Chapter 24 As Yolanda ignored her , the smile on Teresa's face faded away . For the past few days , Teresa hadn't actively thought about breaking the ice with her daughter . Yolanda had her own thoughts ; she wanted to get along with Naomi , and Teresa didn't interfere . If Teresa hadn't noticed what was troubling Yolanda , she wouldn't have called out to her . But her attempt to reach out was still met with indifference , which made Teresa's heart ache . Ever since giving birth to Yolanda , Teresa had thought she would be part of every step of her daughter's life . But now that Yolanda was in school , this was the first time Teresa had come to the preschool . The teacher in the toddler class saw Naomi and greeted her with a smile , saying , " Ms. Logon . " Naomi didn't correct her . She smiled at the teacher and then waved at Yolanda , saying , " Yolanda , come here ." Yolanda ran into Naomi's arms without hesitation , and began crying uncontrollably . " Miss Naomi , can you take me to school tomorrow ? I don't want to go to Mr. Richard's anymore . " Naomi hugged Yolanda , her hand gently rubbing her back . Although she didn't know exactly what happened , she spoke in a soft , soothing tone . " Alright , alright . From now on , Miss Naomi will take you to preschool ? " Yolanda was calmed down a little but still sobbed intermittently , her shoulders shaking . Charles walked over , bent down and gently patted Naomi's shoulder , then quietly reminded her , " You should talk to her . " Naomi turned to look at Charles , her lips curving into a slight smile as she nodded . " Alright , I understand . " With that , Naomi took Yolanda's hand and said , " Yolanda , I wants to discuss something with you , okay ? " From the start , Teresa had been standing nearby , not far away . She observed the interaction between her daughter and Naomi . Yolanda nodded , wiping her nose as she said , " Mm . " Naomi gently wiped Yolanda's nose with a tissue and then asked softly , " Mom wants you to come back and visit your grandparents . Will you go ? " When Yolanda heard this , she instinctively glanced at Teresa , who stood a short distance away , dressed in simple clothes and blending in with the surroundings . When Teresa had called her earlier , Yolanda had still felt a little happy , but when she thought about being late this morning because of her mother , Yolanda still felt upset . Without much thought , she immediately refused , " Miss Naomi , I don't want to go . I want to go home and take a bath ." She hadn't bathed last night , and she felt like she stink . Naomi , though expecting this answer , still tried to be patient , " Yolanda , just stay with Mommy for one night , okay ? As a rewards , Daddy and I will take you out this weekend . " The mention of playing outside made Yolanda a little tempted , but she still insisted , " I don't want to go . I want to go back to Joyacre Villa and sleep on the big soft bed . Naomi smiled and pinched Yolanda's check , " Just one night . This weekend , I will take you wherever you want to go . Yolanda hesitated , then raised her pinky and said , " Then let's make a pinky promise . " Nagini held out her pinky , and after making the promise , she stood up and looked at Charles . Charles understood Napini's intention and said to Yolanda , " Think about where you want to go . I'll plan it in advance Yolanda excitedly jumped up , clapping her hands , " Yay ! " 1/3 P P · Chapter 24 The three of them stood together , and passersby couldn't help but comment on how harmonious and warm the family seemed . Teresa stood aside , hearing the people around her remark that Charles and Naomi were a perfect match , and she felt numb . She tried to ignore their words , but still , they disturbed her heart . It wasn't until Naomi called her name , " Miss Teresa ? " that she snapped back to reality . Teresa's gaze , tinged with a slight blush , fell on Naomi . Naomi's bright and lively demeanor only highlighted the contrast with Teresa's weariness . The two stood face to face , but the treatment each received couldn't have been more different . Teresa still couldn't manage to stay indifferent . Her heart ached , and her voice seemed to tremble , " Mm ? " Naomi said , " Yolanda agreed . " Naomi trembled slightly , and for a moment , she almost wanted to say " thank you , " but thank her for what ? Naomi was her husband's lover , and now even her daughter had been taken by her . The two people Teresa valued most had been taken away by Naomi . What did she have left to thank her for ? In the end , Teresa didn't say anything . She simply silently extended her hand toward Yolanda and said , " Let's go . " Her tone was cold , no longer as kind as it once was . Yolanda stared at the hand outstretched to her for a long time , and only after Naomi's gentle reminder did she take it with caution . After getting Yolanda into the car , securing her backpack , and fastening her seatbelt , Teresa started the car . On the way back to Sullivan Mansion , Howard called , asking what Yolanda liked to eat . Teresa didn't give an honest answer ; she just told him not to prepare anything special . She knew Yolanda wasn't going to this visit willingly , so she didn't want her parents to get too involved with Yolanda . After her divorce from Charles , Yolanda would naturally cut ties with her as well . Throughout the journey , Teresa didn't say another word to Yolanda , and Yolanda continued playing her mobile game in the backseat . At , the car stopped just a few hundred meters from Sullivan Mansion . Teresa looked at her daughter through the rearview mirror . She sighed deeply , and despite herself , she called out to Yolanda , Yolanda didn't look away from her phone screen but reluctantly responded with an " Mm . " Teresa , trying to be patient , said , " Don't play with your phone while in the car . It will hurt your eyes . " Yolanda , a little impatient , put the phone down but didn't seem very pleased . Teresa turned around to face her daughter and said, " Mom wants to talk to you about something . " Yolanda felt a little moved by her mother's tone , since Teresa had been distant lately , but now she was speaking kindly . " MIL Teresa , knowing that Yolanda was a thoughtful child , didn't directly ask her what was wrong . Instead , she gently led the conversation , " Are you happy at East Street Preschool ? " " Mm . " " Do the jeachers treat you well ? " " Mm . " Are any kids bullying you at school ? Nu 2/8 P P • Chapter 24 Yolanda's indifference made Teresa's heart ache even more , but she still tried to be patient , " If any kids bully you , remember to tell the teacher . If the teacher doesn't do anything , tell your dad . He'll take care of it for you . " " No one dares to bully me at school . They all know Daddy drives a fancy car , and Miss Naomi wears designer clothes . They're so powerful , no one would bully me . " Yolanda felt that Teresa was over - worrying . Seeing Yolanda's sharp attitude toward her , Teresa smiled faintly and said , " Alright , maybe I'm just worrying too much . " As she straightened up , she added , " Let's go . I'll take you to meet Grandpa and Grandma . They've been waiting for you for a long time ." After getting out of the car , Yolanda stood beside Teresa and asked in confusion , " Who are Grandpa and Grandma ? " Teresa answered , " They're my father and mother . " " Then why have I never met them ? " Yolanda asked , even more puzzled . Teresa didn't know how to respond . After thinking for a while , she said , " It's my negligence . " Halfway there , Yolanda suddenly stopped in her tracks and said , " I don't want to meet them . I don't even know them . " Teresa also stopped and looked at her daughter for a long time . Finally , she smiled bitterly and said , " Just this once . I won't bring you here again ." After this night , their bond would be severed . a / a