Chapter 55
When Sean turned to look at Taylor, the latter switched his laptop off.
Taylor withstood the overwhelming pressure he felt and said seriously, “You are no ordinary man, sir. Mr. Lawson Senior doesn’t want you to cross paths with Ms. Angeline anymore, yet you still disobeyed his wishes countless times.
“You even helped Fletcher for Ms. Angeline’s sake. Mr. Lawson Senior is already worried you’ll face hardship in taki sobey his wishes in regards to your marriage, I’m
incredibly displeased by all this. If you
over Lawson Global.”
What was more, Sean never revealed the pressure he was under when helping Angeline out. If Angeline was still married into the Fletcher family, she could still potentially help Sean out.
Not only did Angeline not know just how much Sean had secretly helped her, there was no way she could help Sean out now that she had divorced Ned Fletcher.
“Leave.” Sean’s voice was icy.
Taylor’s lips pulled tight. He retreated from the study, knowing he wouldn’t be able to persuade his boss.
When Angeline arrived at the small shop in River Town owned by Anne, Henrietta was at the cash register checking out a customer’s items. She was dressed in a sky–blue skirt and had tied her hair into a ponytail.
Henrietta’s homework was open on one end of the glass countertop. She bagged the
customer’s purchase, calculated the price, and accepted the dollar note the customer gave her. She then gave them back their change with a smile.
When Henrietta saw Angeline through the window, she quickly came out from behind the counter. Henrietta didn’t question why Anne’s luggage was nowhere to be seen. She pulled Angeline over to the small fireplace behind the counter. Angeline’s fingers were ice cold by
now.
AUG
A lively fire crackled inside the fireplace. Henrietta poured a glass of hot water for Angeline and gestured for her to warm her hands by the fire.
Henrietta had been worried about Angeline ever since watching the TV program on Friday. But Henrietta still thought the world of her elder sister. When the host, Ian, had mentioned that an audio recording had been prepared, Henrietta had a feeling Angeline was going to make a comeback. Angeline was bound to reveal that heartless pack of wolves for what they were.
Angeline took the glass of water and asked, “Didn’t Anne hire someone to help work in the
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+15 BONUS
shop? What are you doing here?”
Henrietta had no issue with her hearing. They had gotten it checked at the hospital when she was a child. The doctor said nothing was wrong with Henrietta’s vocal cords either. Her muteness likely stemmed from childhood trauma.
But Henrietta was opposed to seeing a psychologist. She didn’t want to go to therapy for it.
It was because of that reason that Anne had insisted on sending Henrietta to a normal children’s school for her studies. That way Henrietta could be more in touch with normal children. Anne was hopeful it would help Henrietta speak one day.
Henrietta used sign language to reply, “Dorothy was hired to work in the shop for 100 dollars per day. I’m free on the weekends, so I take over for her. Where’s Mom?”
When Henrietta mentioned Anne, Angeline’s grasp around the glass tightened. Tears pricked her eyes.
Angeline looked down, unable to stop her tears from falling.
Henrietta seemed to have sensed something was wrong. She grew pale instantly and stood very still, hands balled into fists beside her.
“Hatty.” Angeline closed her eyes and exhaled before looking at Henrietta. “We’ll have to live together from now on.”
Tears flooded Henrietta’s widened eyes.
“What happened to Mom?” She signed.
“Anne got into an accident. She didn’t survive. They’re sending her back for the funeral as we spoke.” Angeline put the glass of water down and enveloped Henrietta in her arms. She began weeping, but still said, “Don’t be scared, Hatty!”
Henrietta slumped against Angeline, her tears falling nonstop. Though she was in pain, no sound came out of her mouth as she wept. She could only grab onto Angeline’s shirt, shaking
her.
