Chapter 497
Thinking it was the butler, Lily went to open the door. When she saw two strangers, she blurted out in surprise. “Who are you here to see?
Seeing an unfamiliar girl, Tom took a step back. “My apologies,” he said, “I seem to have the wrong address.”
“Who’s there?” Owen called out as he emerged from the kitchen.
At the sound of his voice, Tom looked up and glanced inside.
Their gazes locked.
Owen stood there casually dressed, in an oddly out–of–place apron and carrying something in his hand. It was a stark contrast to his usual polished
appearance.
Yet, somehow, it didn’t feel out of place at
Tom froze in shock.
all.
Owen barely glanced at Tom as he set the thing in his hand on the table.
Pushing past her father, Anabel rushed in. “Aria, Owen,” she greeted them.
Aria smiled at Anabel. “Had breakfast yet?”
“Even if I’ve eaten, I’d still say I haven’t.” Anabel dashed off to wash her hands, then sat down and greeted Lily and Pearl. “Can’t wait to taste Owen’s cooking again!”
Everyone ignored Tom, even his daughter.
Tom cleared his throat awkwardly and stepped inside. “Well, Owen, thank you for yesterday. They would have ruined my reputation if you hadn’t been
there.”
Owen took a seat, his voice icy. “No need for thanks, Uncle Tom. I didn’t do anything.”
Tom said, “The main reason I came today is to apologize. I’ve always, believed family harmony is what matters most. I used to think Isaac’s wrongdoing didn’t deserve such harsh punishment, and I even blamed you for being too harsh on him. I was wrong. Sorry.”
Owen replied indifferently, “Apology accepted. If there’s nothing else, you may leave now.”
Tom knew this was just Owen’s temperament and didn’t mind his cold words. He was about to say something when he saw Owen gently ladle a bowl o soup for Aria and say, “It’s hot. Let it cool first.”
Then, Owen filled three bowls with soup and set them before the three girls.
‘So I’m the only one getting special treatment, huh?‘ Tom thought bitterly.
Watching this warm, family–like scene, Tom couldn’t bring himself to interrupt, at least for the moment.
‘Who are these two young ladies?‘ Tom wondered.
If it weren’t for the age gap, Tom would’ve assumed
en and Aria had twin daughters.
Anabel suddenly sprang up from her seat, staring at Lily in shock. “You’re Lily, the state’s top scorer?”
Lily scored 1540 on her SAT, making her the highest–scoring student in Mandino City and Kanit City.
Since both Kanit City and Mandino City used the same SAT exam, it was natural for everyone to compare their scores.
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Chapter 497
In previous years, Kanit City had always held the upper hand over Mandino City in SAT results. But this year, Mandino City snatched away the top spot from Kanit City. They even produced two top scorers.
Even the second and third places didn’t
to Kanit City students. It wasn’t until fourth place that Kanit City’s students appeared in the rankings
It was a heavy blow to the teachers and students in Kanit City. The summer break for rising seniors got slashed from a month to just two weeks, and Anabel was one of them.
Lily replied, “Yes.”
“Wow!” Anabel gasped, turning to Aria. “Aria, where did you l find such an amazing little sister? You’ve got great tasta.””
Tom was well aware that Mandino City had produced two top scorers. His daughter’s sudden outburst snapped him out of his thoughts, and his gaze instinctively shifted to Lily’s face.
Tom thought, “So she’s one of the top scorers?”
The Shaw Family Group operated in the technology and finance sectors and always prioritized talent acquisition. Each year, it proactively reached out to top scorers in the SAT nationwide, hoping to recruit these academic elites.
Both top scorers of Mandino City turned down invitations from the Shaw Family Group, one for unknown reasons, while the other decided to join the Shaw Group instead.
‘They are both our family businesses anyway, so it doesn’t matter which one they go to, Tom thought.
Tom had instructed his HR director to recruit Lily, the top scorer, only to realize she was sitting right before him.
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