Chapter 82
It was clear Theo already knew about her situation. He didn’t even bother to look up as she finished speaking. “Director Whitmore, I’m just their supervisor. I can assign tasks, but if they refuse, there’s not much I can do p>
“If no one’s cooperating, it’s up to you to figure out how to manage your relationships. Coming to me won’t help p>
The entire morning passed with no progress. Near noon, Evangeline, exhausted, slipped into the break room. She slumped into a chair and poured herself a glass of water, worry clouding her face.
After everything that happened yesterday, she’d expected life at UME to be challenging, but she hadn’t imagined it would be this draining.
She was still mulling over how to fix the situation when her phone rang.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Evangeline checked the caller ID. Helena.
She hesitated, then finally answered.
“Stop by the old house this evening. Your grandmother made some chicken soup–l packed some up, and I want you to take it to Soren p>
Helena, as always, issued her instructions briskly and was ready to hang up.
But this time, Evangeline didn’t meekly agree as she used to. Instead, she said, “I’m not going p>
Helena paused, her voice suddenly stern. “What did you just say p>
Evangeline replied calmly, “I just started a new job. I don’t have that much time off. Maybe you can ask someone else to deliver it p>
There was no hiding her employment from Helena. Even if she didn’t say anything now, Helena would find out sooner or later. So why bother concealing it?
“A job?” Helena’s tone sharpened immediately. “Who told you to go out and embarrass the Fawkes family like this p>
For most people, having a job was normal, but for Evangeline, it was a disgrace–a stain on the Fawkes name.
Helena had always looked down on her, convinced she couldn’t possibly land a respectable position. In her eyes, any ordinary job was beneath a Fawkes. The only “good” jobs were those reserved for the family’s upper ranks; anything else ot
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Chapter 82
other company, didn’t count.
Even UME–no matter its reputation–held no value for Helena.
Evangeline understood exactly how Helena thought. She didn’t bother arguing, just- said quietly, “Your son already cut me off. If I don’t go out and work–even if it’s humiliating–I’ll starve p>
Helena went silent for a moment.
She knew Soren had stopped Evangeline’s allowance, but she hadn’t realized he still hadn’t resumed it.
Her tone softened a little, but she persisted. “Soren gave you five thousand a month. Even if he stopped for a few months, you should have enough saved up. How could you possibly run out p>
Evangeline said nothing.
Yes, Soren had given her five thousand a month. It sounded like a lot, but she was responsible for Macy’s salary, the upkeep of the house, groceries, living expenses–everything. Every visit to the Fawkes family meant bringing gifts, too. All those little things added up, and the monthly allowance barely lasted.
Most months, she had to dip into her own savings and whatever she earned on the side just to keep up.
But her mother had always told her: when you’re married, don’t keep score. Both partners should work together to build a home. Only then could a family thrive. That’s why she never complained to Soren.
She was about to speak when Helena cut her off, clearly uninterested in whether Evangeline had any money left. “Tell me how much you need. I’ll transfer it now. But you need to quit that job.” A
“You need to decide: what matters more–your job or your husband p>
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