Chapter 55: Mom Seems Strange

Sitting in the car, Cora had been tense ever since they entered the clan’s village.

Was her mother doing okay these days?

Every time they spoke on the phone, her mom always shared good news but hid the bad.

Cora wouldn’t be at ease until she saw with her own eyes that her mom was really living well.

Julian glanced sideways at Cora’s uneasy face.

Austin drove slowly at the back of the motorcade, an earpiece in his ear, listening to updates from the front.

“Mr. Watson, the cars ahead have arrived. The Dev family’s all out to greet you,” he reported, then asked softly, “Mrs. Watson, would you like to get out and walk from here?”

By custom, Cora was supposed to walk to the Dev family’s gate. That was the local rule.

When a son-in-law came home, he was expected to visit each elder of the clan, offering gifts and drinks in turn.

But since Julian’s background was far too powerful, the Dev family dared not demand anything. They only stood neatly dressed in front of Ravi’s house, waiting.

Cora thought for a moment. “Alright, stop ahead. I’ll get out—”

“Drive straight to the gate,” Julian interrupted coolly. “The Watson family’s lady deserves a more dignified entrance.”

“Yes, Mr. Watson.” Austin’s mouth twitched into a grin—he had already guessed Julian would say that.

In Julian’s eyes, the Dev family weren’t worth a damn.

He had come only to back up Mrs. Watson—to show everyone she wasn’t someone they could bully.

Cora turned to look at him. Julian smiled. “What? Not happy?”

Cora smiled faintly. She understood exactly what he meant.

He was here to stand up for her. Anyone who bullied the Watson family’s daughter-in-law was, in effect, provoking the Watsons themselves.

“No.” Cora gave a short reply and fell silent.

But she couldn’t shake the strange feeling between them.

They had clearly fought that day, yet after one night, the tension had somehow softened into calm…

Cora didn’t even know what kind of expression she should wear in front of him anymore.

At the Meridian Hotel, Julian’s cold words had drawn a clear line—he’d wanted her to know her place.

And yet, while staying with her in the hospital afterward, he sometimes asked for her opinion on business matters—and actually took her advice several times.

She couldn’t make sense of him and chose to speak as little as possible.

When the car stopped, attendants hurried up to open their doors. A sunshade was immediately raised over Cora’s head.

Before she could react, Julian reached over and took her hand, his voice low: “If we’re acting, we do it all the way.”

Fine—there it was again.

Cora didn’t resist, letting him hold her hand.

The sharp-eyed Dev relatives quickly noticed their interlocked fingers and relaxed in relief.

It looked like Cora had real standing in the Watson family—her skin even looked more radiant than before.

If she was favored, maybe they could squeeze a bit more money out of her.

Ravi’s mind was already spinning, plotting excuses to get some cash.

Cora and Julian walked up to her. “Grandma, we’re back!” Cora greeted warmly.

“Grandma,” Julian echoed.

“Good, good—welcome home! Come in, come in, let’s talk inside!”

When Ravi saw the attendants unloading bag after bag from the cars, her smile nearly split her face.

Cora greeted everyone in turn; Julian only nodded politely.

He didn’t speak again until Cora’s parents came over. “Father, Mother,” he said simply.

Though they were only Cora’s adoptive parents, they had raised her.

Especially her mother—Cora’s deepest affection was for her.

If not for that woman, Cora might never have agreed to marry him.

Unlike the rest of the Dev family who looked down on her, Julian’s respectful tone instantly lifted her mother’s status in everyone’s eyes.

Cora’s mother’s eyes filled with gratitude; she understood his gesture.

Cora’s father stood nearby, looking timid and awkward.

Cora noticed that her father looked more spirited today in new clothes—but her mother was still wearing the same cheap outfit Cora had bought her with her first month’s wages after graduation.

Cora’s nose stung. Julian’s fingers tightened around hers in silent comfort.

When she looked up at him again, the shimmer in her eyes made Julian’s heart clench.

“Cora…” her mother began, but before she could say another word, Ravi’s sharp voice cut through from behind:

“Your daughter and son-in-law are home, and you’re just standing there? The clan’s all here—am I, an old woman, supposed to play hostess by myself?”

Her mother’s eyes dimmed; she lowered her head, hiding the tears that threatened to spill. “Yes, Mother,” she said meekly.

Cora grabbed her mother’s hand, firm and clear:

“Mom doesn’t need to work today. Jule and I brought our own chefs. How could you handle lunch for so many people alone? Jule’s filial—he even brought the ingredients and equipment. You’ve taken care of me for twenty-three years; today you get to rest.”

Her mother looked up at her in stunned disbelief.

Cora met her gaze and gave a small, resolute shake of the head.

She’d endured everything for this—to give her mother a way out of this den of wolves.

Now that she’d married into the Watsons, if she couldn’t defend her mother now, how much worse would it be once she left?

Her mother hesitated. She was touched but decades of submission had long ground away her courage.

She still didn’t dare disobey Ravi.

Julian said mildly, “Yes, Mom. We brought fine ingredients and good chefs. You’ve worked hard your whole life—it’s time to enjoy a good meal for once. Try what your son-in-law prepared.”

At that, Ravi immediately brightened, smiling sweetly. “Ah, how could we impose like that? But since you insist, I suppose I’ll let her rest for today!”

With those words, her mother finally relaxed.

Ravi threw her a meaningful glance that made the older woman’s back stiffen instinctively.

Julian caught it and said gently, “Cora, you haven’t had a proper talk with your mother in a long time. Go rest with her. I’ll handle things here. If you need anything, ask Austin.”

“Okay.” Cora beamed—she had so much to tell her mom.

She didn’t notice Julian’s subtle look as she led her mother to her room.

Inside, her mother immediately shut the windows and door.

“Mom?” Cora blinked. “What’s wrong?”

“Cora, I need to ask you something—and you have to be honest.” Her mother took her hand and sat her on the bed. “You and Jule… are you really in love?”

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?” Cora frowned. “Did something happen?”

Her mother forced a smile, but sorrow filled her eyes. It didn’t match the expression at all.

Cora knew her too well. “Grandma’s been giving you trouble again, hasn’t she? Didn’t we already give her money before the wedding? Once the baby’s born, the Watsons will transfer my share to my account, and then I can—”

“Cora, answer me first,” her mother insisted. “Tell me the truth.”

Cora froze.

How could she tell her mother the truth?

There was no “true love” between her and Julian—since that night and their sudden marriage, they’d barely seen each other.

But how could she admit that and make her mother worry?

Lowering her eyes, she said softly, “Mom, Jule’s a good husband. We’ll be fine.”

Hearing that, her mother finally exhaled and said, “That’s good. As long as you’re happy, I’m at peace. You’re my only child. I don’t want anything else—just your happiness.”

“Mom, has Grandma been giving you a hard time again?” Cora pressed. “Please tell me the truth.”

“Not exactly…” Her mother hesitated, her gaze dimming again. “Your grandmother used the money the Watsons gave us to buy a new house.”

“She bought a house?” Cora was stunned.

That… she hadn’t expected.

She’d considered every possibility, except that her grandmother would suddenly be generous enough to spend it all on a new home.