceptional flavor and appearance.

After their fun, they were all famished and ready to sit down to eat, but Purple Summers pulled them back.

“What’s up?” Jane McCain looked back at her, puzzled.

Zara Jameson was also curious and stood looking at the two of them.

“Jane, will Max bark when he sees strangers?” Purple Summers suddenly asked.

“Of course.” Jane McCain immediately responded, “Max’s mother even earned military honors. He’s of noble breed and very sharp. He isn’t reacting now because I’m here, and he knows you’re my friends.”

After answering, she asked curiously, “Purple, why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Purple Summers grinned mysteriously, motioning with her hand for the two girls to come closer and whispered, “Follow me…”

The luncheon had begun, and the guests were all taking their seats, but the three girls stood out as they headed towards the main entrance.

Not too far away, Yolanda Summers saw them and scoffed coldly, “No manners.”

As she took her seat, Yolanda Summers noticed Jade Carlson, recalling how Jade had now become a favorite of Mrs. Farrell’s. Wanting to get on her good side, Yolanda greeted her with a smile, “Aunt Jade.”

Jade Carlson, seeing her, also smiled broadly, “Why haven’t I seen Laura today?”

“Oh, she’s getting treatment out of town. My dad didn’t want to delay her treatment, so we didn’t bring her back for the holiday.” Mentioning Laura Summers made Yolanda Summers somewhat uncomfortable.

Jade Carlson asked with concern, “What kind of illness? Do you need me to introduce a doctor?”

Jade Carlson always presented herself as very caring and well-connected, which made her more popular with the Summers sisters than the overly principled Suzanne Saunders.

Yolanda Summers vaguely replied, “It’s nothing much, just too much pressure from studying, couldn’t eat or sleep. She’s been getting better recently.”

The implication was that Jade Carlson’s help was not needed.

Mentions of mental illness always carried some stigma, with people wondering whether it was hereditary. If the sister had it, could the other get it? What about future children?

If Laura Summers’ mental breakdown became public knowledge, Yolanda Summers’ prospects for marriage would be difficult!

Not wanting to talk about Laura Summers any further, Yolanda pretended to be affectionate and took Jade Carlson’s arm, “Aunt Jade, why haven’t you come to see my uncle lately…”

She moved a bit too enthusiastically and bumped into Jade Carlson’s small purse, causing its contents to be exposed—

“What are you doing?!” Jade Carlson suddenly snapped.

Yolanda Summers was startled by her intense reaction, and the nearby guests turned to look as well.

Jade Carlson quickly forced a smile, snapped her purse shut, and explained, “Sorry, Yolanda, I overreacted… Everything in this bag belongs to Mrs. Farrell, so I’m quite nervous about it.”

“It’s okay, it was my fault…” Yolanda Summers mumbled, feeling embarrassed.

Jade Carlson smiled briefly, then hurried off to find Mrs. Farrell.

Yolanda Summers stood there, feeling somewhat perplexed.