Chapter 23
*16 NO**
Albert refused to let me take him home. He got his chauffeur to pick him up from the hospital instead
“It’s already late, you should go home,” Albert said, patting my head.
I felt awkward because of his gesture.
“Thanks for caring about me.” he continued, smiling and trying to tease me
“Oh, come on! Who’s caring? Don’t get too full of yourself!” I replied, pretending to be annoyed
Albert laughed again.
We parted ways in the hospital lobby. Joshua was already there to pick me up. Suddenly, my phone rang.
It was Sofia. I wondered what it was. It was unusual for the house help to call.
“Hello, Sofia. What’s up?”
“Ma’am… I’m so sorry…”
“What’s wrong, Sofia? Please, tell me quickly!” I panicked, fearing bad news about Gillian, my daughter “Sorry, ma’am. After school, Gillian asked to be taken to her grandmother’s house. I tried calling you, but couldn’t reach you. Since Gillian insisted, we went there.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Alright, it’s okay, Sofia. I’m on my way home, so I’ll pick her up.”
1 ended the call.
“Joshua, let’s go straight to Ruth’s house to pick Gillian up.”
Joshua nodded.
When I arrived at Ruth’s house, it seemed everyone was inside. From outside, the house looked crowded. As I started walking toward the door, I heard someone crying.
Oh no! That was Gillian crying.
“S–sorry, Grandma, Aunt Lorraine… s–sorry…”
“Just because you’re rich now, you act stingy and arrogant like your mom!” I heard Lorraine yelling at Gillian.
“I never taught you to be stingy. This must be your mom’s bad influence. If you still want to be my granddaughter, lend your phone to your cousins. Now!”
What?? Ruth was also scolding and yelling at my daughter?
I quickened my pace.
“Even the maid has a phone. How spoiled! You really have an easy life!” I heard Lorraine yelling at Sofia as well.
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“Hello. What’s going on here?” I asked as I opened the door, feeling my anger rising.
“Mommy!” Gillian, still sobbing, ran into my arms.
Lorraine’s children looked scared and stood behind their mother.
Why was Ruth so angry at Gillian? Yesterday, she seemed to adore Gillian.
“Gillian, what’s wrong, honey? Sofia, what happened?*
Sofia, who was trying to comfort Gillian, looked pale as Gillian hugged me tightly.
“W–well, ma’am, Lorraine’s kids tried to take Gillian’s phone…”
“Don’t you dare tell tales!” Lorraine shouted, glaring at Sofia.
“Continue, Sofia!” I said firmly, ignoring Ruth.
“Hey, Sarah, don’t just believe the maid. My kids just wanted to borrow it, but your daughter was stingy and scolded them, just because she has an expensive phone!”
“You can insult me or mistreat me, but you can’t do that to my daughter!” I snapped, trembling with rage. My body shook with anger. It hurt so much to see my daughter crying because they yelled at her.
“You gave a phone to the maid but not my kids?” Lorraine said.
“For your information, Lorraine, I’d rather give Sofia a phone than your kids who have bullied Gillian for years. You think I don’t know?”
“Mom, I can’t believe you scolded Gillian like that. Why would you do that?”
“Hmph, you spoil your child too much. Sometimes kids need to be scolded to learn,” Ruth replied without
remorse.
“But Gillian did nothing wrong. Lorraine’s kids just grabbed the phone from her, and it fell and broke,” Sofia bravely defended Gillian.
“Well, then, Lorraine should teach her kids not to grab other people’s things!” I said, my anger rising again. after hearing Sofia’s explanation.
“I’m so disappointed in this family. I’ve lived here for eight years. You’ve never treated me kindly, often wanting to kick me out because you saw me as a freeloader. Don’t blame me if you get kicked out of this house one day.” My voice trembled with emotion.
“What do you mean, Sarah?” Ruth shouted.
“Don’t you remember the house is about to be seized by debr
collectors?” I reminded them with a smile.
“That’s our business, not yours!” Lorraine replied, though she seemed uncertain.
“Haha, are you sure, Lorraine? I could fire you tomorrow, and you wouldn’t be able to pay off your che. g husband’s debts.”
Lorraine looked shocked that I knew everything.
“Sofia, take Gillian to the car. I’ll be right there.”
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“What about Gillian’s broken phone, ma’am?” Sofia asked.
“Just leave it. We’ll buy a much better and more expensive one tomorrow.”
“Remember, Lorraine, I can turn your lives upside down in an instant. I can fire you anytime, and you’ll all be out on the streets!”
“What do you mean we’ll be kicked out, Sarah?” Ruth’s voice softened, sounding worried.
“You’ll see. Karma is real. Because I’ll be the one to kick you all out. Goodbye.”
I walked out calmly, feeling victorious.
“Hey, Sarah! What do you mean?”
“Sarah!”
I ignored their shouts and walked to the car.
Joshua had the car ready. Once I got in, we drove to my apartment.
In the car, I called Carrie.
“Hello, Carrie, how’s the house purchase going? Is it done?”
“All set, boss. Just waiting for the name transfer on the certificate. The notary is handling it.”
“Please expedite it!”
I ended the call and leaned back in my seat, releasing the tension and emotions that had been weighing on my heart and mind.
Gillian kept hugging me. She must have felt the same sadness and burden. My little girl probably didn’t expect to be treated so badly by Ruth and Lorraine.
“Joshua, let’s stop by the mall first.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Joshua nodded.
“Gillian, let’s get some ice cream.”
“Okay, Mommy… I want ice cream.”
Her pretty face lit up instantly. Maybe taking her out for a bit and getting her favorite ice cream would cheer her up.
We hugged each other again. It felt so good to see her smile return.
