Chapter 33
Patek Philippe was the pinnacle of luxury in the watch world, with sky-high prices. Haute couture from top fashion houses wasn't any cheaper—just one gown could easily cost over a million, and five to six million was considered mid-range.
Autumn hadn't expected Christine to be so generous with Emilia. And the last time she’d seen Chloe in person had been over a year ago.
Christine had spent a brief period in the entertainment industry during her youth. By the age of 25, she had reached B-list status, and just as her career was flourishing, she suddenly quit acting, got married, and had a daughter. The marriage lasted ten years. A few years after the divorce, she remarried—this time to Edric Mason, Emilia’s father, who was ten years her senior.
Christine now had a daughter in her first year of high school, along with three stepchildren. Edric was a liberal arts professor, deeply absorbed in academia and not particularly skilled in business or earning money. Green Group later merged its resources with those of the Mason family. That was how Mason Group came to be. Christine served as both CEO and chairwoman of Mason Group. Autumn’s uncle, Dars, moved abroad, and Christine took over.
She is the second of Elena’s three children and by far the most unconventional. Once she made a decision, she stuck to it; no one could change her mind. Some people thought she had gotten the short end of the stick in her marriage, but Christine herself seemed perfectly content.
Autumn couldn’t quite figure Christine out, but she didn’t try to control or judge her. Christine had her own life. Adults made their own choices and lived with the consequences. There was nothing to comment on. Besides, by all accounts, Christine’s marriage to Edric had turned out fine.
What surprised Autumn was just how well Christine treated Emilia. Peeling back the crack in the door, Autumn saw Elena asleep inside; Christine was seated on the couch in the outer room. Autumn could only see her in profile, but her posture was graceful and relaxed. The longer she looked, the more her jaw tightened. Christine was the person in the world who most resembled her mother, Virginia. That was why, after Virginia passed, Autumn had transferred much of her longing onto Christine, almost creating her as a maternal figure.
Christine was looking at the screen intently. “Emilia, are you having dinner with friends?” Just as she said that, Autumn pushed the door open. Christine’s face registered surprise for a second or two. Emilia hadn’t noticed. Then Christine’s expression returned to normal as she continued.
“Who are you with?”
Emilia’s voice came through, “An old friend.”
The next moment, a low male voice was heard on the video. “Here’s your favorite shrimp.” Domien was serving Emilia food. Emilia couldn’t help but laugh. “Thanks.”
Christine saw Damien clearly on the video. Though she knew exactly who he was, her expression didn’t change at all. She even said, “Well, enjoy dinner with your friend. I won’t keep you.”
Emilia replied, “Okay. Oh, right, I’m not coming home tonight. If my dad asks, please let him know I’m out with friends. Sorry to trouble you.” Christine said, “Make sure to take good care of yourself; you ended up cutting your hand again the other night. Your dad and I both worry.” Autumn’s eyelids lifted slightly. Emilia had gotten injured at home, and Damien’s shadow in the middle of the night; then Christine definitely knew.
Emilia said, “Got it. Don’t worry, M. Green, I’ll take care of myself. And even if I don’t…”
Damien finished the sentence for her, “You…we will get me.”
Christine smiled. With that, the call ended. As soon as Autumn entered the room, her gaze locked onto Christine’s face. Similar face shape. The same nose and lips. Even her gentle demeanor was almost identical to her mother’s. Only her eyes were different. Vispinla’s eyes had sharper edges and a cooler, more distant look.