Chapter 28: These Little Brats Are So Annoying!
Menu
John understood Lily’s disapproval of his hands–off parenting style. Her restraint was already a significant concession. He dared not utter a single unnecessary word, complying with her every instruction.
“I won’t blame you, and I won’t clean up your mess. Since it’s your own choice, help her yourself,” he stated firmly.
Amy’s tears welled up again.
“So, there’s a stepmother *and* a stepfather! This family doesn’t want me anymore. I’m leaving!”
Wiping her tears furiously, she ran off.
Lily
rose to chase her, but John stopped her.“Send a bodyguard,” he instructed the butler, then turned back to Lily.“She’s angry; she won’t listen to reason.” More importantly, Amy would probably take her anger out on Lily. No one, not even his own daughter, could hurt Lily.
Lily watched her daughter run away, finally deciding against pursuit. Perhaps this would be a valuable learning experience for Amy.
While she thought this rationally, as a mother, her concern was unavoidable. Lily paced the living room, anxiously awaiting updates from the bodyguard.
Amy, too young to drive, couldn’t bring herself to ask the butler for a car. She walked silently, her anger slowly subsiding until fatigue and sore feet forced her to sit on the curb.
Lost in thought, she reached for her phone to call a ride, only to discover she didn’t have enough money! Her cash was with Hanson; the rest, along with the million, was gone. She only had a few dollars in her WhatsApp wallet.
Frustrated, Amy vented her anger by tearing at the roadside plants, then paused, noticing a black business car nearby. She approached it.
- “The bodyguard sent a message. Amy got into their car,” Lily reported, relieved. She’d been worried about Amy making rash decisions in her anger. This implied she had calmed down.
A moment later, another message arrived.
“Amy went to the hospital where Hanson’s mother is, then went home with Hanson?!” Lily’s voice rose sharply. What if Hanson was up to something?
“It’s fine. The bodyguard will stay with her.” John remained unconcerned. Four bodyguards, each capable of handling multiple opponents, were with his daughter; there was no cause for alarm.
“It’s getting late. Aren’t we going to the Smiths tomorrow? Let’s get some rest.” Tomorrow, they’d confront the Smiths, and she didn’t want to appear tired.
After receiving confirmation that Amy was asleep in the guest room and Hanson had returned to the hospital, Lily finally went to bed.
Even asleep, her brow remained furrowed. John gently held her, smoothing her brow, muttering
curse about those “annoying brats!” They were giving Lily so much trouble.
Amy slept poorly. It wasn’t insomnia; she was simply uncomfortable. The bed was too hard, the pillow too soft, and she woke up stiff and sore.
Reflecting on the events of the night, she belatedly realized she’d been played! Her plan had been
7.4%
Chapter 28: These Little Brats Are …
Menu
to drive the new woman away, yet she had left! She’d become the one who was “pushed out.”
Then she remembered her reasons for running away. Her father’s opinion mattered most. He disliked Hanson.
Feeling down, Amy left her room and saw the four bodyguards in the living room. Remembering yesterday’s conversation, her face darkened.
“You can leave.”
“We’re here to protect you.”
“I don’t need it!”
The bodyguards remained silent.
“If
you don’t leave, I’ll call the police! Trespassing!”
The bodyguards remained unfazed.“Go ahead.”
Amy was speechless. She
couldn’t call the police; it would be humiliating.
Hanson intervened, saying it was their duty, giving Amy an out.
Since they wouldn’t leave, she might as well use them.
“Take me to the hospital!” she commanded.
Who would have thought the Janson family’s daughter would ever need a
ride?
In her haste, Amy left her phone in her room, missing Lindsey’s call and subsequent messages. Seeing the unanswered messages, Lindsey’s cheerful facade crumbled. The call from the Janson family had unnerved her all morning.
Why were they coming?
She dared not imagine it was a friendly visit. For years, as Amy’s godsister, Lindsey had been largely ignored by John. Business dealings with the Smiths might have been influenced by Amy’s connection, but they had no close personal relationship.
Lindsey knew the truth. The Smiths were close to Amy, not to the Janson family, She wouldn’t have been suspicious on any other day, but it was the day after she’d lent Amy a million dollars!
She’d intended to use that money to curry favor with John’s new girlfriend, either to build a connection or to make a good impression.
But she hadn’t expected John himself! Had Amy caused trouble with the money?! Lindsey’s worry deepened. Unable to reach Amy, her smile faded completely.
Her anxiety increased as the appointed time drew closer. Seeing her husband’s excitement at John’s visit, believing it was a sign of favor, she couldn’t bring herself to reveal the truth. She was grateful her mother–in–law was visiting her own family. Otherwise, the situation would be even
worse.
Her worry was palpable. What serious matter required John’s personal intervention? Upon seeing the arriving vehicle and realizing it wasn’t John alone, but a woman with him, her apprehension intensified.
“Mr. Janson, your presence truly honors us! Please, come in!” Garrett Smith greeted them Warmly, ushering John and Lily to the sofa.
7.4%
Chapter 28: These Little Brats Are …
Menu
He waited for John to speak, but the latter remained silent, creating an awkward silence,
“Mr. Janson, you’ve come…”
“This is my wife, Lily,” John cut in.
“So, this is Ms. Lynch. My wife attended Mr. Wilson’s birthday banquet, and she spoke very highly of you…” Garrett Smith smoothly continued, showering Lily with compliments.
Lindsey’s smile froze. She’d planned to use the million dollars to impress Lily, fostering dependence and trust. But her husband was behaving SO subserviently!
“Mr. Smith, there’s no need for such formality,” Lily said, mentally adding,*You won’t be smiling
in a moment.*
Garrett Smith mistook her words for friendliness, his smile deepening. He was about to continue when Lily’s voice, soft yet firm, cut through the air:
“Let’s discuss this ‘goddaughter‘ arrangement.”
