Chapter 12 Smoking Mom

• On the way back, Eleanor's mind was consumed by thoughts about work.
• Whenever she was deep in thought, she would have a habit of smoking.
• That was a bad habit she picked up after the night she spent with Emmanuel.
• She had been trying to get rid of it, but whenever the sun disappeared into the horizon and she sat on the balcony, she would light a cigarette and smoke it.
• Eventually, it became a habit.
• Many scolded her, calling her a bad woman for smoking and drinking.
• However, she didn't care because the only thing she focused on was Evangeline.
• As long as her daughter was living a good life, she didn't mind what other people called her.
• As a matter of fact, she had become a woman who lived solely for the sake of her daughter.
• When passing by Sunshine Elementary School, she saw Evangeline's class teacher leading a few students and their parents out of school.
• “Hello, Eva's mother.” greeted the teacher, whose name was Ramona Morrison.
• She was a young, beautiful lady.
• Her educational background was exceptionally distinguished. Rumor had it that she graduated from a famous university, but she wanted to stay in her hometown, so she taught second grade at Sunshine Elementary School and was considered a good teacher by many.
• When Eleanor saw the teacher and parents approaching her, she immediately put out the cigarette and threw it into the trashcan.
• “Eva was picked up by your mother earlier. I was going to call you later to ask you something. Do you have time tomorrow to attend a parent-teacher conference?” Ramona asked.
• “Yes, I'll be there.” Eleanor smiled. “By the way, how are Eva's grades been doing recently, Ms. Morrison?”
• With a sigh, Ramona shook her head slightly. “I don't know what's been going on, but her grades have become really awful recently. I've talked to her about it, but nothing substantial changed. However, she's very smart. She just needs to do a little catching up before her grades will be back to how it once was.”
• “Mhm, okay.” Eleanor nodded disappointedly, but she didn't blame Evangeline for that.
• After all, she had been extremely busy lately, so she didn't have time to tutor her daughter.
• Furthermore, children from other families were all attending tuition classes while she couldn't even afford to send her daughter to one.
• “Once I go back home, I'll make sure she gets the tuition she needs. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back now,” Eleanor said.
• “Okay. Please don't forget to attend the parent-teacher conference. Not only will the principal be delivering a speech, but a prominent figure will also be doing it too. He has donated ten million to the school to build a new library and field. You must attend for your daughter's sake,” Ramona reminded.
• “No problem. I'll be there.”
• After Eleanor left, a group of children began talking about her.
• “Eva's mom actually smokes!”
• “Wow, I didn't know Eva's mom smokes.”
• “I'm not going to play with that crybaby anymore. Her mom must be a bad person if she smokes.”
• A mother, who was dressed flamboyantly, lectured the children by saying, “In the future, you all mustn't play with Eva, okay? It's only natural that her grades are terrible if she has a mom like that. Her mom looks like a vixen. I bet she works in a nightclub. If I see any of you play with Eva, I won't forgive you!”
• “That's right! I heard that woman used to be the daughter of the Cabot family in our city. However, she got kicked out of the family after she gave birth to an illegitimate child with a random man. Then she became extremely promiscuous and started drinking as well as smoking. She's a crazy woman through and through.”
• “We don't play with that crybaby!” declared an arrogant chubby child, putting his hands on his waist.
• “Even though Eva's grades have worsened recently, she's a very obedient child. In the past, she was an excellent student!” Ramona promptly rushed to Evangeline and Eleanor's defense when she saw how that group of parents was badmouthing the two.
• However, that only caused a look of disdain and disgust to surface in the parents' eyes.
• After Emmanuel went off work, he returned to the Kirsch family clinic. It was then he realized his tenant, Juliet, was chatting with Freddie in the building.
• “You're back, Mr. Kirsch.” Juliet smiled.
• Emmanuel was quite fond of Juliet, who smiled often. With a grin, he asked, “What do you think, Ms. Bourn? Is the place comfortable?”
• “Yes, it is. I came here to invite you to a meal today because I want to thank you for renting such an excellent mansion to me.” When she mentioned her motive, her face blushed a little.
• She was usually pretty confident in herself, but when she had to face Emmanuel, all her bravery would poof into nothingness, and she would become extremely unconfident.
• Perhaps it was because she had truly fallen hard for Emmanuel.
• Upon glancing at the clock on the wall, Emmanuel realized it was getting late, so he declined the invitation. “I'm sorry, but I don't have the time to go out right now. Maybe we can have a meal here together?”
• “Sure. I'll go out and buy our meals then,” Juliet uttered before slipping away.
• Half an hour later, she returned with a bag of deli food. Then she rushed into the backyard and placed all the dishes on the stone table.
• Then, she cleaned the bowls and swept the floor, presenting herself as a capable housewife.
• Emmanuel and Freddie couldn't help but nod in approval. This woman is very capable!
• Usually, Juliet was pretty lazy at home.
• However, when she was in front of Emmanuel, she wanted to show off her best self to him.
• “Cheers.” She lifted the beer in her hand, toasting the two men.
• “Cheers!” the two men replied in unison.
• All three of them enjoyed the beer.
• After drinking some alcohol, Freddie suddenly recalled Rowan Quinn's call and informed, “Boss, Mr. Quinn just called me earlier. Sunshine Elementary School is having its parent-teacher conference tomorrow. Because of your donation to the school, the principal wants to invite you to the conference to deliver a speech. Do you have time for that?”
• Eva's school is having a parent-teacher conference! In the past, Emmanuel had wanted to attend it but didn't have a chance to.
• That was why he was definitely not going to give up the chance. I'm going to attend the meeting as her father! With a nod, he answered, “I have time for it. Make the arrangements for me.”
• “Wow! You donated ten million to Sunshine Elementary School?” Juliet's eyes sparkled.
• “That's right.” He nodded.
• “Then can I accompany you to this parent-teacher conference? I want to see you giving a speech on the stage.” She placed both her hands under her chin as an enamored expression formed on her face. “I bet you look super cool when you donated ten million to them. Just thinking about it makes you seem so awesome in my mind.”
• The two men exchanged a look before laughing loudly.
• “If you want to come along, sure.” Emmanuel agreed with a nod.