55. The Psychological Hint She Planted

Three days before the New Year countdown, various industries began their winter break. Tara’s parents also closed their restaurant today, returning home to sweep and decorate the house, preparing to welcome the arrival of the New Year.

"Can you move a bit faster? You're so slow just hanging a lantern, my arms are getting sore from holding this. Look at Leo, he finished hanging theirs ages ago!"

Snow fell in thick flurries, covering the ground in a deep layer of white, and the air was as bitter and biting as a knife.

Facing his wife's delicate complaints, Arthur, standing on the ladder, looked helpless. "I didn't wear my glasses, so I can't see very clearly..."

Below him, Fiona was dissatisfied. "You're so clumsy, get down and let me do it!"

Seeing his old friend being so thoroughly disdained by his wife, Silas next door showed no mercy, delivering a refined roast. "Old Tang, can you handle it or not? Your eaves are high, and I'm afraid your height won't reach. Do you want me to come over and help you paste it?"

"You just love to talk all day!" His wife, Helen, kicked him warningly. "Why aren't you hurrying over to help?"

Silas rubbed his nose meekly and immediately followed behind her to go over and help.

"Didn't you say Tara and Leo were coming back today? Are they almost here?"

"Not yet, probably another hour or so."

"Right, that boy is coming with Tara this time. Old Tang, your culinary skills are great, so prepare a few more delicious dishes later."

"I know, I know, you don't need to tell me..."

The two families stood close together chatting warmly about daily life. While the atmosphere was perfect, they suddenly saw a luxury car driving over slowly, stopping right next door.

The conversation among the four came to a halt as they all turned their gazes toward the luxury car.

Following that, the car door opened, and a young man dressed impeccably in a fine suit got out. He eagerly walked around the front of the car and opened the passenger door.

"Baby, we're here."

Next, the young man reached out his hand, leading a girl who was also dressed exquisitely and luxuriously out of the passenger seat.

"Oh, is that Stephanie?"

After seeing the girl's face clearly, Fiona spoke with some uncertainty.

Helen chimed in: "It seems to be, this girl has changed quite a bit..."

The two best friends spoke with gentle expressions and normal tones throughout. Stephanie, standing next door, couldn't hear their voices, but seeing their expressions, she assumed they were secretly whispering and running her down again.

She let out an imperceptible cold laugh.

True, after all, she was living well now and had found such a wealthy boyfriend. She was no longer that little green leaf serving as a foil next to their precious daughter.

These two old women, who knew how bitter they were in their hearts.

Even though she thought this way, she still put on a sweet smile and greeted them: "Aunt Fiona, Aunt Helen, long time no see."

Without waiting for the two friends to reply, she smiled and looked at Fiona, asking, "Aunt Fiona, has Tara not come back yet?"

Although the Tang family and Stephanie's family were close neighbors, their relationship wasn't very good due to conflicts between their parents in the past.

But remembering that Stephanie and Tara used to play together frequently when they were kids, Fiona's attitude toward her was still relatively mild.

She replied with a smile: "Tara is still on her way, probably a bit longer..." before she arrives.

Before she could finish her sentence, her peripheral vision suddenly caught three figures appearing on the must-pass road leading into the neighborhood.

Two of them could be recognized at a glance as her daughter and her godson.

As for the other young man, just by guessing, one would know exactly who it was.

Fiona immediately forgot about exchanging pleasantries with Stephanie and said happily, "Tara and the others are back!"

Hearing this, everyone followed her gaze, including Stephanie.

Those were three exceptionally eye-catching figures.

The men were handsome, and the girl was beautiful.

The two tall young men walked on either side like two guardian deities, flanking the petite and lovely girl in the middle.

The three of them looked to be laughing and bantering, and the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious and beautiful.

These three were none other than Tara, Killian, and Leo.

Seeing Fiona and the others standing at the door, Tara immediately waved her hands, which were clad in fluffy rabbit mittens. "Dad, Mom, Godfather, Godmother!"

Her sweet, soft voice carried from afar, sounding exceptionally happy.

Stephanie's gaze darkened instantly, her eyes glued to the slender, pretty girl.

Having not seen her for a few years, she seemed to have grown even more beautiful.

Even from a distance of dozens of meters, her loveliness was unmistakable.

Jealousy churned violently in her heart, and she couldn't help but look at the young man holding Tara's hand tightly.

He was very tall.

His casual and simple winter attire was worn with a great sense of style, and his aura seemed to merge with this icy world—cold, aloof, and noble.

His sharp facial features were clearly visible even from far away. It wasn't hard to imagine how handsome he would look up close.

Is that her boyfriend?

From childhood to adulthood, she had an outstanding and handsome brother protecting her, and now that she was grown, she had found a handsome boyfriend who was by no means inferior to her brother.

This little green tea's luck with the opposite sex was as good as always.

The bitterness in her heart was about to completely fill her chest.

Seeing this, her boyfriend, Ethan, gripped her hand, squeezed it, and whispered, "Baby, you don't like that girl?"

Ethan's words brought Stephanie back to her senses.

Looking at the refined and handsome face in front of her, the bitterness in her heart dissipated slightly.

That's right, what was she being bitter about?

She had found a very wealthy boyfriend now; he possessed nearly one hundred million dollars in savings.

What kind of concept was that?

It was money that the little green tea's parents could never earn even if they ran their restaurant for a lifetime.

Of course, her supposedly amazing brother was like a distant chasm compared to this.

Just a few poor wretches who didn't even have their own car when coming home; she didn't need to care at all.

Thinking of this, she put on a sweet smile and looked at him: "How could that be? She was my best friend in childhood."

"Tonight, maybe the two of us can drop by for a visit."

She shook his arm as if acting spoiled and said, "You have to perform well, don't let this good friend of mine down."

Ethan saw her like or dislike for this childhood friend perfectly clearly, and naturally understood what she meant by performing well.

He curled his lips confidently: "Don't worry, baby, I won't lose face for you. I'll definitely perform well."

Tara knew absolutely nothing about the undercurrent of competition between the two.

As she approached, she didn't even spare them a single glance, turning all her attention to introducing Killian to her parents first.