Chapter 52

Eileen felt a bit down. She really appreciated everything Seven did for her."But I really don't mind."

Jonathan comforted her, "Eileen, be good. I'll brush your hair, and your mom will do the bun. Once I get better at it, I'll do it for you, okay?"

Eileen nodded happily. "Okay, Seven, you need to practice more. When I'm not home, you can practice on my mommy. That way, you'll learn quickly.".

Kathie was speechless.

She looked at Jonathan and quietly reminded him, "Don't make promises to the kids lightly. You might leave at any time,but Eileen will keep expecting you."

She didn't want Eileen to be waiting for him all the time.

Jonathan assured her, "If I promise them something.I'll make sure to do it."

Eileen hugged his neck joyfully. "Then, can you pick us up from school?"

Jonathan hesitated, and Kyle chimed in, "There's fun stuff near the school.You should come check it out."

"Yeah,that way we can see you right away," Zachary added.

Kathie felt the kids were getting too close to him, which wasn't a good thing.

"He has trouble moving around. It's better if he waits for you at home."·Kathie chimed in.

Seeing the kids' hopeful eyes, Jonathan agreed. "Alright. I'll come with your mom to pick you up from school in the evening."

Kathie gave him a look, signaling not to promise everything. If he couldn't follow through, the kids would be disappointed.

Jonathan understood her look. "I keep my promises."

And indeed, he had never broken his word.

Downtown, at the Berkeley Mansion.

Randy was leading his son downstairs. Randy's mother, Kaitlyn Foster,was having breakfast.

"Bob's up. Come over and let me see you," Kaitlyn said.

Bob ran over,grabbed the bread from Kaitlyn's plate, and took a sip of her milk,making her previously loving smile disappear.

Randy quickly pulled him aside and scolded, "What are you doing? Your school has breakfast. This is your grandma's."

Kaitlyn gave him a look. "Randy, no matter how busy you are with work,you need to discipline your child. You were so well-behaved when you were young. Look at him now."

Randy sighed. "Mom, Shirley usually takes care of him. I'll talk to her."

"Where is she? Still not up?" Kaitlyn didn't think highly of Shirley.She only let her stay because of Bob.

Randy explained, "Her momn's not feeling well. Shirley went to the hotel to be with her."

Kaitlyn's face turned cold. "The Cavendish family is not simple. You should divorce Kathie as soon as possible and not drag thisout."

"I know. I'll take Bob to school first." Randy felt disdain just thinking about Shirley's brash behavior.

Just then, the door opened, and Shirley rushed in. "Randy. something happened to mom."

Kaitlyn angrily scolded, "Early in the morning, are you cursing me? I'm perfectly fine."

Shirley quickly apologized, "Sorry, Kaitlyn. I meant my mother. She was arrested by the police. Only you can help her now."

Randy had the nanny take the child away and asked what happened.

"What exactly happened?" he asked.

Shirley had to explain everything, leaving Kaitlyn and Randy in shock.

"Melissa is crazy to do something like that," Kaitlyn said.

Shirley knelt and pleaded, "I know it's all her fault, but she's my mother.She helped you return to the Berkeley family back then. For Bob's sake,please help her."

Shirley had no one else to turn to and could only beg them. Although they were a branch of the Berkeley family, they still had influence in Eldoria.

Kaitlyn sighed. "Bob is going to enter the elite circles. Given Melissa's relationship with Bob, she really can't go to prison.."

"Mom, thank you for helping." Shirley said in gratitude.

"Get up quickly. I'll go find out and see if I can pull some strings.Kaitlyn was only helping for Bob's sake.

Shirley anxiously waited at home.Kaitlyn spent the whole morning trying.but no one dared to help. Even lawyers refused to defend her. She found out that a powerful figure had ordered no one to help, or they would be opposing the authorities.

The only person who could help Melissa now was Kathie. Unless the victim dropped the charges, Melissa would spend her life in prison.

Shirley didn't want to ask Kathie, but thinking of her mother suffering,she swallowed her pride and went to Kathie's villa in the Eldoria suburbs.

Kathie was drying herbs in the yard. Seeing the unwelcome Shirley,she turned and went inside.

"Kathie,wait," Shirley called out.

Kathie ignored her. Shirley hurried forward, startled by a faint dog bark.

"Kathie, don't go. I need to talk to you. I know you hate me,but at least hear me out," she quickly added.

Kathie turned back, looking at her coldly. "Shirley, I know why you're here.Do you see the pile of firewood outside the yard? Do you smell the gasoline? And do you see the dog lying in the cage, unable to stand? Can you imagine my despair last night?"

Just seeing these things made Kathie want to tear Melissa apart. No one could plead for her! Especially since Jonathan almost perished in the fire too. He would never let Melissa go. But Shirley didn't need to know that,or more trouble might arise.

She knew Shirley would try to save Melissa, so she asked Jonathan to ensure Melissa faced justice.

Shirley was horrified. "I apologize for what my mom did. I know she went too far. Please, for the sake of our past, give her a chance."

Kathie stepped forward, staring her down. "Shirley, do you know something?"

Shirley's fear grew. "What?"

Kathie gripped the iron bars, seething. "Your mom killed my mom and my newborn sister."

Shirley trembled. "Impossible. We came back after your mom died.Everyone knows she died in childbirth."

"Then ask your mom if that's true. I'm gathering evidence to send her to hell."

Kathie's fierce gaze terrified Shirley. She knew her mom had used some tricks back then.

If what Kathie said was true, her mom was accountable for two deaths.Kathie would never forgive her.

"Is there no room for negotiation?" Shirley ased.

Kathie retorted, "If I tried to burn you three alive, would you forgive me?"

Shirley staggered back. If it were her, she'd want to tear that person apart.

But the arsonist was her beloved mother.

"Kathie, I know my mom deserves to die. She knows she was wrong.Please give her a chance to change. I'll agree to any condition," Shirley pleaded.

Kathie sneered, "Cut the crap! Get out now, or I'll set the dogs on you!

Shirley watched her go inside, helpless. This ruthless Kathie wouldn't spare them.