Chapter 102: Shooting Oneself in the Foot
After a long pause, Agnes managed to muster a feeble excuse. “Mr. Caleb insisted I buy them. I’m merely a housekeeper. When he gives a command, I have no choice but to obey.”
George’s glare turned icy. “He asked you to go, and you just went? Did it not occur to you to inform me first?”
Agnes stood rooted to the spot, her throat tightening with unspoken frustration. She had tried to report such matters before, but George had rebuked her, insisting she not bother him with trivialities and handle them herself. And now, he was chastising her for the very autonomy he had demanded. Her chest tightened with unvoiced grievances, but she dared not utter a word.
At that moment, a spark of inspiration struck her, prompting her to adjust her explanation. “Perhaps the fruit store owner slipped it in unnoticed. I shop there frequently, and he often gives me extra discounts.”
George, with an air of indifference, replied, “So, you’re admitting that you failed to check thoroughly?” Agnes was left speechless. It was a case of shooting oneself in the foot. She was at a loss for words in dealing with this family.
Typically, Yelena would have stepped in to defend her much earlier. However, for some inexplicable reason, Yelena remained unusually silent throughout the entire ordeal, allowing George to scold Agnes. Unbeknownst to Agnes, Yelena had developed a distaste for her ever since Caleb brought fruit to Jesse during the visit. Yelena’s primary concern was always Jesse’s safety. Whether Agnes had any role in the matter or not was of little consequence to her. The truth was, whenever anyone even slightly meddled in Jesse’s affairs, the Quixalls would inevitably react strongly.
After addressing the issue with Agnes, George cleared his throat and stated, “Caleb, Agnes was indeed in the wrong. From now on, I won’t allow her to join us at the table.” Caleb nodded.
“Dad, as long as you’re aware, that’s all that matters. Men has just finished cooking. Let’s all sit down and enjoy a meal together as a family.”
15:22 Fri, Apr 25 G.
Chapter 102: Shooting Oneself in the Foot
George sighed. “There’s nothing we can do. He hasn’t fully recovered yet. In a few days, I’ll figure out a way to bring him back home.”
Caleb quietly moved his fork, refraining from adding anything. He thought to himself that if Jesse had already returned, things wouldn’t be the way they were now.
With a small plate in hand, Deborah enthusiastically filled it with food. “Caleb, eat up. Even the chefs complimented my cooking, saying it rivals that of a five-star restaurant.”
Caleb responded politely, “Thank you, Mom.” Deborah’s eyes lit up with a smile. “Don’t mention it. From now on… From now on, I will serve you food every day.”
Her unexpected pause caught Yelena’s attention, but she chose not to comment. Instead, with an air of casual indifference, she picked up a shrimp. “Caleb, you’re the best at peeling shrimp. I’ll leave all the shrimp I want to eat tonight to you.”
Caleb barely acknowledged her remark and sidestepped with his plate in hand. “Why do you need help with everything? You can take care of yourself, right?”
Caleb swiftly dodged, sending the shrimp on Yelena’s spoon tumbling to the table. The spoon clashed against the tabletop, producing a sharp, clear sound.
“Caleb, don’t test my patience! I asked you to peel the shrimp as a gesture of respect. How dare you, a former convict, presume to call yourself part of our family?”
Unruffled, Caleb calmly swallowed a mouthful of pasta before responding, “Are you suggesting that I am unworthy of being considered family?”
15:22 Fri, Apr 25 G
Chapter 103: Did You Just Hit Me