Chapter 237
Kids can be such a handful sometimes. This one had made a habit out of bossing people around like it was some kind of game. Every time the maid figured out what he liked, he’d suddenly decide the opposite, keeping her running in circles.
Good thing the maid had serious training and got handpicked by Tobias Hastings himself—otherwise she probably would’ve snapped right there.
Lisette Cavendish narrowed her eyes.
A kid’s manners spoke volumes about the people raising him.
This brat wasn’t just trashing her piano like it meant nothing, but also had zero respect for others. Just from that, you could pretty much guess what kind of people the Walkers were.
Disgust flickered in her eyes, but she held her expression in check. She turned to the flustered maid and said, “Niuni had an upset stomach yesterday. Go check on her p>
“Yes, ma’am p>
Relieved for the excuse, the maid gladly ditched the task, setting down the little beast’s bowl and backing out fast.
But the kid wasn’t letting her off that easy. He kicked up a fuss the second she moved. “I want her to feed me! She has to feed me p>
Lisette stood there in silence, forcing herself to breathe evenly.
She liked to think of herself as someone who was kind to both women and children, but this kid—he just kept pushing her buttons, nonstop.
If it wasn’t such a bad time to fall out with the Walkers, she’d have already tossed the little devil out, along with the grown-ups who raised him to be like this.Hannah’s appetite was basically gone, thanks to that little brat.
With a loud “bam!”, she slammed her chopsticks on the table and snapped, “Why are you yelling? You’re not a helpless baby. Got hands and feet, right? Feed yourself p>
Yu Xiaobao’s eyes instantly reddened, looking all pitiful from being scolded.
Sandra gave her a death glare, obviously pissed. She hadn’t even brought up the issue of a servant eating at the same table as the hosts, and now the girl dared to yell at her precious grandson?
But Hannah wasn’t the type to back down—if Sandra glared at her once, she’d glare right back ten times harder.
“What’re you staring at p>
That got Sandra completely thrown. She was genuinely not ready for that.
She’d lived her whole life thinking no one could be meaner than her. And now this young girl—who was supposed to be a servant—was this fierce? Seriously?
She turned to Lisette, hoping she’d rein in her employee, but Lisette just covered her mouth with a small cough and said, “Oh, don’t mind her. Hannah’s a martial arts champ. She loses her temper sometimes, but it’s fine as long as she doesn’t get physical p>
Sandra blinked. “Martial arts champ p>
“Yeah,” Lisette nodded, “National mixed-gender competition p>
Sandra wisely chose to shut up after that.Ignoring what Hannah just said, she turned to Lisette and asked, “I heard from the maid yesterday, those five dogs of yours cost tens of thousands each month just for their food? Not even counting grooming p>
Lisette nodded. “Yeah p>
“They’re just regular dogs, not even fancy breeds or anything p>
She muttered under her breath, “Figures. Rich folks really spend big, even their pets live better than most people p>
Not wasting a beat, she jumped right into pitching her son. “Tobias, your older cousin’s really down-to-earth, finished high school, and was considered top of the class back in our village p>
“He came all this way to rely on you and Lisette, can’t you help him get a job p>
“We’re family, right? Shouldn’t we look out for each other p>
“Not to be rude, but all those people working in your company, they’re outsiders. Sure, they do the job, but who’s really putting their heart into it for you p>
“But Kevin’s different. He’s one of us. You can trust him completely, especially in your company p>
Tobias gave a faint smile.
Heh.
They were practically throwing themselves into the trap he’d set. That saved him a lot of effort.
If he didn’t go all-in now, it’d be such a waste of their shameless ambition.
Putting down his chopsticks, he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, rinsed his mouth elegantly, then said, “You’re right. Nothing beats having your own people—you feel safer that way, especially in finance. With someone you trust watching over it, that’s when you can really relax.”Sandra Green’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she nodded fast. “Yes, yes! That’s right p>
Linda Wilkins quickly jumped in, buttering him up. “You’re absolutely right to trust Kevin p>
Tobias Hastings said calmly, “There’s still a vacancy for the deputy finance director at the branch office. Let’s have Big Brother take it. Give him some time to gain experience, and later, I’ll move him to be the director at headquarters p>
Sandra and Linda didn’t really get what “deputy finance director” meant, but they knew enough to judge by the salary. “How much per month p>
“Ten thousand p>
“Ten thousand?” Sandra and Linda looked disappointed. “Isn’t that a bit low p>
Heck, their dog’s monthly kibble bill was ten grand—and that didn’t even include grooming, healthcare, or the dog walker.
And Kevin would earn that much working a whole month? That’s less than a dog!
Tobias maintained his poker face. “Salaries are set by the company. They don’t change based on who you are. Even my own salary has to follow company policy p>
“But since we’re family, of course I’ll look out for him p>
“After Big Brother finishes his first year on the job, on top of the standard benefits and bonuses, I’ll transfer him some money personally p>
Linda opened her mouth to speak again, but Sandra tugged her sleeve and subtly shook her head.Linda Wilkins shut her mouth, clearly sulking.
After calming her daughter-in-law down, Sandra Green gave a smile. “Great, it’s settled then. You’re Kevin’s brother-in-law, so of course you won’t treat him unfairly p>
Then, she quietly brought up the topic of a house and a car a few more times, but Tobias Hastings turned her down every time. “Since you guys just got to Veridia, staying here with us makes it easier for everyone to look after each other. Elliot will drive Kevin to and from work. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask the staff p>
So basically no house, no car?
The Walker family didn’t look too happy about it.
Dinner that night felt pretty tasteless.
After leaving four bodyguards at home, Lisette Cavendish and Tobias Hastings headed out together for work.
Reclining in her seat, Lisette smiled at Tobias. “Toby, you’re so sneaky p>
“You showed off your money just enough to make them envious, then gave Kevin a lower salary and even tossed him into the finance department on purpose. Isn’t that just waiting for him to screw up p>
She had a decent idea of what Tobias was planning.
Tobias replied, “Any other way, and they’d all just keep quiet, hoping not to ruin their shot at easy street.””But if there’s embezzlement involved, it’s not just about losing our trust—he could end up behind bars p>
“And once that happens, no matter how many secrets they’ve got, they won’t be able to keep them hidden p>
Lisette Cavendish chuckled and gave him a thumbs up. “Toby, you really think two steps ahead p>
“Old, huh p>
Tobias Hastings pulled her into his arms, dipped his head down, and said in a low, teasing voice, “How about you see for yourself—am I getting old or still got plenty in the tank p>
“Pfft p>
Lisette couldn’t help cracking up.
God, he had this incredible talent—could twist any topic into something flirty, no matter the time or place!
Elliot Jameson didn’t catch their little exchange, but from the rearview mirror, he spotted Lisette blushing. With a grin, he said, “Ma’am, don’t worry. I’ll spread the word undercover. Give it a week tops, and Kevin Walker’s gonna be so jealous he can’t breathe straight, and he’ll mess up real quick p>
“A whole week? That’s way too slow p>
Lisette didn’t want to deal with that family for one more second. She was already thinking—maybe it was time she added a little fuel to the fire herself.