Upon hearing Sienna's words, Deanna sneered coldly.
"Courtesy is for those who deserve it. Do you?"
"You-"
Sienna pointed at Deanna, but couldn't find the words to respond, her chest heaving with anger.
Mia watched her mother-in-law clutching her chest and was about to scold Deanna.
Before she could speak, a staff member from the café approached, frowning. "Please keep your voices down. There are other customers here."
"Sorry."
Deanna nodded to the staff member and then ignored Mia and Sienna, leaving directly.
She arrived at the spot where she had arranged to meet Julia and saw that Julia was already seated, with coffee and snacks on the table that she liked.
Unfortunately, because of what had just happened, she had no appetite.
Julia had witnessed the earlier incident. Seeing her friend arrive, she couldn't help but speak up for her. "They are so shameless! You're no longer part of the Jones family, yet they still act superior."
"Enough, let's not talk about it."
Deanna didn't want irrelevant people to ruin her good mood.
Julia nodded and changed the subject. "Where should we go shopping later?"
"Anywhere, let's just walk around."
Deanna didn't have a specific place in mind.
After drinking a few sips of coffee, they left to go shopping elsewhere.
While they were out, Julia remembered that her friend's birthday was coming up. She linked arms with Deanna and asked with a smile, "Your birthday is coming up. How are you planning to celebrate?"
"Just something simple. I'll have dinner at home with Gregory, Chloe, and Grandma, maybe buy a cake. That's about it."
Deanna spoke casually.
She wasn't in the habit of celebrating birthdays and usually kept it low-key.
Julia was taken aback by her nonchalance. "That's too simple!"
Deanna shrugged indifferently.
Julia pouted but then seemed to think of something, looking excitedly at Deanna. "Do you think Mr. Mercer might have a surprise for you?"
"Mr. Mercer? Why would you think that?" Deanna looked at Julia in surprise.
Julia blinked innocently. "Well, you two seem to have a special relationship."
Deanna found this amusing. "Julia, you must be mistaken. Mr. Mercer is my patient. Don't overthink it."
"I don't think so," Julia muttered under her breath.
Deanna didn't catch what she said and looked puzzled. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing, let's keep shopping."
Julia could tell that Mr. Mercer had feelings for Deanna, but Deanna hadn't realized it. Julia decided not to tell her because she knew Deanna wouldn't believe it anyway.
They shopped at a nearby mall until evening, buying some clothes for the children before picking them up from school.
Back home, Deanna went to the kitchen to cook dinner.
Julia stayed in the living room with the children and Old Ashley, chatting and playing.
Chloe kept glancing at the door, looking a bit downcast.
Gregory also seemed listless.
Julia noticed and asked, "What's wrong? Did your teacher scold you at school?"
"No way! My brother and I are very good; the teacher wouldn't scold us," Chloe retorted in her sweet voice.
Gregory nodded in agreement, indicating they hadn't been scolded by their teacher.
Julia grew curious. "If you weren't scolded, why do you look so down?"
"Because Uncle Lance didn't come today."
Chloe said this while holding her chin in her hands, staring longingly at the door.
Gregory sighed as well. "Why hasn't Uncle Lance come today?"
Seeing the children's behavior, Julia and Old Ashley couldn't help but laugh.
Julia was even more curious. "Has Mr. Mercer been coming every day recently?"
"Yes, Mr. Mercer has been coming almost every day," Old Ashley replied with a smile.
This surprised Julia even more.
She quickly moved closer to the old lady, eyes full of interest. "Grandma, is Mr. Mercer coming every day for treatment?"
"It doesn't seem like it," Old Ashley hesitated before shaking her head.
Julia's eyes lit up immediately. "What do you mean?"
"I feel like Mr. Mercer comes to get close to the children, but it also seems like he's here for Deanna."
Old Ashley explained, giving several examples. "Several times before, it wasn't anything serious; he could have just called. But Mr. Mercer insisted on coming in person. And when you took Deanna to a social event before, Gregory and Chloe mentioned it casually, and he went there too. Although he said it was for treatment, it didn't look like it."
After hearing this, Julia couldn't help but laugh.
"Grandma, what you're saying is pretty obvious. Even though Mr. Mercer always has an excuse when he comes over, he's really here for our Deanna. I'm sure he likes her!"
"Is that so?"
Old Ashley and the children suddenly realized the truth as if a light bulb had gone off in their heads.