Chapter 4 Blatantly Going Back On His Word

• An image of the man smiling suavely and flirtatiously inexplicably popped into Stephanie's mind. Her long and curled eyelashes fluttered slightly. Then, her fair and slender finger tapped on the agree button.
• In the next second, a message came in. It read: Kiddo, be careful on your way home. Once you arrive home, let me know.
• Who's a kiddo?
• Stephanie didn't respond to it, putting her phone back into her pocket expressionlessly.
• In the car, Walter looked at the read yet unreplied message.
• His thin lips curved up, and he chuckled softly, his demeanor languid yet captivating.
• She's really quite aloof.
• Through the rearview mirror, Cody witnessed all of it, surprised inwardly because he had finally figured things out.
• Ah, the reason he played along with that young lady just now was to capitalize on the opportunity to get her contact information! Tsk-tsk, what a sly old fox, tricking an innocent young girl! But then, I'd never seen him take such an interest in anyone previously. Could it be that he took a liking to that young lady earlier?
• The more he thought about it, the more he felt his suspicion was spot on.
• Oh, but the young lady just now seemed to be only about eighteen years old. Before this, he even said he wouldn't be a monster! Tsk-tsk, he's blatantly going back on his word now!
• The following morning, Stephanie heard a coy female voice from downstairs as soon as she stepped out of the bedroom.
• “Uncle William, Aunt Luna, it's already quite late. Is Stephanie not up yet? She sure sleeps deeply. I was worried that she wouldn't be able to sleep well due to the sudden change in environment. Unexpectedly, she adapted so well!”
• The b*tchiness in those words was so rich that it practically overflowed. Stephanie's ruby lips turned up in a smirk, and she headed downstairs on her long and slender legs.
• “I specifically asked everyone not to disturb Stephy. She only returned yesterday, so there's no harm in her resting more!” Luna said gently.
• When she saw Stephanie descending the stairs, her slightly pale face instantly lit up with a radiant smile.
• “Stephy, you're awake! Come over here to my side. I wasn't sure what you like to eat, so I asked the kitchen to prepare a serving for every flavor. Try them out, Stephy, and see which one you prefer!”
• William also immediately greeted her, saying tenderly, “Yes, exactly. Stephy, come here and sit down for breakfast!”
• Their attention was entirely focused on Stephanie, and they completely forgot about Juliet Yarbrough right next to them.
• As Juliet watched Luna and William dote on Stephanie to the extreme, a flash of jealousy flashed across her eyes.
• Although she was from the second branch of the family, she was raised by the couple after her parents passed away. They indulged her as they would their own daughter, and her five brothers at home also pandered to her every whim. Everyone's love was hers.
• However, Stephanie had returned. Upon her return, she immediately drew Luna and William's affection away from me! Later, she'll also vie for my cousin-brothers' love. Henceforth, I'll no longer be the only pampered princess at home!
• With resentment in her eyes, Juliet bit her lip. Why hadn't she died out there? Why was she found and brought back to steal what's mine?
• Forcefully suppressing the jealousy within her, she interjected gently, “Stephanie, welcome home. You must have had a tough time out there all these years.”
• Upon hearing that, William and Luna were reminded of her presence and quickly introduced her to Stephanie.
• “Stephy, this is Juliet, your cousin.”
• At the sight of Stephanie's fair and exquisite face, the jealousy in Juliet's eyes intensified. Nonetheless, she maintained her innocent and harmless facade.
• “Stephanie, I initially planned to accompany Raymond to pick you up yesterday, but Grandpa wasn't feeling too well, so I went back to Yarbrough Manor to take care of him. I hope you're not mad at me that I couldn't go and pick you up!”
• In truth, Owen Yarbrough was in good health, and she merely made an excuse to avoid going to the countryside to pick the country bumpkin up.
• “Don't worry, Juliet. Stephy would never be mad at you!”
• “That puts my mind at ease!” Juliet broke into a pretentious smile. She extended a hand to Stephanie. “Stephanie, I hope we can get along well in the future, to be as close as sisters!”
• Stephanie looked at her indifferently, merely grunting nonchalantly in response.
• Juliet's expression stiffened slightly. She withdrew her hand in embarrassment, her gaze hardening all the more.
• She couldn't believe that a country bumpkin from the countryside dared to disrespect her to such an extent.
• Luna and William didn't pick up on the slight oddity. Laughing, Luna said, “All right, all right, that's enough talking. Sit down and have breakfast, Stephy. Don't starve yourself!”
• William seconded, “Yes, exactly. I'll peel a boiled egg for you, Stephy!”
• When Juliet noticed that the couple's attention had shifted entirely to Stephanie once more, her eyes flickered, and she immediately spoke to draw their attention back to her.
• “By the way, Uncle William and Aunt Luna, I have some good news to share. I won first place in the recent piano competition!”
• Once those words rang out, as expected, Luna and William shifted some of their attention to her. One complimented with a smile, “Wow, you got first place. You're truly amazing, Juliet!”
• The other said, “I heard this year's competition was quite strict. Juliet, the fact that you placed first is evidence of your exceptional talent. You'll surely become a world-renowned pianist like Master Harper in the future!”
• Harper?
• Stephanie glanced at Juliet, who had undisguised smugness in her eyes, her expression unreadable.
• The participants of the piano competition this year were pretty average, so taking first place doesn't mean much. Her aspiration to be a world-renowned pianist is still far from coming true.
• At the praises, a smile curved Juliet's lips. She looked at Stephanie with an increasingly triumphant look in her eyes.
• “Oh yes, do you know how to play the piano, Stephanie?”
• Speaking of that, Juliet pretentiously acted as if she realized she had misspoken. An expression of guilt showed on her face.
• “Sorry, Stephanie, I forgot you grew up in the countryside, so you probably never even saw a piano, let alone know how to play.”
• Upon hearing that, Luna and William couldn't help but feel that Juliet sounded like she was showing off. But they reckoned they must be reading too much into things, convinced she didn't mean it deliberately, considering her kindness.
• Had Stephy not been stolen back then, she would surely know how to play the piano as well!
• The guilt within them intensified. We must shower her with twice as much love to make up for the sufferings she endured out there all these years!
• “Don't worry, Stephy. If you like the piano, Mom and Dad will immediately hire the best teacher to teach you!”
• “No, it's okay,” Stephanie declined in a mild voice.
• If they were to hire a teacher back, it'd be uncertain who would be teaching the other.
• Following that, the smugness in Juliet's eyes intensified.
• Sure enough, she's a country bumpkin who grew up in the village. Even if she had the best teacher, she wouldn't be able to learn! She can never compare with me!
• “Stephanie, it's okay if you can't play the piano. I can teach you in the future. You don't have to feel inferior—”
• “Who said I can't?” Stephanie lifted her shimmering upturned eyes to look at her, cutting her off in an icy and alluring voice.
• She can play the piano?
• Juliet burst into laughter right away. How laughable! This country bumpkin from the countryside actually dares to claim that she can play the piano? What a joke!
• “Oh, it turns out that you can play the piano, Stephanie!” Juliet wore a smile on her face, but her tone was filled with provocation. “Why don't you play a tune for our pleasure?”