Chapter 15  

Audrey and Anna had lunch outside before returning home.

After returning home and resting for a while, Audrey accompanied Anthea to her regular beauty salon.

Anthea was a member of the salon, and the staff recognized her. They quickly came forward to greet her as soon as she entered.

“Madam, who is this?” The manager hadn’t seen Audrey before. Seeing Audrey and Anthea holding hands somewhat intimately, he hesitated in addressing them.

Anthea smiled and introduced, “This is my daughter, Audrey.”

The beauty salon had hosted many wealthy ladies and young misses, so they were quite familiar with this social circle. They immediately guessed Audrey’s identity.

This young miss didn’t have a good reputation among the social circle of wealthy ladies; she was said to always boast about her wealthy background and loved seeking attention.

Of course, even if the manager had such thoughts, he wouldn’t show them on his face.

He extended his hand with a smile. “So, you’re Miss Audrey. You bear a resemblance to Madam Anthea.”

Audrey also shook his hand with a smile.

Anthea had been in a good mood all day; after all, this was the first time her daughter had accompanied her to a beauty salon.

She smiled and ordered a full-body package for both Audrey and herself.

This was Audrey’s first time at a beauty salon; previously, she had been too focused on making money.

Audrey didn’t expect the beauty treatment to be so comfortable. She almost fell asleep while lying on the bed. She wasn’t sure about the results, but after coming out with Anthea, she felt that her skin was refreshed, even though she didn’t feel much else.

Seeing how Audrey enjoyed it, Anthea got her a membership card so she could come whenever she had free time.

After returning home, Audrey returned to her room to read the script while Anthea pruned the flowers in the garden. She spent most of her time in the garden.

Audrey came out after reading the script for a while and saw that she was still in the garden.

But this time she wasn’t pruning the plants, she was watering them.

“Mom, don’t you go out to meet friends?” Audrey asked Anthea.

Anthea shook her head. “There’s not much fun outside. True friends are rare in this social circle.”

Audrey understood what she meant. People in this social circle could be fickle, often praising or criticizing others based on trends. Anthea came from a modest background, and fitting into such an environment would be challenging.

However, she was Gary’s wife; presumably, no one would look down on her.

Seeing Audrey deep in thought, Anthea continued, “Audrey, remember, any honor gained by depending on others is fleeting. If you want others to respect you, you can’t be seen as someone’s wife or daughter. You must stand on your own.”

Audrey nodded and replied, “Mom, I understand. Respect is earned through one’s actions, not granted by others.”

Anthea looked at Audrey with satisfaction, knowing that this time she had truly understood.

Audrey had already realized how wisely Anthea lived, but she hadn’t expected her to be so clear-headed.

If the original host had half of her mother’s intelligence, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation.

Before dinner, Gary, his father, and the two brothers arrived home one after the other, each returning from the company office. However, they didn’t arrive in the same car, intentionally staggering their schedules to avoid coming home simultaneously.

But no matter what, Gary was still very happy.

During dinner, Gary suddenly spoke up, “Let’s have the birthday celebration at home next Saturday.”

Audrey didn’t immediately realize whose birthday it was.

But before she could think further, Eric interjected, “It’s troublesome to host it at home. We have to arrange everything.”

Gary shot him a look. “You’re not the one arranging it. Why do you care?”

Eric retorted, unwilling to back down. “Can’t I care about the housemaids?”

Gary was annoyed by his response and then turned to Abner. “We’ve already obtained the cinema approval; give it to him.”

Eric widened his eyes in disbelief. “You’re using work to seek personal revenge on me.”

Gary chuckled, not taking it seriously, “Your films, every single one of them, has been a flop. You’d better quit while you’re ahead.”

Eric abruptly stood up, seemingly ready to leave right then and there.

Audrey, who had been silent all this time, looked up at him and sensed he was about to say something like “I’m full.”

[You are throwing a tantrum at the dining table again. Seriously, are you still in elementary school?]

Eric noticed the subtitles above Audrey’s head with a momentary stiffness in his expression. Suddenly, he sat back down and retorted to Gary, “What do you understand? I make art films for awards, not money.”

Gary had the same thoughts as Audrey, but he hadn’t expected Eric to sit back down. Gary raised an eyebrow, “Where are the awards?”

Eric replied with a cold tone, “You just wait and see.”