Zachary Preston nodded. "To be honest, I don't really approve of you getting married so young, either. Wanting to continue your education is a good thing, but you have to promise me something. Since you've chosen this path, you have to study hard. You can't be as willful as you were this time."
"Okay!" Vera nodded. "But what about Mom..."
Zachary cut in, "Leave your mother to me."
"Thank you, Dad!" Vera's eyes lit up. "You're so good to me!"
This was the first time in this life or her last that she had spoken to Zachary Preston with such affection. In an era when people were still quite reserved with their emotions, her words made him a little uncomfortable.
He changed the subject. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll go make you a bowl of noodles!"
Vera nodded. Zachary quickly cooked the noodles and brought them out, topped with two fried eggs.
Her eyes glistened with tears as she looked at the two eggs. She knew that while the Preston family wasn't poor—after all, Zachary's salary was decent—Rona Langdon was incredibly stingy. They rarely bought meat even once a month, and eggs were a precious commodity in the house. Vera was normally never given any.
Two eggs weren't a big deal, but they represented Zachary's feelings. She knew then that in his heart, he truly and sincerely thought of her as his daughter.
"What are you staring for? Hurry up and eat!" Zachary urged.
Holding back tears, Vera picked up her chopsticks and began to eat the noodles in big mouthfuls. The long-forgotten warmth filled her heart.
She silently vowed in her heart, 'From this day forward, I will live for those who truly care for and protect me. As for those who scheme to harm me, I will show no mercy!'
Upstairs, Rona Langdon's face was practically twisted with rage. Cara said demurely, "Mom, don't be angry. After all, she didn't grow up with you. How could she possibly understand your good intentions?"
"She's just brainless!" Rona said through gritted teeth. "The Kane family is so well-off! Marrying into their family would have meant a life of luxury! And she actually ran away from the wedding, making me lose face completely in front of them!"
Cara said with a worried expression, "But from the sound of it, Dad is going to let her go back to school."
"Your father always has to play the good guy, leaving me to be the villain," Rona said, fuming.
Cara weighed the situation in her mind before trying to persuade Rona. "She ran away from the wedding this time. Even if she were to marry into the Kane family now, they definitely wouldn't treat her well. And she is your biological daughter, after all. You wouldn't want to see her suffer, would you? Why not just let her go back to school?"
Of course, Rona didn't agree. But no matter what, Vera was known as her biological daughter, and Zachary was siding with Vera. If she made a huge scene, she would be the one to look bad.
But the thought of having to return the betrothal gift she'd received for Vera's marriage made her unwilling. "With the way she is, she'll never amount to anything, even if she studies. It's just a waste of money!"
Cara continued to coax her. "Besides, her tuition for this semester is already paid. The college entrance exams are in a little over a month. If she really bombs them, no one can blame you, Mom. And Dad won't be able to stick up for her anymore."
Rona hesitated. She didn't like Vera—not at all. But she had never dared to tell Zachary about switching the children all those years ago, so she couldn't push things too far.
Her face was cold as she said, "She's just so thoughtless. Ever since she came back, this house hasn't had a single day of peace. It's always one thing after another. She's a real jinx!"