RedNovelChapter 188
Sallie shot back, "Aren't you a Lawson too?"
Ignoring the tension, Timothy bent down to pick up the cane and handed it to Phelps, trying to soothe him.
"Grandpa, please don't be upset."
Phelps’ frown deepened, the lines on his weathered face seeming even more pronounced.
Just then, Jessica eased Timothy's hand away and crouched to gather the scattered bills from the floor.
Sallie's lips curled in disdain. "Timothy, just look at her. Is money really all she cares about?"
There was a hardened, complicated look in Timothy's eyes. He had stepped in to defend her, but she didn't seem
to care at all.
Phelps gave a cold snort. "Timothy, do you see her attitude? Are we really worth less to her than a pile of cash?"
Timothy had convinced himself that after all the compromises he'd made for her, she'd at least try to settle in for
a month-let things return to normal, give the family speace.
Clearly, he'd been fooling himself. Jessica seemed completely indifferent to his good intentions, determined to
keep the household in turmoil.
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At that moment, Henry cdownstairs, drawn by the commotion at the door. Jessica had already scooped up
the last bill and tucked the money away in a box. "Great-Grandpa, Aunt Sallie, you're here! Cin, don't just
stand in the hallway." Jessica picked up the box and headed toward the door.
"Mom."
Henry called after her. "Grandpa and Aunt Sallie are here-aren't you going to make breakfast? | want your
chicken noodle soup. | haven't had it in so long. Can you make extra today? Miss Sheila wants to try stoo."
Henry didn't know Sheila had left in the middle of the night.
Jessica glanced at him, her eyes flat, a tight ache rising in her chest. She looked away quickly and walked out,
ignoring the entire Lawson family as if they didn't exist.
Phelps thumped his cane in anger. "This is outrageous! She's turned her back on her child and her husband-just
for money? Jessica, stop right there!"
Jessica didn't even look back.
Sallie frowned at Timothy. "Timothy, are you just going to let her treat everyone like this? | don't expect her to
cook for me, but what about Henry? Didn't you hear him say he hasn't had her chicken noodle soup in ages? No
wonder he's gotten so close to "
Sheila was hardly a good influence, and Sallie bit off the rest of her complaint, not wanting to admit how much
Henry liked Sheila.
Henry bit his lip, watching his mother walk away, feeling worse with every step she took. He'd promised Sheila
he'd ask his mom to make her chicken noodle soup when she cback, but now Mom was leaving again.
He was so frustrated he could scream.
Sallie quickly shifted topics. "Timothy, why are you giving Jessica so much money?"
"That's her own money, not from me. Cin, everyone. Why are we all crowding in the foyer?"
The family finally made their way to the living room, where Sallie pressed on. "Timothy, stop making excuses for
Jessica. She's never worked a day in her life,
and she can't even speak. Where'd she get that kind of money?"
Timothy's face darkened. "Do you call her mute to her face, too?"
"She is mute. I'm just stating a fact."
"Sallie, that's enough."
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Seeing Timothy's expression, Phelps cut her off, then turned to his grandson. "Timothy, I lost my temper earlier.
Sallie toldJessica bit you so badly you passed out from blood loss. | cfirst thing to check on you. Then
her attitude just setoff. Did | hurt you, son?"
Phelps never intended to fall out with Timothy over something like this.
Timothy met his grandfather's gaze, cold and unwavering. "I'm tough. You could
hitand I'd be fine. But what if it had been her you hit?"
He couldn't help but picture Jessica's pale, delicate skin-how even the lightest touch in bed left a mark.
His frown tightened, his thoughts in turmoil.
Phelps was at a loss for words.
Sallie's expression turned icy. "Timothy, what's gotten into you-questioning your grandpa over a mute? So what if
he hit her? He's the elder; he's allowed to discipline his own family."
"Sallie!" Phelps snapped, cutting her off. "That's enough out of you."
"Grandpa—" Sallie's lips trembled with anger, but when Phelps shot her a warning glare, she clamped her mouth
shut and said no more.
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