Chapter 4
Noah was totally confused by Irene’s reaction. “Irene, why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.
Irene suppressed her sadness and carefully fixed Noah’s slightly crooked tie knot.
Then, she spoke with great earnestness. “Noah, you’re the oldest boy in the Jackson family and our first cop. Today, standing here to welcome guests on behalf of your brothers, you gotta set an example.
“You
gotta watch your words and actions. Don’t wanna make our guests think we’re not well–mannered.”
Hearing that, Noah was so flattered he didn’t dare move, stiff as a statue.
After all, Irene usually kept her distance from the Jackson family. When she saw them before, she divided the pavement like Moses parting the Red Sea.
Today, she actually helped him with his tie
Noah found it utterly strange,
After some thought, he asked uncertainly, “Irene, are you short on cash?”
Irene frowned.
“How much?” Noah pulled out his phone and opened a bank app. “I got 100 thousand dollars on this card. How much do you need? I can transfer some over.
Getting no reply, he looked up, only to find Irene suspended in glacial stillness. His brows fractured at an angle.
Seeing the tears in her eyes, he immediately felt lost.
“Irene, you don’t happen to be… borrowing from loan sharks, do you? The news headlines about girls being forced to take nude photos for loans popped into his head.
“What a little dork! Cursing inwardly, Irene turned away and wiped her face, holding back her tears.
“I didn’t borrow from loan sharks! Besides, I have more savings than you. You’re just a rookie cop; how much money could you have?”
The Jackson kids were all pretty successful–some were doing research or serving the country. Only Irene went off to start a company.
Financially, she was more successful.
“So why are you crying?” Noah thought for a moment and glanced at Dorian chatting with someone in the yard.
“Irene, did Dorian bully you?” His expression was super serious, like he was ready to roll up his sleeves and punch someone.
Irene quickly clarified, “It’s not about him.
“I just had an epiphany. I realized I used to be a jerk and shouldn’t have distanced myself from everyone in the Jackson family just because of my parents‘ issues.”
Hearing this from Irene made Noah feel relieved.
He let out a sigh, “Grandma was right. You used to be stuck in a rut. Now that you’ve seen things clearly, you understand how important family is.”
Irene was surprised. “Gwen said that?”
Gwen wasn’t exactly warm to her; they’d exchanged words maybe a handful of times during holidays,
She’d always thought the old lady just didn’t like her.
Seeing Irene completely in the dark, Noah patiently explained. “Granny used to study architectural design, but her dad, being old–fashioned, thought girls shouldn’t run companies and forbade her from getting involved.
Chapter 4
“Granny spent her life as a homemaker, but she’s super supportive of you starting your own biz. Your first big gig? She hooked you up with that.”
Not becoming an architect was Gwen’s lifetime regret; she saw her dream carried on in Irene.
Irene felt a bit dazed.
In my previous life, how much goodwill had I missed out on? she couldn’t help wondering
“Irene.” Just then, Henry’s voice snapped her back to reality.
Looking up, she saw him waving at her from the yard.
Next to him stood a stunning woman in a purple velvet gown, with features about 30-40% similar to Irene’s.
That was Irene’s mother, Shelby Jackson, to be precise, a womb–renter.
“Noah, go handle your stuff first, We’ll catch up later.” Irene patted Noah’s arm and then walked over to Henry and the woman.
Before she even got close, Shelby was already giving Irene the once–over, her delicate brows furrowed.
Noticing Irene had no gifts with her, just a clutch, her face fell, and she scolded, “You came empty–handed? No birthday gift for your grandma?”
Glancing at her niece Karla Stewart beside her, Shelby took a jab at Irene, “Your cousin got a one–of–a–kind porcelain set from – an auction a week ago for grandma’s birthday. You’re the eldest child among the kids, and you didn’t even get a gift?
Shamefull
Her voice was loud and clear, and she didn’t bother to lower it as she scolded Irene.
In an instant, the surrounding guests were all giving Irene curious, judging looks.
“This is the only granddaughter of the Jackson family?
“The one who’s supposedly stuck–up and always causing trouble?‘ they murmured inwardly.
Hearing the same words again, Irene was completely calm.
She flashed a bright smile at Shelby and her cousin Karla, replying, “Mom’s right. Compared to Karla, I’m just a heartless little brac
Hearing this, Shelby was surprised that Irene was so obedient today, but then Irene added, “Karla was polished at Mother’s elbow since girlhood, intelligent and sweet.
“Unlike me, grew up in the remote countryside, went to a village school, ate roasted potatoes, and never got the chance for
proper manners.
Tve disgraced you, Mom.
Instantly, the atmosphere around became oddly quiet.
Irene had a sharp tongue, and in just a few words, she tore away the fig leaf covering Shelby.
From the corner of the yard came murmurs from the guests.
Turns out Irene really was abandoned by the Jackson family. They left their daughter in the countryside while bringing up an aunt’s niece. The couple is quite something.”
“How could Shelby do that? She gave birth to a child but didn’t educate her, and now she complains about her not knowing
manners?”
“No wonder Irene became ungrateful. If parents want their kids to be grateful, they need to be nice to the kids first.”
The chatters went on.
Hearing these comments, Shelby was furious and warned Irene, “Irene, what nonsense are you spouting! There is the Barnes
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Chapter 4
family here today; don’t get carried away!”
Karla also gently advised, “Irene, you’ve come back after so long; don’t argue with Aunt Shelby. With so many guests around, it’ll make people laugh at us.”
Irene looked amusedly at her composed and well–educated cousin and teased, “I’m flattered. Surely, I’m not as funny as you.”
Under Irene’s playful gaze, Karla felt increasingly uneasy.
Irene added bluntly, “I heard that last year on your grandma’s birthday, you only sent a RIP. Today, for my grandma’s birthday, you auctioned off a rare set of porcelain.
“You city folks are indeed particular; birthdays for close relatives can be casual, while others‘ grandmas get treated with great
ceremony.
“In my village, this would have people gossiping forever.”
Hearing this, the guests all looked incredulously at Karla.
AD
