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Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Look Out for Our Lynn

Hearing this, Lynn Winslow pressed her cheek against Nina Norton’s.

Nina Norton ruffled her hair and began introducing Lynn Winslow to everyone.

”This is my future daughter-in-law. Isn’t she beautiful?”

”Our Finn is so lucky to have found a girlfriend like her. I’d say he’s finally living up to that handsome face of his.”

She had no qualms about putting down her most beloved son to elevate Lynn Winslow’s status in the Sterling family. She wanted everyone to recognize Lynn so that in the future, if they ran into her in Quartos, they would be mindful of their words and actions.

Lynn Winslow, poised and gracious, greeted each one in turn. With a series of ”aunties” and ”sisters,” her sweet tongue successfully captured the hearts of most of the ladies present.

Of course, a few of them lacked tact.

Just as Lynn Winslow and Nina Norton were quietly discussing Lynn staying at Aerie Garden for a while longer, a sharp voice cut in.

”Mrs. Sterling, you can’t choose a daughter-in-law based on looks alone.”

Her tone was clearly passive-aggressive, and Nina Norton didn’t bother to be polite. Her lips curled into a smirk. ”Mrs. Thorne, are you trying to lecture me?”

Mrs. Thorne’s expression froze. She hadn’t expected Nina Norton to focus on such an odd point.

She gave a Kiki laugh and explained, ”Not at all. I was just worried you were being deceived.”

Lynn Winslow, seated between Nina Norton and Mrs. Jennings, stared at Mrs. Thorne in the distance for a long moment before finally placing her.

Her eyes curved into a smile, and she spoke just loudly enough for everyone to hear.

”You seem to be friends with my aunt, aren’t you?” Lynn Winslow tilted her head, feigning confusion. ”I believe that’s right. Mrs. Thorne, I’m not mistaken, am I?”

Mrs. Thorne didn’t want to speak to her, but out of respect for Nina Norton, she gave a cold grunt of affirmation.

Lynn Winslow smiled. ”Mrs. Thorne, are you taking potshots at me today to stick up for my aunt?”

In that instant, Nina Norton’s expression turned cold. She stared intently at Mrs. Thorne, her powerful presence as a woman of high status on full display. The other ladies sensed the shift and held their breath.

”I...” Mrs. Thorne opened her mouth to explain, but Lynn Winslow cut her off. ”My aunt used to say my mother stole her fiancé. Later, she blamed me for ’stealing’ my grandfather from my cousin. You were privy to all this, weren’t you? Why don’t you be the judge for me?”

Nina Norton’s voice was level, but her gaze was frigid. ”That’s right, Mrs. Thorne. Why don’t you tell us what really happened? We wouldn’t want baseless rumors with no truth to them getting around.”

Mrs. Thorne’s hand, resting on the table, began to tremble uncontrollably. She knew if she didn’t set the record straight right here and now, in front of everyone, the Thorne family would become the new subject of gossip.

”Of course it wasn’t like that. Miss Powell and Mr. Winslow fell in love and got together of their own free will. There was no such thing as her stealing Sienna’s fiancé.”

Lynn Winslow smiled gently and continued, ”And what about my aunt and cousin blaming me for being close to my grandfather, saying I ’stole’ him from my cousin? Do you think that’s fair?”

Mrs. Thorne shot a cautious glance at Nina Norton. The ladies who had been sitting near her had already scooted away. She struggled to continue, ”Which granddaughter Mr. Powell likes or dotes on is his own business. For Sienna and Mia to say such things was truly selfish of them.”

Satisfied, Lynn Winslow lowered her gaze. Nina Norton naturally took over from there.

She turned to the butler and gave a simple command. ”Please see Mrs. Thorne out. And as for her donation the other day, return the funds to her at the auction price.”

Mrs. Thorne panicked. She shot up and rushed to Nina Norton’s side, her status and the self-respect she normally carried completely forgotten.

”Mrs. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, I know I was wrong! I was just listening to baseless gossip, that’s why I thought Miss Winslow... I know I was wrong. Please don’t send me away.”

If she were thrown out now, her future—and the future of the Thorne family—would be over.

”Mrs. Thorne, what on earth are you doing?” Nina Norton said with a light smile. Then, her expression hardened as she turned to the approaching bodyguards. ”What’s taking you so long? Don’t I pay you enough to eat your fill?”

She couldn’t be bothered to play the part of a gentle noblewoman any longer. Everyone here knew the Norton family wasn’t some respectable old-money clan, and Nina Norton was certainly no prim and proper lady who’d been perfectly groomed since childhood. She had a temper of her own.

The bodyguards quickened their pace and gestured for Mrs. Thorne to leave. But could she go? Did she dare?

The moment she walked out of Aerie Garden, the Thorne family would be facing bankruptcy.

News in Quartos traveled faster than anything, and the number of opportunists who would follow the prevailing wind was countless.

She reached out and grabbed Nina Norton’s arm. When Nina Norton remained unmoved, she reached for Lynn Winslow’s hand. Lynn frowned and pulled away, and at that, Nina Norton’s fury erupted.

”Drag her out!”

She roared, and the ladies behind her flinched in unison, holding their breath.

Once Mrs. Thorne had been dragged away, Lynn Winslow quietly apologized to Nina Norton.

”Why are you apologizing?” Nina Norton asked, confused.

”It was because of me that Mrs. Thorne made you angry. I ruined the mood for you and the other ladies,” Lynn Winslow said, biting her lip guiltily.

She might be putting on an act with others, but her feelings for Nina Norton were genuine.

”How could any of this be your fault?” Nina Norton smiled gently, her face showing no trace of her earlier anger. She gently tucked a strand of Lynn Winslow’s hair behind her ear and coaxed softly, ”It’s my fault for inviting such a fool to spoil the mood. And to think she tried to bully you. I’m just happy you don’t blame me.”

Lynn Winslow lowered her head, avoiding Nina Norton’s gentle gaze as her eyes began to redden.

As far back as she could remember, her own mother had never comforted her like this. The Mrs. Sterling by her side, while affectionate, always maintained the barrier between master and servant.

Sensing the wave of sadness coming off of Lynn, Nina Norton pulled her into a tight hug. After a few comforting pats, she took Lynn Winslow’s hand, stood up, and addressed the other ladies. ”Let me say just one thing. Lynn is part of the Sterling family now. I hope you all remember that. Look out for our Lynn if you see her around, and the Sterling family will remember your kindness.”

With that, she said quietly to Mrs. Jennings, ”Keep an eye on things.”

She gave Mrs. Jennings a meaningful look. Having been good friends for many years, Mrs. Jennings understood instantly. After Nina Norton left the sunroom with Lynn Winslow in hand, she took the initiative to invite the other ladies to sit down.

Lynn Winslow and Nina Norton walked back toward the villa. As they walked, Nina Norton said gently, ”Not all of these ladies in Quartos are very bright. There will always be a few fools who do stupid things indiscriminately. Lynn, don’t take anything they say or do to heart. And don’t just endure it. You don’t just have the Winslow family and the Powell family behind you; you have the Sterling Family, too.”

Lynn Winslow looked at her through a blur of tears and nodded earnestly.

Back in the villa, Ian Sterling had already changed into casual clothes and come downstairs. When he saw Lynn Winslow’s red, tear-rimmed eyes, he frowned and asked anxiously, ”What happened? Why are you crying?”