Chapter 611: Chapter 611 Rehearsal_1
Lost in thought, Riley Montgomery had already pushed the baby carriage up close.
“Ms. Summers,” Riley Montgomery said with a smile as she looked at Purple Summers, “Mr. Jefferson has already told me over the phone, and I will definitely cooperate with you fully.”
Purple Summers smiled and asked her, “Are you getting used to living here?”
“I’m used to it. Everyone has been very kind. In the first few days, there were many things I didn’t know, and I really relied on the help of the neighbors,” Riley Montgomery said with a smile, her expression warm and seemingly doing quite well.
Purple Summers felt somewhat relieved.
After all, this place was designated as relief housing, and the conditions certainly couldn’t compare to the well-furnished apartments in the city, let alone the Douglas Family’s garden villa.
They say it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to revert to frugality from luxury. At first, Purple Summers was a bit worried that Riley Montgomery wouldn’t be able to adjust.
“This place is already really good,” Riley Montgomery said as she took them to her home, “A few years ago, I even lived in a partitioned room in a basement. To be able to live in a house is something I couldn’t have imagined before.”
Riley Montgomery’s current residence was a one-bedroom apartment with an open-plan kitchen and bathroom, and good natural light. Although it was on the ground floor, the place felt bright and airy as they entered.
A curtain hung in the room, dividing the one-bedroom into a bedroom and a living room, with the baby crib right next to her bed, and some infant items that Camilla Farrell had given her placed nearby. The entire environment looked quite warm and cozy.
Purple Summers thought it was quite nice—a small but complete setup.
She and Marcel Jefferson sat down on the sofa.
Riley Montgomery put the child in the baby crib, then turned around to pour tea for the guests.
Because the room was small, the sofa was not large either, just big enough for two people to sit. When Riley Montgomery came back with the tea, she brought over a chair to sit opposite them, serious and attentive like a student eager to learn.
“Don’t be nervous,” Marcel Jefferson said, “We came today mainly to rehearse with you, to prevent you from being caught off guard when you meet with the opposing lawyer and to avoid unnecessary stress.”
His words made Riley Montgomery even more nervous, as if this mediation was not a mediation, but a battle.
Furrowing her brows, Riley Montgomery asked, “Are they still not agreeing? I just want my child back, even if I don’t receive a penny, it’s okay.”
The naive Riley Montgomery thought that by backing down, she could gain compromise from the other side.
“The reason it’s called mediation is because both sides have disagreements, and what we need to do now is to eliminate those disagreements, to reach a consensus,” Purple Summers said softly, soothingly to Riley Montgomery, “You must claim your child, and you must claim the money. Without money, how will you support the child? Besides, as the child’s father, Norman has the obligation to pay child support.”
Hearing this, Riley Montgomery nodded and said, “Ms. Summers, Mr. Jefferson, I’ll listen to you.”
Marcel Jefferson took out some questions he had prepared in advance, briefly looked them over, and said to Riley Montgomery, “Considering that the other party might ask you some tricky questions and psychologically press you, I will simulate the situation and ask you some questions. Just relax, and if you don’t answer correctly, we will teach you.”
Riley Montgomery took a deep breath and then nodded, indicating she was ready.
Marcel Jefferson asked, “Ms. Montgomery, after marrying Mr. Douglas, you became a full-time housewife, disconnected from society for six years, with no job and no particular skills. After leaving Mr. Douglas, how do you plan to raise your child?”
“I…,” Riley Montgomery began, nervous and stumbling over her words.
Encouraging her, Marcel Jefferson said, “Relax, it doesn’t matter if you don’t answer well, we’ll take it slowly.”
Riley Montgomery pursed her lips and attempted to reply, “I have a nursing qualification certificate… I plan to go back to work when the child starts kindergarten, and before that… I also have some savings, which should be enough to cover our living expenses…”
Purple Summers shook her head, her gaze suddenly sharp and stern, as she said coldly, “Ms. Montgomery, such an answer will not help you keep your daughter.”