Chapter 61

"What do you mean, a million dollars?"

Brandon looked confused, but I got it right away.

Leaning against the wall, I couldn't help but laugh.

Joanna had mentioned a project with a 200% return on investment to Karen, and it seemed she hadn't forgotten.

"It's that money-making project I told you about before. Ms. Thorne is helping me with it. Hurry up and get the money."

Brandon's voice was strained and skeptical. "How can that be real? Did Joanna trick you? There's no way a project can make that much money."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Karen snapped, her eyes wide with urgency. "Ms. Thorne is helping me. It must be information from her dad's side. You just don't know."

Karen had done many jobs in her early years but had never started a business, so she didn't understand the ways of commerce or even what a return on investment meant.

She only knew that if the daughter of a wealthy family was helping her with a money-making project, it had to be real.

Brandon, naturally, didn't believe it. "If that's the case, wouldn't those in charge have already taken all the good deals? Why would there be anything left for you?"

"What do you mean by that? Ms. Thorne and I are close. Is it wrong for her to think of me?" Karen, agitated, slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

Brandon glanced at the door and lowered his voice. "Mom, keep it down. I'm telling you, there's no such thing as a project that makes that much money. Do you trust your son or Ms. Thorne?"

Karen actually took a moment to think. "Ms. Thorne has no reason to lie to me. How could it not be real?"

Brandon frowned impatiently. "What if this Ms. Thorne is a fraud?"

"Impossible!"

"Just give me the money. You have money to buy Elora a villa but not for me? Then I'll go downstairs and ask Caroline for it!"

I was taken aback, then let out a cold laugh.

Where did Karen get the nerve to ask me for money?

Brandon quickly grabbed Karen's arm. "Mom, can you stop causing trouble? Why would you go to Caroline? Do you want all our issues to be exposed?"

Karen had clearly lost her composure, breathing heavily. "So, are you giving me the money or not?"

Brandon sighed helplessly. "Fine, wait a few days, and I'll transfer it to you."

Hearing this, Karen finally calmed down. "That's more like it. Transfer the money quickly, or I'll come back and make a scene."

Brandon's voice was utterly exhausted as he nodded. "Got it, Mom."

Maybe he only showed such patience when dealing with his unreasonable family, while with us, he was a different person entirely.

"By the way, how's Elora doing now?"

Karen snorted. "What do you think? She's still in the hospital. Who knows if she'll ever be able to have kids."

"Check on her when you can, to keep her on our side. We don't want her spreading rumors and ruining things for me."

Karen replied irritably, "Got it, got it."

"And later, go downstairs and say something nice to Caroline. I have a big deal coming up, and I might need her help. If you offend her now, and she refuses to help, it'll be a disaster."

"She wouldn't dare," Karen scoffed. "You're her husband. She wouldn't help someone else over you."

"The situation here is complicated. Just do as I say."

Hearing them getting ready to come downstairs, I quickly returned to the living room.

Holly, the nanny, was entirely focused on the child, as if she hadn't noticed me going upstairs.

I was very pleased with her performance.

I went back to the room and handed Holly a gold necklace. "Holly, your neck looks a bit bare. This would suit you."

Holly looked up, her expression calm and respectful. "Thank you, Mrs. Jordan, but it's not necessary."

I took her hand and placed the necklace in it. "I said take it. You're doing a great job with the baby, and I'm happy."

Just then, Karen and Brandon came downstairs.

I didn't look at them, continuing to play with the baby.

Brandon cleared his throat behind me. "Caroline, Mom's leaving."

I finally looked up, addressing Karen. "Take care, Mom."

Karen seemed displeased with my attitude but remembered what Brandon had said and forced a smile. "Taking care of the baby alone must be hard. If you need any help, just ask me. I have more experience."

The insincere smile and superficial concern made me uncomfortable, so I just nodded casually.

Karen seemed equally uncomfortable and quickly left after saying that.

When Brandon returned, he sat beside me, asking me not to be mad at his mom.

I pretended to be magnanimous, patting his hand. "Don't worry, Brandon. I'm not mad anymore."

With Holly's help, taking care of the baby wasn't as chaotic as before.

Finally, I could get a good night's sleep.

But just before bed, I received a text from Paula: "Mrs. Jordan, Shirley is heading your way. I don't know what she's up to, but she seems to have a key to your house."

I was stunned, realizing I hadn't taken Shirley's key back when she left.

It was nearly midnight. What could she be up to, sneaking over alone?

Brandon was already in bed after his shower, while I pretended to sleep.

Once he was asleep, I moved to a shadowy spot on the second floor, standing where no one could see me.

Sure enough, within half an hour, Shirley arrived at the door and skillfully unlocked it.

I watched as she poured something into my cup and then started searching for something.

She kept looking around until she headed upstairs.

I turned on the light, startling Shirley, who screamed in surprise.

The noise woke Holly and Brandon, who came out of their rooms, looking confused.

Brandon's face darkened as he approached Shirley. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you we have nothing to do with you anymore?"

Shirley, terrified, crouched on the floor, trembling.

I took the key from her hand. "This is our house key. I almost forgot she still had one."

"Tell me! What are you doing here?"

It took Shirley a while to respond, her eyes sincere. "I was looking for something. I wasn't stealing. I just left a pair of earrings in the living room and wanted to get them back."

Earrings? But I had just seen her put something in my cup.