Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 692

Teresa glanced over at her. This woman had a gentle, kind face. Out of everyone there, she was the only one who hadn’t joined in the laughter or made fun of her.

Teresa gave a small shake of her head and replied softly, “No, today’s actually the first time we’ve met.”

“Then be careful,” the lady warned in a hushed voice. “Mrs. Nelson isn’t someone to take lightly.”

She paused for a second, then added, “You might know me. I’m Andrew’s big sister, Carli.”

Teresa froze, then the memory came rushing back. Back in college, she and Andrew had worked on a project together. She’d met his sister once, back then, in the lab—Carli had been a grad student at the time. That must have been almost twenty years ago.

No wonder she hadn’t recognized her.

She also remembered that Andrew only had one sister, and she’d married into the Summer family ages ago.

“Mrs. Summer,” Teresa greeted her quickly.

Carli nodded, then leaned in to whisper again, “Mrs. Nelson loves it when everyone goes along with her. If you ever find yourself at something like this again—flower arranging or anything else—just make sure you don’t outdo her.”

“Mrs. Summer!” someone called from up ahead.

Carli answered, then turned to Teresa. “I’d better go. Take care of yourself.”

She hurried away to catch up with the others.

Watching her leave, Teresa felt a faint warmth in her chest. She picked up her pace as well.

The path opened up, revealing a beautiful scene: a traditional garden with a winding brook circling a long, low table. Steam drifted from the table, and delicate wooden trays floated in the water, each one topped with adorable little pastries.

A tea master in classic attire was demonstrating how to whisk tea. Not far away, a graceful woman played a soft, elegant tune on the pipa.

The whole setting was tranquil and almost dreamlike, but Teresa’s nerves only tightened.

When tea was served, she barely sipped at her cup. She didn’t touch any of the pastries floating by on their trays.

Throughout the afternoon, she was the only one who sat quietly while the other ladies laughed and chatted, their voices full of energy. Their conversations ranged from the latest moves in the cabinet to gossip about who would become the next district chief—all inside political talk Teresa couldn’t even begin to join.

It was clear she was being left out.

The warmth vanished from Mrs. Nelson’s face, replaced by a cool, superior look.

She stared at Teresa, her voice suddenly icy.

“Teresa, I invited you here today so you could see for yourself just how wide the gap is between your Drennon family and our Nelson family.”

“I hope you’re not getting any ideas because your daughter and my son, James, know each other.”

“Don’t think the Drennon family can use this connection to climb up and force your way into our world.”

Teresa felt her whole body tense up. She looked up, stunned.

“James... is your son?”

That couldn’t be true. How could Mrs. Nelson’s son be a firefighter?

But the next thing Mrs. Nelson said made her heart sink, bit by bit.