Carol had accepted that it would be difficult for her to earn Brian’s favor. So, she decided it would be a good idea to visit Brian’s mother, Kate Grace.
Kate was a brilliant, gorgeous woman. She was also highly intelligent, having completed years of postgraduate study, she was highly respected in her field and recently returned from a fellowship at a European university.
She had chosen to divorce Simon many years ago, after learning of his affairs with other women. Although Simon had exerted himself to make up with Kate, he had been unable to change her mind.
As Simon felt guilty about it, he had always treated Brian very well, and possibly even spoiled him.
When Brian was a little boy, he was educated by his beautiful, genius mother. So, in his mind, Kate was very important and irreplaceable.
And Carol knew all of this. So, whilst she knew that Simon’s approval meant the acceptance of the William family, that did not mean Brian would accept her. But Kate was different. Brian respected and honored his mother. So Carol knew that if Kate liked her, everything would be different.
If both Brian’s parents supported their marriage, even if he didn’t love her, he would at least have to think twice before turning her down.
What’s more, Carol was very confident in herself. She was beautiful, and her family was much more powerful and richer than Diana’s. It was impossible that Kate would dislike her.
Swelled with confidence, Carol brought the gift she had prepared and went to Kate’s house. She knew Kate was interested in jewelry design, so she had bought a limited edition bracelet from Channel as a gift.
Kate lived in a villa located far out in the suburbs of the city. Brian had visited her there before, but Kate liked to enjoy a tranquil life, hence she didn’t meet with Brian too frequently.
An old housemaid, Mrs. Logan, greeted Carol at the front door, then swiftly went inside to inform Kate of her arrival.
“Let her in,” Kate said coldly.
Carol walked in happily after the woman and was led out to the garden.
Kate was sitting under a maple tree. There were flower biscuits in a small basket on the table, with a mug full of steaming hot coffee beside.
Carol looked at Kate as she walked across the courtyard. Though she was no longer young, Kate still looked fantastic. Carol couldn’t tell the brand of the clothes she wore, but they were clearly high-end and customized. Kate was the epitome of elegance.
“Do we have a guest?” Kate looked up at the sound of Carol’s footsteps.
Carol carried herself decently and elegantly. Yet Kate didn’t show even a hint of happiness at seeing her. “May I ask your name?”
Carol let the butler put her gifts on the table and smiled back at Kate.
“Hello, Ms. Grace, my name is Carol Jefferson, I am Brian’s fiancée. I heard that you recently returned from abroad, so I came to pay you a visit.”
Kate raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded at the servant beside her. “Put Miss Jefferson’s gifts in the room.”
Carol smiled with relief, but her hopes of charming Brian’s mother were soon dashed, as Kate looked at her and continued, “However, I am sorry to tell you I have a meeting this afternoon, so I can’t have any guests today.”
Carol was extremely disappointed. Still, she didn’t want to make Kate think badly of her, so she smiled and said, “No, I shouldn’t have come unannounced. I am sorry for bothering you. I will leave.”
“Goodbye then,” Kate replied evenly, making no effort to ask Carol to stay.
And with that, Kate stood up and walked gracefully back into the villa, leaving a frustrated Carol with the maid to escort her out.
Once Carol was safely gone, Kate looked accusingly at her maid. “Mrs. Logan, I have told you before that I won’t meet with strangers.”
Mrs. Logan was stunned, “But… that was Mr. William’s fiancée.”
“Brian’s girlfriends are always chosen by that man. They are all ladies born into rich families. Brian’s father only said yes to their marriage because of the business interests behind it. None of them truly love Brian.”
Mrs. Logan didn’t dare to reply.
Kate wore a weary expression and added, “Don’t open the gifts she brought. Send them back later at an appropriate time. And I don’t want to see ladies like her again.”
Kate really did have a meeting that afternoon, so she dismissed Mrs. Logan and retired to her room. She thought for a while about her meeting with Carol, then called Brian.
Brian was busy thinking about his plan to capture Diana’s heart but seeing the call from his mother, he put his plans on hold. After all, she didn’t call him too frequently.
Brian answered elatedly, “Mother, how are you? Why do you call me today?”
Hearing Brian’s voice, Kate couldn’t help smiling. But she steadied herself and asked in a serious tone, “Is Carol Jefferson your fiancée? When did Simon find you this woman?”
Brian was stunned. He frowned and asked, “Mother, how do you know that?”
Judging from Brian’s tone, Kate knew her son was not fond of Miss Jefferson. So, she told him straightly, “I think she is very eager to be ‘Mrs. William.’ You haven’t married her yet, and she came to visit me with gifts. It was quite clear what her intentions were.”
Brian could feel Carol had irritated Kate. “Mother, you can say if you don’t like her, I don’t like her either. But she isn’t a bad girl; you don’t have to embarrass her.”
“So, you are teaching me lessons now? Well, look at you all grown up,” Kate snapped.
Feeling his mother was on the verge of anger, Brian said immediately, “No, that’s not it at all! I wouldn’t dare to disrespect you like that. I just want us to be honest with each other.”