Chapter 102

Susie’s third aunt desperately tried to persuade her. After all, her father and two older brothers had promised Susie $300,000 upon a certain event. This was equivalent to her yearly salary.

However, despite her daughter and husband’s pleas, Susie refused to cooperate. Finally, the third aunt exclaimed, “Mom, Big Brother and Second Brother said that if you mess this up and our nephews can’t afford a house and a wife, they will blame you for the rest of their lives!”

Susie, feeling angry and anxious, retorted, “Do you… do you still have any conscience? Have you forgotten how Grace used to take care of us?”

The third aunt smiled coldly. “Mom, the past is the past, and the present is the present. You can’t ruin our family and the future of our younger generation because of her. Besides, my nephews' inability to marry is also partly her fault. What decent family would let their daughter marry them knowing a family member is in prison? Especially without a house prepared for the bride.”

After a pause, Susie, tears in her eyes, gritted her teeth and asked her third daughter, “How… how can you be worthy of your sister?”

Her third aunt dismissed the question. Her fourth sister had been dead for years. Even if they had been close, it paled in comparison to the money at stake.

Outside, Grace was surrounded by cousins. Stella, munching on crackers, smirked. “I heard Grandpa asked your father about you. He said you’re a street sweeper now. Is that true?”

Stella, a year older than Grace, had always been overshadowed by her cousin’s academic success. While Grace excelled, Stella struggled to get into university and worked part-time jobs after high school, eventually marrying a metal smith. Grace, meanwhile, was dating the son of a wealthy family. Stella’s resentment festered. Now that Grace had fallen, she relished the opportunity to belittle her.

“That’s right, I sweep the streets,” Grace replied, her tone neither shameful nor arrogant.

Stella scoffed. “Sigh, what’s the point of university? You still ended up sweeping streets. But later… Hehe, you won’t have to anymore…”

Hogan, Grace's first cousin, silenced Stella with a sharp look. Stella paused, then watched Grace with a detached amusement. “Hmph, what does it matter how good she was at studying? She’s still marrying a fool.” She was eager to witness Grace’s humiliation.

That evening, during dinner, Grace finally saw Susie. Tears welled up in Susie’s eyes as she embraced Grace. “Child, you must have suffered. It’s all because of my old and weak body. I couldn’t help you,” she choked out.

Before Grace could respond, Stella interrupted. “Grandma, Grace’s imprisonment was deserved! She was punished by the law!”

Susie glared at Stella, silencing her resentful outburst.

Grace shook her head. “It’s all right, I didn’t suffer much. Besides, haven’t I already been released? I’ll come back more often and be filial to you and Grandfather.”

Susie’s sadness deepened.

Mr. Kelleigh and the others, fearing Susie would expose them, quickly urged everyone to eat. The eldest uncle, second uncle, and third aunt pressured Grace to drink more wine.

“It’s a rare occasion,” the third aunt said with a forced smile. “Grace, you must visit Grandma and Grandpa more often.”

Author’s Note: Thank you for your love for Grace and Jason. I've read your comments and apologize for the errors. Please comment with any questions.