Chapter 1768
Keaton turned his attention back to Shane. “Don’t let it get to you. I’ve got this handled. Just stay here and get something to eat with Winona and Linda. Listen to me p>
They all took a moment to compose themselves. Mindful of Winona’s pregnancy, they picked up their silverware and started to eat.
Keaton slid a warm slice of quiche onto Winona’s plate. “Your favorite. Careful, it’s still hot p>
Winona glanced at him, then quickly lowered her head. A lump formed in her throat.
The situation with Aunt Jade’s grave was an absolute mess. Dealing with an unreasonable nightmare like Penny Gould felt impossible-she wouldn’t listen to reason, and they couldn’t exactly resort to violence. It was incredibly frustrating. Caroline was completely out of options. Shane was still just a college student who hadn’t experienced the harsh realities of the real world, leaving him powerless against someone so vindictive. And Winona? She didn’t know if the pregnancy brain was getting to her, but she couldn’t come up with a single viable solution. All she could do was sit there, furious and anxious.
Keaton’s presence brought her a profound sense of comfort. It was as if she had finally found a pillar of support, someone she could truly rely on.
They had barely finished eating when a sudden commotion erupted outside the car.
Caroline quickly looked out the window, her brow furrowing. “Isn’t that Penny’s father, Mr. Phelps? Did she actually call for backup p>
Seeing an older man leading a large crowd toward the property line, they all scrambled out of the car, terrified that the mob was going to forcefully desecrate the grave.
“Don’t panic,” Keaton said calmly. “I’m the one who called them here p>
The group stopped in their tracks and stared at him in disbelief. “You called them p>
“Yeah p>
Caroline was bewildered. “Why on earth would you invite Penny’s relatives here?” Before Keaton could answer, Penny, who was sprawled out on the lawn, started wailing at the top of her lungs. “Dad! Uncles! Cousins! You finally made it! These people are trying to kill me! They think just because they have money, they can treat me like dirt. You have to stand up for me p>
Even the police officer on duty assumed the crowd was Penny’s backup. Fearing a riot, he was about to step in and de-escalate the situation when Mr. Phelps let out a thunderous roar.
“You absolute disgrace of a daughter! You’re going to ruin us all p>
Everyone froze in stunned silence.
Mr. Phelps’s face was purple with rage. “Before the sun even came up today, your brother got a call from the mayor’s office. He was chewed out by his superiors! They told him that if he can’t even keep his own family in line he has no business serving the public! I was wondering what we could have possibly done wrong, and it turns out it was you causing trouble all along p>
Penny’s older brother worked for the local government, which had always been her trump card was the main reason the locals
Haverbrook City never dared to cross her.
Penny looked outraged. “I never used his name to bully anyone! I didn’t even mention him p>
Mr. Phelps was shaking with fury.
“He was hauled in by the Ethics Committee for an investigation thus morning! He’s about to lose his job, and you’re still making excuses p>
Penny gasped, her eyes wide. “He’s being investigated? Is… is that true p>
“It’s true!” Mr. Phelps bellowed.
The rest of the Phelps family eagerly jumped in to air their grievances.
“It’s a disaster! How did our family produce such a toxic burden? You’re destroying our lives p>
“I worked my whole life to get a management position! I got promoted yesterday, and demoted before breakfast today p>
“My son has it worse! He’s been at his company for twenty years, and today his name magically appeared on the layoff list. He’s going to lose his job p>
“The fiance’s family showed up at my grandson’s house at dawn to call off the wedding! They said our family was cursed and they refused to marry into it p>
“What sin have we committed to deserve this p>
Penny’s cousin glared at her with pure hatred. “You’re a mother yourself. Don’t you care about the karma you’re leaving for your own kids p>