Chapter 13

Elizabeth Stone forced a bitter smile. "Those two sisters-in-law of mine only ever exchange sharp words."

She had no interest in getting involved in such thankless matters.

Her politeness toward Patricia was merely superficial.

If they came to blows, she couldn’t care less who won.

Both sisters-in-law had two sons each, unlike her—three daughters before finally bearing a son. Back then, she couldn’t even hold her head high in the Stone household.

Patricia had never missed a chance to mock her. The grudge between them ran deep.

Her son was the same age as Tommy.

That brat Richard constantly bullied her boy, and whenever she confronted Patricia about it, the woman would dismiss it as "kids being kids."

It made her blood boil.

This son of hers was the one she had prayed for night and day—of course she treasured him.

Meanwhile, Patricia stormed toward Emily Johnson’s house, dragging her son behind her.

"Emily Johnson, get out here!"

The furious shout instantly silenced the main room.

"Patricia’s here."

Emily smirked. She hadn’t even gone to settle the score yet, and the aggressor was already at her door.

"Mom... Aunt Patricia is here."

Aunt Patricia?

Amid Patricia’s shouting, a young woman barged in, pulling a boy along.

"Emily Johnson, how dare you hit my son? Pay up!"

Emily barely spared her a glance.

"Pay up? Your son beat David bloody—he’ll need weeks of good meals to recover. I haven’t even come for you yet, and here you are demanding compensation? Perfect. Let’s settle this properly."

"David, come here. Show this victim what her precious boy did. Stealing clothes and throwing punches—why not just rob a bank while you’re at it?"

Patricia froze. Since when had this sister-in-law become so sharp-tongued?

Seeing his mother hesitate, Richard panicked. "Mom, she hit me! You said everything in the Stone family is mine! David’s new clothes should be mine too! I don’t have any new clothes—why does he get to wear them?"

"Why don’t you just claim the whole country while you’re at it? I’ve seen shameless people, but never one as brazen as you. Taking what belongs to others—do you think the whole nation was birthed by your mother?"

Emily wasn’t one to be bullied. As an only child, she had grown up independent and never lacked for anything.

Patricia didn’t care. Her son had been struck, and Emily would pay.

"Look at his head—he’s injured! If his studies suffer because of this, it’s on you! You’re paying for medical bills, nutrition, lost wages, and my time caring for him!"

Only then did Patricia notice the bandage wrapped around David’s head.

"I have witnesses—everyone saw your boy bullying David and Tommy. You say I hit your son? Where’s your proof? Show me the marks. No evidence? Then this is extortion!"

Patricia was stunned. Since when had this woman become so articulate?

"Richard bullied David and Tommy!"

"Yeah, we all saw it!"

The children, having enjoyed Emily’s White Rabbit candies, naturally sided with her. Besides, Richard did pick on the boys often.

"You did hit me! You did!" Richard, red-faced at the accusations, suddenly charged at Emily.

She sidestepped smoothly, and the boy faceplanted into the dirt.