Chapter 378

The host's eyes widened. She turned to Peter in disbelief. "That wasn't in the script? Are they being utterly outrageous with their terms?"

Soon, the host realized that the rumors about affluent families being less than idyllic were true. They seemed to be bullying an innocent person.

"How much can you pay me monthly? Give me an estimate," Skylar said, checking her watch. Jacky would arrive in ten minutes.

"You'll get about two thousand per month. That's more than enough for your daily needs. I'm sure you're only getting paid about one thousand, yes?" Peter's snobbish tone was evident.

Two thousand was a substantial sum in Jipsburg. Skylar was a new hire; how much could she possibly earn?

Maisy frowned. Why was Peter paying Skylar two thousand to care for their mother when the maids only earned one thousand? He might as well be giving Skylar the money for free!

The siblings' pretentious expressions alerted the audience to something amiss.

"Do you know how much I'm earning per month?" Skylar chuckled, incredulous at Peter's audacity.

"It doesn't matter how much you earn. The point is to be a dutiful daughter. Isn't that right, Ms. Sullivan?" The host attempted damage control.

Skylar turned to the host. "If being a dutiful child is so important, why aren't you teaching them to care for their mother in the hospital? Why are you dragging me into this farce? They refuse to do the dirty work, so they're foisting it off on me—someone who doesn't even share their last name. Is this even legal?"

A murmur rippled through the onlookers. "Why does this feel so off? They claim to be family, but Skylar's so-called brother is so mean to her."

"I feel the same! She's right. Why aren't they taking care of their mother? What right do they have to make her resign to care for someone else? I heard Janine say Skylar's doing well at work, and she only recently started. Aren't they just being bullies?"

"They're making Skylar quit her job to take care of their mother. The longer I think about it, the weirder it gets."

Overhearing her neighbors' whispered discussion, Skylar thought, "The Williamses are merely one rotten apple. Most people do have solid moral principles."

Did the Williamses consider themselves geniuses and everyone else fools?

Seeing the tide turning, the host nearly burst with frustration. She turned to Peter, hissing, "Are you perhaps mistaken? You actually meant you just want Ms. Sullivan to visit your mother often, am I right?"

They didn't want just visits, but a crowd had gathered, defending Skylar.

Peter frowned, unable to play along. What was the point of all this if he only wanted visits? He wanted Skylar to care for Sadie.

"I've considered this carefully. She loses nothing by resigning. I'm sure our wages are better than what she's earning now. Plus, she'll just be taking care of our mother. It's a perfect job for a woman." His tone was softer, but his stance remained unchanged.

The host nearly rolled her eyes. She changed tactics, saying to Skylar, "I think he has a point. Work doesn't pay well these days. If you take care of your mother, they'll pay you better than the market rate. Isn't this a win for you? Actually, both of you will be winners here."

"I earn at least ten thousand per month. Can they afford to double that?" Skylar asked expressionlessly.

"Skylar, are you dreaming?" Peter growled.

A neighbor returning home chimed in, "It's not impossible. I heard Janine say Skylar is a dutiful child. A few days ago, she bought a house. The family will be moving there after renovations. Skylar's amazing!"

The host's face drained of color.