Janet was still hung up on the ladies’ sarcastic remarks that she didn’t notice the woman approaching
her.
Johanna had to wave her hand in front of Janet’s face before the latter came back to her senses.
Janet blinked at Johanna, at a loss for words.
She looked familiar for some reason.
But Janet couldn’t figure out where they had met before, so she decided to brush off the thought.
Thinking that Johanna was about to mock her just as the others had done, Janet squared her
shoulders and lifted her chin. “Hello. Can I help you with anything?”
She held her breath and braced herself for the inevitable. What sort of abuse was she going to hear
this time?
“It’s very nice to meet you. My name is Johanna White, and you may call me Mrs. White just like
everybody else.” The woman stretched out her hand, her eyes gleaming as she peered at Janet with
obvious curiosity.
Johanna had noticed Janet the moment she had entered the room, mainly because she had the same
eyes as her husband.
As for Janet, she was rather taken aback by the distinct lack of hostility. It was a breath of fresh air after
what she had just experienced.
She set her plate down and reached out to shake Johanna’s hand. “Hello, Mrs. White,” she said with a
polite nod and an apologetic look.
So, this was the Mrs. White that Ethan had mentioned earlier.
Upon closer inspection, Janet finally realized why this elegant woman looked so familiar—she saw that
same face in the mirror every day. Johanna White looked just like her.
“You caught my attention when you came in just now,” Johanna said with a smile. Before either woman
knew it, she had already clasped Janet’s hand between both of hers. “Are you a native of Seacisco?
I’ve grown very fond of the local cuisine. Can you give me a few recommendations?”
Johanna was genuinely amiable and didn’t put on airs, unlike the other rich ladies in attendance. She
had a gentle aura that inspired the confidence of the people around her.
“Oh, there’s a restaurant near my school that sells the best lamb stew in town,” Janet replied instantly.
“This is the perfect season to have a hearty lamb stew I think.”
Seeing that Janet seemed to be in good terms with Johanna, the other women had no choice but to
back down. They stood to the side and exchanged pointed glances, not daring to interrupt the other
two’s conversation.
Johanna finally turned to them after a while, though her expression was not as warm as when she had
been speaking to Janet. “It’s cold out here, ladies. Why don’t you come with us to the lounge inside?”
The White family was one of the most prominent lineages in Barnes. Each generation had studied
abroad and gone on to become notable figures in their respective field, and some of them had even
held important positions in the military. Needless to say, Johanna was a key player in society, and
everyone pandered to her at every chance they got. And since she was courteous toward Janet, the
women had to keep themselves in check, lest they inadvertently offended Johanna.
It was the early days of spring, and the floor-to-ceiling windows of the lounge opened to the garden.
Despite the lack of snow, the cool, refreshing scent of winter still lingered in the air.
“You know Seacisco so well. Have you lived here since you were a child? May I ask who your mother
is?” Johanna was usually reserved, but she was inexplicably interested in Janet. Aware that she might
be crossing a line, she smiled kindly at Janet and assured her, “It’s all right if you don’t tell me. I know
it’s a little abrupt and may not exactly be appropriate. Just forget I asked.”
The matter of her family background was a sensitive issue for Janet, so she was grateful for the other
woman’s consideration.
But she sensed no malice from Johanna, so after a moment’s hesitation, Janet decided to answer her
question. “I was adopted by the Lind family. As for my biological parents, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I have
no idea who they are.”
Her voice instinctively quieted down as she spoke, and the words fell heavy between them.
Johanna’s face immediately changed. A mix of complicated emotions flashed across her eyes. “Are
you saying that you’re adopted?” she asked urgently, as if to confirm a crucial truth.
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