Chapter 809

“Isn’t there a board meeting tonight?” I blurted out, a little stunned.

He let out a soft chuckle, his lips curling into a faint smirk as he dipped his head. “I just wanted to have dinner with you, just the two of us.”

I glanced at him. With his glasses on, the upward tilt of his long, narrow eyes looked unexpectedly attractive.

I nodded. “Alright, let’s talk business then.”

He looked a little helpless, pausing for a moment before replying, “Sure, I guess we’ll find a way to work together.”

His words put me at ease. Ever since I figured out how to really make money, I just kept wanting to pull more and more resources my way, stacking everything for myself.

‘Maybe this is what being a true hustler is all about?’ I thought to myself.

The next morning, I went over to the Holcomb family’s place to pick up Yvonne. She hadn’t expected me to suddenly show up in Hachester–when she spotted me, her whole face lit up and she dashed over, smiling from ear to ear. “Mom, when did you get back?”

“Last night,” I replied.

When Sally saw me, her grin stretched wide. “Victoria, did you have breakfast already? Why don’t you come in and eat with us?”

Sally could change her face in a flash, but honestly, ever since Quinn nearly ran me over, I’d pretty much written this whole family off.

“No, thanks. I’m taking her out to eat,” I said, then nudged Yvonne to say goodbye to Sally before we headed out in the car.

I took Yvonne to our usual breakfast spot. We’d just sat down when my phone rang.

It was Jared.

I told Yvonne to order while I answered his call.

“You didn’t even tell me you were coming back,” Jared said, sounding a little annoyed.

“I’m just here to grab breakfast with Yvonne. We can talk later tonight,” I replied. I knew he’d be at the board meeting later.

“Where are you guys? I’m coming over,” Jared said, clearly unwilling to wait till tonight.

Half an hour later, Jared walked into the breakfast place.

Yvonne beamed and called out, “Dad, how’d you know we were here?”

Jared slouched into the seat next to us, looking relaxed. “Didn’t you used to come here all the time?”

I shot him a glance. “You’ll have to order for yourself–I didn’t get you anything.”

Jared ordered his own food and settled in next to Yvonne.

He sighed. “Old habits really are something. Whenever you come back to Hachester, you just can’t help coming to this place.”

My hand jerked with the spoon, and I couldn’t help but snort, a bit exasperated. “So, what, you’re saying I’m sentimental now?”

Jared smirked and teased me, “Please, I know exactly what you’re like.”

I just rolled my eyes, too lazy to reply.

Yvonne grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief, and piped up, “Dad, are you trying to chase after Mom again?”

Jared’s cheeks flushed; flustered, he waved her off, “Hey now, that’s grown-up business. Don’t pry–just eat your breakfast.”

Yvonne sulked, reluctant, but still poked at her food.

After breakfast, Jared suggested I drop by his office for a bit, but I declined and decided to take Yvonne out for some shopping at the mall instead.

Yvonne used to love splurging on stuff–she’d buy things she didn’t even like, just to get that rush from spending money.

But lately, I’ve noticed she’d changed. She just kept looking around and wasn’t grabbing at everything anymore.

“This jacket looks great on you. Let’s get it,” I said, after she’d tried on a few and settled on one.

“Thanks, Mom. I really like it,” Yvonne said, twirling in front of the mirror. “It looks so good.”

I noticed that Yvonne looked kind of different lately–maybe it was because she’d put on a bit of weight. In my previous life, she used to be super picky about food just to spite me, and she stayed skinny as a rail all the way through middle school.

But now, her cheeks were soft and chubby, and her features had filled out differently. Her face looked rounder, and her frame was sturdier than it ever was before–honestly, it made her even cuter.