Chapter 29: Shocking! That Fighting Spirit!
Why the sudden mention of the goddaughter arrangement? Garrett Smith froze, speechless, glancing at Lindsey. His wife had orchestrated it.
“Ms. Lynch, I’m Lindsey,” Lindsey offered, stepping forward. Garrett Smith felt a pang of awkwardness; he should have introduced his wife after John introduced his own.“When Amy was in middle school, she was close to my sister–in–law, Alice. She often visited, and one day she ‘suggested becoming my goddaughter. I’d already treated her like a younger sister…” Garrett Smith nodded in agreement.“Yes, yes, Amy and my sister were inseparable. We even had a room prepared for her; she loved it here.”
It sounded like the Smiths were simply being kind and helpful.
“Amy was a minor, but Mrs. Smith, as an adult, shouldn’t have been so careless,” Lily countered, her words directed at Lindsey, but her gaze sweeping across John to gauge his reaction. She wasn’t expecting Lily to speak up.
Lindsey felt a surge of anger. John’s new girlfriend was too audacious! What gave her the right to question Lindsey in
even Amy’s legal guardian.
such
a
tone?
Did she think she was suddenly royalty?
She
wasn’t
“What do you mean by that, Ms. Lynch?” Lindsey asked pointedly, hoping Lily would say more, providing openings for counterarguments. Once Lily lost her composure, John would surely silence her. This was just a little girl, suddenly elevated thanks to John. She shouldn’t be so arrogant!
Lindsey braced herself, but Lily unexpectedly shifted the focus to Lindsey’s mistake Isn’t it obvious? I’m saying you lacked judgment, Mrs. Smith! Lending a million dollars to a minor without asking questions isn’t help; it’s harmful!”
Lindsey’s face paled. She glanced at John, who remained impassive.
“A million dollars? What’s this about?” Garrett Smith asked his wife, finally grasping the situation. John’s visit wasn’t a friendly one; it was a reckoning.
“Amy called yesterday, asking to borrow a million, urgently. I was worried, so I sent the money. acted rashly without thinking it through. I’m sorry,” Lindsey explained, portraying herself as well–intentioned. Even if this got out, she wouldn’t be too worried.
Lindsey had initially feared John would retaliate for Amy’s actions. Now, observing John and
she Lily’s attitude,
felt a
of sense
had happened. relief. Nothing serious
“Becoming godparents without informing the child’s father, and lending money to a minor without contacting the family… Mrs. Smith’s approach is certainly unique,” Lily said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Lindsey, preoccupied with explaining the loan, overlooked the earlier point. Lily’s mockery left her speechless.
Lily was a skilled debater, never allowing herself to be trapped into self–justification. Her goal wasn’t to question the loan itself, but to expose the Smiths‘ overreach. They’d assumed intimacy with Amy gave them the right to interfere. If their intentions had been purely good, it would be fine, but Mrs. Smith was clearly self–serving, wanting both the good deed and the accolades. Lily
was here to expose this. The Smiths were no relation to the Jansons. Did assuming a godparent role entitle them to manage Amy’s affairs under the pretense of concern?
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Chapter 29: Shocking! That Fighting…
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Amy is the Janson family’s daughter, not a junior member of the Smith family. Mrs. Smith, I -hope you’ll exercise better judgment in the future to avoid embarrassing yourself.” “I’ve said my piece,” Lily said, rising to her feet.“Mr. Smith, please advise your wife. We won’t trouble you further.”
John rose as well. Lily affectionately linked arms with him, her confidence soaring.“I’m direct, but not malicious. It’s all for the children’s sake. All parents can understand that, right?” ‘Garrett Smith saw that Lily was a formidable debater. He wanted to avoid conflict, but under John’s icy gaze, he swallowed hard.“Yes, yes, of course.”
What else could he say? The Smiths couldn’t afford to break ties with the Jansons completely, and his wife had clearly blundered.
Back in the living room, Garrett Smith found his wife still sitting there, her face grim, staring at the door.
“Lindsey, I always trust your judgment. What happened this time…” Garrett Smith muttered, blaming Lily. The Jansons‘ visit was a calculated move! While not explicitly stated, their stance was clear: any future incidents would result in harsher consequences. John had never cared about such things before. Lily had certainly caused a scene. John had only spoken once; it was Lily who dominated the conversation.
“Did you offend Ms. Lynch? I told you to go to Mr. Wilson’s birthday party! If you’d built a relationship, this wouldn’t have happened. You insisted on attending that charity gala…” Lindsey stood abruptly, feeling utter contempt for her husband for the first time in their marriage. Not only did he fail to defend her, but he was blaming her after their departure. Incompetent! Recalling his obsequious demeanor, she felt nauseous.
You… you… you…” She pointed at him, her hand trembling. No, her whole body trembled. She’d been humiliated in her own home!
Always maintaining her composure as a socialite, Lindsey felt utterly degraded. She’d been scolded by a young girl?!
Gasping for air, she collapsed.
“Help! My wife fainted!”
“-Mr. Janson’s girlfriend, Ms. Lynch, visited the Smiths, and shortly after, Mrs. Smith fainted!! The news spread like wildfire.
“So, Ms. Lynch was the cause?”
“Probably because of the goddaughter thing! Mr. Janson didn’t care, but his new girlfriend couldn’t stand it. She confronted them directly.”
“Exactly. Mrs. Smith probably fainted from embarrassment, perhaps even a heart attack!”
The wives gossiped amongst themselves. They held varying opinions but agreed on one thing:
John’s new girlfriend was a force to be reckoned with!
After making her debut in society, she had already established control at home and in the social circles. Sometimes, a little sharpness was necessary. Previously, people might have brushed off the news of John’s new girlfriend. Now, many wives were curious and wanted to meet her. Bella, upon hearing this, became convinced that the Facebook post (“Not familiar. Thanks.“) was the work of John’s new girlfriend.
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Lily had no time for such gossip. After leaving the Smiths, she was busy with other matters.
