Chapter 314
Alaricka merely smiled before asking, “So. What happened lately?”
Jaylene stared oddly. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine!”
Alaricka gave a soft laugh, pointing at Jaylene’s puffy eyes. “How long did you cry last night? Swollen like this–obvious at a glance. Spill it.”
Jaylene froze, then flinched away, scrambling for a mirror. “It’s nothing… Just got my eyes burned by chili peppers last night. Stop overthinking–where’s my mirror?”
Alaricka handed it over. “Here.”
Jaylene stiffly took it, movements awkward as she inspected her reflection.
“Worry about yourself instead. How’s it going with Roschelle? People online still rip into you…”
Alaricka watched silently. Slowly, Jaylene’s eyes reddened, tears welling up, nose flushing pink.
She lowered the mirror, hands covering her face, voice trembling. “Alaricka… what do I do? The doctor said… Lorelai’s worse. Only Professor Xu in the capital can treat her–he’s the only specialist nationwide…”
Alaricka’s gaze stilled. She lowered her eyelids, speaking gently. “Then go.”
Jaylene shook her head. “Can’t. No money for treatment.”
“I have it,” Alaricka said. “I’ll lend it.”
Jaylene sniffled. “You’re a student. How much could you have?”
Alaricka curved her lips. “Not much. But enough for Lorelai’s medical bills.”
Jaylene slowly lifted her head, dropping her hands to reveal bloodshot eyes.
“Alaricka…”
“Don’t rush to refuse.”
Alaricka outlined her plan. Jaylene’s eyes widened gradually–shifting from how could they to they’re disgusting before settling into resigned acceptance.
Alaricka handed her a tissue. “Wipe your tears first.”
“What are you talking about?”
Behind them, Nie Guanyu stood unnoticed, his round, somewhat dull eyes fixed intently on Jaylene Irwin.
“Are you heading to the capital too? Will you move your Fried Oreos stall there? I’m not tired of it yet and want to keep eating.”
Jaylene rolled her eyes while Alaricka Huston chuckled softly, then casually glanced at Nie Guanyu.
This unremarkable man would later become one of Jaylene’s business partners. Right now, only she knew his net worth would eventually exceed ten billion.
Alaricka pressed her lips together and averted her gaze without a word. She hadn’t forgotten Nie Guanyu had harbored a secret crush on Roschelle Whitaker for years.
Before evening fell, Alaricka returned home where Tamika Coldberg bustled in the kitchen, preparing herbal chicken soup.
Alaricka watched quietly for a moment before murmuring, “Mom, I’m back.”
Tamika startled, hurried over, and fussed over her: “Oh! Sit down, sit down! Why leave the hospital? Did the doctor discharge you?”
Alaricka gently smiled. “The doctor said I could leave today. Don’t worry, Mom.”
Tamika shot her a stern look: “Even if discharged, you must rest! Stay put–I’ll check the soup.”
Alaricka caught her mother’s hand, amused. “It’s fine. Timing matters more. Listen–I have something important to say.”
Tamika froze. “What’s so urgent?”
Alaricka summarized recent events and shared her plans.
Tamika’s face turned pale, then flushed, then red–a kaleidoscope of emotions. Her reaction peaked at one particular word, stronger than when hearing Alaricka might be expelled.
Noticing the shift, Alaricka paused to study her mother’s expression. She replayed her words but found nothing unusually grave.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
Tamika shook her head vigorously. “Nothing! This… is good. If you’re certain, I support you.”
Alaricka hadn’t expected such swift agreement. Tamika had always been controlling–her studies, lifestyle, even future partners. Years ago, she’d urged her teenage daughter to seduce Kieran Argent, hoping to make her Mrs. Argent. Perhaps Kieran’s recent cruelty toward them made Tamika realize her past mistakes, loosening her grip.
Alaricka said, “Mom, thank you.”
After she finished speaking, Tamika Coldberg stayed silent for a long while, staring blankly at the teapot on the table with unfocused eyes–clearly lost in thought.
Alaricka Huston frowned: “Mom? Mom, what are you thinking about?”