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.

want some water?" Elora asked, noticing her mother's hesitation. She

back from a business trip. Why don't you take a

she needed a little time to process what

wonderful man, and his cooking was exceptional-so exceptional that Elora hadn't gotten tired of

for a short

had also noticed how attentive Tatum was to Elora, but she

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

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

Mrs. Ormond hadn't expected sparks to

always been mindful of Elora's future, often arranging introductions to outstanding young men in the city. But none of those meetings ever led to

no idea what kind of man her daughter

Her priority was managing the company and

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

Mrs. Ormond hadn't

was, however, particular

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

suffer in an unhappy marriage, but she could also be manipulated, leading to

a son to inherit the business, the risk of outsiders gaining control was a