Chapter 253: An Unexpected Visit

“Look at you,” Helen snarled, her voice tinged with disappointment. “You’re always stirring up trouble. One day, that will be the death of you! You’re lucky it was only a broken wrist this time. If you continue, you might wind up dead!”

“Who cares? So be it! Leave. I’m going to bed,” Frederick retorted, pointing toward the door.

“Your father made it clear: no revenge on Jared. Otherwise, he’ll break your legs,” she cautioned.

Frederick’s temper exploded. “Go ahead! Break my legs, kill me! At least I’ll be free!” he roared.

Fearing Glen would hear, Helen hurried from the room, slamming the door.

After she left, Frederick clenched his teeth. “Jared Chance,” he hissed, “you’ll get what’s coming to you…”

At the Dragon Bay mansion, Tommy’s herb delivery had arrived. Jared stared at the large bags, overwhelmed. “Well,” he thought, “sleep’s out. This will take all night!”

Fortunately, Hannah and Gary were out. Since regaining her sight, Hannah explored Horington, eager to see what she’d missed.

Jared lugged the herbs to his bedroom, locked the door, and began crafting the revitalizing pills. He worked all night, using all the herbs to produce twenty pills. By dawn, exhausted, he fell asleep instantly. He wasn't yet at the point where he didn't need to eat, drink, or sleep.

He awoke with a start to a loud noise. The sun was high—almost noon. Leaving his room, he found a small crowd in his living room. Children shrieked and ran, creating chaos.

A glamorously dressed middle-aged woman turned and saw him. “Oh, my,” she drawled sarcastically. “We didn’t know you were home, Jared. Staying in a mansion, have you forgotten your poor relatives?”

Jared was clearly surprised. “Aunt Stella, when did you arrive?”

“Some time ago. We didn’t expect you to be asleep, too lazy to welcome us,” she retorted, rolling her eyes as she sat on a couch.

Ignoring her, Jared looked questioningly at Hannah, who pulled him aside. “I asked them to come,” she said embarrassedly. “I just wanted to show them the mansion. But I didn’t expect so many! They’ve wrecked the living room. How do we explain this to Josephine?” She still believed Josephine was only lending them the mansion.

“Don’t worry, Mom. Let them do what they want. We can clean it later,” Jared reassured her.

“They’re not leaving soon. They’ll want a meal. Reserve a restaurant table—not too expensive,” Hannah said, pulling out money and offering it to Jared.

He refused. “I have my own money, Mom.”

“You’ve just started working! And you can’t keep using Josephine’s money. A man shouldn’t spend a woman’s money all the time!” She pressed the money into his hand.

Jared smiled wryly at the mixed wad of new and old bills, then pocketed it and left the mansion.

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