Chapter 2018
Elaine Ma smiled. “Silly girl, I was just teasing her. Where would one buy a wide range of refreshments for the New Year, anyway? Besides, I wouldn't actually do it; I'm just angry at that awful woman!”
Elaine Ma continued, “You don't know, your grandmother usually enjoys Canton-style refreshments. Before, she’d go to a teahouse every morning, dining like the Empress Dowager with elaborate meals. Now she's just a commoner, and I'm supposed to cater to her every whim?”
Claire Wilson sighed helplessly. “Mom, it’s time to end this feud with Grandma. She’s so old; you shouldn’t treat her this way.”
Elaine Ma said disdainfully, “So what if she’s old? There are some people who only get worse with age! They become full of bitterness and resentment. You have no idea how she tormented me in the detention center. I was merciful not to kill her then!”
Claire Wilson could only say, “Okay, Mom, what are we having for breakfast?”
Elaine Ma replied, “Noodles. I want tomato and egg noodles.”
Then, turning to Charlie Wade, she said flatteringly, “Good son-in-law, don't mind this. When my legs are better, I'll buy all sorts of delicacies to cook for you every day!”
Charlie Wade laughed. “Mom, I'm not picky. You should cook more delicious food for Claire.”
“Of course!” Elaine Ma replied, smiling. “Claire is trying to conceive, so she needs nutritious food.”
Claire Wilson said shyly, “Mom… Why are you talking nonsense again…”
Elaine Ma said seriously, “This isn't nonsense! A woman needs to take care of her health before trying to conceive. You don't want to get pregnant unexpectedly like I did.”
Charlie Wade thought to himself, She obviously got drunk with Jacob Wilson and initiated sex. How can she call that an accident?
Claire Wilson didn’t want to continue the conversation. “Mom, Loreen and her cousin are coming over later, so please don’t say anything inappropriate.”
Elaine Ma was surprised. “Loreen is coming? She hasn’t returned to Eastcliff yet?”
Claire Wilson nodded. “No, she’s off work today from the Emgrand Group, so she’s visiting us before heading back to Eastcliff for the New Year.”
Elaine Ma asked, “Is she going back to work after the New Year?”
“Yes,” Claire Wilson replied. “She really likes her job at the Emgrand Group.”
Elaine Ma smacked her lips, looking serious. “Something feels wrong.”
Claire Wilson asked, “What’s wrong?”
Elaine Ma said seriously, “The Thomas family is so powerful. Why would she like working for the Emgrand Group? It’s been going on for so long. I think she has another motive!”