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.

water?" Elora asked, noticing her mother's hesitation. She motioned for her

water." Mrs. Ormond studied her 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

little time to process what she had

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

would only last for a short period, thinking that Tatum was simply

Tatum was to Elora, but

her either. After all, Tatum wasn't

It was only natural that her attitude toward Tatum had

hadn't expected sparks to

outstanding young men in

of man her daughter was

was managing the company and training

family's circumstances, and the fact that Elora was

Mrs. Ormond

however, particular about her

Elora married the wrong man— someone ambitious with ulterior motives-it

only would her daughter suffer in an unhappy marriage, but she could also be manipulated, leading to devastating consequences

son to inherit the business, the risk of