The Understated Dragon Lord

Chapter 326 Mom’s visit

A sophisticated and elegant woman walked into the CEO's office. She was Avery Matthews. Even though she was fifty, she took such great care of herself that she looked just over thirty, radiating a timeless beauty.

Avery, Jessica’s biological mother, was a key figure in the third-ranked Matthews family of the prestigious eight families of New York. When she was younger, she fell in love with Jessica’s father, but after Jessica was born, she left her family and returned to the Matthews fold.

Jessica's face showed little enthusiasm as Avery entered. Instead, what displayed was a chilly indifference.

"What brings you here?" Jessica asked, her tone icy.

To Jessica, this woman who had abandoned her as a child didn't warrant any warmth.

Avery rarely visited, and it never seemed to be for anything good. Jessica disliked seeing her mother; in fact, she hoped to never encounter Avery again.

"I'm your mother. Is it so strange that I want to see my daughter?" Avery replied.

Jessica scoffed. "My mother? Did you ever care for me after I was born?"

"No matter what, I am your mother! I'm here to tell you that you must go to New York next week for your grandfather's eightieth birthday celebration."

"I got it! Anything else? I have a meeting to attend."

Jessica was eager to be rid of her. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

"Can’t we chat for a bit? It's been years since we last saw each other."

"There's nothing to talk about!"

"Jessica, don’t forget, you're my daughter! How would you feel if I slapped you right now?"

"Go ahead, do it!"

Jessica tilted her face towards Avery defiantly. Avery raised her hand as if to strike, but then she hesitated and lowered it. It wasn’t that she couldn't bring herself to do it; she was concerned that slapping Jessica might cause her to refuse to attend the birthday event, which would spoil all of Avery's plans.

Avery's reason for insisting Jessica attend the celebration was tied to her arranging a marriage alliance between their Matthews family and the grandchild of the Evans, another member of the eight families of New York and ranked second, more powerful than the Matthews. If these two families united, the Matthews' influence would soar, and with their support, the Evans could even challenge the top family in New York, the Perkins.

Seeing Avery hold back, Jessica thought maybe her mother had finally shown a hint of a conscience. She provoked further, “You were going to slap me, weren't you? Go ahead, do it!" She leaned her face closer.

Avery, consumed by anger, let her hand fly down—only not to Jessica's face, but rather playfully onto her backside.

Jessica was stunned. Her mother had never shown such a gesture of affection.

"Will you talk back to me now? If you talk back again, I might really turn your backside into a blooming flower!" warned Avery, giving Jessica another playful slap.

"I'm off to my meeting. I'm not dealing with this."

"Let's have dinner together. My flight back to New York is at eight," Avery suggested.

Though she was determined to see Jessica marry into the Evans family to cement the dynastic union, Jessica was still her flesh and blood. Years ago, she wanted to take Jessica back to New York, but her father wouldn't allow it. Despite their estrangement and lack of affection, it didn't mean Avery didn't love her daughter.