Chapter 3659

20:25 XX. Chapter 3659
Elora left the kitchen in silence and settled back onto the sofa.
Mrs. Ormond brought her some snacks and said, “Elora, if you’re really hungry, you should try a couple of these. They’re not too sweet. I know you don’t like sweets, so the pastry chef used less sugar.”
Elora declined the offer. “When I’m not home, the pastry chef prepares snacks for you based on your preferences, not mine. Even if they’re not overly sweet, I still don’t enjoy them.”
It wasn’t just about the sweetness; she simply did not appreciate the pastry chef’s style.
“What about some other snacks?” Mrs. Ormond suggested sympathetically. “Or you could have some fruit. We always have fresh fruit that you like.”
“Mom, there’s no need. Please sit down; you don’t have to keep fetching things for me. Tatum said the soup will be ready in half an hour. I’ll just wait.”
Elora also preferred not to eat fruit on an empty stomach; she usually consumed it after her meals.
“Tatum should have realized you wouldn’t eat airplane food. Why didn’t he prepare some snacks for you to take on the trip?” Mrs. Ormond remarked, slightly annoyed.
Her daughter was clearly hungry.
Elora’s cup of water had cooled, so she stood up to refill it with hot water and took a few sips. Responding to her mother’s complaint, she said, “Snacks are best when they’re fresh. After a long journey from the hotel to the airport and then on the plane, they wouldn’t taste good, especially in this cold weather. They’d cool down quickly. I told Tatum not to bother. I had breakfast before we left, and…

“When I’m busy, I usually don’t feel hungry. But now that I’m not doing anything, I notice it more,” Elora said. Mrs. Ormond nodded in agreement, “When you’re occupied with work, you tend to overlook your hunger.”

Elora sat back down, waiting for Tatum to call her when the soup was ready. Feeling bored, she stood up and told her mother, “Mom, I’m going to check on the little ones.”

Mrs. Ormond replied, “Go ahead, but put on your coat—it’s cold outside.”

Elora grabbed her coat and stepped outside.

Outside, her two younger brothers were still busy building snow turtles. They had created a row and were stacking them around a tree.

Elora quietly approached, watching the boys play. Despite the cold, they seemed unfazed, fully engrossed in their snow turtles. She felt a twinge of envy for their carefree enjoyment.

Although responsibilities would come to them in the future, for now, they were free to savor life. Being the youngest in the family, the boys were cherished and spoiled by everyone. When they wanted to climb onto the roof, the older family members would even assist in setting up the ladder for them.

Fortunately, Elora and her sisters maintained a stricter approach. While the boys were loved, they weren’t allowed to become spoiled. They also performed well in school. The family business would eventually be handed down to them, so it was essential for them to be well-prepared.

However, Elora believed in balancing work and play. When it was time for fun, they should enjoy it. When it was time to study, they needed to concentrate and minimize distractions.

“Sister!” Alonzo exclaimed upon noticing Elora watching them.

Alonzo spotted Elora watching them and turned to her, joyfully calling out while standing up as if ready to rush into her arms. Elora, playfully teasing him, exclaimed with feigned disgust, “Your hands are filthy! Stay away from me, or you’ll ruin my clothes. You’ll have to spend your New Year’s money on a new outfit for me!”