Chapter 191: Chapter 191

Ava couldn’t help it as a snort left her. She totally had the same thoughts as Ian. The ridiculousness of the words coming out of Clara was unprecedented. However, Ava understood the setting and tried to hold herself back, especially when Clara sent a glare her way.

Shelby had no answer to Ian’s words. She was trying with all her might to see things from Clara’s point of view, but how could she?

Clara did not and could not comprehend the idea of ever working for herself.

’Me? He wants me, of all people, to work? What have I gotten myself into? Is Ian being serious? What is this? Did Shelby put him up to it? Is that why Ian is being that way?’ Clara looked to have forgotten the fact that she had a sex video in the masses that was being handled by Ian.

She had also conveniently forgotten that her husband and sole sponsor was then in jail, never to see the light of day again. She seemed not to mind the fact that she had thrashed and broken almost everything in her room, including her cell phone and all those needed money to be restored.

What Ian was most disgusted with was that Clara, as a mother, was not even thinking of her children. With James out of the picture, Clara should have stood up and taken charge of at least the education of her youngest.

What did this woman do? She rather chose to ask Rocky for his school fees or pocket money to buy a dress! That was just intolerable in Ian’s eyes. In fact, he would have never given her the time of day if the issue was not held in high esteem by his little Elfin.

’For Elfin’s sake, ... for her sake!’ Ian repeated in his head, as he felt his tolerance being tested.

’Maybe, if I get rid of this bad mother, then, I wouldn’t have to do all these, and Elfin would not have to worry!’ The new thought suddenly sprung on him, but he dismissed it as soon as it had formed for the simple reason that Ian could not bear to deceive his Elfin or even see her sad over the loss of her mother.

On Clara’s side, she was still weighing what she thought were her options... thinking that she had a choice in anything.

Shelby stared at her mother in growing disappointment, without even caring about her emotions being obvious on her face.

"Mum, this is only to give you the rights over your own life so that you will become independent -"

"But why would I do that? I have never done that in my life, and you want me to start this in my forties?"

Shelby’s mouth dropped open, as did her brother. Ava was unsurprised, though.

"Is that why you did not help your father? You-"

Ian’s eyes hardened, and a cold demeanour washed over him suddenly. None of the people at the scene could understand a word that came from Clara. Even though Angela tried her very best to stay out of the conversation, one could see her trying to prompt Clara to keep quiet.

However, Clara still saw nothing wrong with what she was saying. To her, it was Ian’s responsibility to take care of her since he had married her daughter.

Shelby reversed and intertwined her fingers with Ian’s as if to calm him down. When she saw that there was no talking any sense to her mother, she turned to the maid.

"Angela, send mum back to her room, please."

"Yes, Miss Shelby." Angela bowed and then nudged Clara.

"Madam Clara, please..." Angela whispered, however, ignoring Angela, Clara focused on her daughter,

"What do you mean by that, Shelby? You dare ask a maid to send your mother out? When did you grow such horns to talk back to your mother-"

"ENOUGH!" Rocky shouted, standing up abruptly. The sudden input startled the women in the room. Clara gaped. Her surprise was immeasurable.

"Di- Rock- You-" Clara could not make out the words.

"What is wrong with you?! Why does everything have to be about you? You do not even deserve to be called ’MUM’. You do not deserve that title! What kind of a mother are you?" Rocky looked so distressed that Shelby was also starting to get affected. This only upset Ian the more.

"Dad made life a living hell for sis, but never once did she complain, and all you did was look on and act dumb! What responsibility does Sis have to Dad? Why does she have to be the one to help him out of his own crimes?

Why do you always want to play the victim? You are perfectly capable when your interests are at play. No one even talked about that embarrassing video out there. All my brother-in-law wants is to set you up to be stable and independent, but no, you don’t want it. Why do you still have to be fed and taken care of at this stage of your life?

I should have my mother’s support in all, but no, Mrs Clara Wendover wants to be babied by her son and her daughter! No, you demand to be babied! What kind of logic is that? Are you not even embarrassed?"

Rocky paced and scratched his forehead, heaving up and down from the sudden outburst of emotions. He was upset and angry beyond reason.

"Why can I not have a mother like all others? Sis was more of a mother to me than you ever were -"

Somewhere along the line, Shelby had approached him and draped her arms on his back, rubbing it fondly.

"It’s okay, Rocky. You don’t have to say anymore."

Ava, on the couch, looked like she wanted to get up and comfort Rocky, but Shelby had beat her to it. ’Besides, why would I do that?’ Ava asked herself.

Clara slumped down, shocked.

"Rocky? My son? Why-"

Ian’s cold gaze was still on Clara. Her sins were growing in his eyes by the second. Shelby had left his side to her brother all because of that same Clara.

’I knew that woman was nuts!’

Ian tried to curb the anger that was still rising in his chest.

"Mrs Wendover, you better listen and listen well. You are entitled to nothing from me. Just because your daughter is my wife does not give you any privileges from me. As I stated earlier, I am even bothered about your matters because of her.

There is no free lunch in the world. Now, apart from the sales report by the end of each month, I need to get my money’s worth back so, you must wake up to the reality before you."

Ian neither raised his voice nor shouted, but Clara had no choice but to listen. She was petrified as she felt an immense force almost pin her in place, compelling her to give ears to Ian. She looked around from the corner of her eye, and none in the room behaved in any peculiar way. Her heart pounded loudly as fear began to cloud her mind.

Ian nodded at Currey, not willing to waste his words on the woman again. Currey quickly handed a brown envelope to Clara.

"Familiarize yourself with the contents of that piece of paper. Currey here will see you later before we leave and get the signed copy from you."

Clara looked from her children to the imposing man who scared the living daylights out of her.

"..but – I cannot read..."

"Oh, really? You had no issues understanding the contents of that receipt and the small piece of paper before you went to see Presque."

Clara was confused until memories of the previous day at the mall came rushing back to her.

When the shop attendant had handed her the package with that note, initially she had just stared at the strange words on it but then a small smile graced her face amid the confusion. At that time, she had remembered a few weeks back when she was in her high and after Shelby had married.

The time when all the rich madams were clamouring for her. She had overheard one of them talk behind her back. The words spoken had stung deeply.

The woman had said: ’I don’t know why Clara Wendover is so dumb. Being illiterate should not make one dumb as well. Do you know that she could not even read the menu? I felt so embarrassed when she pointed to wine and called out tea to the waiter. I wouldn’t have known that she was illiterate if she had not sported nonsense.

She could have at least even asked the waiter if she was unsure. She was so sure of herself and tried to fit in that she made a fool of herself. There was no need for her to struggle to put on such a show. It was so embarrassing to see.... There are apps nowadays to read out stuff. Those text-to-speech stuff but why....’

Those words, even though had hurt, had pushed Clara to ask Angela for help. Angela had indeed installed such an app on her phone and that day at the mall was the first time she had used it. She had felt a trill unlike anything when she understood what the note had asked but at that moment, she could not dwell on that but at the task at hand. So, when Ian had said that, she knew what he was referring to.

However, at the same time, another thing terrified Clara: ’How had Ian known of this fact? He was not in the mall then.’ When that thought settled in Clara’s mind, she became as pale as a ghost.

’My son-in-law is not to be trifled with!’

Rocky was too upset and distraught even to pay attention to his mother anymore. The same could be said for Shelby. The two were of like minds in that moment. It was about time that their mother grew up.

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