Chapter 82
A classmate glanced over at him curiously, “Are you looking for her for something?”
Brandon just shook his head, “Nope.”
“Thanks.”
After murmuring another quick thank you, Brandon looked up, scanning the sparsely filled seats in the classroom, reminiscing about the times he’d come here to find her engrossed in a book in the corner.
That evening, Brandon was on the flight back to West district.
He drove himself to the airport, solo. Leaving the hotel, he bumped into Daniel and Patricia, fellow guests there.
Both of them did a double–take at the sight of his luggage.
“Brandon?” Patricia called out in surprise, then approached him with a beaming smile, “Where are you off to? Mr. Frost’s family is planning a get–together, and you haven’t seen Yolanda in years. It’s a good chance to catch up.”
Brandon acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing, his handsome face as impassive as ice, silently pressing the elevator button.
Patricia’s smile faltered into awkwardness.
As Brandor’s stepmom, she felt she’d done her part raising him from a boy to a man, but Brandon had always been lukewarm towards her. Not rebellious to the point of denying her as his mom, but he just never warmed up to her.
Patricia hadn’t really tried to win Brandon over–after all, he wasn’t her biological son, and not meddling suited her just fine. But she had married a rich guy, and deliberately so.
Coming from a humble background, she had never wanted the grind of a mundane life just for a meager paycheck. But Patricia knew bagging a well–off match wasn’t easy with what she had to offer. Her plan had been to elevate her status through education, to mingle with the elite, and land a top–notch guy. So, she hustled hard, got into
a prestigious university, and later landed a job with the Starlight Group.
The Crawley family was already well–established by then. Patricia’s stellar performance at work caught Daniel’s attention, and she was soon working closely with him. But what really got her noticed was her gentle, sensible demeanor and her patience with children.
Brandon’s mom had just passed away, and the young boy needed a mother figure. Daniel saw in Patricia the perfect blend of warmth and patience, so soon after meeting, they tied the knot.
Patricia was well aware their marriage wasn’t about love–it was convenience. A cushy life was what she wanted, and she served Daniel’s needs too.
She had planned for a long time to get Daniel’s attention, so naturally, she didn’t want any mess in her married life. Knowing how much Brandon meant to Daniel and his grandfather, she went out of her way to please her stepson.
Brandon, however, had always been resistant to her efforts. While not outright confrontational, he maintained a polite distance.
Though frustrated, Patricia couldn’t lash out. She had hoped that once Brandon’s grandfather passed and her position in the family was solidified, she wouldn’t have to keep playing nice with Brandon. But Daniel continued to spoil Brandon, even willing to clash with her for his son’s sake. Patricia’s concessions were all for maintaining her comfortable life, so she didn’t dare butt heads with Daniel.
Over time, pleasing Brandon became a habit for Patricia, especially as he grew into a more impressive young man, and she couldnt help but feel a sense of pride in his achievements, feeling her effarts had played a part.
She yearned for his recognition and became increasingly invested in his life.
And that’s how she noticed Sophia.
Like Patricia, Sophia came from a modest background, graduated from a prestigious school, and seemed well–mannered and sensible. To Patricia, it was as if Sophia was following her playbook, aiming to climb the social ladder through Brandon.
Knowing her own kind too well, Patricia had never taken to Sophia. Sophia’s presence was like a mirror, reflecting Patricia’s own past squalor and years of compromise.
Now settled into a comfortable, enviable life with a secure position in the family, estranged from her own roots, Patricia didn’t need someone else reminding her of her past lowliness.
