Mrs. Ada’s expression turned cold. They say a mother and son share a bond, but evidently, her son’s thoughts were on a different wavelength.
“David, what about the 600, 000?” She straightforwardly brought up the issue.
“The trouble was caused by Aria, so naturally, she should foot the bill. There’s nothing to discuss,” Emily chimed in.
Mrs. Ada wanted to shut her up. Fuming, she said, “Elders speak; there’s no place for your interference.”
Emily snorted but remained silent.
“Emily, have some manners,” Charlotte reprimanded her daughter, then turned to Mrs. Ada and said, “Emily doesn’t have the right to speak, but what she said is not wrong. Aria caused the trouble, and we can’t expect others to pay for it.”
Charlotte spoke reasonably, and even David didn’t refute her.
Feeling resentful and knowing she was in the wrong, Mrs. Ada resorted to being unreasonable, “I don’t have the money.”
“Grandma, are you feeling guilty? Aria bought a gold and jade bracelet and a check for 100, 000,” Emily sneered.
“These 100, 000 are my bottom line. If you want them, take them, but not a penny more,” Mrs. Ada was fully determined to act unreasonably.
“If you’re broke, don’t tell us; tell the auction people. They are the creditors. Aria’s name is written in black and white on the signed document. They have ways to make you pay,” Emily gloated.
Upon hearing this, Aria cried even louder.
David impatiently glared at Emily. This daughter of his, who he thought was obedient, was becoming more and more unruly. Although Aria was his niece, under the Harris family’s protection, she couldn’t afford to pay for the auction. This would bring shame to their family.
David glanced instinctively at Mrs. Ada. He knew well if she had money or not, but she was still his mother. He couldn’t ruin the relationship over a small amount of money.
“Although Aria caused the trouble, as elders, we share responsibility. Let’s split the bill. I’ll pay half, and you pay the other half,” David offered 300, 000, which was his bottom line.
He had started to have some opinions about his niece Aria. The Harris family had raised her, but she hadn’t shown gratitude; instead, she had caused quite a lot of trouble.
Mrs. Ada reluctantly added 200, 000 more. She was somewhat unhappy, but she knew this was the best result she could achieve.
This outcome displeased Charlotte even more. It was Aria who caused the trouble; why should she bear the cost? This was simply unreasonable.
However, she couldn’t argue against David’s decision. Her eyes then fell on Isabella.
“David, you are not managing the household expenses. Expenditure for daily life, personal relationships; everywhere needs money. Our monthly expenses have almost been used up,” Charlotte sighed, staring at Isabella.
Isabella sat back on the couch, casually playing with her fingernails, looking unconcerned.
Charlotte was filled with anger. However, she managed to force a smile, “Isabella, have you been financially comfortable lately? Could you lend me 300, 000 for an emergency? I’ll return it when my investment matures.”
Upon hearing this, Isabella looked up, seemingly puzzled by Charlotte’s request. But inside, she couldn’t help but smirk.
Such incidents had happened before. Once she lent money to Charlotte, Charlotte’s investment might never mature. Lending money to her would be akin to throwing it away; there would be no returns. Moreover, if she lent money to Charlotte, Aria would soon ask her for another 300, 000. She couldn’t favor one over the other. In the end, she would be the one to foot the bill for the entire 600, 000.
At this moment, Isabella really wished to find a mirror and check if there was something written on her forehead, like “fool with money, ripe for fleecing”. Otherwise, why would they always take her for a sucker?
“Aunt, is the Harris family running out of money? My mom said that the money left by my grandpa is enough for a lifetime of comfort,” Isabella said innocently.
“…” Charlotte was momentarily speechless.
For David, the last thing he wanted was to mention the Allen family. Logically, all the assets left by Mr. Allen should be Isabella’s as her inheritance, and as such, as his son-in-law, he had no right to them.
Therefore, the more guilty he felt, the more afraid he was of this being brought up.
“If you can’t even come up with 300, 000, do you even know how to manage a household? If you can’t handle it, hand over the cards; I’ll find someone capable,” David yelled at Charlotte before storming out.
The next day, Charlotte held a significant gift but never stepped inside the Turner family’s estate when she visited Mrs. Hannah.
As the head of the four major families, the Turner family was indeed not easily accessible. However, they didn’t completely shut the door; although Mrs. Hannah didn’t see Charlotte, she accepted the gift, indicating a willingness to calm the situation.
Most importantly, the housekeeper conveyed Mrs. Hannah’s desire for Charlotte to bring the young members of the family to her art exhibition over the weekend.
Charlotte joyfully agreed.
Upon learning of this, Mrs. Ada was delighted beyond words. Even though she missed the charity auction, Mrs. Hannah’s art exhibition would still attract wealthy ladies.
Aria, however, was indifferent. The mere thought of Mrs. Hannah made her anxious.
“Grandma, please don’t force me. I don’t want to attend any art exhibition. Even if I go, it’ll be embarrassing, and Mrs. Hannah won’t like me.”