Chapter 543


    Mandy watched the car disappear into the distance before retracting her lingering gaze and turning


    around. She opened the passenger


    side door and slid into the seat.


    Summer, who had been watching Mandy’s every expression from the driver’s side, clenched her


    fingers no tightly they nearly pierced her


    sklo,


    The irony of today’s scene was not lost on her. Her so–called loving mother hade to pick her up,


    only to have eyes for Mirabe. To Mandy, it seemed her own flesh and blood meant nothing at all.


    Without the star–studded halo that brought prestige to the Gilberts, Summer realized she had lost her


    value in their eyes. That was the harsh reality of being part of the Gilbert family.


    Mandy flicked her fingemail absently and nced in the rearview mirror Coming “Did you get your


    league scores?”


    her sense, she asked without much preamble,


    “Yeah” Summer’s voice was distant as she turned her head to gaze out of the window, her emotions


    now firmly in check.


    “How much did you score?” Mandy inquired casually.


    If she hadn’t known Mirabe’s score, Summer might have proudly shared her score of 263, but now…


    Closing her eyes briefly, Summer managed to suppress her frustration and revealed her score.


    “2637 And your rank?” Mandy adjusted her hair and continued her inquiry.


    “Citywide, I came 15th”


    d she do?”


    Mandy’s face remained unexcited upon hearing the score. After a brief pause, she probed further, “And


    Mimbe? How did


    Summer had anticipated this question and couldn’t help but let a sarcastic smile flicker across her lips.


    “We’re not in the same ss. How would I know her score?”


    Mandy’s brows furrowed. “Shouldn’t the rankings be public by now? How could you not know?”


    Summer raised a hand to her temple, leaning back in her seat with closed eyes. After a moment, she


    asked, “Mom, what are you getting at with all these questions about her?”


    Mandy was taken aback by the question.


    “Do you really need to hear that your own daughter is not as good as the girl you once fostered to feel


    satisfied?” Summer’s tone was tinged with sharpness. She had clearly reached her breaking point. Any


    normal person would be infuriated by a mother who continuously inquired about a foster child in the


    presence of her biological daughter, especially when that foster child had been neglected in the


    countryside


    Mandy’s expression darkened “Summer, I’m very dissatisfied with your attitude.”


    When Summer had first returned to the Gilbert family, she was sweet and empathetic, never showing


    any sign of defiance. Mandy’s friends had envied her, saying she was fortunate to have such a gentle


    and obedient daughter. Now, where was that docile girl? All that was left was a sullen, mouthy young


    woman.


    Summer’s gaze stayed outside the window, devoid of warmth. It probably wasn’t the attitude that


    Mandy was dissatisfied with. It was Summer herself.


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    Summer remained silent, knowing that any further words would only stoke the mes of discontent.


    Before long, they arrived back at the Gilbert family mansion. Summer got out of the car and headed


    straight inside without another nce at her mother.


    Mandy watched her daughter’s retreating figure and vented to the housekeeper, “Look at that child!


    She’s growing more rebellious by the day.”


    The housekeeper, who had watched Summer,disappear into the mansion, turned back to Mandy with a


    reassuring smile. “Madam, please don’t be too upset. Miss Summer has been through a lot with the


    online scandal. Understandably, she’s a bit on edge“: