Chapter 2 Turned pale

Chapter 2

Turned Pale

Jude turned pale and anxiously asked, "Master, what happened to my daughter?"

"It looks like she fell into the water. You'd better hurry and check the pond near your house!" Ivy continued, "Go on, I'll keep an eye on your stall for you."

"Thank you, Master. I'm so grateful."

Jude trusted her completely and ran off without even removing her apron.

Ivy sat down by the stall and started munching on smoked turkey legs. Aunt Margaret wandered over and peeked in. "Oh my, Master, are you switching to selling barbecue now?"

With a mouthful of food, Ivy mumbled, "The owner had an emergency. If you like to buy something, weigh it out yourself and drop the money in the box."

Aunt Margaret, familiar with the routine, began weighing out vegetables and adding seasoning. "Master, I'll help you sell. I'm a regular here, I know what everyone likes."

Speaking of Jude, that woman's had a rough life. She works hard and holds everything together, but her husband and mother-in-law? Ugh, not worth a kind word...

As Ivy finished the turkey leg and moved on to a slab of ribs, she finally understood why the older folks loved to gossip.

Aunt Margaret, growing more animated, continued spilling the tea about Jude's home life.

"Master, I bet you didn't know, Jude's husband is a deadbeat gambler, always glued to the poker tables. Never lifts a finger to help. Jude's been the breadwinner for years."

And her mother-in-law? You can tell just by looking, nasty woman. Always picking on Jude, never shows a lick of affection for her granddaughter...

Meanwhile, Jude had reached the pond behind her house, a neglected area that hardly anyone ever went near.

As soon as the Master had mentioned water, this spot flashed through her mind. Jude had always warned her daughter to stay away from it.

Lovett had always been an obedient child. What would draw her to a place like that?

Running, she pulled out her phone and called Simon. "Hello? Where's Lovett? Let me talk to her!"

Simon barked back, annoyed, "How would I know where that girl ran off to? Don't interrupt me when I'm on a hot streak!"

Jude's heart pounded as frustration bubbled up. "Simon, stop playing cards and go check the pond out back. Lovett might be in trouble."

"Why should I look for her? She never listens to me. Let her do what she wants."

Muttering under his breath, Simon cursed, "Damn it! Lost again! Jude, you jinx-you've ruined my luck! Just wait until I get home and show you what's coming..."

Before he could finish, Jude hung up on him.

Fuming, Simon tossed his cards across the table and stormed out. "Oh, now you've got guts? Hanging up on me, huh? We'll see about that!"

Meanwhile, Jude, distracted and panicked, accidentally bumped into her mother-in-law, Dorothy Morgan.

Dorothy screeched, "Hey! Who do you think you are, running around like a blind fool!"

When she realized it was Jude, her tone shifted into her usual sneering. "Jude, look at the time. Shouldn't you be working? What the hell are you doing here?"

Jude didn't bother responding, but Dorothy grabbed her arm tightly. "What, you're ignoring me now? Lost all respect, have you? Who are you here to see, huh? Some secret boyfriend? Let me see who the lucky guy is!"

Dorothy's rant only made Jude more agitated. She finally snapped, "I'm looking for my daughter. Where's Lovett?"

Dorothy rolled her eyes. "Where else would she be? She's at home. What kid would be out here?"

Something didn't sit right with Jude. "Then what are you doing here?"

Dorothy scoffed. "What I do is none of your business. Get back to your chores, or you'll regret it."

Desperate and furious, Jude pushed past her.

Dorothy instantly dropped to the ground with a dramatic wail, clutching her hip. "Oh Lord. She hit me. Did you see that? Attacked her mother-in-law. Someone call the police-Jude's gone mad."

But Jude ignored her theatrics and ran straight toward the pond.

Dorothy's eyes widened.

Why was Jude acting like this? She'd never stood up to her before. Something was definitely wrong.

Panic rising, Dorothy scrambled to her feet and chased after her, pretending to limp along.

Her earlier screams had already drawn a crowd.

"There she goes again, stirring up trouble," one neighbor muttered.

"Jude should've cut ties with those two ages ago," another added. "She's too soft for her own good."

"Come on, let's go see what the old witch is up to this time."

By the time they arrived at the pond, Lovett was flailing in the water, crying, "Mom. Mom. Help me."

"I'm coming, baby." Jude shouted, diving in without hesitation.

Dorothy hissed under her breath, "Damn it. Why'd she have to show up now?"

A dark thought flickered in her mind, what if both Jude and the kid went under? That would be the end of it...

But the crowd rushing closer made her abandon the idea. She stood to the side, cold, and silent.

Realizing the danger, the neighbors jumped into action. "Over here. Someone fell in."

