Indescribable Disgust

Alexander Hayes glanced at the plates of pastries and said calmly, "Thank you, Mother."

Madam Lou swallowed nervously, looking at the ever-cold couple, and rubbed her hands. "Tian'er, Lily, look, the New Year is coming. It's a time for family to come together, so I wanted to ask what you two would like to eat for the New Year's Eve dinner at the Marquis Valor Estate. I want to prepare ahead of time."

Lily Evans glanced at Alexander Hayes, but he maintained his posture and said nothing.

So Lily didn't answer either.

Seeing that the young couple didn't respond, Madam Lou looked a bit awkward, but she didn't give up. She continued, "Tian'er, Lily, we're all family. Whatever unhappiness there was in the past, it's behind us. The Marquis and I have been reflecting these days, and we know we were wrong. We owe Lily and her mother an apology. We did foolish things before, but that's all in the past. Now we've resolved to change. Lily, could you give us another chance?"

As Madam Lou spoke, she looked pitifully at Lily.

Lily looked at Madam Lou, feeling an indescribable disgust.

Did they really think a few soft words could win her over? She wasn't that easily swayed.

How could she ever forgive an attempted murder of her mother so easily?

Lily would never trust Madam Lou or the Marquis again. Neither of them ever spoke a word of truth, especially Madam Lou, who was a master of acting. Back then, she played the role of a reasonable, loving mother-in-law so well that Lily was completely fooled and treated her like her own mother.

But behind the scenes?

Wasn’t it all just a façade? Pretending to be friendly on the surface, while secretly plotting to kill Margaret Evans. Luckily, Margaret was fortunate enough to escape, or else who knows how much worse Madam Lou could have harmed her!

Lily Evans didn’t believe for a second that Madam Lou would ever truly repent. She replied coolly, "Marchioness Valor, you flatter me. How could I dare accept such kindness?"

Tears welled up in Madam Lou’s eyes as she wiped the corners, saying, "Lily, if you can’t forgive me, I understand. I don’t blame you, nor will I force you. You don’t believe my sincerity now, but as time goes on, I’ll show you with my actions."

After speaking, Madam Lou turned to Alexander Hayes, her face full of maternal love and helplessness. "Tian’er is still my son, my own flesh and blood. How could I bear to see him caught between his parents and his wife? Tian’er, for your sake, your father and I will accept Lily. You must trust us."

Alexander Hayes’s lips twitched ever so slightly. Madam Lou stared at his lips, her heart pounding.

After a long while, Alexander finally spoke, his voice faint and weary: "Mother, you’ve worked hard today. You must be tired. Please return to the Marquis Valor Estate and rest. Someone, escort Marchioness Valor out."

Alexander had issued a gentle order for her to leave, but Madam Lou was not offended. She knew this rift couldn’t be mended overnight. She was patient; she had plenty of time and tricks up her sleeve.

So Madam Lou obediently stood up, tidied her hair, and gave a bittersweet smile. "Alright, Tian’er, I’ll go now. And these pastries...?"

Madam Lou pointed to the pastries, watching Alexander Hayes’s face closely, trying to catch every flicker of emotion.

Alexander’s gaze fell on the pastries. He recognized all of them as his favorites—he’d mentioned them before. His heart trembled. So, despite her coldness, his mother had always paid attention to him, knowing exactly what he liked to eat.

Alexander Hayes sighed. "Leave the pastries here."

Hearing this, a calculating gleam flashed in Madam Lou’s eyes. She quickly said, "Alright, Tian’er, Lily, I’ll leave now and won’t disturb you. If you decide on a date to come home for New Year’s, just send word so I can prepare Alexander’s favorite dishes."