Chapter 236

Shirley gritted her teeth, listening to their conversation. "Happy family, huh? What about me?" she thought. Three years had passed since her return, yet Justin and Selena clearly didn't consider her a true member of the family. Their favorite, their preferred child, remained Cynthia.

Resentment burning, Shirley stormed to her bedroom, intending to vent her rage. She found, however, that she had already destroyed nearly everything breakable. Selena, in the past, always replaced anything Shirley broke. But that had changed; Selena no longer bothered.

Surveying her ravaged room, Shirley felt a pang of injustice. Not a single decent decoration remained. She recalled Justin mentioning a priceless pendant the Xenos family had given Cynthia. How could I not know the Jones family possessed such a treasure? she thought. They even have connections with a top-tier Betrico family, rivaling the Bennetts! That pendant should have been hers. If she hadn't been switched with Cynthia, she would be in Justin's arms, she would be the one Sam connected with and gave the pendant to.

Cynthia had stolen it all. Shirley had planned to steal Selena's Sunflower Diamond Collection to raise cash, but changed her mind. That would cause a rift, possibly getting her expelled. The pendant, however, was different. Obtaining it, and claiming to be the child Sam saw years ago, would bring her close to the Xenos family—just as Cynthia had married into the Bennetts.

Shirley wasn't stupid. The pendant was far more valuable than Selena's diamonds. Calming herself, she called Cynthia.

Cynthia, at Splendid Garden, was watching television while Rachel prepared lunch. She frowned before answering. "What do you want, Shirley?"

"You son of a bitch, Cynthia! How could you team up with Jonathan to set me up? You won't get away with this!" Shirley screamed, her furious voice filling the line. The outburst was a release after the day's events.

Rachel emerged from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready, Cynthia. Come and eat."

Cynthia, ignoring Shirley's continued berating, hung up and went to the dining room. Shirley fumed, her main point unsaid.

Suddenly, Shirley remembered hearing Rachel's voice. Is Cynthia at Rachel's house? she wondered. She knew from Selena and Justin's conversation that Cynthia had reunited with Rachel and had been living at Splendid Garden. With all her luxurious villas, why would she choose that old, rundown place? Splendid Garden was considered the slum of Roncrity; her classmates had mocked her for living there. Shirley despised it and hadn't been back since joining the Jones family. Cynthia's carefree residence there was astounding.

Determined, Shirley drove to Splendid Garden. Cynthia was still at the dining table, enjoying lunch. Rachel's cooking was exceptional, rivaling that of a top chef. Cynthia savored the warmth and familiarity.

"I can sponsor you to open a restaurant, Mrs. Erwin," Cynthia offered, using the formal address out of habit, though she found it increasingly difficult to maintain the distance. Rachel didn't mind.

"Opening a restaurant is expensive," Rachel replied. "I'm doing well selling breakfast from my cart."

Cynthia frowned. "You work long hours, even in the rain. Remember when you fell? I worry about you."

"You don't need to worry about money. I own shops at Pearl Plaza. Pick one; I'll give it to you. You won't have to hustle anymore. Run a restaurant; be your own boss. You can cook yourself, or hire help."

Rachel was taken aback. "I can't accept your money or a shop."

"It's close to where I live," Cynthia insisted. "I can enjoy your cooking more often."

Rachel relented. "I'll rent the shop and pay you monthly."

"Then I'll pay for my meals," Cynthia countered, smiling brightly.

"Come on," Rachel chuckled, shaking her head.

"It's settled then. Let's not be polite," Cynthia declared.

Rachel's heart swelled; tears welled in her eyes. Despite the lack of a "Mom," Cynthia's actions spoke volumes. Opening a restaurant had been Rachel's lifelong dream, but Dennis had squandered her savings. Shirley had been a constant source of expensive trouble, including expulsion from an expensive international school in Betrigo, where Rachel had moved to escape Dennis. Years of hardship had left Rachel with little savings. She now barely scraped by selling breakfast.

Yet, seeing Cynthia brought her comfort. "Thank you so much, Cynthia," she said, taking Cynthia's hand.

Cynthia smiled. "Why so polite?"

A sarcastic voice cut through the air. "Think you're the stars of some touching story?"