Chapter 135

Patricia Lorenz stood in the center of the living room, clad in a neon green sweater with an exaggerated perm that made her resemble a walking Christmas tree.

"My goodness, is that Evelyn?" she exclaimed dramatically, clapping her hands. "I barely recognize you after all these years!"

Charles Lorenz frowned and tugged at his wife's sleeve. Dressed in a beige turtleneck with slicked-back hair, he looked much younger than his age.

"Keep it down," he warned in a low voice.

Patricia pursed her lips. "Can't I be happy? William and Victoria have missed Evelyn terribly since she left for Harvard."

She enthusiastically grabbed Evelyn's hands, examining her from head to toe. Evelyn wore a soft apricot sweater with a brown maxi skirt, a butterfly hair clip completing her gentle, elegant look.

"Just look at this poise! Only someone who's lived in the capital could carry themselves like this," Patricia marveled.

Tiffany Lorenz rolled her eyes from the couch. Her tight crop top and JK skirt paired with heavy eyeliner screamed teenage rebellion.

"Mom, must you be so loud?" She shook her phone impatiently.

Patricia immediately glared. "Look at your cousin, then look at you! Always glued to that phone!"

William Langley glanced around. "Where's Richard?"

Elizabeth Melville poked her head out from the kitchen. "On a client call in the study. Even during the holidays, he can't catch a break."

The grandmother instantly declared, "We'll wait to eat until Richard finishes."

The grandfather nodded in agreement. "Yes, we'll wait for him."

Elizabeth looked uneasy. "But—"

"It's settled!" The grandmother's tone brooked no argument.

Victoria silently retreated to a corner seat. Rescued from a river by William as an orphan with no family, she'd never been accepted by her in-laws.

Evelyn sat beside her mother, making no effort to charm her grandparents. In this household, she and her mother would always remain outsiders.