Not A Small-Town Girl

Flustered, Danielle mumbled, "Stop teasing! I’m sleepy. Oh, and don’t bother with the soup. Bye!" She hung up hastily.

June smirked. "Your boyfriend, huh? You two must be close-you talk every day."

Danielle hummed in acknowledgment, trying to downplay her embarrassment.

"Danielle, what does your boyfriend do? He looks so mature, he must be a lot older than you, right?" Thinking about that man, he was truly the most charming and handsome she had ever seen. He probably came from a good family too.

Danielle frowned slightly. "He works in an office," she said evasively.

"An office worker?" Juniper teased. "With looks like his, what a waste!" "June, are you interested in Danielle’s boyfriend?"

Juniper asked.

June glanced at Danielle, still hoping to become friends with her. After all, she was the daughter of the richest family in town. She hurriedly said, "Of course not! I’m just concerned about Danielle, wanting to get to know her better."

Juniper sneered, "With the way you’re asking, I thought you had some intentions toward Danielle’s boyfriend. If you really want to get to know someone, you need to do it from the heart, not just with words."

June shot Juniper a look of disdain, thinking, ’She’s just Danielle’s lackey. She’s probably worried I’ll get closer to Danielle and mess up her own little plans. So manipulative, and she doesn’t even want me to make friends.’

But still, she smiled and said, "I’m just blunt, sometimes my mouth runs faster than my brain. I really consider you guys my good friends."

"Better take a nap, we’ve got military training again this afternoon." Jane, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.

At the Dixon family, Ruby sat stiffly in the living room, taking in the familiar yet alien surroundings. She hadn’t set foot in this house for three years, and the memories were suffocating. The only reason she was here now was because her mother was in Emily’s clutches.

"Ruby, you’re back! I had the kitchen prepare all your favorite dishes. Your father has missed you terribly. You should come home more often," Emily gushed, her warmth practically oozing.

Ruby suppressed a bitter laugh. Emily was a master actress. In front of Robert, she was all smiles and maternal affection. But the moment he wasn’t around, her true colors shone-cruel and vindictive.

Ruby had tried exposing her before, but her pleas had been dismissed as childish tantrums. To Robert, Emily was the perfect wife, and Ruby was just a rebellious daughter.