Edwin let out a cold snort. “Seriously? Do a few chores. Is that painful for you? There are families where the daughters do everything around the house. And here we’ve even got a housekeeper. You’re just doing a small part. What’s so hard about that?”
After a brief pause, his tone softened just a little. “I’m only saying this because I care. If girls don’t learn to handle basic household stuff, they get lazy. What happens later when you move out or get married? You won’t know how to care for yourself, and people will think less of you.”
Caroline raised her eyebrows at the ridiculous reasoning, her expression even colder. Her smile was sharp. “If it’s such a great idea, why not have Helen do it? She lounges around all day, gets waited on hand and foot, and hasn’t lifted a finger her entire life. By your logic, if she ends up in her own home and can’t do anything, wouldn’t her husband’s family toss her out?”
“You…” Edwin was suddenly at a loss for words.
What had happened lately? Caroline used to be so quiet. When did she get so sharp–tongued?
Caroline had said enough. She was tired of the argument and didn’t wait for a response. She turned and headed for her room.
As she passed Helen’s door, she saw through the slight opening that Helen and Alaina were chatting on the bed.
She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when she heard Helen mention her name, she suddenly had to know how Helen planned to twist the story this time.
“Mom, Caroline’s not the same anymore. You can forget about her ever cooking for us again.”
Alaina gave a skeptical chuckle. “Come on, that can’t be true.”
Back then, Caroline cooked for the whole family every day and even took cooking classes to ensure the food suited everyone’s tastes.
Before she left on her trip, Caroline didn’t seem any different. There was no way someone could change that much in just a few weeks.
Helen pouted, sounding deeply wronged. “I’m not lying. She has stopped cooking and doesn’t even bring me meals anymore. I’ve had to eat stale, bland food barely edible in the cafeteria daily!”
She coughed a few times for dramatic effect.
Alaina’s expression turned serious. “Your stomach’s sensitive. You can’t be eating cafeteria food!”
Could Helen actually be telling the truth?
Had Caroline really changed?
Alaina felt utterly lost. “What on earth happened while was gone?” she asked, bewildered.
Helen didn’t waste the chance. She told Alaina everything Caroline had done ‘wrong‘ over the past few weeks, real or imagined.
1/3
1.42 Sun, May 4 G
Chapter 76 Secrets and Schemes
“This is ridiculous. I’m going to talk to her.”
+8 Pearls
She had just seen Caroline come home earlier, and there was no doubt she was in the living room with Edwin now.
Alaina stood up, but Helen grabbed her wrist. “Mom, don’t. What’s the point? She won’t return to being our personal chef just because you yell at her.”
She could learn to cook on her own if she had to. Right now, she just wanted Caroline to get what she deserved.
Something brutal, something where she’d be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
But Alaina wasn’t having it. “Let it go? Absolutely not. I’m not like Edwin, who let her get away with everything. She’s living in this house. If she won’t cook, there’s no reason for her to be here.”
She’d been craving home–cooked meals the whole time she was away.
That was the real reason she’d cut her trip short.
And now? Still no chance of getting the food she missed.
Total disappointment.
Helen pouted. “You don’t know this, but Liam tried to kick her out once. And look, she’s still living here like nothing happened.”
Alaina laughed and tapped Helen lightly on the forehead with her fingertip. “Are you dense? She’s a grown woman. I can’t just kick her out. She’s family, and I want to ensure she gets settled with a decent guy. Getting her married off is the best solution.”
And could they squeeze a little money out of the arrangement? Even better. At least it could be some kind of payback for all the years Caroline lived here, eating and sleeping for free.
That last part made Caroline, standing outside the door flashback to her past life.
Helen had only managed to steal the Graysons‘ successor away from her with Alaina’s behind–the–scenes scheming.
And now, even though Alaina knew she was already engaged, she was still talking about setting her up with someone else. What was she really up to?
Inside, Helen’s voice chimed in again. “She turned down the Graysons, remember? There’s no way she’d agree to some guy you pick out. Stop wasting your time. She won’t listen to you.”
There was a pause in the room. Then Alaina’s shocked voice came through. “Are you serious?”
“Would I lie?” Helen said. “She said it herself, she doesn’t want to marry into the Graysons.”
Alaina lit up with excitement. “Well, that’s just perfect.”
Not long after Edwin’s mother passed away, Aliana had already told Edwin it was time to find Caroline a husband
