Chapter 15 The Talent for Acting
Over the years, Rachel had given everything to Steven and his mother. But why? Why did they treat her like this?
Rachel couldn't understand, no matter how hard she tried. Hearing the door close behind her, she forced back her tears, licked her lips nervously, and tried to hide the despair and sadness on her face. But she couldn't suppress the growing bitterness in her heart.
Steven walked over and saw her stiff figure. Concerned, he asked, "What's going on?"
She held back her sobs and quickly came up with an excuse. "I was just thinking, shouldn't we get some gifts for Dad, Maeve, and Alice when we go back tomorrow? Otherwise, they might be upset."
Maeve came from the prestigious Murphy family of Dawnlight City. Elegant and privileged, she always resented Heather and Steven, looking down on them.
Gavin and Maeve's marriage was purely a business arrangement with little affection. Their mutual disdain allowed Heather to find her way in.
Alice Martinez was Gavin and Maeve's only daughter, and she was just over three years younger than Steven.
Steven frowned but quickly relaxed. "You're right. Maeve loves to stir up trouble. Just pick a few things from the storeroom tomorrow morning."
Rachel didn't respond.
Maeve was formidable, but not ruthless enough. Otherwise, Heather and Steven wouldn't have had a chance to become members of the Martinez family.
Heather's name now sent shivers down Rachel's spine.
This woman was practically the epitome of "evil."
Rachel glanced at Steven, her soul suddenly shaken.
Did Steven know about the legal guardian issue?
That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The next morning at ten-thirty, their car drove into the sprawling 10,000-square-foot Martinez estate. Eight servants stood in two rows, and the middle-aged butler approached with a smile.
"Mr. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, welcome back."
Steven nodded. "Are my dad and mom here?"
"Mr. Gavin Martinez and your brothers went to the office for an important meeting this morning. They'll be back for dinner," the butler replied respectfully. "Mrs. Maeve Martinez and Ms. Martinez are in the main house, and Ms. Wilson is waiting for you and Mrs. Rachel Martinez in the guest house."
The Martinez Manor consisted of three connected villas. Since Heather's arrival, she and Steven lived in the guest house behind the main house.
They ate and lived separately from the main house, only joining for major holidays and events.
Gavin and Maeve's relationship had long grown cold. He mostly stayed with Heather but still maintained Maeve's dignity as the lady of the Martinez family.
Every day, Gavin would join Maeve for breakfast and lunch at the main house.
Since they were back, they had to visit Maeve first out of courtesy.
Rachel didn't want to be criticized for neglecting such formalities, so she had the servants bring the prepared gifts and entered the main house with Steven.
As they approached the door, they heard a girl's cheerful laughter from inside.
The butler stepped forward and announced, "Mrs. Maeve Martinez, Mr. Steven Martinez and Mrs. Rachel Martinez are here."
The laughter abruptly stopped, and Maeve and Alice turned their gaze to the entrance.
"Mrs. Martinez," Steven greeted with a nod.
Maeve glanced at them indifferently and took a sip from her cup. "You're back for your mom's birthday?"
"Yeah, we don't come back often," Rachel said, indicating the gift boxes the servants held. "We brought some small gifts for you and Alice."
While Rachel respected both Maeve and Alice, she cared little about their reaction to the gifts.
Although Maeve despised Heather and Steven, she never made things difficult for Rachel, who was polite and understanding. Her attitude was merely cold.
Maeve replied coolly, "Thoughtful of you. Your mom has been looking forward to this. Don't waste time here; go straight to her."
They had been inside for only a few minutes, but Maeve hadn't given them a single proper look.
Steven felt a twinge of displeasure but remained polite. "Then we'll take our leave. We'll visit again next time."
With that, he took Rachel's hand and left the main house, heading to the guest house via the outdoor corridor.
Rachel knew Steven also disliked facing Maeve, feeling an invisible pressure when he did.
Perhaps it was the psychological shadow from being bullied by them as a child.
When Rachel was caught in the whirlpool of love, she felt sorry for him, sometimes even blinded by it, thinking Maeve and her children were too harsh.
But now, with the filter of love shattered, she felt nothing. Using the excuse of checking the time on her phone, she withdrew her hand from his.
Maeve, as Gavin's wife, naturally resented her husband's mistress and illegitimate child.
The guest house wasn't far from the main house. Crossing a corridor and a courtyard paved with pebbles, they saw a young, elegant woman in a long burgundy dress waiting at the door.
She was well-maintained, her beautiful face showing no signs of age, not a single wrinkle at the corners of her eyes, her figure slender and graceful.
"Mom."
Steven called out with a smile.
Heather joyfully approached, bypassing Steven to reach Rachel. "Rachel, you're here. It's been so long, you look thinner. Your complexion is poor."
She shot Steven a sharp look. "Haven't you been taking care of Rachel? Look at her, her chin is so sharp."
Steven was helpless.
It had always been like this. Every time Heather saw Rachel, she would ask about her health and work.
Rachel couldn't tell if their concern was genuine. If the messages hadn't been confirmed, she would have thought last night's text was absurd.
Now, it seemed Steven and Heather had a talent for acting.
They could easily win Best Actor and Best Actress if they entered the film industry.