Chapter 2041

Lady Wilson hadn't had a proper meal or a good night's sleep. She was unprepared, however, for Gena to burst into her room early that morning, furious and kicking the door open.

Before Mrs. Wilson could react, Gena rushed to the bed and slapped her, shouting, "You old woman! You stole the rice from the incense burner I use to offer to Buddha! Are you even human?"

Stunned by the slap, Lady Wilson looked up at Gena's angry face and, terrified, begged, "Gena, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to steal it. I was so hungry"

Gena, seething, snapped, "Your hunger is your problem! That rice was for the Buddha! You've disrespected him, and you're bringing bad luck on me!"

Tears welling up, Lady Wilson pleaded, "Genait's New Year's Day You can't let an old woman starve to death in this house! If I die, how will you ever live with yourself? You sleep upstairs, and you know I'm starving to death downstairs!"

She continued, her voice choked with emotion, "Genathink of it as saving a life. Didn't the Buddha say that's greater than building a seven-stage pagoda? It's a meritorious act!"

Gena's expression softened slightly, but she remained cold. "For Buddha's sake, I'll forgive the theft, but you must pay a price."

"What price?" Lady Wilson asked anxiously.

"Wash our clothes for the day," Gena said coldly. "And I'll forget this ever happened."

Lady Wilson immediately protested, "Gena, I was sick yesterday and couldn't work at the supermarket. If I don't go today, my family will starve."

Gena was exasperated. "I don't care! Wash the clothes, or repay the rice you ate—fill the incense burner!"

Lady Wilson sobbed, "The rice is already cooked! Let me go to work, and I'll buy you more rice after I get paid, okay?"

"No!" Gena insisted. "Return the rice now, or wash my clothes!" She threatened, "Don't make me resort to violence."

Seeing Gena's fierce expression, Lady Wilson knew she meant business. Alone and defenseless, she could only nod tearfully and whisper, "OkayI'll washI'll wash them"

On the first day of the New Year, Lady Wilson's family went without rice. Gena piled dirty clothes and bedding on Lady Wilson, demanding they all be washed that day. This left Lady Wilson with no time to earn money. Meanwhile, Wendy was also completely occupied caring for the injured and bedridden Christopher and Harold.