Chapter 747: Grandma Makes a Comeback as Master

Mrs. Green sneered. "That woman wasn’t willing to stay and suffer, so she married a rich man. But the good times didn’t last. A few years ago, his luck ran out and he lost everything. As for your sister, she got married when she was sent down to the countryside. She married a village farmer and had two kids, but she couldn’t take the hardship of rural life, so she ran back here on her own."

"She didn’t bring the children back?" Rosalind asked.

"Her husband wouldn’t let her take them. A boy and a girl, a bit younger than Kenneth. Besides, your sister didn’t want to bring them either. She can barely feed herself right now, let alone two more kids. She wouldn’t survive."

"Isn’t her mother looking after her?"

Mrs. Green shook her head. "She has the will but not the power. That man has his own son and daughter. When he had money, he was easy to talk to—it was just one more mouth to feed. But as soon as he fell on hard times, everything became difficult. He’s probably wishing your sister would never come back to the city. Your auntie wants to help, but she can’t even take care of herself, so there’s nothing she can do."

Rosalind sighed. "So where is she living now?"

"She’s crammed in with your auntie and that man. It’s just a two-room place, about the size of Dante’s room. Luckily, the man’s children are all married and have moved out, so they can just about manage. But your sister doesn’t earn any money; she’s just living there for free, and now that man’s children are starting to complain."

Mrs. Green suddenly stopped. She glanced around before leaning in to whisper a few words in Rosalind’s ear. Rosalind jumped in surprise and cried out, "That can’t be! How could Auntie possibly agree to that?"

"It doesn’t matter if she agrees or not. She has no standing in that family. It’s not even her place to say when the trash gets taken out. What can she do? She can only pretend she doesn’t know!" Mrs. Green sounded utterly delighted, clearly gloating over their misfortune.

Adrian Hawthorne was extremely curious. ’What could it be? Why did Grandma have to lean in and whisper it? Why all the secrecy?’

Mrs. Green continued, "Your sister is a handful, too. She wasn’t content with her living situation, so she set her sights on your father. Hmph. Your father is such a fool—a few nice words and he doesn’t know which way is up. He even thought I’d agree to it. He can dream on! Even if I’m dead and buried, that mother and daughter won’t set a single foot inside my house!"

Rosalind offered a few words to calm her down, but Mrs. Green just sneered. "I’m not angry. I see things clearly now. I’m the mistress of this house, not the maid. I need to start acting like it. Anyway, as long as I’m alive, that pair won’t be getting through the door."

These were all things the director of the Women’s Federation had told her. After hearing them, Mrs. Green had an epiphany. She had been a servant for most of her life, but this was the era of liberation. Why should she continue to be oppressed? She had to liberate herself.

So—

"Now I live as I please. If I’m unhappy, I go on strike, and your father has to go hungry. He’s much more behaved now. Hasn’t mentioned that woman’s name again." Mrs. Green looked triumphant, as if she had finally turned the tables and become the master of her own house.

Rosalind smiled, but she couldn’t help but think of the woman now by Ethan Hawthorne’s side, sitting in her favorite wicker chair, using her favorite coffee machine to brew coffee, while the record player played Jasmine Jacobs’s "The Wandering Songstress." It was as if time had rewound to the old days, but she was no longer the mistress of the house.

Her expression dimmed. Rosalind turned her head away, not wanting Mrs. Green to see the sorrow on her face. But no one knows a daughter better than her mother. In her heart, Mrs. Green already knew with perfect clarity: something must have happened with her son-in-law.

They chatted all the way back home. Neither Mr. Green nor Rosalind’s brother would be home for lunch, so Mrs. Green cooked some plain noodle soup. Adrian Hawthorne finished a bowl and went out. His grandmother and his mom had an endless supply of things to discuss, and since he couldn’t get a word in, he figured he might as well go for a walk.

The moment Adrian Hawthorne was out the door, Mrs. Green asked bluntly, "What happened with your husband? Don’t even think about hiding it from me. Tell me the truth!"