Chapter 23 Teresa parked the car outside the Logan Group building . She waited for a long time , watching streams of employees leave , yet Charles never appeared . Growing impatient , she reached for her phone to call him . As she unlocked it , she noticed the morning message Charles had sent - asking her to take Yolanda to school . She had been too busy to see it . Now , thinking back , she felt quite uneasy . Her daughter was strong - willed , always wanting to be the best . If she were late for school , she would definitely cry in frustration . The thought twisted Teresa's chest . She had not taken Miss Yolanda to school . She must resent her even more , perhaps seeing Naomi the one more suited to be her mother . But why should she feel troubled ? It was never she who rejected them . It was they who had left her . At that moment , the door of Logan Group finally opened , Charles walked out with his assistant Liam . In a tailored suit , his tall , lean frame drew every passing gaze without effort . A black Rolls Royce idled by the curb . Instead of getting in , Charles opened the driver's door , shielding the roof with one hand and offering the other to someone inside . Teresa didn't pay the car much attention , until she saw who stepped out . Naomi . She descended like an untouched angel , dressed in a pure white dress . Her understated elegance only seemed to enhance Charles's presence . From across the street , Teresa watched her husband and his first love . Even the sunset seemed enchanted by them , stretching their shadows together on the ground . Naomi slipped her arm through Charles's naturally . He lowered his head to her with a gentle smile . Seeing this , Liam quietly stepped back . Charles seemed to be saying something to Naomi , but the distance was too great for Teresa to hear . She sat in the car , feeling like she couldn't move at all . But thinking of her parents ' expectations for their granddaughter , she forced herself to get out of the car . As she slowly approached Charles , she heard him saying to Naomi , " If you're tired , just skip the concert rehearsals for now . Focus on your studies . Didn't you always want to be a doctor ? " Naomi tilted her head . " I do love being a doctor , but I also love the piano . I can't give it up . " " As long as you enjoy it ," Charles replied gently . " If I feel like I can't handle it , I'll let you know . Don't worry ." Charles nodded , about to get into the car , but then he glanced at Teresa standing aside . She was dressed simply in jeans , sneakers , and a short - sleeve top , with a small crossbody bag . Her long hair cascaded down her back . She stood in the sunset , her face expressionless , neither smiling nor sad . Charles was a little surprised , and Naomi also turned to look at her . Teresa met Charles ' gaze directly . I need to discuss something with you " She said bluntly . Charles frowned slightly , a clear sign of displeasure . " What is it ? " " My parents want to see Yolanda I'll take her to stay overnight , send her to preschool in the morning , and you can pick her up in the afternoon " 1/3 P Chapter 23 In five years of marriage , Charles had never met her parents or older brother . But he could understand the bond between elders and children . " I don't object , " he said coolly , " but Yolanda … " Teresa knew what he meant - Yolanda still resented her and would definitely not want to stay at her parents ' house . " That's why I came to you , " Teresa said bluntly . " She listens to you . " Naomi stood quietly , not interrupting . " My words may not work either , " Charles replied honestly . Yolanda already had her own mind . She feared him more than she obeyed him . But then , Charles continued , " Let Naomi talk to her instead , " he added . " We're going to pick her up from preschool anyway . " His words were casual , but they cut deep . Teresa glanced at Naomi , who looked poised , confident , radiating a natural authority that made her feel small . In that moment , Teresa felt a pang of injustice , her nose sour as tears threatened to fall . But she held them back . " No need . " She turned away , clinging to the last shreds of dignity . It was almost laughable . Her own daughter needed another woman to persuade her to visit her mother's parents . She didn't want such a child . But remembering her parents ' repeated requests , she stopped herself , her fists clenched so tight her nails dug into her palms . A few seconds later , she turned back to Charles and said , " I'll follow in my own car . " Charles noticed her reddened eyes but said nothing . " Fine . " Naomi also looked at Teresa and finally spoke , " Ms. Sullivan , don't worry . I'll do my best to persuade Yolanda . She's a very obedient child . " Teresa knew Naomi was implying something , but she couldn't bring herself to confront her at that moment . She just swallowed her feelings hard . She got into her car and watched as Charles buckled Naomi's seatbelt , closing the door for her with a care he had never shown Teresa . " That level of devotion , she thought bitterly , ' was reserved only for Naomi ' . Teresa didn't start the car right away . She leaned back in her seat , gazing through the car window . Everything in her vision seemed blurry . Her heart ached so much it felt like it was being torn apart . She hurt for the way Charles treated Naomi , and she hurt for Yolanda , who listened to Naomi instead of her . She had never wronged them , yet this was how they treated her . She remained numb for a long time , until the phone rang , pulling her from her daze . She looked down and saw that it was Charles calling . " What is it ? " she asked hoarsely . Charles asked . " You haven't followed yet ? " Rarely , he seemed to care about her . But un second thought , it wasit really concern for her . Teresa replied , Tm coming now " PP . Chapter 23 At the preschool , the teachers were already bringing children out . Yolanda stood at the front of her class . When she saw Naomi , her eyes lit up , but soon dimmed with a trace of gloom . Teresa immediately noticed something was wrong and felt a pang of heartache . She couldn't hold back and called out , " Yolanda . " She feared her daughter might have been bullied at school . Yolanda looked up at her and was about to wave with joy , but the resentment in her heart surged again . After all , it was her mother's absence that had made her late and not receive her reward . ara