CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 296: NEGOTIATION

But her smile faded a little when she felt the weird tension in the room.

"Good morning," Adriana said politely, trying to sound cheerful.

"Morning," Olivia replied without looking up from her plate.

Jean suddenly slammed her fork down, making a loud clang. Everyone turned to look at her.

"I guess I’m invisible now, huh?" Jean said, her voice sharp and dramatic.

Mary didn’t even flinch. She calmly reached for another toast and spread some butter on it.

"Jean," she said in a flat tone, "it’s too early for your nonsense."

Jean’s eyes widened. "Nonsense?! Is that what you call it?"

Olivia finally looked up. She gave Jean a calm, cold stare.

"Yes. You tried to mess with my dad. Then pretended to be the victim. You really think you can sit here like nothing happened?"

Jean scoffed. "I didn’t do anything! You all are just twisting my words!"

"Really?" Olivia said, raising an eyebrow. "So you didn’t flirt with him? You didn’t try to touch him? You didn’t threaten to lie about him to my mom?"

Jean opened her mouth to argue, but then looked around. Everyone was watching her. No one looked like they believed her.

She forced a laugh. "You’re just a kid. You think you know everything."

Mary finally spoke again. "She knows more than you ever will. So, Jean, either eat quietly or leave."

Jean’s face turned red. She stood up suddenly, her chair screeching across the floor.

"If I had known you’d turn out like this, I would’ve never helped you all those years ago."

Mary paused, then slowly looked up at her. Her voice was calm but sharp, like a blade wrapped in silk.

"Jean, if you keep saying things like that, you’ll lose whatever gratitude I still have for you."

Jean clenched her fists, her teeth grinding. She didn’t say another word. She turned around and stormed off, her shoes hitting the floor with loud, angry clicks.

After a moment of silence, Aurora blinked and looked at Mary. "Mom... just how much food did Jean give you that made you feel so thankful?"

Mary didn’t answer right away. Her eyes drifted away from the table, and her face slowly grew distant, like she was falling into a memory.

................

The room was small, dark, and cold. Little Mary, no older than eight, sat in the corner with her knees pulled to her chest. Her clothes were thin and dirty, her hair messy.

Her stomach growled loudly. She hadn’t eaten in two whole days. Her lips were dry, and her head felt light like she might faint.

She crawled across the wooden floor, checking every corner for even a crumb. Nothing.

Then suddenly, the door creaked open.

Bright light poured into the room, and Mary covered her eyes.

A small figure stepped inside... Jean. She was about the same age, maybe a little older, and stood with her hands on her hips and a smug look on her face.

"Well, well," Jean said. "So this is what happens when you defy our parents. You’re really brave. Or really dumb."

Mary didn’t say anything. She was too weak, too hungry.

Jean rolled her eyes. "Still not talking, huh?" She reached behind her and pulled out a piece of old bread. "Here. I was going to throw this away anyway. It’s not like I want it."

She tossed it onto the floor in front of Mary like it was trash.

Mary didn’t care. She grabbed it quickly, shook her hands, and took a bite. Her body relaxed just a little. Her heart stopped pounding. She was still hungry, but at least she could breathe.

As she ate, Jean looked at her and smirked. "You look like a country pumpkin. All dirty and desperate."

Mary didn’t care. She just kept chewing.

Jean leaned against the wall.

"You better make that last. You have to survive for eight more days. Mother’s really mad this time. She said she won’t let you out until then."

Mary froze. The bread in her hand felt small now. There was only one piece left.

Jean noticed her face and chuckled. "Don’t worry. I’ll bring more tomorrow. Mother likes me more anyway, and she always gives me extra. I’ll just bring the leftovers. But don’t tell anyone, okay?"

Mary looked at Jean. Her eyes were wide with surprise. There was still a little fear in her heart, but also something else, gratitude.

If Jean hadn’t brought that bread, maybe she wouldn’t have made it through.

..................

Mary slowly blinked and looked at her children.

"Jean may be selfish now," she said softly, "but... back then, she was once kind. Her kindness wasn’t perfect; it came with a sharp tongue, but it kept me alive."

The table grew quiet. Even Olivia didn’t speak. Theodore, who had just walked in, sat down quietly. Lucas followed, nodding to Mary with respect.

None of them said anything, but their eyes said enough. They didn’t know what Jean had done in the past, but now... they understood why Mary had always been so patient with her.

Mary sipped her tea and picked up her fork, poking at her expensive steak. Her eyes turned a little dazed.

She wondered if she had gone too far. Jean’s behavior was getting worse. And now, even Adam had been dragged into the mess.

She set down her fork gently and said, "Tonight, I’ll talk to her. I’ll try the negotiation method."

Her words lit up the table like a spark.

"You’ll try to negotiate?" Olivia said, sitting up straighter.

"That’s a good idea," Theodore added quickly.

"We’ll come home early today," Lucas said.

Adriana and Aurora nodded in agreement, both smiling. "Let’s do it together."

That evening, 6 pm.

The table was set beautifully. There were candles, silverware, and expensive-looking plates.

A whole roast chicken sat in the center, along with pasta, salads, and freshly baked bread. But the atmosphere wasn’t joyful; it was tense.

Everyone was seated: Mary, Adam, Olivia, Theodore, Lucas, Adriana, and Aurora. No one talked much. They were just waiting.