?<strong>Chapter 363:</strong>


    Joelle received an unexpected call from Eliza.


    “Ms. Watson, we n to conduct home visits for each child. Would it be possible for you to amodate this?”


    “Yes, I’m avable.” Joelle thought the request came quite suddenly, but she didn’t see it as a problem. They set the visit for Saturday morning.


    That morning, Aurora woke up early and lined up her dolls neatly to greet Eliza.


    “Mom, you should wear this dress! It goes perfectly with these earrings!”


    Joelle smiled as Aurora eagerly searched through Rnd’s closet to find a small suit for him. Aurora clearly treasured this visit and held Eliza in high regard. Eliza arrived just after ten o’clock.


    “Miss Becker, look, these are all my dolls. And this is my brother, Rnd.”


    Aurora excitedly introduced each one, cheerfully guiding Eliza through the house.


    “Okay, Aurora, let Miss Becker sit down and take a break,” Joelle instructed. “Aurora, stay with Miss Becker. I’ll go see if the cake you baked for her is ready.”


    In the kitchen, Joelle checked the oven; the cake needed a couple more minutes. When she turned around, she was startled to see Eliza behind her.


    Joelle was momentarily taken aback but quickly set aside any concerns, thinking Eliza had no ill intent.


    “Aurora just spilled some juice, so I came to get a cloth.” The cloth was next to Joelle. She grabbed it and said, “I’ll take care of it. Miss Becker, please go and rx. You’re our guest.” As Joelle spoke, she motioned for Eliza to return to the living room, but Eliza remained motionless.


    As Joelle moved past her, Eliza suddenly seized Joelle’s wrist and took the cloth from her hand. “Why isn’t Aurora’s father here today?”


    Joelle treated the question as typical for a visiting teacher and responded casually, “He and I are divorced. We co-parent but don’t live together.”


    “I heard he is the CEO of Miller Group?”


    Typically, teachers wouldn’t delve into such specifics. Joelle eyed Eliza, who merely offered a slight smile and walked away without further inquiry. Joelle’s wariness towards her grew. Soon after, she arranged the cake on a te.


    When she returned to the living room, she was surprised to hear Aurora calling Eliza “Mom.” “Mom, we need to feed my brother.”


    Aurora yfully fed Rnd with a toy block, pretending he actually ate it.


    Eliza chuckled and questioned, “Is the food Mom made tasty?”


    “Yes!”


    Even though Joelle was aware it was just a game, the scene made her uneasy.


    “Let’s stop the game now, Aurora, Rnd. Miss Becker is here for a specific reason.”


    “It’s fine,” Eliza responded with a kind smile. “Home visits help us see how the children live their everyday lives.”


    Joelle redirected their talk by inquiring about Aurora’s progress in kindergarten, skillfully changing the subject.


    By noon, Joelle invited Eliza to stay for lunch.


    “No, thank you. I have more visits to make this afternoon.” Joelle apanied her to the door. Once outside, with just the two of them, Joelle confronted her.


    “You’re building a rtionship with Aurora because of Adrian, aren’t you?”


    Eliza maintained her calm. “You figured it out.”


    “It was apparent. Your aspirations aren’t exactly subtle.” Joelle moved closer, fixing her gaze on Eliza. “I’m not concerned about your intentions with Adrian. Adrian is one thing. My daughter is another. Pursue him if you must. But heed my warning—keep your distance from my daughter.” She stressed each word of her final warning distinctly.


    Eliza shifted slightly, facing Joelle with a steady smile. “Perhaps you’re being too sensitive. If I end up marrying Adrian, I’ll be Aurora’s stepmother. Is it not appropriate for me to form a bond with her?”


    Joelle crossed her arms and smirked. “Stepmother? Has Adrian consented to that?”


    “His mother has.”


    Joelle’s smile was polite, yet itcked sincerity. A few simple exchanges had revealed Eliza’s backer to her. Amara was constantly causing turmoil in her life.


    “Well, I hope your dreamse true, Miss Becker.”


    “Considering your help, I ought to be thankful.”


    Joelle ignored Eliza’s sarcasticment, watching her climb into her car before she turned to go back inside.


    Later in the afternoon, Gracie and Fred called, inviting Aurora and Rnd over. Joelle knew Leah was having some troubles, so she took the children there. She left the kids with the Finch family, and Gracie pulled her aside.


    “We haven’t heard from Adrian. Everyone’s concerned. Leah’s been preupied and even hurt her ankle at work yesterday.”


    “Alright, I’ll go see her now.”


    As dusk settled, Joelle reached the Miller family’s residence. Across the street, Raelyn’s house appeared unlit, signaling she wasn’t there. Joelle’s fingerprints still worked on the door lock, so she let herself in.


    Just then, her phone buzzed—it was Adrian calling. Caught up in the excitement, Joelle briefly forgot her intention to check on Leah and eagerly answered the call.


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