Chapter 505
Ruby, startled at first, quickly composed herself and recognized Denise. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“What?” Denise sneered. “This is my daughter’s house. Can’t I visit? And you, as the stepmother, how dare you question me?”
Ruby remained calm, choosing not to engage in an argument. “If you’re looking for Eileen, you should call her. She’s at work and not here.”
“I’m not here for Eileen. I’m here to talk to you.” Denise slipped her hands into her pockets, sizing up Ruby’s well-maintained appearance, noting her smooth skin.
Denise concluded that Ruby surely didn’t engage in much housework. Unlike her, she washed dishes and cleaned tables every day!
“What do you want from me? We have nothing to discuss,” Ruby said, trying to walk past Denise, but Denise grabbed her arm.
Surprisingly strong, Denise held her firm. “Eileen is heartless, ignoring her own mother. I can’t get through to her, so I’ve come to you. Surely you’re not shameless, are you? You have a daughter yourself, yet you stay in my daughter’s house! I heard your daughter is married. Is her marriage not as good as Eileen’s? Is that why you’re shamelessly staying here?”
It was early morning, and several residents were out for their daily walks. Ruby, a long-time resident of the villa district, recognized many of them. Given Eileen and Bryan’s public status, Ruby didn’t want to cause a scene.
She lowered her voice. “Please let go of my arm. If you want to talk, let’s go to the café over there.”
“A café?” Denise sneered. “Do you want to embarrass me in public by showing off that you’ve had coffee in a nice café before?” Denise, who had never been to a café, mocked Ruby.
Ruby’s cheeks flushed. “Where would you prefer to talk then? Just don’t yank on me!”
Denise looked around and then suggested, “Let’s talk at my daughter’s house. I’m her mother, and I haven’t even been inside her house before. That’s not right.”
Ruby paused, conflicted. Logically, she had no right to deny Denise access to Eileen’s home. But she feared that letting Denise in impulsively might cause disruptions later.
Ruby thought it over but decided against openly sharing her concerns. Instead, she said, “I rushed out and forgot my keys. I can’t get back in. Let’s choose another location.”
“Don’t try to fool me!” Denise scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Do you think I’m stupid? Ruby, how did I not see your shamelessness before? As a stepmother, what right do you have to keep me from entering my daughter’s house?”
Denise’s sharp words left Ruby speechless.
“My home is her home, so she has every right to keep you out,” a voice suddenly called. Eileen’s car had pulled up, and she overheard Denise’s words as she stepped out. Her elegant face was set in anger, and she walked over in her high heels, her eyes a mix of detachment and disgust.
“Denise, blocking and harassing my mother in public is against the law. Do you realize that?” Eileen said coldly.