Chapter 19 Small Paycheck.
+8 Pearls
Wren stood up.
brushing off the snack crumbs from her clothes, and leaned on the balcony railing, eyes wide with curiosity. “You’re right, it is that useless girl. My eyesight may not be great, but I’d recognize that figure even if it turned to ash.”
“But the man beside her he looks unfamiliar, not like any of her brothers,” Ruth observed, her tone shocked. “Could Caroline be bringing a stranger home?”
She couldn’t fathom what kind of man would be interested in Caroline. Ruth’s eyes remained fixed on the man beside Caroline, but his face was obscured by the umbrella, making it impossible to see clearly.
Wren sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. “It’s nothing surprising that someone as uncultured and immoral as her would bring a man home. She’s probably already checked into a hotel with him.”
Ruth’s eyes lit up with a mischievous idea. “Why don’t we hide in a room and see what they’re up to?”
It was obvious what a man and a woman might do alone. She assumed that, with no one home, Caroline would undoubtedly get intimate with the man.
She could sneak some photos and use them as leverage against Caroline.
Wren gave her a scolding tap on the arm. “Hide? Don’t be ridiculous. Let’s give them the space.”
She was eager for Caroline to get caught in compromising acts anyway. That way, she could report to her brothers without being accused of slandering her.
Feeling chastised, Ruth followed Wren’s lead to the rooftop.
Meanwhile, Caroline was unaware that she had been misunderstood.
After parting ways with Blake, she returned home, noticing that Wren wasn’t there. The balcony was paled with dirty clothes, and the floor was littered with snack crumbs.
Caroline couldn’t help but grumble internally,
That old hag is slacking off again.
In the past, she had often caught Wren sneaking out to play or lazily watching TV when no one was home. All the chores would only be done when someone was home.
Caroline had even noticed Wren stealing bone broth and other nutritional items. When she told her brothers about it, they didn’t believe her and accused her of being suspicious and petty
To avoid unsettling her brothers further, Caroline stopped reporting Wren’s problems.
Her clothes were soaked and clung uncomfortably to her skin. She didn’t care where Wren had gone and instead took a shower.
Returning to her room, her phone chimed with a message-
“Account x8907: 08/12 10:58 a.m., credited $1,950, current balance $2,110.05”
The message made Caroline scoff in disbelief.
The clothing factory paid salaries on the 20th of each month, effectively withholding 20 days‘ worth of wages. However, upon termination, they would settle all due wages.
Caroline had worked full–time last month with only one day off and had taken five days of sick leave this month. That totaled 37 workdays, yet she was only paid 1,050 dollars! Were they treating her like a beggar!
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Chapter 19 Small Paycheck
+8 Pearls
“Do you think I’m stupid? I used to get 3,000 dollars a month, and with extra days, you’re giving me less than 2,000 dollars? You deducted over a thousand for being fired?”
The factory’s policy was to deduct 500 to 800 dollars for serious mistakes leading to termination.
She always felt this was unfair–it was unjust to take away someone’s hard–earned money like that. Now, experiencing it firsthand felt even more unreasonable.
“We deducted 800 dollars plus the cost of your uniform, hat, and shoes that you didn’t return. Doesn’t 1,000 dollars seem fair?”
Liam’s tone reeked of arrogance. “Instead of quibbling over small amounts, reflect on your behavior. Show some repentance, and maybe I’ll consider having you back at the factory”
With that, he hung up.
Caroline could easily imagine his smug expression, feeling triumphant. Perhaps she had been too meek in the past, allowing Liam to believe he could manipulate her.
But she was no longer that pushover.
Tossing her phone onto the bed, she decided not to waste any more energy arguing over such a small amount. Even if she managed to get back a few hundred dollars, it wasn’t worth the effort.
Let him feel victorious for now.
Caroline lay on her bed, intending to take a nap. But thoughts of having no income, with barely over 2,000 dollars to her name, kept her awake. She needed to find a job quickly.
Financial security was paramount.
She recalled that after the clothing factory went bankrupt in her last life, Fabian had suggested opening a restaurant because of her good cooking skills.
After some discussion, her brothers pooled their money, and they opened a successful large restaurant that quickly expanded Into a chain, making substantial profits. They even bought a villa
However, this time around, she wouldn’t start a restaurant with her brothers. Without money, starting on her own seemed impractical. For now, she needed a job to save up funds.
By noon, she headed to the living room, finding that Wren still hadn’t returned.
Likely unaware of her presence, Wren probably didn’t think to come back to cook.
It was better this way; she didn’t have to see her annoying face.
Caroline made a simple pasta dish, ate lunch, and returned to her room to browse job listings online.
Her only skills were cooking and a bit of fashion design; she wasn’t proficient in anything else.
Engrossed in her job search, she didn’t notice Helen entering her room.
“Aunt Caroline, are you looking for a new job?”
Surprised by the familiar voice, Caroline turned to see Helen standing behind her, smiling. That smile, despite its warmth, felt as chilling as a winter stormh.
Caroline masked her irritation with a sardonic smile. “Even if I wanted to find a job, my lack of education and experience leaves me with few options.
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Chapter 19 Small Paycheck
+8 Pearls
Helen’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, though she feigned guilt. “Oh, it’s my fault. I was dizzy and thought you pushed me. Don’t worry, I’ll explain to Uncle Liam and get you back to work at the factory soon.”
Caroline stayed calm, nodding, then casually asked. “By the way, I had a sketch in this drawer that’s now missing. Did you see it anywhere?”
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