Independence

Evelyn’s smile froze. Why was Susan’s reaction so different from what she had anticipated?

“Hmph, do you think you can stir up trouble between us?” Susan scoffed.

She stood up and looked down at Evelyn with disdain. The disagreements between Natalie and I are a family matter of the Jefferson household. An outsider like you has no place to meddle in our affairs!”

With that, she walked away and moved to another seat. Evelyn felt embarrassed and humiliated at Susan’s outburst.

Natalie observed the whole scene; her disdain for Evelyn was evident in her expression.

Although she and Susan didn’t always see eye to eye, their differences were merely due to their contrasting personalities and approaches to matters. They might bicker sometimes over differing opinions, but they were still one family.

How could one speak ill about one’s family with an outsider? Was there something wrong with Evelyn’s sanity?

Despite moving to another spot, Susan realized that she had made a mistake. Her current spot placed her directly across from Ingrid.

Ingrid was sitting nervously opposite Susan, seemingly unsure of what to do with her hands and feet. Whenever their eyes met, she would put on a pitiful, doe–eyed expression.

Susan hated women who acted like a damsel in distress. While Natalie had a touch of that demeanor, it was still tolerable. But Ingrid…

Susan couldn’t bear to spare a glance at Ingrid, fearing that her expression would betray the contempt she felt.

“Forget it.” Susan turned away and averted her gaze.

Out of sight, out of mind.

At that moment, Natalie went up to her. “Susan, the lighting here isn’t too good. Let me take you to at better spot.”

Susan agreed and moved to another seat that Natalie prepared for her. Finally, she was free from the sight of those two peculiar women.

Susan shot Natalie a smug look that seemed to say, “Well done.”

Natalie chuckled softly, looking both resigned and amused.

There was no helping it. Susan had a short temper, but Felix doted on her, and the whole family indulged her. Naturally, Natalie had to go along with it.

Soon, everyone had arrived. After taking their seats, the tea tasting party officially began.

-A slender figure gracefully entered through a side door wearing a cream dress that reached below her

knees. Magnolia blossoms were embroidered with silver thread on the silk fabric.

The bold floral design and subtle pattern highlighted her refined and elegant demeanor. At that moment,

Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

everyone could almost smell the fragrance of springtime in the air.

da wore light makeup, and her long hair was neatly pinned up at the back of her head with a hairpin.

uded an air of elegance and refinement, perfectly matching the theme of the tea tasting party

steps were light as she approached the stage, yet every pair of eyes in the room followed her onsciously. Miranda sat down slowly, looking calm and collected.

hen, she spoke with a smile, “I wonder if anyone here has seen a certain documentary about tea on the television. It begins with this thought that a single leaf fluttered into a cup of water and changed its flavor. Thus, tea was invented.

“As we all know, Hebrana has a long history with tea. Hebranian’s discovery of tea could be traced back to the agrarian era, possibly more than 400 years ago.

“Tea was considered as one of the essential aspects of c common in ancient times.

ife back then. Drinking tea became very

“In the Victorian era, a renowned writer wrote ‘The True History of Tea,‘ which heralded the beginning of tea culture from a historical perspective.

“From that point on, the culture of drinking tea permeated the imperial court and society at large, influencing poetry, art, calligraphy, religion, and even medicine. This marks the origin of tea culture in Hebrana.”

Miranda sat onstage, her voice calm and steady as she spoke about the history of tea culture.