Leah bit her lip, dropped her head, and wiped her tears.
"She’s the one who made a mistake. Why isn’t she apologizing?" William was already infuriated by Master Lewis and Tiffany’s marriage to begin with. Seeing his sister getting bullied over and over again caused his anger to flare up.
Master Lewis frowned and called out to him. His countenance looked fairly grim.
Flames of anger spiked in William when he saw this. The flames rushed along his limbs and bones, almost driving him crazy. "She mocked Leah's legs openly, hurled profanities, and even attacked her in front of so many people!
"Grandpa, why are you marrying such an uneducated licentious woman? Do you know that your marriage to her has turned the Lewis and Jones families into a laughing stock?! You..."
Smack!
Master Lewis slapped William across the face and roared, "Shut up! She’s still your nominal grandmother!"
Tiffany held Master Lewis' arm in hers and leaned on him smugly. "You’re the best, honey. Thanks for having my back, or else these people will think they can just push me around as they like!"
"You’ve hit me twice to defend a woman like that?" William cupped his burning cheek and looked incredulously at Master Lewis.
Master Lewis looked livid. "What do you mean a woman like that? She’s your grandmother now!"
Leah raised her head. There was a rippling of water glistening in her slightly pinkish eyes. "That’s enough, William. It’s alright if Ms. Lawrence wants to call me a… damned cripple. It doesn’t hurt anyway. She can call me that if she wants to."
"I’ve had enough!" William roared and stormed toward the elevator.
Leah called out to him several times, but he did not look back.
"Leah." Master Lewis’ tone softened when he spoke to her. "Tiff grew up in the countryside. Her people aren’t very particular in choosing their words when they speak. Their education at home isn’t as strict as yours either. I hope you understand."
Leah bit her lip and laughed bitterly. "Don't worry, Grandpa. I understand. Besides, I'm still young and physically fit, so I’ll be alright if Ms. Lawrence kicks me once or twice.
"Just make sure you remind Ms. Lawrence that my wheelchair could turn over, so do ask her to use less strength when she kicks me. Otherwise, it’ll spell disaster if the wheelchair turns over and crushes her, causing her to miscarry by accident.”
After hearing what she said, Tiffany put on a straight face and questioned, "Are you cursing my child?"
"Leah was just listing out a possibility. She’s not criticizing you. Don't get emotional. It won’t be good for the child." Master Lewis stroked her belly and coaxed.
Tiffany rolled her eyes and cursed under her breath.
"Tiff is pregnant now. Pregnant women are normally short-tempered. She will be fine after some time." After comforting Tiffany, Master Lewis said to Leah, "Do bear with her if she does anything during this period of time."
Leah tightened her grip on the armrest, her knuckles turning white from using too much force.
"If it’s really hard for you, then try not to come to the Lewis residence so often for the time being lest you have any conflict with Tiff." Master Lewis suggested after thinking for a while.
Tiffany raised her chin and nose in the air. "Yeah! I cannot bear the sight of a damned cripple like you, so don’t come loitering in front of my eyes from now on!"
There was a sullen look on the Lewis family members and Madam Jones’ faces. The Lewis family had always been strict in their children’s upbringing. They were almost completely brought up based on ancient rules and regulations, especially when it came to the code of conduct when they interacted with their elders.
Hence, they chose to remain silent even when they were discontent.
"I understand. Rumors can spread like wildfire that it can be almost impossible to refute. Don’t you worry, Ms. Jones. We will not spread false news on our side." The manager assured.
The curvature on the corners of Leah's mouth grew wider. "Mr. Lowry mentioned that you’re a reliable employee, so I trust you."
She exchanged a few more words with the manager before maneuvering her wheelchair out of Wealth Hall.
Mr. Jones and Madam Jones were still waiting for her. The rest had already left a long time ago. Seeing this, the corner of Leah’s mouth twitched as a trace of irony flashed across her eyes.
She had cleaned up after their mess, yet not one of them waited for her!
"This woman has nothing worthy of praise other than her looks. I really have no idea why your grandfather likes her!" Madam Jones said furiously, "Did you read what they’re writing about us on the internet because of this woman?!"
Leah turned her head and glanced at Wealth Hall. She said wearily, "Mom, don’t I always tell you to be careful of eavesdroppers and that it’s better to talk at home?"
"They’re just a bunch of waiters. What can they possibly say to the outside world?" Madam Jones made nothing of it and continued, "I think this seductress has no good intentions for marrying your grandfather! The child in her belly might even be some bastard’s illegitimate child!"
Leah frowned imperceptibly. "Mom..."
"Okay, I know. I won’t say it anymore!" Madam Jones said fretfully, "Leah, you’re usually the one with the most ideas. Why don’t you think of a way to persuade your grandfather! We can’t let a woman like that stay in the Lewis family. Who knows what sort of problems she’ll give us in the future!"
Leah responded absent-mindedly, looking slightly weary and irritable.
"By the way, Leah," Mr. Jones, who had been silent the whole time, said suddenly, "Master Harris called me more than an hour ago saying that he wants to break off the marriage contract between you and Charles."
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