Chapter 14 A Disgrace

• The Fosters' matriarch, June Hopkins, held a grand birthday banquet, and naturally, it was bustling with guests.
• Natalie had no real affection for the Fosters and had no desire to mingle with these so-called aristocrats. She just wanted to wish her nominal grandmother well and then find a quiet place to hide.
• As she reached the second floor, a three or four-year-old boy came stumbling out and clung to her leg.
• "Mommy! Mommy!" he called out in a babyish voice.
• "Well, little guy! You can't just call anyone Mommy."
• "Mommy!"
• The boy's big, watery eyes and adorable voice nearly melted Natalie's heart, but she was quite sure she didn't have a child this age …
• "Yael, this is Aunt Natalie," said Scarlett Howard, the wife of the eldest son of the Fosters, coming from the other end of the hallway. "Sorry, Natalie, my son is a bit mischievous. He loves pretty young ladies and goes around calling them Mommy."
• "It's no problem. I really like him too," Natalie said, patting Yael's head.
• Since they seemed to have hit it off, Natalie naturally took over the task of watching Scarlett's son.
• Only today did Natalie realise how exhausting it was to look after a child.
• Yael ran to the rooftop, then to the backyard, and then to another building, leaving her completely drained.
• After more than two hours of playing, Yael finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
• Hearing the guests starting to leave the front yard, Natalie returned the child to Scarlett and planned to say her goodbyes to the Fosters.
• As soon as she entered the main hall, June looked at her with a stern expression.
• "I thought the daughter of the Shepherds would be a well-mannered lady from a scholarly family, but it seems her upbringing is quite lacking."
• The disappointment from an elder's authority hurt Natalie far more than sharp insults. Her face turned red as she asked, "Grandma, what did I do wrong?"
• "You still have the nerve to ask!" Regina fumed, her anger apparent. "My son came all the way back, expecting to celebrate Grandma's birthday with you, but where were you? We had people searching everywhere for you! You've made a disgrace of yourself!"
• The heir of the Fosters didn't accept the arranged marriage, so his wife had never returned to meet the family.
• Regina had arranged several opportunities for her son and Natalie to meet, but each time, it was missed due to Natalie's negligence. How could she not be angry?
• The Fosters were waiting for them to continue the family line—how much longer could this be delayed?
• However, Natalie felt a bit of secret joy. So that was it. Not meeting him was better anyway, sparing her the awkwardness.
• "I'm really sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't know he was coming at this time."
• Regina exhaled heavily. "In any case, you must meet him today! Find a way!"
• But how was Natalie supposed to find him? They had never met, and she didn't even know his name. Where would she even start looking?
• Facing the Fosters' accusations, she suddenly became the target of everyone's blame.
• At that moment, Scarlett, who had heard the commotion from upstairs, came down with Yael.
• "Aunt Regina, don't be angry. This isn't Natalie’s fault," Scarlett said, turning to June. "Grandma, I asked Natalie to help me look after Yael. He likes her and insisted on playing with her. Yael, tell Great-Grandma if you had fun with Aunt Natalie."
• Yael toddled over to June. "Fun! So much fun!"
• In front of her beloved great-grandson, June's heart melted instantly, and whatever anger she had disappeared.
• With Scarlett stepping in, June's anger dissipated, and Regina couldn't pursue the matter further.
• Natalie cast a grateful look at her nominal sister-in-law.
• As the Fosters busied themselves with wrapping up the event, Natalie quietly took her leave.