True Love Waits

Chapter 1299 Art Theft

"Mom, you're dead wrong!" Erica looked up to face her mother. Blair was changing the bed sheets, never missing a beat. Her daughter corrected her earnestly. "Mom, I apologized to Matthew every time it was my fault. What more do you want?"

But Blair didn't see it that way. "I really don't believe you."

Erica felt helpless. "I'm telling the truth, Mom. Just like last time when we were on a business trip to South City, I followed him all the way and apologized endlessly. He finally forgave me because I was sick!" Blair denied her explanation right off. "Matthew's not an unreasonable man. I'm sure your apology was less than sincere."

'What? Mom, how could you say a thing like that?' Erica rolled her eyes when her mom was looking elsewhere.

Carlos and Debbie stayed in the Li family's house for a couple nights. On the last day of their visit, Erica came back to the hospital for a checkup. After making sure that the baby in her belly was safe and sound, the four of them took a private plane back to Y City.

In Y City

Debbie had floated the idea of letting Erica live in the Huo family's manor, but Matthew nixed that idea. He took Erica back to their own villa. He'd hired several maids to take care of her.

He didn't want anyone to disturb him or his wife. Even his parents couldn't promise that. The maids could sleep on the first floor. A skeleton night crew was put in place as well. If anything happened, they could be upstairs at a moment's notice.

Two days after returning from her parent's place, Erica resumed her studies.

Matthew's original plan was to hire tutors for her to learn at home, but she turned him down. What fun would that be, staying home every day? That would be too boring, so she decided to attend classes like a normal student.

The pregnancy didn't change Erica's basic nature, though maybe she was a little less stubborn than she usually was.

Yes, just a little.

She still did many of the same things she always did. She continued to stop by that little snack shop and bought spicy and sour rice noodles. Matthew would never approve, so she wouldn't tell him. She also still got into it with this or that classmate, so she'd spend time humiliating them.

When Matthew finally trusted her enough, she grabbed Hyatt and visited a fellow student.

In the school library

opposite Erica and Hyatt

a senior,

around the bush, Erica showed her some pictures on her phone. "These pics look

short pause, the girl nodded and answered honestly, "Yeah. I worked on those last year. They were supposed to be homework and I was

her some more

these? Phoebe Su? Those are my paintings! The backdrop here is my hometown. What's going on?" She was

it bluntly, she took your paintings and put her name on them. You

Why in the world wouldn't I be pissed?" Her fair face flushed with anger. "Then sue her!" Erica

words stunned her. "It's a major pain in the butt to take someone to court and I don't think I have the cash for a lawyer..."

in her hands, Erica smiled innocently and offered, "Don't worry about money or a lawyer. As long as you're willing to sue her,

not need to worry about money? Are you fronting me?" The girl really didn't

you to collect the evidence that can prove

girl a charge. She grabbed Erica's hand and exclaimed, "Wow, Mrs.

sheepishly, "It's not like I'm doing this for nothing. I

at a disadvantage, she

I can!" The girl let go

phone rang. It was Matthew. "Where are you?"

a relaxed voice.

strain yourself too much and ask Hyatt to carry your

there is something you can do..." Erica adjusted her tone to sound sweet and innocent. It did wonders

it," he said,

heard of the Ninth Photography Competition of

right?" He had

I did. But the deadline is in two weeks. I've been so busy I haven't had any time to get anything prepared." The girl's voice sounded very pitiful. She had been busy gathering evidence to use against Phoebe, then Yvette was getting married, and then she got pregnant, not to mention her homework. When did she have the time to plan out the perfect

that she couldn't

answered quickly, "I'll take you to..." He trailed off. 'The North Pole? No, the best time to shoot the northern lights is in the winter time. But now it's spring. Since I

idea, he offered, "I know a beautiful beach. The sea water there is half pink and half green..."

said, "Then what do

to use you as a model!" This idea had already