Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

"Well, I'm back—and I had a midnight snack," Elora said, glancing at her mother's expression. She could tell right away-her mother had seen her and Tatum hugging.

After a brief silence, she decided to speak first.

"Mom."

"Elora."

They spoke at the same time, then fell silent again.

"You go first, Mom." Elora stepped closer. "You're clearly not sleepy yet. Come to my room- we can have a mother-daughter chat."

That way, they wouldn't disturb her father and brother.

Mrs. Ormond followed her daughter into the bedroom.

She rarely entered Elora's space. Ever since Elora started junior high, she had made it a point not to go into her daughter's room without permission.

As her children grew, they needed their own privacy, and she respected that.

her mother's hesitation. She motioned for

daughter for a moment before saying, "Elora, you just got back from a business trip. Why don't you take a hot bath first? I'll sit here for a bit, and we can

to process what she had

was exceptional-so exceptional that Elora hadn't gotten tired of

a short period, thinking

how attentive Tatum was to

Tatum wasn't just any chef-he was the sixth young master of the

capable, successful individuals. It was only natural that her attitude toward Tatum had softened once

Mrs. Ormond hadn't expected sparks to

often arranging introductions to outstanding young men in

had no idea what kind of man her

she wasn't focused on relationships. Her priority was managing the company and training

their family's circumstances, and the fact that Elora was still

yet thirty, Mrs.

particular about her

Ormond family's wealth and power made them a target. If Elora married the wrong man— someone ambitious with ulterior motives-it could bring

unhappy marriage, but she could also be manipulated, leading to devastating consequences

business, the