The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 938 The Dinner

"I did not mean that at all..." When Holley realized her attitude was inappropriate, she explained to George in a hurry, "I just think it's quite a surprise. After all, your family has a quite large business in Korea. Now, both you and Auntie are staying in Y City. Who's going to take care of your business in Korea?"

"You don't need to worry about that." George's tone was indifferent. "There's an occupation called professional manager. He will deal with our business in Korea."

"Oh, I see..." Starting to get lost in her thoughts, Holley simply nodded slightly and turned to look out the window, thinking what would Donna try to do this time. "Don't worry." George held Holley's hands and said sincerely, "No matter what happens, I will always be there for you."

"I know." Although she had to squeeze it out, Holley still smiled at George's affectionate words.

The car was parked beside Donna's house. Holley took a glance at the villa and thought, 'She even bought a villa much bigger than the one George and I live in.'

Holley sneered and believed that Donna wasn't going to leave Y City anymore.

"Let's get going." George unloaded everything in the trunk and said, "My mom should be waiting inside."

"Alright," she nodded. Albeit hesitantly, she followed George inside.

What really surprised her was that Sula was still staying in Y City for such a long time. When they entered the room, Sula was helping Donna with dinner. Seeing George, she hurriedly greeted him. "George, you're here!"

Sparing only a slight glance at Holley, she greeted indifferently, "Miss Ye."

"It's been a long time since we last met, Miss Piao," Holley returned.

"Yes, it has." An unreadable smile found its way to Sula's face. She looked at Holley and said, "It really has been a long time. I wonder how Miss Ye has been doing these days?"

"Me?" With a calm smile, she simply replied, "I'm alright."

As he put down the gifts he was carrying, George picked up one of the beautifully wrapped presents. "Sula, I heard you like this necklace. I mentioned it to Holley and she bought it during her business trip. Why don't you open it and check if it's the one you like?" he said, handing it to Sula.

His words made Sula freeze for a moment. She opened it hurriedly and said with a smile, "Yes, it is. George, I didn't expect you to take what I said seriously..."

The smile she wore lit up Sula's face. "I really appreciate that. Thank you."

"It's Holley you should thank." George smiled as he suggested.

"Thank you, Miss Ye." With a rather forced smile, Sula thanked Holley.

The latter barely squeezed out a smile. In fact, she didn't even know about the gift George prepared.

The company chatted amongst themselves while Donna prepared the dishes and brought them out. At that point, her attitude towards Holley changed completely. Greeting Holley with enthusiasm, she said, "Miss Ye, you're here. Sula, come and have a chat with her. George, please help me with something."

With a nod, he followed Donna into the kitchen, leaving Holley and Sula alone in the living room.

The two had parted on bad terms the last time they met. This time, it was as if nothing had happened to Sula. She held Holley's hand with such care, making Holley at a loss for what to do.

In the kitchen, George found a table full of Donna's homemade Korean food, and his eyes turned bright in an instant. "Mom, what dishes did you prepare today? They smell so good."

"Hey, wash your hands before eating." Donna lightly tapped George's hand as she teased, "Look at you, you're still acting like a child."

"Mom, I haven't had home cooking in such a long time. Cut me some slack this time." With a smile, he asked, "By the way, mom, Holley bought lots of presents for you. They're all by the door." His mother only sneered and asked, "Would she buy me presents? I'm sure you bought them all."

"Mom..." Her dislike for Holley made him frown. "Holley is not the kind of person you think she is. You don't know her well."

"I don't know her," she affirmed. "But I know my son well. You bought that necklace out there, didn't you?"

George didn't say a word.

With a heavy sigh, Donna said, "I'm not telling you this for the sake of accountability. Since you like her, I have nothing to say. George, we're family. No matter what it is, do not hide anything." "I know, mom." With a sigh, he nodded slightly and said, "Holley was quite busy lately so I just bought them for convenience's sake."

"Fine, never mind." Shaking her head, she switched the topic of conversation. "I know you haven't eaten homemade food in a long time. I cooked a lot today. Come and bring them to the table." "Got it." He carried the dishes to the table as she said before calling Holley and Sula in to have dinner.

As the four of them sat down together, Holley found that there were a few local dishes except Korean food. Donna handed her a cup of juice and said, "I was thinking that you might not be used to our food. I learned from the neighbors how to make some local dishes for you. Just have a taste and see if you like them."

"Auntie, you're so kind." Holley smiled, feeling flattered.

"Eat more, make yourself feel at home."

In spite of her impression of Holley, Donna urged her guest on.

Immediately after, she put some pickles into Sula's bowl and said, "Sula, you should eat more too. You like the pickles I prepared, don't you? You can have a lot today."

"Thank you, Auntie," Sula said with a smile. Although Donna acted like the welcoming host, it was clear that she treated the two girls differently.

Meanwhile, George was afraid that Holley would feel left out. To make sure she didn't feel like she was missing out, he put some meat into her bowl and smiled. "Mom, Holley stayed in Korea for years. How could she not be used to eating the food there?"

"Oh, how silly of me." Donna smiled as she said it. "Miss Ye, please eat more."

Holley merely smiled without responding.

After that moment, she realized what Donna was doing. While Donna wasn't saying anything outright and was welcoming and polite, through her actions of being dismissive and forgetful, she was telling Holley that she was out of their league. No matter how much Holley tried to fit in with them, she was still an outsider in Donna's eyes.

Still, while Donna knew how to act, so did Holley.

She smiled calmly and said to Donna, "Auntie, just call me Holley. Calling me Miss Ye sounds too unfamiliar."