Chapter 32

The next day, after Brandon and Paula went to work, Shirley indeed asked for leave and went out.

I readily agreed, but as soon as she left, I immediately followed her in my car.

I arrived at Savory Bites ahead of her.

I saw Shirley go inside from my car, and I quickly followed her in.

Fortunately, each table here had partitions, so Shirley couldn't see me, but I could still hear her talking.

The person she was waiting for hadn't arrived yet. I ordered food for a while before I heard someone arrive late.

"Bertha, I'm here."

Shirley's voice was full of impatience: "I told you not to call me Bertha, I go by Shirley now."

James's voice was rough, and he waved his hand casually: "You can call yourself whatever you want, I'm just used to calling you Bertha."

Shirley clicked her tongue and finally stopped correcting him.

"I asked you, did you find out who that woman was yesterday?"

I realized they were talking about Elora. It seemed that Shirley's well-informed nature had something to do with this James.

"That kind of thing isn't so easy. Brandon really is lucky, the women around him are more beautiful one after another."

"Why are you chasing after him? For money?"

"He's better than you. All you do is drink all day. If I don't go after him, should I go after you?"

I was stunned. It seemed their relationship wasn't simple.

James laughed: "What's wrong with me? Haven't I ever satisfied you? Don't pretend you don't know me after putting your pants back on."

"By the way, when do you have time? Let's see if Brandon is better or if I am."

"Get lost. You're not even as good as Brandon's toe."

Shirley snorted coldly, her tone full of disdain.

"Fuck, tell me clearly, how am I not as good as him? He looks useless."

James slammed the table and stood up angrily.

"Enough, you're embarrassing. I have serious business to discuss with you."

Seemingly aware of the attention from people around, Shirley said impatiently: "Hurry up and find out about that person for me. Also, I'll find a way to get Paula out of here, and you use some means to get her to another city, got it?"

"Shirley, you're really ruthless, not even sparing Paula."

Shirley sneered: "If she dares to compete with me for Brandon, she has to be prepared for this."

"Also, find out about that woman as soon as possible. I'll transfer the money to you later."

Seeing Shirley get up, I sneaked out from the other side and drove home first.

Not long after, Shirley came back.

She stayed in her room for a while, then stood in front of me: "Mrs. Jordan, I have something to tell you."

I looked at her and nodded: "Go ahead."

"Paula staying at home for so long makes me feel embarrassed, especially since you even arranged a job for her. So, I've decided to have Paula move out. I really feel bad about taking the salary you give me every month."

I looked at her, thinking about what she had said to James earlier.

I feared that once Paula moved out, she wouldn't come back.

"Paula is quite lovely. Brandon and I... both like her."

I emphasized the last sentence. My words were casual, but Shirley's eyes filled with jealousy: "That's not a reason for us to stay. Paula must move out."

Seeing her insistence, I pretended to be helpless and nodded: "Alright, we'll do as you say. But Paula can move back anytime. I'm home all day and chatting with Paula is a good way to pass the time."

Shirley nodded and left after seeing me agree.

I watched Shirley's back, thinking of Paula, who was very similar to her.

Paula might look youthful on the surface, but she was no ordinary character. How could she leave so easily?

It was really hard to tell who would come out on top between Shirley and Paula.

In the evening, when Brandon and Paula came back from work, Shirley brought up the matter at the dinner table.

"Mr. Jordan, I've found a place for Paula. She should move out in the next few days. I really feel bad about her continuing to stay here and bothering you."

Brandon didn't feel bothered at all. After all, he was the beneficiary, and Paula was now the closest to him, so he naturally didn't want her to leave.

But Shirley's reason was legitimate, and he couldn't refute it, so he looked at me.

"Caroline, what do you think?"

I shrugged: "This is Shirley's opinion. We haven't asked Paula what she thinks."

This was ultimately a drama between the sisters. I threw the question back to see how they would handle it.

Paula bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears, looking pitifully at Brandon.

Paula's fragile appearance was hard for anyone to resist.

Sure enough, Brandon's eyes began to cloud.

"I know it's not good to bother Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, but I really can't bear to be apart from Shirley. How about I move out with Shirley so I can be close to her?"

"Paula is trying to create a lose-lose situation."

Brandon couldn't agree to Shirley moving out. There would be no one to monitor me then.

Shirley didn't expect Paula to pull this trick, dragging her into it. She glared at Paula fiercely.

I looked at Brandon: "Brandon, they are sisters. Why not let them stay? Our family can afford to feed one more person."

Brandon was eager for me to express my opinion first, so he immediately nodded: "Alright, let's do that. Shirley, don't worry about anything else. Let Paula stay, and we'll discuss other things later."

Brandon waved his hand, making the decision.

Shirley wanted to say something but couldn't, so she could only glare at Paula in frustration.

If Shirley couldn't get rid of Paula, she might resort to other means. There would probably be a good show tonight.

That night, I heard some noise upstairs. Peeking through the door crack, I saw Shirley, dressed scantily, heading to Brandon's room.

After all, Brandon had been busy with Paula and Elora lately and probably hadn't touched Shirley for a long time. She must have been anxious.

But honestly, with Elora's beauty and Paula's purity, Shirley really couldn't compare.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Shirley was thrown out.

She stood at the door for a long time before walking away silently.

As soon as she went downstairs, she saw Paula coming up, her tone full of mockery: "You got kicked out? But Brandon asked me to come to his room."

In the dark, Shirley glared at her for a long time before gritting her teeth: "Don't be smug. Brandon is just after your youth and beauty, it's just a novelty."

Paula pouted: "Shirley, don't forget, you don't even have youth and beauty anymore!"