The Unwanted Daughter When Love Comes Too Late novel Chapter 42

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Chapter 42 The Disheartened Peacock

Chapter 42 The Disheartened Peacock

Without hesitating, Tracy turned and headed toward the garden.

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The Jackman Villa was huge, and from the garden side, she could circle back to the servant quarters, where she stayed.

She tried to avoid any old “familiar faces,” hugging the corners, but the sounds from the party center echoed now and then.

“Tonight’s dinner is specially arranged by Mrs. Jackman for Ms. Jackman’s graduation ceremony…

“… Next, please enjoy Ms. Jackman’s graduation piece–The Disheartened Peacock!”

Tracy’s quick steps suddenly stopped, and she snapped her head toward the voice.

Even in the dim light, her lips looked pale, almost white.

She couldn’t hold back; stepping out of the shadows, her feet trembled as she moved toward the glowing center of the room, hands clenched tightly.

The party was held in the mansion’s grand hall, dazzling with bright lights. People wore high–end designer dresses and had perfect makeup.

Tracy, on the other hand, stood outside in a plain T–shirt. Through the spotless glass window, she watched the painting hanging high above.

The painting showed a peacock with its head bowed, tears falling from its eyes. Its tail, which should have been beautiful and bright, looked like autumn leaves dropping, dull and faded in color.

The host’s voice came from the hall. “This is Ms. Jackman’s sophomore work. Back then, it was coveted by many, causing some bad incidents, and it was never finished. It became a deep/regret for her.

“Ms. Jackman, once a proud golden child, suffered outside for 18 years. Inspired by her experiences, she combined the proud peacock with disappointment to create this masterpiece….

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Chapter 42 The Disheartened Peacock

Listening to the host, Tracy’s face turned even paler.

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Behind the thick glass, she seemed to feel the peacock’s tears stabbing her heart like needles.

No…

When I originally created that peacock, it wasn’t meant to show disappointment.

That peacock is always proud—even if it cried, it held its head high!

“Tracy?”

A voice rang out behind her, sounding unsure.

She quickly wiped away her feelings and turned, only to see a gentle–looking woman smiling in surprise.

The familiar face made Tracy freeze before she remembered–this was Phoebe Dinwiddie, her closest mentor in college.

Phoebe was happy to see Tracy again, but noticed something was off in her mood. She glanced toward the hall.

From here, she could just see the high–hung painting.

Erin and Tracy were both students at the art academy, and Phoebe was their

mentor.

Phoebe knew the whole story behind The Disheartened Peacock and the drama it caused between the two.

Everyone once said Tracy plagiarized Erin’s work, but Phoebe believed Tracy, who was the most talented and spirited student she had ever taught. They’d talked privately too, so Phoebe was sure Tracy wouldn’t do that.

But all the evidence pointed to Tracy, and the painting didn’t match her usual style. Phoebe wanted to believe her but couldn’t find proof,

Two years without seeing her, Phoebe didn’t want to bring up those painful

memories.

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Chapter 42 The Disheartened Peacock

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She gently pulled Tracy aside and asked with concern, “When did you come back?”

“Just over a month ago.”

Tracy tried to look natural, but after two years without contact and those bad memories just now, her smile seemed forced.

Phoebe knew a little about the Jackmans‘ situation and felt sorry for her.

She didn’t understand how the once so–loved Tracy became someone everyone turned against.

Phoebe carefully asked, “I heard you were abroad for the past two years. Is that true?”

The Jackmans had prepared this story not only to explain things to Franklin but also to outsiders like Phoebe, who cared about Tracy.

Tracy accepted the explanation and nodded.

But Phoebe was suspicious. “Then why didn’t you transfer your enrollment? I asked the Jackmans a few times, and they didn’t process a leave or transfer your records. Did you really go abroad?”

Because of this, Phoebe often wondered if something had happened to Tracy. Going abroad doesn’t mean no internet–how could she be unreachable for so long?

Even days before disappearing, Tracy had cried, telling Phoebe she didn’t plagiarize Erin’s work, that The Disheartened Peacock was her own original inspiration, begging Phoebe to believe her.

But since Daphne and the rest insisted that Tracy had gone abroad, no matter how much Phoebe doubted it, there was nothing she could do.

This nagging suspicion always stayed with Phoebe. She eventually gave up on Erin -the only other talented student besides Tracy–and almost got punished by the

school for it.

Tracy caught the doubt in Phoebe’s voice but also felt her concern. For once, a rare warmth rose inside her.

But those two years at the Angelic Etiquette Academy–she couldn’t tell anyone

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Chapter 42 The Disheartened Peacock

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So she forced a smile. “Professor Dinwiddie, please don’t overthink it. I really did go abroad.”

Phoebe still sensed something was off, but saw Tracy clearly didn’t want to talk.

She couldn’t pry into someone else’s family matters too much, so she sighed. “It’s good you’re back… So, what are your plans now?”

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