Chapter 373
Chapter 373
Logan thought, ‘With your petty little schemes, you think you can fool Amelia? Do you really see Amelia as some brainless fool!”
‘Amelia’s brand is already a global name. The only reason she’s not picking on Lucia is
out
of kindness to Audrey
‘Lucia’s so clueless. She might as well be mute for all the messes her mouth gets her into!‘
Amelia was a career woman through and through. She had Yann in winter; otherwise, she’d have bounced right back to work post birth.
She didn’t even want to raise her own kid, let alone take care of Logan.
That was why Logan kept Lucia around–all that attentive care and meticulous concern.
Lucia had no backbone, so she was easy to manipulate.
To him, Amelia was like a blazing sun–his pride, his connections, and his golden ticket.
Lucia looked after his daily life and handled domestic chores. She was… a glorified housewife?
He never minded Lucia before, but ever since Audrey married Yann, she’d been nothing but a headache.
Lucia had no clue what Logan was seething about.
She sat there nursing her grudge, shooting Audrey looks to jump in and defend her.
But Audrey was too busy with Yann, though “busy” meant Yann was the one hanging on her every word.
Audrey whispered the day’s drama to him. At first, Yann smiled softly, but as she talked, his brows knit, his jaw clenched.
With her hand clasped in Yann’s, Audrey gave his fingers a gentle squeeze as she turned to face Logan.
She said, “Logan, I can cover the bill myself.”
Lucia nodded frantically. She thought, ‘Yes, yes, you pay! You’re loaded. Whether Amelia takes it or not is your problem, not mine.’
But Audrey added, “Just worried Amelia will think you’re playing games with her.”
Lucia seethed. ‘You little snake, what nonsense are you saying?!‘/
Logan nodded. “You got a point.”
He thought, ‘Amelia already sent the bill. If Audrey pays, Amelia will think I’m shielding Lucia and pushing Audrey to foot the bill. That’ll just add fuel to the fire.‘
“Leave the bill alone,” Logan snapped at Lucia, eyeing her sideways. “You picked out two bags too. You can foot the bill.”
“Me?” Lucia’s voice hitched. She had no money for this!
‘Besides, Amelia offered the bags to Audrey out of the blue. Why should I be stuck paying while Amelia gets all the credit?‘ she thought.
“You chose some bags, too. Why wouldn’t you pay?” Logan tapped his knee twice, shooting a quick glance at Yann.
He thought, ‘What kind of elder pulled this stunt? Not only did she skip buying gifts for Audrey, but she was leeching off Audrey’s connections that happen to be Yann’s mother!‘
‘Sure, Amelia hadn’t been the most hands–on mom, but blood is blood. For a stepmother to mooch off a mother’s kindness to her daughter–in–law? It will be a laughingstock, a stain on my reputation!‘
09:20 Mon, 23 Jun
Chapter 373
More importantly, Yann ran the Winifred family now.
Unless Logan wanted to retire early to a life of pruning flowers and teasing birds, what Lucia had done would wreek his life
Lucia dug her nails into her palin, nostrils flaring with rage, but she didn’t dare argue.
She grumbled a reluctant “fine,” already plotting to borrow cash from Audrey.
She thought, ‘If Audrey plays nice, she should settle the bill under my name. If she plays dumb? Well, I won’t be paying that back. After all, we’re family
Logan turned to Yann, fishing for a reaction.
He said, “I’m the one who brought Amelia here. If someone needs to smooth things over after today’s mess.
He thought, ‘Perfect–an excuse to see Amelia again. Even Richard couldn’t gripe about that despite his displeasure!
Wait, Amelia had dropped another bombshell.
Logan rounded on Lucia. “Amelia said you didn’t set up a wedding fund for Audrey. What’s the deal? Trying to be the silent saint?”
“I…” Lucia’s face drained of color.
She darted a guilty look at Audrey. “Amelia was steamed. Most of that was just hot air, I’ll fill you in later.”
“Is there a reason you can’t speak freely in front of Audrey and me?” Yann’s voice rumbled low, heavy with irritation.
Lucia clenched her fists, her eyes flickering between Audrey and Yann as cold sweat broke out along her temples. “Yann, don’t get the wrong idea. Audrey and I had a little talk about some things earlier, right, Audrey?”
Audrey stared at her blankly.
She’d seen Lucia desperately wink at her when Logan and Yann weren’t looking–so hard it seemed her eyelid might spasm.
But Audrey acted as if she didn’t notice the silent plea for help.
She asked, “We talked about what, exactly?”
Lucia stammered, “You know… that money. You can’t have forgotten.”
“Mrs. Lucia Winifred, are your eyes feeling okay? I’ve got eye drops for tired eyes.” Sylvie’s voice made Logan and Yann turn to Lucia, catching her over- the–top facial expressions.
‘I need to find a way to fire this nutritionist.‘ Lucia fumed.
“Yes, actually… my eyes are bothering me a bit.” She pretend–pinched her eyelid and fluttered it. “Logan, I just remembered you need to apply ointment today. Let me wheel you back.”
But before she could grasp the wheelchair handles, Yahn spoke up coolly. “Since we’re on the subject of the wedding fund, let’s clear this up.”
Lucia’s heart sank.
“I don’t care if Audrey had a wedding fund.” Yann’s tone softened as he looked at Audrey, but when he turned to Lucia, his gaze turned sharp. “That is, if you weren’t supposed to be her mother.”
Logan sensed something off. He locked the wheelchair wheels, stopping Lucia from moving him.
Audrey’s father was gone, and she had no mother. Of course, no one had set aside money for her wedding. Yann accepted her as she was and didn’t care about such things.
09:20 Mon, 23 Jun
Chapter 373
But that meant Lucia had no business pretending to be Audrey’s mother anymore, let alone using Audrey’s name to fake unfair advantages
“You didn’t give Audrey that money?” Logan’s voice turned icy too.
Another thought crossed his mind, but it wasn’t something to bring up there.
“Money? What money?” Audrey smiled sweetly, adding fuel to the fire. “Lucia said that since she’s part of the groom’s family and Yatin already provided a wedding fund, all she needed to do was ‘pitch in!”
In truth, she hadn’t done a thing.
From reserving the venue to finalizing the guest list, even selecting the drinks and menu, Lucia had stayed entirely out of the wedding arrangements.
Amelia had handled everything herself, not even giving Lucia an opportunity to get involved.
If Lucia hadn’t pleaded to be included, she wouldn’t have even been allowed to attend the wedding.
“Oh, really?” Logan’s voice trailed upward, eyeing Lucia with scrutiny.
He suddenly realized the woman beside him wasn’t the modest, dependable person he’d thought she was.
Lucia’s fingers clenched the wheelchair handles, her knuckles turning white as tension rigidified her entire body. She longed to escape that moment.
She thought, ‘Why bring up the wedding fund now, when everything has been fine? Audrey isn’t short on money. Yann spoils her endlessly. Why do they have to fixate on the paltry sum of mine?‘
The living room atmosphere turned oppressive.
Logan gave off the distinct vibe that she had to explain herself there and now, in front of Yann and Audrey.
He thought angrily, ‘I’m not a fool to be taken advantage of. Who won’t want to look generous?‘
‘Why should I spend money only to be secretly labeled a cheapskate by Amelia, Yann and Audrey?‘
