Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

This time, Jade Carlson wasn’t able to pry any promises from Nathaniel Summers.

However, she didn’t return empty-handed.

She borrowed 450 thousand from Nathaniel, claiming she needed it to pay a hefty penalty for quitting her job on her own accord.

Although Nathaniel Summers found it strange that the Prosecutor’s Office required such a high penalty, he was distressed and guilt-ridden, so he agreed immediately.

December quickly passed, and a new year was on the horizon.

As usual, the family gathered for a meal on New Year’s Day. Everyone gathered at the table, and Nathaniel Summers proposed to take Laura Summers to Scenton for treatment.

Treatment is not a matter of a day or two, and this trip could take at least a month or two. Nathaniel Summers promised to return before the Lunar New Year.

As a token of gratitude, Dylan Summers raised a glass to Nathaniel at the dinner table, speaking many pleasantries. His eyes, however, revealed a sense of relief, as if he had rid himself of a burden.

Purple Summers thought that Dylan’s heart was particularly cold.

It was only then that she learned Laura had gone mad.

Dylan Summers was ashamed and kept the news tightly under wraps, only saying that Laura was ill and never mentioning their daughter’s mental break.

While the servants of the Summers family often discussed this in private, Purple Summers had never deliberately enquired about it. Atra Blanc was not a gossip-loving woman, so she was completely unaware of this situation.

Knowing about this now, Purple Summers began to see Nathaniel Summers in a new light.

Soft-hearted men may be indecisive in handling relationships, an aspect which can indeed be detestable, but such men are often the most nostalgic and compassionate members in a family.

When Laura fell ill, it was only Nathaniel Summers from the entire Summers family who was willing to put aside his work and take her for treatment.

Her father, on the other hand, was more eager to save face.

The New Year’s Day family feast was tasteless. When it was over, Purple Summers couldn’t wait to leave the oppressive atmosphere of the villa and return to her cottage.

On the way past the artificial lake, Alexander Summers grabbed her hand and suddenly asked, “Do you want to go ice-skating?”

Stop joking around, what if we fall into an ice hole?” Purple Summers said irritably, “I need to study. I don’t have time to play around.”

Atra Blanc, up ahead, turned around vigilantly and called out, “Alexander, don’t tease your sister. She has her finals coming up. What if she gets sick again? What will she do during the exams?”

With the support, Purple Summers immediately shook off Alexander’s hand and quickly moved to Atra’s side, hooking her arm around her mother’s to avoid further annoyance.

Alexander chuckled helplessly and trailed behind the two women at a leisurely pace, “I didn’t say we would go ice-skating on the lake. I just saw the frozen surface of the lake at home and thought of the skating rink downtown. They’re having some New Year’s event there, it’s quite lively.”

Atra still shook her head, “It’s too cold. Purple hasn’t been well for long.”

Following the line of conversation, Alexander suggested, “That’s true. The winters in Clearwater are too cold. Mom, how about we spend the New Year on an island? We can sightsee, and we wouldn’t need to worry about Purple catching a cold.”

Listening to this, Atra seemed interested.

Given her awkward status, it was hard to enjoy the happiness of a family reunion during the New Year. Every New Year, when she saw the heartwarming scenes of loving families gathering together on TV, it often stirred deep emotions in her. It seemed more relaxing to travel instead.

Alexander added, “Every year we stay at home and eat dumplings, what’s the fun in that? Mom, you’re only in your forties. You should travel more. When you’re seventy or eighty, it’ll be difficult to travel.”

Atra was mostly in agreement, so she turned to Purple and asked, “Purple, do you want to spend New Year’s on an island?”

Purple Summers laughed and said, “I don’t mind at all.”

Thinking about having to dine with the Summers family during the New Year made her uncomfortable. The meals on their memorial day and New Year’s Day had been hard to swallow.

Tasting delicious food is a wonderful thing, but dining with people you despise can be torture.

So it was settled, the three of them would go to an island for the New Year.

Anticipating the New Year, Atra couldn’t help but start planning and preparing excitedly when they returned to their cottage.

But Purple Summers pulled Alexander aside and whispered, “There won’t be any problems, right?”