The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 131

"Shut up!" Gary snapped out his strict order. No matter what, Yvonne was a guest, and they were supposed to host her irrespective of personal matters. If they turned her away, the Lu Family would be rumored to be rude, unwelcoming and unfriendly. "Ye, she is your cousin. I'll leave the matter to your discretion."

In Gary's opinion, whatever Yvonne's purpose for this visit was, the problem should be settled by Autumn herself.

"Yes, grandpa." Autumn obeyed his order too.

But she knew exactly what the ground reality was. Even though it might seem like Gary was on Yvonne's side, he actually was not. In reality, he was laying down the facts and boundaries for Yvonne, by showing her that he was still entrusting Autumn with all the important matters. He also indicated that if at all she intended to stay the night, it would mean nothing. The only mistress in this house was Autumn. And if Autumn didn't want her to stay over, Yvonne had to leave.

But Yvonne was not smart enough to understand these subtle hints. Once she heard Gary's remark, she smirked triumphantly, as she thought that her efforts had born fruits. Before she came, she tried to lay down her trap and made several inquiries. And when she found out that Autumn was not at home, she decided to call Gary and chat with him, for a while, with an intention of making him like her. And her plans had succeeded as she thought, as it appeared to be.

Gary cast a glance at Yvonne, and said, "Rest assured, Miss Ye. My granddaughter is just a bit grumpy, please don't take it personally."

He then flashed a welcoming smile, "Since it's Yvonne's home, and you're Yvonne's cousin, please make yourself comfortable and feel at home. You can stay as long as you wish for."

Yvonne was delighted once she heard that, if not carried away. As she didn't get this one, either, she grinned, and thanked Gary, "Thank you, grandpa, for your generosity."

With now a displeased tone, Gary decided to be straightforward. He said with a frown, "Call me Gary, please. I am not your grandfather, Miss Ye. 'Grandpa' makes it sound like I have two granddaughters-in-law."

His tone was gentle yet his words wounded Yvonne's pride. Her heart felt like it was suddenly encased in ice as she was finally reminded that only Autumn was Charles's legitimate wife, who was accepted and loved by Gary.

"Yes, Mr. Lu...Gary." She quickly repeated while rectifying her mistake.

Yvonne had to be extremely cautious with her every move. It was almost like walking in a minefield, one wrong step could put her out of the house. Her purpose should not be exposed to the Lu Family, under any circumstance, before she made Charles fall for her. Although her moving in today may seem hurried, it was actually a planned and deliberate move. She only wanted to make Charles, and his family, too, start to like her little by little.

"Follow me, then." Autumn said coldly as she turned to Yvonne. The latter was displeased with her tone but still followed her command. As the door closed behind them, Yvonne suddenly changed her expression. In an arrogant tone, she addressed Autumn, "See? As long as I want to move in, I will move in! And I'm warning you, Autumn Ye, as we are now living under the same roof, you will behave properly around me. And irrespective of what I want to do, you will help me. Do you understand?"

Autumn let out a scornful chuckle. She sneered, "Under the same roof? Do you really think you're moving in?

"Grandpa has made his decision and he decided to entrust me with this matter. If I say you're moving in, you are moving in and if I say no, you're not. But I do admire your courage and dedication. Just to carry out your stupid plans, you risked sending your parents away from your petty company, which was inches away from bankruptcy. You have some nerve."

Yvonne gave her a stink eye and sneered, "I don't give a shit about Gu's bankruptcy. If I can marry into the Lu Family, Shining Company will be mine. Then why should I care about my parents? But you better bear this thought in your mind: You're just a substitute, a fake. When I get married into the Lu Family, you'll be cast out. Although it might not be such a bad thing for you, as then, you will finally live with your dear grandmother again. Let's call it a win-win situation."

Autumn almost laughed at her naive words. She glowered at Yvonne, and snapped, "You really think you are making progress here, don't you? Come on, moving in does not mean a thing. And I'm clearly telling you, I am no longer going to be pushed around anymore."

Autumn was not afraid of anything or anyone now. The belief that her every decision would be supported gave her strength to move forward.

"Do you really think so?" Yvonne revealed an intimidating yet heinous smile. The very next second, from the corner of her eye she spotted Charles coming towards them and quickly fell down on her knees and pretended as though Autumn had hit her. She covered her cheek with a hand, and gazed at Autumn with teary eyes, "Sis, what happened in that shopping mall was all my fault. I misunderstood you and caused you great trouble. But now it's all in the past now, and I really wish you could be so kind as to forgive me. I have no other place to go now. Mr. and Mrs. Gu have left for a journey, and as they are not home, the servants are on vacations, too. But I can still stay in a hotel if you don't like the idea of me staying here...Why did you have to hit me..." She sobbed and stopped speaking.

Taken aback by Yvonne's little skit, Autumn was at a loss for words. Eyes wide open, she glared at Yvonne but couldn't understand what was happening. But the next moment, she heard Charles's voice from behind her, and in that second she realized what Yvonne was trying to do here.

"What is going on here?" asked Charles, as he shot a cold glance at Yvonne. The latter was perched on the ground, covering her untouched cheek with a hand, and looked up to him with tears in her eyes.

"Charles, I..." Yvonne stuttered, but suddenly stopped. She took a quick look at Autumn, to give an idea of being scared of her.

"What's going on here?" Charles turned to Autumn, eyes filled with impatience and seeking answers. He was distracted and felt at unease after seeing Yvonne in his house.

Autumn let out a resigned sigh, and explained, "My parents are out traveling and even the servants took a leave of absence, so there was no one to take care of her in that house. They want her to live with us for a while."

Hearing this, Charles wanted to say something. But before he could start, Yvonne was now back on her feet, and said to him, "Charles, I don't think it is a good idea. Yvonne doesn't like the idea of me staying here, and I don't like it when I am unwanted. I... I can live in a hotel..." Yvonne sobbed as she prepared to leave.

Autumn was both angered and amused at the same time. Yvonne Gu was so good at blurring the distinct line between right and wrong. But fortunately, Charles knew who they were and what happened in the past, so she decided not to explain the obvious facts.

But what was Yvonne doing here? Was she trying to give Charles the impression that his wife was a bad woman, who turned her back to a damsel in distress?

"Wait." Charles called Yvonne back, and said, "Since my parents-in-law have entrusted you to us, you can't just go out and stay the night in a hotel. You will stay here tonight, and if you need anything, please tell my wife."

Yvonne lowered her head but revealed a triumphant smile. She knew that no one could resist her charm, or so she thought.

That said, Charles turned away and started walking towards his room. While he was far enough, Yvonne smirked to Autumn, and said, "Sis, please arrange a room for me. The closer it is to Charles's room, the better." She smirked triumphantly as she thought that Autumn must have gone mad with rage once she heard Charles had asked her to stay.

But Autumn was not angry, not one bit. In fact, she trusted Charles, just like he trusted her. And she believed that Charles must have his own plans when he agreed for Yvonne to move in.