Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Bringing the Newcomer Along
When Claudia Jennings appeared at the ophthalmology department wearing Jimmy Choo heels, a Chanel seasonal outfit, and carrying a Hermès bag worth as much as a house in Westcroft, she drew quite a few glances.
"Oh my god..." Ariana Grant whispered to Ashley Shaw as she tugged her close, "This woman is so ostentatious. Is she here for a fashion show or a medical appointment? Wearing such expensive things, isn’t she afraid of being kidnapped?"
Ashley Shaw’s eyelids twitched at the word "kidnapped."
But she quickly, nonchalantly, whispered a reminder: "Keep it down, she’s the late lady... cough! Warren Prescott’s mom."
"Ah?" Ariana Grant’s eyes widened instantly.
Is Warren Prescott’s mom really that ostentatious?
Warren always dresses quite normal though.
Guess he’s more like his dad, huh?
While Ariana was shocked, Ashley also spotted the woman walking behind Claudia Jennings.
It was none other than the girl who had asked to share a table with Warren and her at the restaurant that day.
What was her name again?
Ashley couldn’t remember for the moment because Warren hadn’t given a proper introduction then.
But she did recall Warren drunkenly calling her and insisting, "We’re innocent."
But innocent or not, what’s it to her?
"Auntie."
Ashley Shaw took a few steps forward and asked, "What brings you here?"
Claudia Jennings was technically her foster mother, but Ashley knew well that Claudia didn’t like her, so she’d never be shameless enough to call her mom.
Claudia raised her eyebrows and got straight to the point: "One of your Grandpa Prescott’s old war buddies suddenly visited the house. Since I had an appointment with Joy for a facial, I’m just dropping by to sign the papers for the old man."
As she spoke, Claudia Jennings pulled Livia Sutton over and introduced her: "This is Warren’s sister I told you about, whom I adopted, Ashley Shaw. And this is Joy, the Sutton Group’s heiress. Our families are thinking about letting her and Warren see each other."
Claudia almost directly told Ashley: Even though Rosalind Lynch is out, it doesn’t mean you have a chance. Without Rosalind, there’s still Livia Sutton, and others like Coleman and Zane. So don’t get any ideas, just keep being the foster daughter.
Ashley remained unfazed as usual.
Claudia Jennings is just like that; her likes and dislikes are crystal clear.
In her previous life, after marrying Warren, Claudia never gave her a kind look and always believed she wasted Warren’s future.
Practically wore the "evil mother-in-law" label on her face.
However, undeniable as it is that Claudia’s words were harsh, even using her like a maid, she never did anything shady to ruin her.
Her vices were all on the surface, which actually made her less scary compared to someone plotting in the dark.
Ashley Shaw calmly reached out her hand towards Livia Sutton.
"Hello, Miss Sutton."
Livia Sutton hesitantly extended her hand for a handshake with Ashley: "Hello, Miss Shaw."
Looking like she was wary and afraid of her.
Ashley was puzzled. She hadn’t done anything to Livia Sutton, so why was the latter so scared of her?
Did she look that intimidating?
"Where do I sign?"
Claudia Jennings impatiently asked, "We need to finish this up; Joy and I still have that facial appointment to catch."
"I’ll go get the doctor!"
After being ignored the whole time, Ariana Grant said this and only then did Claudia lazily glance at her.
"Hurry up then."
Ariana Grant awkwardly chuckled and ran to call the doctor over before Ashley could say another word.
The doctor brought over two sheets of paper.
"Who’s the guardian?"
Claudia Jennings curled her lips and spoke up: "That would be me. I’m her foster mother."
The doctor nodded and called Claudia to the side to hand over the document for signature.
"This is the risk disclaimer and waiver. Please read through before signing."
Claudia didn’t even glance at the contents; she went straight to the signature box and scribbled her name.
Meanwhile, Livia Sutton seized the chance to lean close to Ashley Shaw.
"Miss Shaw, don’t misunderstand about me and Warren. I have a boyfriend, and the adults set this up themselves."
Ashley glanced at Livia Sutton in surprise.
Livia Sutton clasped her hands together, pleading: "Could you please not tell Warren that Aunt Jennings arranged this meeting for me today? I’m afraid he’ll get mad; he’s really terrifying, and my fragile heart can’t take it."
Ashley looked at Livia’s face, full of fear, growing more perplexed.
Was she...that afraid of Warren?
But it did seem so; at the restaurant that day, she nearly buried her face in her plate.
Indeed, just as Warren said, it was purely platonic.
But in that case, Claudia Jennings’ efforts would be in vain again, wouldn’t they?
Ashley suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Claudia.
"Please, Miss Shaw, please don’t tell Warren. I was forced into this; I don’t want to come between you two."
Ashley’s face stiffened as she hurried to clarify: "No, you misunderstood, Warren and I..."
Before she could finish, the sound of high heels clacking grew loud as Claudia Jennings returned from signing.
She wasn’t actually in a hurry or pressed for time, but she was always impatient with what she considered unworthy endeavors, like signing papers for Ashley.
But when doing something she deemed worthwhile, she had all the time in the world.
Like matchmaking Livia Sutton and Warren.
As a full-time housewife with no household duties, she was so bored she was metaphorically growing moldy.
Anyone with too much free time would naturally find things to occupy themselves with.
Seeking a future daughter-in-law she approved of was Claudia Jennings’ way of killing time.
This was what she considered a significant contribution to the family.
Ashley spotted that Chanel-clad figure and had to cut her words short.
"Is that all?" Claudia Jennings asked impatiently.
Ashley Shaw quickly nodded, "All done, thank you for making the trip."
"Then I’m off, let’s go, Joy."
"Take care."
Claudia Jennings hooked her arm around Livia Sutton’s and left without a backward glance.
Only after they disappeared around the corner did Ariana Grant dare to take a big breath.
"Goodness me, no wonder the Eldest Young Master Prescott’s mother is so terrifying... No wonder you’d rather live in a tiny hole with me than stay in that mansion. If it were me, I’d choose a doghouse over living in her villa any day."
Ashley Shaw was both amused and exasperated.
"It’s okay; as long as you don’t infringe on her interests, she usually doesn’t act up."
Claudia’s cold attitude towards her probably came from hearsay about her from Lars Prescott, fearing she’d give up being a foster daughter to become Warren’s wife and her daughter-in-law.
Once, Ashley was very concerned about Claudia’s opinion, especially after Claudia became her mother-in-law, but now, Claudia’s stance mattered little to her.
All she needed to do was maintain her decorum.
"Ashley Shaw, you can come in and get ready for the surgery now."
"Okay." Ashley handed her belongings to Ariana and followed the doctor into the room.
Ariana had just taken a seat, only to see a tall figure approaching from down the corridor.