Together, they pulled Jude and Lovett from the muddy, foul-smelling water. Soaked and shivering, Jude didn't care about herself-she immediately turned to her daughter.

Lovett coughed up water, then burst into tears and threw her arms around her mother. "Mom... Grandma pushed me in."

Jude's heart shattered.

"I told you not to go near the water. Why were you even there?" she asked, wiping the mud from Lovett's face.

Lovett sobbed, "Grandma said she wanted to show me something... then she pushed me in."

Dorothy's face twisted in fury.

Little brat. She's nothing but trouble.

But she put on her best innocent act, bursting into tears. "Lies. The girl's making up stories already? Jude, look at the monster you're raising, no shame at all."

Jude's eyes turned red with rage. She grabbed Dorothy by the hair and slapped her hard across the face. "You've always hated Lovett. And now you tried to kill her."

"I did no such thing."

Dorothy screamed, "How did the Morgan family end up with a banshee like you? Look, everyone. This is who Jude really is."

Smack. Smack. Smack.

Three more slaps.

"If protecting Lovett makes me a shrew, I'll wear the title with pride."

Unable to hit back, Dorothy howled, "She's trying to kill me. Someone help."

But the bystanders kept their heads down. No one stepped in. Everyone there had, at one point or another, been the target of Dorothy's gossip and cruelty.

When help didn't come, Dorothy snapped. She lunged at Jude, pulling her hair and screaming, "What's the point of having a girl? Girls are useless. Just hens that don't lay eggs. I'll make sure Simon throws you out."

Just then, Simon came charging over. "Jude. What the hell are you doing? Let go of my mom."

Dorothy immediately perked up, fueled by her son's arrival. "See, Simon? Look what your wife's turned into, hitting your mother in public."

Simon's face darkened with rage. He raised his hand to strike Jude, but the crowd held him back.

"Enough." he roared. "We're done, Jude. I want a divorce."

"Fine" Jude snapped. She let go of Dorothy, stepped right up to Simon, and slapped him-once on each cheek.

"One for Lovett. And one for me."

"You, you, you crazy woman."

Simon struggled against the people holding him back, furious and humiliated.

"You're dead, Jude. I swear, I'll make you pay."

But Jude had already calmed down. Borrowing a phone, she called the police.

"I need to report a crime. My mother-in-law tried to hurt my daughter, and my husband has a history of gambling and soliciting prostitutes."

Simon knelt on both knees, only one thought remaining in his mind: I'm done for! Currently, Dorothy finally felt fear. She barely squeezed out a smile, more pathetic than a tearful face, and said, "Jude, we are family." Jude held Lovett tightly and said coldly, "From now on, we are not family, but mortal enemies." Dorothy's eyes widened, muttering to herself, "This is really the end." The police arrived quickly and took them away. Jude needed to go to the police station to give a statement. She begged the police to make a brief stop at Antique Street.

At this time, Ivy had finished a bag of chicken, two bags of vegetables, and three bags of chicken wings. She yawned, did a quick calculation, and muttered, "Jude should have finished dealing with it by now." As soon as she finished speaking, Jude walked over and said, Master, thanks for your reminder, otherwise Lovett... Ivy patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't cry, it's all over." Jude wiped her tears, wanted to say that she didn't need help with the stall, but noticed that all the braised dishes were sold out. Ivy explained, "Aunt Margaret helped to weigh them; you go back and check the money, I will take care of the remaining chicken wings."

Jude couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Thank you, Master. I'll take care of your braised dishes from now on."

"Sure," Ivy patted her belly, took out a Protection Amulet and handed it to her, "Children are easily shocked when they fall into water. Put this under your pillow, it will help you sleep peacefully and prevent nightmares."

Jude clutched the Protection Amulet tightly, made a deep bow, and said, "Master, you truly are my life savior."

"Alright, alright, hurry on, your daughter is still waiting for you." Ivy waved her hands and leisurely made her way home. Today she had made five thousand, and after donating half, she was left with two thousand five hundred. After deducting miscellaneous expenses, she still had twenty thousand on hand. In her village, she would be considered wealthy. Ivy cheered herself up, "Today isn't too shabby, surely tomorrow will be even better."

Just as she arrived at the entrance of her house, she saw a row of cars parked there. A sense of unease washed over her, and she contemplated slipping away. She was mistaken; tomorrow was probably going to be disastrous. Suddenly, Ethan popped out, staring at her emotionlessly.

"Ivy, you're really difficult to find."

Ivy laughed nervously, "CEO Shaw, what brings you here?"

Ethan stared at her unsmilingly, inching closer with each step. The surrounding bodyguards exchanged glances and spread out in a semicircle, completely encircling her. Seeing the bodyguards from all directions, Ivy's heart gave a lurch. This doesn't bode well. What do they want? Revenge? Ivy sized up her own skinny arms and legs, then looked at the hulking bodyguards, instantly dismissing the thought of resisting. She could deal with ghosts, but fighting wasn't her strong suit. One against fifty? Don't even think about it.

