Chapter 29 Uninvited Guest
Everyone fell silent. Under the table, Isla's fists clenched tight. Even though she'd married into the Thompson family nearly thirty years ago, Isla's position had always been passive.
To be honest, her status was even lower than mine.
At least I was legitimate. Although the Thompson family didn't like me either, at least I wasn't a homewrecker.
Isla had no right to compare herself to me.
But she desperately wanted to paint me as the same kind of person as her.
Tyler chimed in, "Sophia, Mom's getting old. Cut her some slack and don't take it so seriously."
A self-mocking smile tugged at my lips, but I said nothing.
Just then, Cleo finished her medicine and was wheeled over by the maid, Mrs. Hou. When everyone saw Cleo coming, they all went quiet. Nobody said another word.
I asked Cleo, "Grandma, how do you feel after taking the medicine?"
"Nothing special, about the same as the other medicines I've taken before."
Though I was just making casual conversation, Isla thought I was deliberately trying to get Cleo to mock her. She couldn't help saying, "Sophia, I'm still your mother-in-law. What are you trying to say?"
I looked confused, having no idea what was going on.
A few seconds later, it clicked. "Mom, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean anything by it."
"Even if you did mean something, you wouldn't admit it."
Tyler's brow twitched slightly. "Everyone stop. Mom, Sophia definitely didn't mean it that way. Grandma's here now, so just drop it."
Cleo frowned, seeming to guess what had happened.
Jasper had been clutching my hand the whole time, looking pitiful. "Mommy, I'm scared. Grandma's so mean."
"Don't be scared, Jasper. I'm here."
Cleo took Jasper's hand too. "As long as I'm here, you and your mom don't need to be afraid."
Warmth flooded my heart as I gently pulled Jasper into my arms.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Gray started telling everyone to eat. The food was all served anyway.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Everyone looked at each other in confusion. All the guests were already here. Who would be showing up at dinnertime?
A servant went to answer the door. Seconds later, Ava walked in following the servant. Mrs. Hou's expression was complicated. "Mrs. Cleo Thompson, Mr. Gray Thompson, Ms. Davis is here."
Ava, shameless as ever, cheerfully greeted everyone. "Hello everyone! Mr. Gray Thompson, Mrs. Isla Thompson, I heard you came back to the country today, so I came specially to see you. I didn't realize I'd arrive at dinnertime. I'm so sorry."
My brow furrowed and my fists clenched involuntarily. I hadn't expected Ava to stoop this low.
I looked at Tyler. He was frowning too, his brow creased slightly, seemingly also surprised by Ava's arrival.
Though I figured that no matter how surprised he was, Tyler must have been the one who told Isla and Gray about coming back to the country.
The only person at the table who looked happy was Isla. She stood up excitedly and walked toward Ava. "Ava, I'm so happy to see you! The last time we met was months ago."
Months ago...
That timing matched up perfectly with when Tyler took Jasper abroad last time.
Just as I suspected.
"Mrs. Thompson, we didn't get to spend much time together last time. There were so many things I wanted to buy for you but didn't get to. A friend of mine went abroad recently and bought everything for you."
Ava shook the bags in her hands, then turned to Cleo. "Grandma, I bought lots of things for you too. They're all antiques. You'll definitely love them."
Faced with this uninvited guest, Cleo's expression had already turned very unpleasant. She showed no appreciation and said, "I've lived this long and seen everything, but this is the first time I've seen someone show up uninvited."
Ava acted like she hadn't heard and turned her attention to Tyler, saying coyly, "Tyler, Mom came back today and you didn't even ask me to come. You're so mean. You know I prepared so many gifts for Mom."
Hearing the word "Mom," my heart skipped a beat. I felt awful. When did Ava start calling her that?
"Ava is so sweet." Isla smiled as she took the gifts from Ava's hands, her eyes full of affection for her.
Cleo slammed the table. "Who are you calling Mom? The Thompson family has strict rules. We don't let people run wild like this!"
The bang silenced everyone. Tyler's expression darkened too. "Ava, what are you calling people?"
I glanced at Tyler. He seemed surprised by this form of address too.
So it seemed this was all Ava's own delusion?
Ava put on a vulnerable act, biting her lip slightly and glancing timidly at Tyler before saying, "Tyler, don't be angry. I just missed Mrs. Thompson and Grandma. When I heard they were coming back today, I came without being invited. I didn't expect there would be so many people here. I'm really sorry. It's my fault."
Seeing Ava's fake act, my stomach churned again. She was such a good actress.
When I looked at her, Ava's eyes showed helplessness and vulnerability again. Anyone who didn't know what she was really like might actually feel sorry for her.
Tyler got up and walked over to Ava, saying quietly, "This is a family dinner. It's not appropriate for you to be here. You should go."
But Ava looked pitiful, clearly not wanting to leave. She said sweetly, "Tyler, I really miss Mom and Dad. I came all this way. Can't I eat with everyone?"
Before Tyler could respond, Isla pulled Ava over to her side, acting like the lady of the house, and told a servant to bring another chair.
Ava sat down without any hesitation.
Tyler's frown deepened. He was about to speak when Isla gave him a look, then said attentively to Cleo, whose face was dark, "Mom, Ava came with good intentions to see us. Look, she brought you so many gifts. Since it's dinnertime anyway, why don't we let her stay and eat with us? We can't let her come all this way for nothing. It would show the Thompson family's grace."
I said nothing, because my inner disgust had reached the point where I didn't want to say a word.
Cleo looked at Ava with barely concealed distaste and directly dismissed her. "You don't have any say in this house yet. This is a family dinner. Outsiders aren't allowed. And Ava, you're calling people Mom and Dad so casually. Is this how your real parents raised you? What gives you the right to call them Mom and Dad? Don't you have any self-respect?"