Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Ripping Open Old Wounds
"Okay."
Ashley Shaw answered, about to symbolically nod and greet the Lynch mother and daughters, when her gaze swept over Jillian Lynch’s face, and her expression froze.
The girl still wearing a middle school uniform... was the person she suspected Warren Prescott had an affair with in her past life.
At that time, to confirm her suspicion, she went to Warren Prescott’s company and saw Warren being intimate with a girl who resembled Rosalind Lynch.
The girl’s appearance overlaps with the girl in front of her; it is clearly the same person.
Although the girl’s face looks more youthful now, she immediately recognized her.
She remembered that the reason she fled the Prescott Family before she died was because she saw this girl on TV wearing a necklace identical to hers.
Her necklace was bought by Warren Prescott, and whose necklace the girl was wearing, was easy to guess.
In her past life, she didn’t know the other’s identity at all; now she finally knew the girl was Rosalind Lynch’s sister!
No wonder she resembles Rosalind Lynch so much; they are biological sisters.
Ashley Shaw was looking at Jillian Lynch, and Jillian Lynch was also curiously sizing up Ashley Shaw.
She often heard her sister criticize Ashley Shaw, calling her shameless, saying she was a country bumpkin, crude and ugly.
She found it strange then, why could a country bumpkin steal her sister’s boyfriend?
Not to mention anything else, her sister had never lost to anyone in terms of looks.
Seeing Ashley Shaw in person now, she suddenly understood the reason.
The reason is simple: Ashley Shaw is far too beautiful.
Her eyes are as clear as autumn water, skin white as snow, her features are so delicate they seem to have come out of a painting.
Her beauty is unassuming, making her appear even more innocent, inviting people to take a few more glances.
Especially her aura, which is even more impressive than her sister’s.
Bear in mind, her sister studied the arts and her aura was cultivated from a young age towards that of a noble lady, with etiquette lessons at home, developed into the aura she has today.
Yet Ashley Shaw merely stands there simply, as if naturally glowing, instantly eclipsing her sister.
Not to mention men, even women, upon seeing her would be moved.
Upon first glance at Ashley Shaw, she even forgot to breathe.
Wasn’t Ashley Shaw supposed to be a country bumpkin from the countryside?
Where is there any trace of a country bumpkin here?
Calling her a popular movie star wouldn’t be far off.
No wonder she could steal her sister’s boyfriend.
A man as perfect as Warren Prescott, only her sister could be worthy.
While marveling at Ashley Shaw’s appearance, Jillian Lynch’s dislike and hostility towards Ashley Shaw increased.
Jillian Lynch glanced at Rosalind Lynch and saw her sister’s eyes full of venom, and she immediately squinted her eyes, planning to come up with a way to help her sister vent this anger!
Elder Prescott next to Ashley Shaw saw her suddenly staring blankly in the direction of the Lynch mother and daughters and mistakenly thought she didn’t know Mrs. Lynch, so he introduced, "This is Rosalind Lynch’s mother, and the other is Rosalind Lynch’s sister, Jillian Lynch."
One name was mentioned with full formality, while "Ashley" was called with affection; the difference was obvious.
Ashley Shaw snapped back to reality, embarrassed by her recent loss of composure.
She had thought she had let go several times but found that those painful memories had always existed in her mind, seeping into her being, impossible to easily be rid of.
She forced a smile.
"Hello Aunt Lynch. Jillian... nice to meet you too."
Mrs. Lynch gave Ashley Shaw a deep look, stood up, and walked over to her, displaying a false smile.
"Ashley, I’ve heard about you for a long time, but it’s the first time meeting you in person. I heard your mother passed away and there are no other family members? Poor child, are you alright?"
As she spoke, she reached out to hold Ashley Shaw’s hand.
Ashley Shaw subtly dodged Mrs. Lynch’s outstretched hand, her expression rigidly saying, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt Lynch. I’m doing fine."
"You’re very strong indeed. If it were me, I wouldn’t know if I could go on living."
Ashley Shaw’s hands by her sides unconsciously clenched tight.
Where was this concern?
This was clearly tearing open her most painful wound while pretending to be concerned.
No wonder she’s Rosalind Lynch’s biological mother.
With such a mother, it’s not surprising she raised a daughter like that.
Before Ashley Shaw could speak, Ariana Grant spoke up first.
"Perhaps it’s Aunt Lynch who’s strong, because Ashley and I are timid, without the courage to die. Aunt Lynch, you aren’t afraid to die; what else in this world could you fear? I truly admire you."
Mrs. Lynch’s expression froze instantly.
"How can you say such things? What’s all this talk about dying..."
"Ah," Ariana Grant exaggeratedly expressed surprise, saying, "Were your words not suggesting that if your family all died, you would die too? Did I misunderstand you? Sorry about that."
"Who are you, a child who wasn’t taught how to speak by your parents?"
"Huh? Wasn’t Aunt Lynch the one who spoke inappropriately first? Bringing up someone’s sad past right off the bat, what kind of upbringing is that?"
Ashley Shaw tugged Ariana Grant’s hand, signaling her not to bother with someone like Mrs. Lynch.
Arguing with such malicious people is a waste of words.
Moreover, they can easily affect one’s mood.
They were here as guests for dinner, not for quarrels.
Ariana Grant understood Ashley Shaw’s look, though she was still upset for Ashley Shaw, knowing this wasn’t her home, she had to swallow her anger and keep her mouth shut.
"Do I need a junior like you to comment on my upbringing? You’re simply..."
"Enough!" Elder Prescott said with a grim expression, "You’re an elder, why argue with a child? You shouldn’t have said those things just now, and Ashley does have other family members; I’m her family."
With Elder Prescott speaking up, Mrs. Lynch’s momentum instantly diminished.
"I was just concerned for her... that’s all, no other intentions. Elder, please don’t misunderstand my good intentions along with theirs. Children may not understand, but surely you do, right?"
"Exactly." Claudia Jennings stepped forward to defend Mrs. Lynch, "Holly just wanted to show some concern for Ashley; Dad, please don’t misunderstand her. Holly isn’t that kind of person."
Claudia Jennings withheld another sentence.
That is: what Holly Payne said was indeed factual.
Ashley Shaw’s family was indeed all gone.
She couldn’t understand which part of what Holly Payne said was wrong.
Claudia Jennings’ words made Elder Prescott frown immediately.
What does "isn’t that kind of person" mean?
Is this saying he’s narrow-minded for thinking Holly Payne was "that kind of person"?
Elder Prescott was about to speak when a low voice suddenly came from upstairs, with a teasing tone—
"It’s quite novel; since when did revealing someone’s wounds become a form of concern?"