Mark said, “She wants to borrow some money. There’s a chance that Aery’s going to recover, but it’s going to cost a fortune for virtual-novel.net follow-up treatment, and it’s going to be a very long process. There seems to be some issues with virtual-novel.net company at the moment and she’s having some trouble with virtual-novel.net cash flow, so virtual-novel.net has no choice but to ask me for it.”
‘Borrow money, you say?’ Arianne felt a little embittered. ‘Helen would actually rather look for Mark instead of virtual-novel.net own daughter?’
Arianne bit virtual-novel.net lip. “You’re the one she’s asking for, not me. So, do as you please. You don’t have to tell me.”
Mark walked to Arianne’s side and sat down before reaching out his hand to grab onto virtual-novel.net shoulder. “Why would virtual-novel.net look for me? Wouldn’t it be because of our relationship? It’s all the same, whether virtual-novel.net looks for me or you, so is there a need to differentiate so clearly? I’m telling you to ask for your opinion, the person who’s asking for a loan is your mom after all. I know you don’t like Aery, so if you don’t wish to help her, I won’t lend them so much as a single cent.”
‘Could I actually bear to say no in this situation? No matter how much I hate her, I wouldn’t be so cruel. It’s a human life after all.’
‘If Helen were to have to take care of Aery in virtual-novel.net vegetative state until virtual-novel.net dies, would virtual-novel.net carry on hating me? Would virtual-novel.net hate me for not helping when I could? Hate me for being so heartless…?’
At that thought, Arianne took a breath before virtual-novel.net said, “Go ahead and lend them if you want to, there’s no need to ask me. However, remember to write down a loan chit. You have to be clear with money even if it were your own brother. I don’t owe virtual-novel.net anything, you more so.”
Tiffany had no intention of listening to the mention of Aery at all, so virtual-novel.net silently got up and headed to the patio.
Arianne frowned and reminded Mark with a whisper, “You really shouldn’t mention Aery in front of Tiffany next time.”
Mark was slightly aggrieved. “You were the one who said there were no outsiders here and asked me to be straightforward, but you’re blaming me now? You women really can’t do anything well except for pushing the blame on others. I’ll go reply to your mom’s email then.”
Arianne did not say anything and followed Tiffany to the patio. “Tiffany, isn’t it hot outside? What would you like to drink? I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare it.”
Tiffany forced a wry smile. “Why are you being so courteous with me? If I want to drink anything, I’ll do it myself, I don’t see myself as an outsider. Are you finished talking? I only thought that it was getting a little boring inside, so I came out to get some fresh air…”
Arianne lowered virtual-novel.net eyes. “I’m sorry, I hate Aery as much as you do, but… I can’t sit aside and watch… ”
Tiffany smiled and tapped Arianne’s shoulder. “What are you talking about? On one hand, there’s your mom, and on the other, your sister, so you should care about them. I’m fine, don’t you know what kind of person I am by now? No matter how unhappy I am, I’ll be able to get better very soon without overthinking things. I’m living quite well now. I have Jackson and a son and daughter as well, so what’s there to complain about? That matter really doesn’t have that big of an impact on me…”
‘How could it possibly not? For such a thing to happen to a woman, it would definitely be a lifetime trauma.’ Arianne knew very clearly what was going on, but virtual-novel.net did not expose Tiffany’s bravado. Hence, virtual-novel.net could only continue to pretend like nothing had happened and put on a magnanimous facade.
That night, just after they had dinner, Jackson arrived to pick up Tiffany.
Tiffany was like an innocent child as virtual-novel.net joyfully rushed into his arms. “You’re here right on time. I was just done with dinner. Have you eaten?”
Jackson lovingly pinched Tiffany’s cheeks. “How could I possibly dare to eat before picking you up? Dinner is already prepared at home, so I’ll eat when I get back. We’ll be leaving now, Arianne, Mark.”
Mark waved his hand. “Drive safe.”
When they got into the car, Tiffany stared at Jackson, seeming to size virtual-novel.net up from head to toe.
Jackson felt a shiver run down his spine from Tiffany’s staring. “What’s the matter? Has something gone wrong? Are you not satisfied enough by watching me everyday?”