She furrowed her brows and her severe tone startled the two people on the sofa.
Zuri Ginger pressed her lips together, glanced at Mia Ginger's straight back, and said softly to Charlotte Chester, "Mom, why are you so angry? It's not good for your health."
Bob Ginger snorted coldly through his nose, gloating.
Mia Ginger tightened her grip on the shoe box, slowly turned around to face Charlotte Chester, and asked, "Is there anything else, Mom?"
"You!" Charlotte Chester found Mia's faint smile particularly jarring, felt her chest tighten, and pointed to the sofa, "Sit down. I have something to discuss with you."
Mia Ginger sat down as instructed.
Charlotte Chester looked at her and took the glass of water handed over by a servant.
The living room was extremely quiet, suffocatingly so.
Only then was Charlotte Chester somewhat satisfied. After a moment, she placed the teacup heavily on the coaster, looking at Mia Ginger, and said sternly, "Let's put aside today's matter for now. But now that you're back home, as a young lady, your every word and action represents the Ginger Family. You must get rid of those bad habits from before, especially lying casually. A lie requires countless others to cover it up. Do you understand?"
Mia Ginger's expression was momentarily stunned, "What do you mean by this?"
"Cloud Capital University isn't an ordinary school, but there's always room for art students. I'll discuss this with your dad another day," Charlotte Chester frowned at her and said, "If it doesn't work out, we'll just say we didn't agree to your major in the arts and have you re-study for a year."
At this point, what else was there for Mia Ginger to misunderstand?
Her mother thought she lied about getting into university just to compete with Marianne Jackson.
Without a single inquiry, she was already condemned.
Even knowing her prejudice against her sudden return, Mia Ginger never imagined her bias was so deep-rooted.
She actually felt hurt because of it.
A burning pain in her chest, her eyes dry and itchy, Mia Ginger lowered her head, one hand on her lap subconsciously clutching her skirt, biting her lips silently.
Since she didn't speak, Charlotte Chester assumed she was ashamed and embarrassed, and sipped from her water again.
When she married Aiden Jiang, it was only because Aiden had the Jackson Family's backing that he barely squeezed into high society.
Her own family background was ordinary, and she often felt pressured when talking to those upper-crust ladies.
Later, after having a daughter, Aiden and Old Master Jackson, along with Young Master Jackson's deceased mother, were extremely fond of her, giving her confidence.
But she lost her daughter, all because of her carelessness while happily shopping.
During that time, she felt like she was in hell, suffocating under the scrutiny of Aiden and the Jacksons, almost losing her mind.
Then came Zuri Ginger.
Due to her severe depression, Aiden Jiang adopted Zuri Ginger from an orphanage.
This child was very well-behaved and sensible. At their first meeting, she sweetly called her "Mom." From then on, Aiden Jiang's career flourished.
Zuri Ginger was exceptional, excelling academically since elementary school, mastering piano and dance.
Three years ago, she began writing online and had already published two books before her knowledge. By now, she was a hugely popular new-generation author in the country.
With an annual income in the millions, she remained humble and spent a large portion of her royalties buying designer jewelry to honor her.
Such a daughter was certainly her pride.
She hoped wholeheartedly that she would marry into the Jackson Family.
But who knew that just as Lydia Williams and Zane Jackson had given their approval, Mia Ginger would suddenly return.