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.

Elora asked, noticing her mother's hesitation. She motioned for her to sit

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

little time to process what she

exceptional-so exceptional that Elora hadn't gotten tired of it after

for a short period, thinking that Tatum was

to Elora, but she hadn't

toward Tatum hadn't concerned her either. After all, Tatum wasn't just any chef-he was the sixth

was only natural that her attitude

Mrs. Ormond hadn't expected sparks to

often arranging introductions to outstanding young men in the city. But none of those

of man her daughter

was managing

the fact that Elora was

thirty, Mrs. Ormond hadn't pushed

particular about

made them a target. If Elora married the wrong man— someone ambitious with ulterior motives-it could bring

but she could also be manipulated, leading to devastating

with a son to inherit the business, the risk of outsiders