56 The Appearance
“Austin, is what Caroline said true?” Old Lady Campbell looked at Austin and Kelly with a serious expression.
Austin glanced at Kelly. Under her pitiful gaze, he was about to admit their relationship when Mrs. Campbell suddenly stood up and said, “Mother, today is Austin’s birthday party. The guests are still waiting to cut the cake.” She tactfully reminded her to wait until the banquet was over.
After knowing that Caroline was no longer of use to her, Mrs. Campbell wanted to climb up the social ladder again. That was why she asked Austin to publicly break off the engagement. Therefore, she was very unwilling to see Austin and Kelly’s affair be exposed. This would not only affect Austin’s reputation, but it would also affect the candidate for his wife.
Old Lady Campbell saw through her intentions, but she did not indulge her. She only looked at Austin and said, “After today, you will be 19 years old. You will be a big man with an indomitable spirit. So, tell me your answer, Austin.”
Austin was not stupid, and he naturally understood the meaning behind Old Lady Campbell’s words. She wanted him to be a responsible man. So, he ignored his mother’s disapproving look and admitted frankly, “Yes, Grandmother. Kelly and I are in love and we promised each other our lives.”
When Kelly heard his words, she was first happy, but then worried. She was happy that Austin had finally acknowledged their relationship in public, but she was worried that she had been slapped in the face by Austin just after strongly denying their relationship. Austin’s acknowledgment was equivalent to confirming her reputation as an ungrateful person who had stolen her sister’s heart.
Clap, clap, clap!
Caroline clapped her hands and cheered. “The two of you are indeed deeply in love. You have just called off the engagement, and you have already announced your relationship. You really can’t wait a moment longer. It would seem that I, your ex-fiancée, am too insensible and have been a hindrance to you.”
Since they had acknowledged their relationship, Austin could no longer tolerate it. He reached out and hugged Kelly. “Caroline, do you know why I chose Kelly and not you?”
He said in a condescending tone, “Because you’re too overbearing and unlikeable. No one will like a girl like you. I suggest that for the sake of the rest of your life, you should cultivate your body and temper.”
“Thank you for your kind reminder, but I quite like my own temperament. Although I’m not gentle and virtuous enough, I live with a clear conscience. I’m better than those who are gentle in front of others but stab you in the back. They even despise your thick skin and that you had to stab too hard. Or perhaps I’m better than those who shirk responsibility when they clearly do something against their own morals.”
“Hmph, what a glib tongue.” Of course, Austin knew that she was criticizing him and Kelly, but how could such a proud person like Austin admit his mistake? “All you’re left with now is a tough mouth. You’ve lost the dignity of the Lambert family, and you’re nothing now.”
“I earn my dignity by myself, not by others.” Caroline only felt that it was very difficult to talk to them. She had achieved her goal today, so she was too lazy to deal with these people. She turned around and wanted to leave.
At this moment, a girl standing at the side suddenly extended her leg and blocked Caroline’s path. She tried to trip Caroline.
Unfortunately, how could such a small trick affect a battle-hardened general like Caroline? She did not even look at the restless foot and stepped on it with her high heels.
The banquet hall was filled with shrieks like pigs being slaughtered. The girl sat on the ground, holding her leg. “Caroline, you b*tch. You did it on purpose, didn’t you?!”
Caroline recognized that this person was Sarah, who always followed behind Elina and Kelly. Was she trying to stand up for her two good friends? However, as one of the main characters, Kelly was currently snuggling in Austin’s arms and did not have any intention of standing up for her. It was obvious that her sincerity had been fed to the dogs.
However, Sarah did not notice this problem at all. She only glared at Caroline and said, “You’re just a b*tch who was chased out of her house and broke off from her engagement. No one wants you. How dare you do this to me!”
“Why wouldn’t anyone want her?” A clear voice suddenly came from the door.
The crowd looked up and saw a handsome young master pushing open the banquet hall’s door and walking in.