Charlotte was in the room right next door. If she genuinely wanted to say something to Ethan, she might have just come over and told him in person. Why did she decide to text him instead?
"Has Charlotte thanked you?" "What did you do to thank her?" Anastasia inquired in astonishment, concealing a peculiar emotion in her heart.
Ethan didn't want to worry Anastasia, so he didn't tell her that Charlotte had almost gotten herself in trouble in the pub just now. Instead, he said calmly, "I don't know. She is probably simply thanking me for assisting her in the restaurant at midday."
"Oh. In that scenario, I need to express my gratitude correctly." Anastasia didn't think about it much after hearing his response. She is grateful for her husband.
Ethan had been a great help to Charlotte that afternoon. Otherwise, Charlotte's face might have been swollen and scarred—or much worse, which she doesn't want to think about.
Ethan smiled. "She's your sister; we're a family. You don't need to be so polite to me."
Anastasia's heart trembled as she heard Ethan mention the term 'family,' yet she couldn't help but feel at ease.
Anastasia bowed her head, unsure what to say, but the tips of her ears were red.
Ethan felt his heart skip a beat as he saw Anastasia's stunning face with a cheeky expression.
Both of them stopped talking and sat quietly in the room. The atmosphere was quiet and comforting.
As Ethan, Anastasia, and Sophia went downstairs the following day, they noticed Claudia sitting at the dining table, wolfing sandwiches.
"Good morning, Mom."
"Good morning, Grandma!"
They greeted Claudia politely.
When Anastasia and the others came downstairs, Claudia disregarded their welcome and remained silent as if she hadn't noticed them. She doesn't have the appetite to talk to them.
Anastasia furrowed her brow slightly. While carrying Sophia to the kitchen for breakfast, she found an empty, unclean pan.
"Mom, where's breakfast?" Anastasia stood in the kitchen, raising her voice to inquire.
"Nothing for you people! If you have what it takes, create your breakfast! "I am not going to serve you!" Claudia took the last piece of her sandwich and tossed the empty plate with a loud ring on the table.
Sophia was shocked, while Anastasia was furious. She kept quiet, but her emotions revolted at her mom's attitude.
They used to hire an assistant to cook their meals, but Claudia didn't want to pay the hefty wages, so she frequently picked on the girl and ordered her around. Afterward, the helper left.
Claudia then offered to prepare them meals in exchange for a few thousand dollars from both of her daughters.
On the other hand, Claudia had quit and acted as if Anastasia and the others had taken advantage of her.
Charlotte overheard her mother's words as soon as she arrived downstairs. She was furious to learn that Claudia had prepared breakfast for herself but not for them.
"Mom, Anastasia, and I have to go to work, and we don't have time to make breakfast in the morning. When we wanted to employ a helper, you were the one who suggested that we give you the money instead and you cook for us.
"What are you doing now?" Charlotte exclaimed in frustration. This is not what we discussed and agreed.
"I have every right to accept your money! I raised you two, and now that you can work and make money, shouldn't you be respectful to your mother? As for your meals, weren't you guys rather capable yesterday? "Why should I cook for you and feed you well only to be treated rudely?" Claudia retorted, her eyes wide open.
She only wanted to assert her control over the individuals in this family and warn them that anyone who resisted her would not receive any prepared meals!
Anastasia and Charlotte were both indignant and dissatisfied. They found the reasoning of their mom disgusting.
Claudia went too far yesterday, but today, she accuses them of being unfaithful.
When Charlotte remembered what happened yesterday, she was wrathful and responded, "What kind of a mother are you?" Since we were little, you have only criticized and threatened us. Have you ever taken care of us?" When Anastasia and I were little, you went out daily to play cards with your friends and never returned home after leaving in the morning! Anastasia and I were always left alone at home, hungry and neglected! You didn't prepared food for us back then.
"If it weren't for Grandma, who was still alive at the time and would bring us food when she came to see us now and then, we would have long starved to death!" Anastasia later began to learn how to cook when she was about seven or eight years old because otherwise, we would have died of starvation! And you? When you witnessed Anastasia scald her hands while cooking, you disregarded it and had her handle all the cooking and housekeeping tasks from then on. You only hired a helper after she began working and needed more cooking time. How many times have you cooked throughout the years? We stated that we intended to employ a helper, but you believed it was a waste of money and asked us to give you the money instead. But now you are threatening us with our food. You occasionally treat us with a bad attitude. If so, we do not need to pay you money in the future! There is no sense in giving you any money since you treat us both badly."
Charlotte finished retorting and grabbed up her handbag to go.
Claudia's face reddened but paled after hearing Charlotte reveal her past. But she worried when she learned that Charlotte would not give her money in the future. "Charlotte, I was wrong to say that. I'm not intentionally giving you a negative attitude. "I promise to cook for you every day. It's not what you are thinking."
Unfortunately, Charlotte did not turn around and left without hesitation.
Anastasia looked coldly, deeply disappointed with her mother.
"Let's go, too." After Anastasia finished speaking, she took Sophia's hand and went toward the door alongside Ethan.
Claudia felt nervous again. What would she do if Anastasia left her and stopped giving her money? She cannot afford to lose the money they are both giving her.
Anastasia, you have always been the most obedient. Are you going to throw a tantrum at me, too?" Claudia attempted to play the sympathy card.
Anastasia stared at her, dissatisfied. "Mom, I am not going to throw a tantrum with you. It is the other way around. I am fatigued. "We'll get going."
After Anastasia stated this, they fled, ignoring Claudia's request to stay.
Claudia stood alone at the door, peering at the empty courtyard, distracted—different things running in her mind.