Chapter 291
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Irene tugged on Cathy’s sleeve and , in a voice meant for just the two of them – but loud enough for Jennifer to hear – said , “ Cathy , you better keep an eye on your money . Don’t give Donald too much money , or he’ll just spend it all on her .
“ Jonathan’s the same way – makes a little money and spends it all on Teresa . Those two sisters are exactly the same .”
With a sharp clatter , Jennifer slammed her fork down , her expression icy . “ Irene , haven ‘ t you said enough ? ”
“ Dad , did you hear that ? ” Irene finally found her chance . “ She just yelled at me . She has
no manners at all .
“ At least Teresa knows to be polite to me . But her big sister ? Even worse . She’s even harder to handle and totally unfit to be our family’s daughter – in – law . ”
Jennifer stood up , her face blank as she stared Irene down . “ I’m here to celebrate my boyfriend’s mom’s birthday , not to put up with your attitude .
“ Who do you think you are to lecture me ? You really think I’m desperate to marry into your family ? Honestly , this meal is hard to swallow . ”
With that , Jennifer didn’t look at anyone or bother saving face for anyone . She just turned and walked out . “ Jennifer- ” Donald called after her , hurrying to catch up .
Cathy took another sip of water . Cheryl , quick to read the room , quietly slid her chair back . “ I – I’ll go check on her , ” she mumbled and then dashed out as fast as she could .
Cathy was too caught up in Donald’s situation to notice anything different about Cheryl .
Hayden stood up , walked over to Irene , and slapped her hard across the face . The whole room froze .
Hayden shouted , “ You just can’t stop running your mouth , can you ? Even the ducks in the river are quieter than you . ”
“ Dad ,” Werner said , trying to stop Hayden , “ please calm down . ”
But Hayden pushed him aside and pointed at Irene . “ You’ve ruined a perfectly good family dinner . ”
Irene clutched her cheek . “ I’m just thinking of the Lynn family , thinking of Donald . Do you really want a woman like that joining the family ? ”
“ What’s wrong with her ? She’s a good kid , and Teresa’s sister . What’s the problem ? ” replied Hayden .
“ Good ? You think those Johnston sisters are any good ? One’s a Johnston , and the
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other’s a Nelson . You heard Donald call her Hannah ? That’s just to keep you happy . Her real name is Jennifer Nelson . ”
At that , Hayden looked at Cathy , who finally said , “ She really is Teresa’s sister , and yes , her name is Jennifer . She’s also called Hannah . Donald doesn’t care , so I don’t have much to say .”
Hayden came to his senses . “ Whatever her name is , as long as my grandson likes her , that’s all that matters . ”
Irene let out a cold snort . “ Their mother has been married twice , and they are no better . Marriage isn’t the same as dating , you know . ”
Hayden was furious . “ Get out ! You already messed up Jonathan’s marriage . Did you think I didn’t know ? Now you’re trying to ruin Donald’s too . Like father , like daughter . From now on , stay away from our family dinners .”
Irene stormed out , tears streaming down her face .
Cathy hurried over to comfort Irene , while Werner patted Hayden on the chest , trying to calm him down .
Hayden propped himself up with his cane and grumbled , “ Can’t even get through a meal in peace . Irene is nothing but trouble . ”
“ Dad , Irene’s had it tough too ,” Werner said . “ My brother’s been gone for years , and she ‘ s always done her best raising Jonathan . ”
Hayden snorted and said , “ Jonathan didn’t turn out well because of her , and that’s all thanks to our family’s values . With a father like Gordon , what do you expect about her ? She’s his daughter , and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree . ”
Werner asked , “ Dad , what did Gordon ever do to you ? ”
Hayden just huffed , keeping the old grudges to himself . Some things were better left
unsaid .
*****
“ Let go , ” Jennifer snapped , yanking her hand out of Donald’s grip and heading straight for her car .
Donald quickly got in his own car and followed right behind her , worried she might drive too fast and get into an accident . When she finally pulled over by the curb in front of the Simpson Law Firm , he stopped too .
Jennifer walked up to Donald , pulled out her phone , and transferred 30 thousand to him . “ There’s still 150 thousand left . I’ll pay you back little by little , ” she said firmly .
Donald frowned , “ Jennifer … don’t do this . You know I’m serious about you ,” he said .
But Jennifer stood her ground . “ I have to write you an IOU right now . I need to pay you
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back . I can’t let Irene go around saying I’m just after your money , ” she said .
“ You were the one who insisted on paying the down payment for me . I never said I wouldn’t pay you back . Well , here you go . I’ve paid you some now . As for the rest , I’ll pay off slowly , ” she added .
Seeing how prickly she still was , Donald started to get annoyed too . “ Jennifer , aren’t you going a bit too far ? Do you know how much that hurts ? ”
Jennifer shot back , “ And what about Irene ? Her words didn’t hurt ? I get it now . I can’t owe you a single cent .
“ If she finds out , she’ll talk behind my back and drag Teresa into it too . Teresa’s all I’ve got . I can’t let her get caught up in this with me . ”
Donald sighed helplessly . “ Irene just has a sharp tongue . She’s only my aunt , and we only see her a few times a year at family gatherings . My parents , my grandpa , and I all like you . Can’t you just ignore her ? ”
“ That’s just how Irene is ,” Jennifer muttered . “ I can’t believe Teresa put up with her for two years . My poor Teresa . ”
“ Alright … ” Donald tried to take Jennifer’s hand again , but she impatiently shook him off . At that moment , a flash of exhaustion crossed Donald’s eyes .
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