Chapter 418
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The Jones family didn’t have a tradition of staying up for the New Year’s countdown. When Ashley and Sheldon returned home, Amanda and the others were already asleep. Ashley reached her room at midnight. Her phone had been buzzing. Tim, Zark, and several acquaintances, including Derek and David, had sent her New Year’s greetings. Ashley replied to them all, including Zark. She also sent messages to Burke and Cindy,
Derek replied, asking if she was free in the coming days. He hadn’t had a chance to properly thank her for working with Jeffery. He wanted to treat her to dinner.
After chatting with Derek, Ashley showered.
Visiting Lucy at the nursing home was always painful, but they couldn’t skip it on such an important day. Every New Year’s Day morning, Ashley, Amanda, and the others would prepare a lavish meal for her. This year was no exception.
Ashley woke up early. Amanda, Steve, and Mandy were already up. Amanda and Mandy gave her red pockets. Amanda stroked Ashley’s face, saying, “May this new year bring you smooth sailing, Ashley.”
Ashley took it.“Thank
you,
Grandma.”
After breakfast, Ashley and Mandy went into the kitchen to prepare the food. Amanda and Steve were excellent cooks, but they could only help with prep work. Lucy could tell it was their cooking, which would lead to her emotional outbursts. Mandy had been making the food in the past. Later, after Ashley learned to cook, they worked together.
Ashley had wanted to learn to cook for her mother at a young age but Amanda wouldn’t let her. She felt Ashley was too young and that cooking for Lucy would burden her. Ashley’s childhood had been tough enough; Amanda wanted her to be as happy as possible, not weighed down by the past..
Two hours later, the meal was ready. Sheldon and Henry helped pack it up. With the gifts, the six of them headed to the nursing home. They had prepared red pockets and gifts for the nurses and doctors.
Lucy was frail and vacant–eyed. Ashley and Amanda stood where she couldn’t see them, watching Lucy.
Luck ignored the gifts and tossed aside the red pocket Amanda had asked the nurse to give her. She seemed to have no appetite, barely touching the food. She soon lost interest and retreated into her own world. The nurse cleared the food away.
Ashley’s eyes felt the same.
welled up, but she held back. She didn’t want to ruin everyone’s mood. The others
After half an hour, they left. It was almost noon. They didn’t feel like cooking at home; nobody really felt like eating, actually. But they needed to eat.
Ashley said, “Let’s eat out.”
Amanda agreed.“Okay, Ashley, you
decide.”
At the restaurant, as they got out of the car, they saw the Monds and Holdens. They were also there to eat. Someone recognized Tanya and Mark, enthusiastically inviting them to join their table.
The Mond and Holdens noticed the Joneses. Mary sneered. Vivian barely glanced at them before
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looking away. Tanya did the same, completely ignoring them.
Mers
The restaurant manager rushed over to Tanya.“Miss Mond, your usual private room is ready. Please come this way.”
Tanya nodded, ignoring the Joneses, saying to the man who’d invited them, “Sorry, we’re having a family dinner today.”
The man didn’t insist.“Of course, I won’t disturb
Tanya, led by the manager, entered the private room.
your family gathering.”
Ashley hadn’t expected to run into them. Hesitating, she looked at Amanda, who patted her hand.“Let’s go in.”
Ashley nodded.“…Okay.”
As they entered, a staff member approached.“Sorry, all our private rooms are booked. There are no tables available.”
Ashley had been to this restaurant before. They’ve never had a full house. She immediately suspected the Monds and Holdens.
Ashley’s lips tightened. Steve
“Ms. Jones.”
and Amanda understood what was happening.
Ashley turned and saw Matt.“Mr. Adler.”
Matt glanced at the nervous staff member, then asked, “What happened? Why aren’t you going in?”
Ashley said, “The staff member said all the rooms are booked and asked us to leave. Matt looked towards the staff member.“Oh? Is that so?”
The staff member recognized Matt, and the point was, David was also dining there. Seeing Matt’s intention to intervene, the manager panicked.“We just received a cancellation. A private room is available. Please come this way.”
Ashley didn’t move, looking at Amanda.
Amanda said, “Let’s go to another restaurant.”
“Okay.”
She looked at Matt.“Thank you, Mr. Adler.”
“You’re welcome.” Matt then greeted Ashley’s family.
The Joneses left. Matt entered the restaurant, glancing at the manager, who was sweating profusely and smiling nervously. Seeing the manager’s reluctance to explain why they would do that to the Joneses, Matt knew the guy behind this was powerful.
