Chapter 8

Sheila and Rachel had been kicked out of the Jensen residence before even entering the foyer, so the matter didn't reach the ears of the rest of the Jensen family. Meanwhile, Scott dragged Cecily out of the manor, feeling embarrassed because of what had just happened. As they strolled along the garden path, Scott said, "Don't be upset, Cecily. Hector's biased—look at what he said after you gave up your doll room! I don't see what's the big deal about Shannon when she's just returned." Cecily sighed and said gently, "I know you mean well, Scottie, but you should stop saying things like this in the future. I'm not a member of the Jensen family, so everything I now have should belong to Shannon. Hector wasn't wrong to say that." "How can you say that? You're the only cousin I'll acknowledge. Shannon's not my cousin!" Scott snapped. As they continued walking, they suddenly heard Shannon say, "This maid is carrying some karma. If we leave her be, it might affect the Jensen family's fortune. Dad, if you pay me, I can help resolve the issue. It'll only take three thousand dollars." Scott and Cecily turned to see Shannon facing Carla. As she spoke, she held up three fingers. Shannon had initially stopped Carla to deal with the sinister energy around her. Now that Sheila and Rachel were gone, she had to get to business. Even though she'd returned to the Jensen family, she wasn't in the habit of asking anyone for money. This opportunity was perfect—she'd be able to get rid of sinister energy and earn her tuition fee for university. She and Adam were father and daughter, but that didn't mean they couldn't keep their finances separate. Hector and Adam clearly hadn't expected her to switch the topic so abruptly. After all, geomancy and the like didn't seem to go with her vibe. They thought she was using geomancy as an excuse to ask them for some pocket money because she was short on cash. For a moment, their hearts ached for her. When had a child of the Jensen family ever been in need of money, especially when it was just a mere three thousand dollars? Hector pulled out his phone to transfer money to her. "Is three thousand dollars enough? I'll give you ten thousand dollars. You can always ask me for more if it's not enough." Adam didn't like Hector being faster than him. He, too, pulled out his phone grimly, wanting to transfer 30 thousand dollars to Shannon. He had to give her more than Hector did. But after pulling out his phone, he realized he didn't even have Shannon's number. Shannon knew they'd misunderstood her when she heard this. "No, I'm being serious." "Uh-huh." Hector smiled at her, sounding doting and affectionate. Carla returned to her senses after her initial surprise. She said agreeably, "You said I'm carrying some karma, Ms. Shannon? I'll have to trouble you to resolve it for me, then." Shannon was lost for words. Could they show some respect for her job? Still, this wasn't her first time running into such a situation. She was about to say something when she heard someone snort. "I can't believe you have the nerve to give such a lame excuse to scam money out of someone. And it's only for three thousand dollars!" It was such a shameful tactic that Scott couldn't help speaking up. Even if he'd been reprimanded not too long ago, he couldn't sit by and watch Shannon pull such embarrassing tricks. Cecily hurried after him and held his arm, looking embarrassed. "Scottie didn't mean it that way, Shannon. Don't get mad at him." Shannon glanced at them, looking unfazed. Then, she turned back to Carla. "I can see from your astrological house that you're not doing too well in the 7th house—your husband probably died when you were younger, but you do have a son. "From the angle of physiognomy, your son seems to be facing a calamity now. It looks like it has to do with money and finances." She wasn't too well-versed in physiognomy, so she could only give a brief description. Still, it was enough to take Carla aback. A trace of panic even flashed in her eyes when she heard the part about the financial calamity. Shannon continued, "Logically speaking, your karma shouldn't affect the Jensen family, but I see the slightest link between your fortune and the Jensen family's. You've stolen the Jensen family's financial fortune." She sounded positive when she said the last sentence, and it made Carla jolt. Carla couldn't help thinking that Shannon was just spouting nonsense. How could Shannon possibly know what she'd done? Adam and Hector had only been listening to Shannon like she was telling a joke, but they started taking the matter seriously when they heard how serious she sounded and what she was saying. Cecily looked at Carla's reaction and put on a surprised look. "A-Are you saying Carla's stolen from the Jensen family?" Her surprise turned into disbelief. "No, that can't be. There has to be a misunderstanding here. Carla's worked here for close to a decade—how could she have done anything like that?" Carla had been feeling panicked, but she immediately put on an aggrieved look at Cecily's words. She said woefully, "You can't just say these things without any proof, Ms. Shannon. How could I possibly steal from the Jensen family? Everyone in the family knows that's not what I'm like." She turned to Scott. "You have to believe me, Mr. Scott. I wouldn't do anything like that. I…" She covered her face with her hands, looking like she wanted to cry. Scott was young, and Carla had cared for him since he was a child. When he saw how aggrieved and wronged she looked, he glared at Shannon and shouted, "What's wrong with you? How could Carla have stolen from us? "It's only your first day back here—what do you know? Stop accusing people of things when you don't know anything about us! Do you have to go so far just to scam Uncle Adam out of a few thousand dollars?" To Scott, Shannon was a stranger whom he'd only met for the first time today, but Carla had been in his life for close to a decade. He was evidently more inclined to believe Carla. At the same time, his dislike for Shannon grew. Cecily chimed in, "There must be a misunderstanding somewhere. Did Carla do something to upset you, Shannon?" She was insinuating that Shannon was using a lame excuse to get back at Carla for something else. Her words seemed to point a path for Carla. The latter immediately started weeping and said, "I know you must be mad because Mrs. Gray thought I was your mother, Ms. Shannon. I'm of a lowly status, so how could I deserve to be of equal standing as you? "It's perfectly fine for you to get mad over that, but you can't frame me for something I haven't done. Making me lose my job at my age is no different from pushing me off a cliff!"