Chapter 24

Simon quickly answered, knowing that I wouldn't call him during the day unless it was important.

"What's up?"

"Brandon is on a business trip. Can you help me find out where he went? He seemed to be in a hurry."

Simon agreed and continued, "By the way, I have something else to tell you. Shirley has a younger sister named Paula Ross, who just graduated from college this year."

"And apparently, Shirley and Paula don't get along very well. But Shirley has been giving Paula living expenses because their parents would scold her if she didn't."

"Paula just graduated from college?"

I keenly picked up on this information. "Is she pretty?"

"She looks quite delicate, like a younger Shirley."

I raised an eyebrow. "Try to get in touch with Paula for me. If she can join this game, it would be interesting."

Simon understood my intention and agreed before hanging up.

I left the bathroom and opened the door, only to see Shirley standing sneakily at the door.

Seeing me come out, she looked suspicious. "Mrs. Jordan, who were you talking to?"

I shook the water off my hands. "Talking to who?"

Shirley pointed inside. "I clearly heard you talking inside, but I couldn't make out what you were saying."

My heart tightened at her words, but then I relaxed. It was good that Shirley didn't hear clearly.

I kept a straight face. "I was teaching the kids to say 'mom,' so they wouldn't mistake someone else for me."

Then I looked at Shirley. "Why are you standing at my door? Did Brandon ask you to spy on me? I'll call him right now to ask what he means by this."

Shirley quickly pressed down my hand, her tone flustered. "No, Mrs. Jordan, I just wanted to check if the kids were crying. I was worried you might not handle it well alone."

I sneered. "I raised Brett by myself. Why wouldn't I handle it well?"

"Shirley, do you think you're that important? That the whole world needs you?"

Shirley's face turned pale, and she looked at me with a hostile gaze.

"What are you looking at? Am I wrong?"

She gritted her teeth. "You're right, Mrs. Jordan. I just wanted to help you. I meant well. Don't be angry."

Then she brought a bowl of medicine. "Mrs. Jordan, you forgot to take your medicine this morning."

She probably thought it was poison, but she didn't know it was actually the antidote.

I drank it in one gulp. "Go do whatever you need to do. Isn't there other work in the house? Can you just squat at my door every day?"

Shirley didn't say anything and turned to leave.

I watched her back and sneered. She probably didn't know that I was about to reunite her with her family.

While Brandon was away, I had arranged everything.

I even found a new nanny, ready to replace Shirley.

I couldn't just sit and wait for them to erode me bit by bit. I had to start fighting back.

Soon, Brandon returned, with a hint of joy in his eyes.

It seemed he had resolved something. I approached him to inquire.

"Brandon, what did you go on a business trip for?"

Brandon vaguely replied, "I was working hard for the happiness of you and the kids."

I sneered inwardly. Who would believe that?

It was clear he didn't plan to tell me the truth. Fortunately, I had Simon investigating, so I wasn't in a hurry.

Since he liked to act, I would play along.

I held Brandon's arm. "Thank you, Brandon. With you here, the kids and I feel very secure."

At that moment, Shirley was mopping the floor in the living room. I saw her gripping the mop handle tightly.

The only regret was that I couldn't see her expression. She was probably gritting her teeth.

After the act with Brandon, I went back to my room.

Soon, I heard Shirley and Brandon talking downstairs.

I opened the door and heard Shirley's angry voice. "Is that medicine not working anymore? Why does she seem to be getting better? Do you not want her to die?"

Brandon, tired from the long flight, was naturally irritable.

"Why are you talking so much?"

Shirley's voice suddenly grew louder. "What do you mean I'm talking too much? Am I wrong? Are you feeling sorry and don't want..."

Before she could finish, Brandon stepped forward and slapped her hard. "Shut up. Do you want everyone to know about this?"

"Let me tell you, Shirley, you're just a nanny. It's your luck that I fancy you. I can have you or not. If you dare act like this again, get out. I have plenty of other choices for Mrs. Jordan."

Shirley suddenly fell silent and apologized after a while. "I'm sorry, Brandon. I just love you too much. I was wrong."

Brandon sneered. "You're lucky Caroline didn't hear you. Otherwise, you'd be out today."

Little did he know, I already knew.

It was a thrilling drama of mutual struggle. I was now looking forward to what would happen when Shirley's sister Paula arrived.

Thinking about it, I was even a bit excited.

In the evening, Simon called me.

"Hello, Simon. Did you find out anything?"

"Yes, Brandon went to Regal City to meet someone named Reed."

"Reed?"

I was stunned. Him again?

Simon seemed to sense something in my voice. "Do you know this Reed?"

I nodded. "Yes, Reed was my mom's student. My dad arranged for him to work in his company as a buyer. But Reed took money to buy substandard products and embezzled the rest."

"Later, my dad found out. It was my mom who pleaded for him, so he wasn't prosecuted, just fired. I haven't seen him in a long time."

"I only know that Brandon went to the hotel where Reed was staying. They talked for two days and left happily."

This matched Brandon's mood when he returned. But what could he be discussing with Reed?

I was increasingly puzzled. Brandon had many secrets waiting for me to uncover.

The more I thought about it, the more things seemed off. Reed, my insurance policy, the urban renewal of the old house-everything seemed connected to my family. What was Brandon planning? We still didn't know and could only respond as things unfolded.

I took a deep breath and thanked Simon. "Thank you, Simon. You've been a great help."

Simon wasn't modest. "No problem. Kathy paid for it. By the way, I gave your home address to Shirley's sister Paula. She didn't seem to know where Shirley worked."