Chapter 4: Monkey!

Elodie had prepared a meal for Stacey. Initially, she worried Stacey, with her air-headed tendencies, might make a mess. So, she watched over Stacey as she ate. Despite Stacey's somewhat ditzy demeanor, she had surprisingly refined eating habits. She ate slowly, one bite at a time, reminding Elodie of a tiny kitten. "Finish your food. Behave yourself. And then you can play. I have other work to do. Got it?" Elodie instructed. "Mm-hmm." Stacey nodded. She wasn't a fan of Elodie's constant surveillance. Therefore, she needed to play the part of a well-behaved girl. Only then would Elodie feel comfortable leaving her alone. This would give her plenty of time to get on with her tasks. Elodie was a bit apprehensive, but recognizing that she had other tasks to attend to, she finally left. After finishing her meal, Stacey took the initiative and headed to the yard to entertain herself. The Burtons had security guards stationed inside and outside their villa. Stacey wanted to determine the number of guards, their shift rotations, and the times they changed shifts. "Stacey!" A female voice called from beyond the gate. Stacey turned to see Luna Hampton, her half-sister, on their father's side. What was she doing here? "Who are you?" Stacey pretended not to know her. "I'm your sister." Aware of Stacey's forgetfulness, Luna said, "I'll give you candy if you let me in." With that, she held out a lollipop. Stacey looked at her innocently, "Umbrella." Luna was surprised, "You like my parasol?" "Yes." Stacey nodded naively, "Pretty." "Well, let me in, and I'll give it to you," Luna offered. Stacey clapped her dirty hands together, and then ran over and held out her muddy little hand, "Umbrella." "You let them open the gate first," Luna refused. Stacey's face fell into an almost tearful expression: "Liar!" With that, she turned to leave. "Okay, okay, I'll give it to you first." Luna reached the parasol through the gap in the iron gate. Stacey grabbed it, her dirty little hands caressing the parasol, "So pretty." Luna was gutted, "That parasol cost thousands; don't be rough with it." Upon hearing that, Stacey waved it even more vigorously. "Give it back when you're done playing. And let them open the door," Luna insisted. "I want to plant mushrooms." Stacey ran off with the parasol. She couldn't help but chuckle as she imagined Luna under the scorching sun. She ran to the banyan tree and jammed the open parasol into the ground, "Planting mushrooms." Luna watched, heartbroken, as her parasol was treated like this. But Stacey wouldn't let the gate guards let Luna in. All she could do was endure the scorching sun. On a day as hot as this, she'd be sunburned soon. Getting her fair skin back after getting a tan was no easy task. "Stacey. Stop playing and open the door for me!" Luna yelled angrily, "Or I'll come in and smack you!" But Stacey just stuck her tongue out at Luna, "I'm not opening the door for a monkey. If I let you out. The kids won't see a monkey with a red bum on her face anymore." "What did you say?!" Luna was furious. Stacey, the fool, dared to call her a monkey! "White umbrella~monkey with a red face~ Luna is her name~" Stacey sang, clapping her hands. The two bodyguards nearby struggled to maintain their composure. Although Mrs. Burton was a simpleton, her singing was pleasant and amusing. "You!" Luna was livid, her hands clenched tightly around the gate bars as she glared at Stacey. Stacey even came over to provoke her, "Luna, monkey face, monkey fac~~~~~~~~~~e "Ah!" Luna was about to explode. Stacey wasn't a fool at all! She was expertly throwing insults without resorting to crudeness! "Run, the monkey is angry!" With that, Stacey turned and bolted into the villa. "Stacey, stand right there!" Luna roared. But Stacey had already disappeared. Looking at her ruined parasol, Luna was so furious she was near tears. It was hot today, and she'd been out in the sun for so long that all her previous beauty routines were wasted. Darn it! When she returned, she would give Stacey a good thrashing! Stacey ran upstairs to the balcony of her room, looking towards the gate. With a huff, Luna turned around and stormed off. Stacey gave a cold smile. This was just the start! In the afternoon. After waking from her nap, Stacey went downstairs. She heard laughter coming from the living room. Curious, she walked over. A charming woman was sitting next to Madam Burton. She was wearing an elegant, delicate white dress with a gentle temperament. "Stacey." Madam Burton spotted Stacey, and her face fell. Compared to Delaney Green, Stacey was as plain as a potato. Madam Burton wasn't asking for much in a granddaughter-in-law, just someone who was passably good-looking, and the most important thing was that her surname was Hampton. Despite Stacey's surname being Hampton, her appearance is… "Is this the new member of Burton's family?" Delaney Green stood up, walking over to Stacey. Delaney took Stacey's hand, seemingly unbothered by Stacey's naivety. "I'm Delaney Green. I've known your husband since we were kids. You can call me Laney." Stacey tilted her head, the picture of confusion. "You're wasting your breath," Madam Burton cut in. "Elodie says this girl has the mentality of a three-year-old." "Five," corrected Stacey. "Alright, five," Madam Burton conceded, clearly frustrated. If it weren't for the fact that Stacey requires constant supervision due to her condition, Madam Burton might have sent her back to where she came from But Stacey could care for herself: eating quietly, sleeping soundly, causing no trouble. "Stacey, will you call me Laney?" Asked Delaney, seemingly full of patience. "Laney?" Stacey parroted. "Good girl," Delaney praised with a smile, "Would you like to play with Laney?" "Yes!" Stacey nodded, her wide, innocent eyes shining. "What will we play?" "Do you like pretty dresses?" Delaney asked with a grin. "Would you like Laney to take you shopping?" "Yes." Stacey was up for an outing. Being cooped up at home all day was unbearably dull. "Madam, I will take Stacey out for a bit and bring her back before dinner," Delaney offered, her smile genuinely warm. "Isn't that a bother?" "Not at all," Delaney replied with a knowing smirk. "Don't worry, Madam. I promise to take good care of her." "Well..." Madam Burton hesitated, and then finally agreed. "Alright then, you are so kind." Delaney smiled enigmatically. "Stacey, come with Laney. I'll show you a fun place. How does that sound?"