"Mm." Koa Jackson replied indifferently.
"Koa’s back." Lydia Williams greeted with a smile, glancing awkwardly at Marianne Jackson, and explained, "Marianne, this girl, talks without thinking. Don’t take it to heart."
"But she really did buy two," Marianne Jackson said, dissatisfied, with her eyes wide open, "Brother Koa, I wasn’t lying. Mia Ginger bought two hats, one for men and one for women."
"You silly girl," Lydia Williams tugged at her, giving her a look, "Maybe they’re for your brother."
"But Sister Lilian said she has a boyfriend who loves wearing hats." Marianne retorted seriously.
"I never said boyfriend," Lilian Jackson shot her a chiding look, "I just happened to see them catching a cab at the hospital entrance; they might just be classmates."
"What would classmates be doing at the hospital together?!" Marianne frowned tightly, thought for a moment, and suddenly realized, "Could it be an accidental pregnancy, with the boyfriend accompanying her for an abortion?!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Lydia Williams slapped her gently, "You child are getting more and more reckless. She has a marriage contract with your brother, how could she do such a thing?!"
"Why not?" Marianne remained nonchalant, "I heard she grew up in the inner city village, where all kinds of people live. Isn’t she quite pretty, already twenty, how could she not have a boyfriend! Sister Lilian, don’t you agree?"
Lilian Jackson let out a dry laugh but didn’t speak.
When she first entered, Marianne already started badmouthing Mia Ginger, but she noticed Koa had entered the living room, so she casually added a line.
It was naturally meant for Koa to hear.
But Marianne’s baseless claims were something she absolutely couldn’t agree with.
"Mom," Koa looked at Lydia Williams coldly, "There’s another month until school starts, you should sign Marianne up for a couple of interest classes to pass the time."
"..." Lydia was momentarily stunned but managed a smile, "You’re right, this girl is too idle at home."
"Mm." Koa nodded and walked away.
Lydia Williams gave Marianne a heavy tap on the head, "You’re so oblivious."
"That’s something you just say?!" Lydia glared at her disappointedly, "Where does that leave Koa?!"
"He’s not really going to live with that poor girl, is he?" Marianne exaggerated her eye roll, "How does Mia Ginger match up, Grandpa must be out of his mind. Not to mention anyone else, even Zuri Ginger is miles ahead of her."
"Shut up!" Lydia was now furious, "How dare you speak ill of the old Master?!"
"I..." Marianne realized her slip and glanced around nervously, feeling wronged, "Sister Lilian, don’t you agree? Mia Ginger just doesn’t match up."
"I’m going to wash my hands." Lilian didn’t respond, forced a smile, and got up to leave.
Not just Mia Ginger, even Zuri Ginger, how could they match up?
She’s two years younger than Koa, having grown up in the Jackson Family, deeply remembering him since she was able to.
Koa’s mother Ayla Ward was the youngest princess of the Ward Family, well-educated and beautiful, a true noble lady.
At the same time, the old Master Jackson’s most favored daughter-in-law.
Although Zane was the old Master’s youngest son, born in his middle age, and already favored by him.
He still couldn’t compare to his wife.
Ayla’s grandfather was a renowned scholar, and she was educated by his side from a young age, skilled in writing and painting, versed in medicine, tea ceremony, and chess, with overseas study experiences before marriage, and accomplished in Western art, dance, and even drama and sculpture.
Before marrying Zane, she was a socialite that was hard to match.
To marry a Ward girl was ideal.
Back then, countless young gentlemen fancied Ayla, Zane included, and Lilian heard about these stories from a young age.
Even now, she remembers Ayla’s every aspect.
Her every frown and smile was extraordinary, a beauty and elegance accentuated by time, akin to a timeless piece of art, captivating at the mere thought.
It’s imaginable the kind of love Koa received growing up.
With a grandfather of high power and status, a young and talented father, and a beautiful, outstanding mother with an illustrious family background.
Everything he has is the finest in the world.
He’s the most cherished child of the Jackson Family, inheriting the best features from his parents and ancestors, with delicate features, intelligence, pride, and beauty beyond reach.
Who could possibly be worthy?
Even though Ayla later passed away in a car accident, Koa survived witnessing the entire event, changing drastically and becoming reclusive for years, so what?
The cold and aloof him now is even more irresistible to young girls.
Yet, no one understands him.
Since childhood, she’s admired him, yearned for him, understood him; she remembers his mother and his happiest, most proud moments as a child, as well as his later pain and loneliness.
She knows all his preferences.
Even his emotions, she empathizes with them all.
Lilian quickly caught up with Koa.
"Don’t take what Marianne said to heart." She feigned concern with a smile, "But after all, Mia Ginger grew up in that environment, do you really intend to follow Grandpa’s words and live with her to cultivate feelings?"
Koa looked at her with lowered eyes, "Didn’t you wash your hands?"
"Just now, in the living room," Koa paused, "Did you wash your hands afterward?"
Lilian remembered touching Marianne’s foot, then making an excuse to leave after speaking, following his direction, forgetting.
Koa had a significant obsession with cleanliness.
Lilian’s face flushed, and she quickly said, "I forgot, I’ll go now."
"Hmm." Koa glanced at her and didn’t wait.
He lifted his feet and returned to his room.