Ivy's expression was constantly changing. Ethan asked, "What are you up to?"

Ivy crossed her arms and said, "I was just wondering... please take it easy with me."

Ethan took a deep breath, "I do not hit people."

Ivy's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally came down. Even if he won't hit, what's with all these menacing black-suited bodyguards? She casually stated, "Oh, it's nothing. I'm going to sleep now." Ivy was ready to escape. But Ethan subconsciously grabbed her wrist. He usually detested women's proximity, but in this rare instance, he had reached out and clung to Ivy's hand. Now, whether to let go or not was a dilemma. Keeping this awkward posture, Ethan pulled Ivy into the car.

Ethan blurted, "Ivy, come with me. Grandfather wants to see you."

Ivy wished to resist, but every touch from Ethan sent a wave of violet energy seeping into her body. Her spirit instantly rekindled. So, there's more than one way to acquire this energy, not only through biting. Unfortunately, as soon as they got into the car, Ethan let go of her hand and stayed far from her, with enough room in the middle for another person. Ivy glanced at the rich energy, secretly sighing in her heart, how she wished to take a bite. Being with Ethan, there was the scent of wealth everywhere. This wasn't just energy, it smelled like money itself.

Ivy could only fixate her gaze on Ethan, the more she looked, the more unlucky she felt. This man was like the favored child of heaven, shining from head to toe, almost blinding her. However, Ivy found it strange, why wasn't there any golden glow of merit on him? Logically speaking, a person who is reincarnated as a powerful figure must have done many good deeds and should have accumulated a countlessly abundant amount of good karma. Even she, who was considered unlucky, had gathered some merit glow.

Ivy couldn't help but admire Ethan's appearance-his chiseled features, toned physique, and tall stature.

Sensing her gaze, Ethan shifted uncomfortably, reminded of the other day when Ivy's attention had felt almost predatory.

The drive was smooth, and soon they arrived at the Mountain Water Estate.

"Everyone, please take your positions!" he called out.

As Ivy stepped out of the car, she was taken aback to see two rows of staff bowing in unison.

"Welcome home, young master and Miss Ivy!" they chorused three times.

Ivy blinked, astonished. Was this how the affluent lived?

Ethan noticed her hesitation and turned back. "It's a tradition my grandparents cherish. You'll get used to it."

Butler James approached, his smile wide. "Miss Ivy, if this welcome isn't to your liking, we can adjust it next time."

Ivy quickly shook her head. "No, it's... it's fine."

She followed Ethan inside, walking along the plush red carpet into a lavish home that exuded wealth at every turn.

George and Margaret rose to greet them.

Margaret, beaming, ushered Ivy to a seat. "Mrs. Wiseborn, please pour some tea for my future granddaughter-in-law."

"Dear, you're Ivy, correct? It's been tough for you lately, hasn't it?"

"Ethan, this scoundrel couldn't even recognize his wife. We've clearly failed in our upbringing. We owe you and your mentor an apology."

Ivy smiled awkwardly. "I've been well, thank you for your concern."

Margaret patted her hand warmly. "No need for formalities. Call me Grandma."

George added with a grin, "And I'm Grandpa. Ivy, we had no idea you'd be visiting the city. Ethan didn't give us a hint."

"If we'd known, we'd have had Ethan pick you up."

Ivy chuckled nervously, thinking to herself that her mentor had only mentioned her fiancé on his deathbed. She hadn't expected to be in the city, either.

Margaret gestured for Mrs. Wiseborn to bring over a tray of snacks. "Ivy, have a bite to tide you over. Dinner will be served shortly."

Ivy accepted the tea Mrs. Wiseborn offered, grateful.

Ethan's grandparents were nothing like she'd imagined-so warm and welcoming it was almost overwhelming.

Margaret peeled an orange and handed it to Ivy. "Try this."

George opened a bag of chips. "Here, I know young people like these."

Butler James chimed in, "Miss Ivy, you're the first young lady Ethan has brought home. It's been ages since we've seen the old master and madam this happy."

Ivy felt her cheeks flush, mortified by the attention.

"Go on, Ivy, have some."

"Yes, try this, dear."

George and Margaret continued to fuss over her, while Ethan sat off to the side, seemingly forgotten.

He absentmindedly peeled his orange, finding it more sour than sweet.

Margaret, ever the hostess, beamed at Ivy. "Your mentor left you an amulet."

Ivy's eyes widened. "He did?"

It didn't sound like something her prankster mentor would do. Perhaps it was some sort of joke.