Chapter 79
In the hospital room, Lewis, Doris, Laura, Rupert, and Peyton all turned to look at Claudia
Claudia twirled the bank card between her fingers. “Since neither of you wants it, I won’t be polite.
“Claudia, this money is for Mom Rupert coaxed her, hoping she would give it back.
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“But Peyton doesn’t want it,” Claudia said. She and Rupert were already legally married, but she hadn’t regarded Peyton as family yet. ‘She even said this money was for me to eat well–for the sake of the baby. Peyton, isn’t that right?”
She planned to change how she addressed Peyton at the wedding–so she could demand a red envelope for it.
“Yes” Peyton nodded.
Only then did Claudia smile with satisfaction. She looked at Rupert and said, “See? She agrees. You wouldn’t refuse to give me the money, would you?”
“Claudia, I wouldn’t.” Rupert denied.
“Rupert, we’ve only been married for a short time, and you’ve already hidden twenty thousand in private savings from me. Have you forgotten what you promised my mom?
“You said all your money would go to me, but you secretly gave money to your mother. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, how much longer would you have lied to me? Is this what you call love?” Claudia accused him.
“Claudia, I was wrong to hide it from you, but my mom is sick. She’s done so much for me since I was a child. As her son, shouldn’t I give her some money?” Rupert still had some conscience.
“She’s your mother, so it’s her duty to provide for you. My parents have done a lot for me too, but they’ve never asked me for a penny. I’ve never secretly given them money either.
“In fact, they worry about us and even send me money from time to time. But you?” Claudia refused to back down.
“Claudia, it’s not like that. I actually borrowed this money from a friend,” Rupert lied, hoping to defuse the situation. “Can you give it back to me? Let’s talk about this at home.”
“I’m not going home. I want to settle this right here. Whether you borrowed it or not, I’m keeping the money,” Claudia said, securing the bank card.
“Claudia, my mom is sick, and my sisters are taking care of her. As her children, we should contribute financially.” Rupert tried to reason with her.
“Rupert, I haven’t even settled accounts with you for losing your job at Watson Group. Stop pretending to be generous here.
Claudia said, “Do you think that little bit of money is enough? Both of your older sisters married wealthy husbands, and they are far richer than you. You have no job and no degree–you can barely take care of yourself. We need money, but what do you have to contribute?”
She then glanced at Doris deliberately and sneered, “If you had any skills, you’d learn from your second sister. A few tears in front of Ryan, and he’d soften up and get you your job back. That’s real ability.”
Claudia’s words darkened Doris’s expression. After all, Lewis was standing right there.
Doris said, “Claudia, if you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all.”
“What did I say? Are you feeling guilty?” Claudia chuckled.
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Chapter 79
“Claudia, I have had nothing to do with Ryan since we broke up. Doris clarified again.
“Nothing to do with him?” Claudia scoffed. “If it weren’t for you, would Rupert have been fired by Ryan? He’s in this mess because of you”
Laura couldn’t stand it anymore and defended Doris, “Claudia, with Rupert’s qualifications, he never would’ve gotten into Watson Group in the first place. He was only hired because of Ryan’s past relationship with Doris. Now that’s over, and Rupert’s firing was inevitable. Stop blaming others–it’s ridiculous.
“There’s an old saying–You’re only as strong as your own skills. Otherwise, you’re just trash.‘ Doris added sharply.
“You-” Claudia was so furious that she stammered, “You just can’t stand to see Rupert doing well. You can’t stand to see us doing well.”
Rupert felt the same way and sided with Claudia. “Claudia is right. You never truly asked Ryan to help me get my job back. You probably even made things worse. How can you be so cruel? I’m your brother. Can’t you at least wish me well?”
Doris wanted to laugh. Now he remembered she was his sister, yet, he had treated her like a villain all along.
Lewis, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward and pulled Doris behind him. His gaze was cold. “There’s no point in reasoning with people who won’t listen.”
The implication was clear–there was no point in talking to animals.
Rupert and Claudia caught on to the insult, and their faces turned pale with rage. “What are you so smug about? You’ve been married to her for a while now, but my parents still don’t accept you.
“In their hearts, Ryan is still their son–in–law. If I were you, I wouldn’t put up with this. I would’ve divorced her long ago. Honestly, you can’t be more shameless.”
Rupert’s words were cut short by a sharp slap from Doris. He clutched his cheek, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Doris, you actually hit me over a man?”
“You brought this on yourself,” Doris said calmly. “Rupert, listen to me. I’m married to him, which means he’s your brother- in–law. If you don’t respect him, then you deserve to be hit. Now, apologize.”
“Rupert, apologize.” Laura sided with Doris–she was satisfied with Lewis.
“Laura, you too? I won’t accept this.” Rupert turned anxiously to Peyton. “Mom, they’re all bullying me.”
“Crying to Mom won’t help you.” Doris glared at him. “Apologize.”
Peyton frowned and closed her eyes. “Doris, go handle my discharge paperwork.”
“Mom.” Doris’s heart turned cold. She knew that Peyton just wanted to send her away.
Lewis took Doris’s hand, not wanting her to fight with her family for his sake. “Let’s go. I’ll go with you.”
And so, Doris was led
ed out of the hospital room by Lewis.
They took the elevator down and headed toward the billing window.
“I’m sorry,” Doris said, unable to look at him.
She felt guilty and upset that she couldn’t protect him in front of her own family.
“It’s fine. I’m not that fragile.” Lewis reassured her.
Once Doris finished the discharge paperwork, Lewis left for work.
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Chapter 79
Rupert and Claudia were gone by then, and Laura and Doris took a taxi to bring Peyton home.
“Mom, please think about the surgery again. You can change your mind anytime–just let us know,” Doris reminded her.
Peyton’s expression darkened. She said coldly, “Don’t bring it up again. Leave. I want to rest.”
“Mom, then please rest well.” Laura pulled Doris out of the bedroom.
In the living room, Doris was still confused. “I just don’t understand why Mom refuses the surgery. I just want her to live healthily.”
“I know your intentions,” Laura comforted her. “But Mom is very resistant right now. Give her some time–maybe she’ll come around.”
Doris nodded. Just then, her phone rang. It was Lola calling.
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