Mrs. Sterling never spoke during meals. It was clear she came from a distinguished family. She was well-bred, so she remained silent while eating and sleeping.
Mrs. Sterling was always quiet, even more so at dinner.
At first, Evie tried to make conversation. But seeing that Mrs. Sterling and Bella weren't talking, she fell silent too.
"Evie, do you not like the food?" Bella asked softly.
"No, it's all delicious!" Evie looked up.
"You seemed down today, so I thought the dishes weren't to your taste," Bella said with a gentle smile.
"No, I love them all. Sister-in-law, please eat more," Evie replied.
"You too!" Bella warmly served Evie a lot of food.
"Thank you, sister-in-law, I can manage!" Evie felt embarrassed.
"Eat up!" Bella's eyes were soft as she looked at Evie, as if gazing at her own child.
"Sister-in-law, you should eat more too!" Evie said, then turned to Mrs. Sterling. "Mom, you should also eat more!"
Mrs. Sterling nodded with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, why do you only eat vegetables?" Evie noticed Bella only picked at the greens.
"I'm a vegetarian!" Bella smiled.
"Oh!" Evie answered quietly.
Everyone had different eating habits.
But she always felt being a vegetarian wasn't good for one's health.
"Evie, are you still used to living with Gray during this time?" Mrs. Sterling asked.
"Very much so!" Evie replied softly.
She couldn't help but think of Gray holding her while she slept. Her face suddenly flushed.
Actually, she only went to Gray's apartment on weekends. With Gray's frequent business trips, they didn't really spend much time together.
Mrs. Sterling saw Evie's red cheeks and smiled even more.
Just then, Evie's phone rang.
Evie apologized awkwardly and got up to answer it.
It was Gray.
"Hello?" Evie answered.
"Were you looking for me?" Gray's voice came through.
"No!" Evie replied blankly.
"Your missed call shows you called."
"Oh, I must have pressed it by accident. Are you still busy?"
"Just got off work."
"I'm at your house!" Evie said with a smile.
"Isn't my house your house?" Gray asked after a pause.
"..." Evie was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "Yes! Have you eaten?"
"Just got off work," Gray repeated.
"Oh, then hurry and eat. Mom and sister-in-law are also eating!" Evie felt embarrassed.
She had just asked if he had eaten, and he said he just finished work.
"Do you need me to come back and help?" Gray asked.
"No, I'm fine!" Evie felt warmth in her heart. "Don't worry, go eat!"
"I have a meeting this afternoon. You can rest at Sterling Manor at noon, and I'll pick you up later," Gray explained.
"It's okay, you're busy. I can take a taxi myself!" Evie said politely.
"Evie, it's the weekend," Gray pointed out lightly.
"..." Evie was stunned.
No wonder she felt this weekend was a bit different.
She had forgotten to report to Gray's apartment.
"Take your time. Come pick me up when you're done," Evie replied.
After hanging up, Evie returned to the dining table and whispered, "It was Gray."
"Good!" Mrs. Sterling nodded with a smile. She was more and more satisfied with their relationship.
"You and Yunzhe have a good relationship," Bella said with satisfaction.
Evie felt embarrassed.
She looked at Mrs. Sterling, who signaled with her eyes that Evie didn't need to explain. She said lightly, "Let's eat!"
Evie nodded and bowed her head to continue eating.
In the Sterling family, everyone seemed to consider Mrs. Sterling's mood. From this, Evie thought the family was still very humane.
After dinner, Bella went to rest first.
Evie sat with Mrs. Sterling for a while.
"Bella's spirit has been better these past two years. We all try our best to accommodate her. Usually, she's fine, just occasionally mistakes Gray for her son. Get used to it," Mrs. Sterling said with emotion.
"I understand!" Evie answered obediently.
"In the future, you'll be responsible for this family. After you settle in, you can learn things slowly. It's okay."
"Mom, I'm afraid I can't do it well," Evie replied immediately.
Such a big family, and she was supposed to lead it?
Evie was shocked and admitted she didn't have that ability.
"Don't worry. Take your time. What are you afraid of with Gray by your side?" Mrs. Sterling said with a smile.
Evie's face turned red.
"Mom is old, and I don't know how many years I have left. Bella is like this. This family still depends on you and Gray. Don't feel pressured. It's natural for you to take care of the family," Mrs. Sterling comforted her.
Evie had to nod.
Later, Mrs. Sterling also went inside for a nap, and Evie returned to Sterling Manor.
But she got lost.
She clearly remembered this was the way to Sterling Manor. How did she end up in the garden?
As Evie was thinking about turning back, she heard people talking at the corner ahead.
She wanted to ask for directions to Sterling Manor, but she overheard their enthusiastic chatter—
"Today, the young lady is coming."
"Which young lady?"
"That girl named Evie, who else! Otherwise, do you think I'm talking about Lily?"
"Oh, I always thought Lily was the fourth young master's person."
"Think too much. How could the old lady let a servant girl in?"
"But she's always had a good relationship with the fourth young master!"
"That's true. Otherwise, the fourth young master wouldn't have married that girl. By the way, what's her background? She looks very young!"
"It seems her family also runs a company. She just turned 20 this year! By the way, you'd better not provoke Lily. She's in a bad mood, and who knows what extreme things she might do!"
"No way!"
"Love can make people blind and impulsive. Anyway, just be careful. I won't say more. I'm going to work."
"Together! I'll be busy, or I'll talk to the housekeeper later."
Evie stood there awkwardly. She had wanted to ask for directions, but it seemed she had heard things she shouldn't have.
Lily was a familiar name. It seemed she had heard it somewhere before.
As Evie walked back, she remembered.
"Hello, young lady!"
Evie looked up and saw a beautiful, elegant woman standing in front of her, with a faint smile and a hint of warmth in her eyes, making her feel like a spring breeze.
"Hello, do you know how to get to Sterling Manor?" Evie asked awkwardly.
"Young lady, please follow me!" Lily smiled.
"Please," Evie said politely.
"You're welcome, young lady."
"Are you...?" Evie followed Lily and asked.