Chapter 5
Rolland’s eyes sparkled. “Okay!”
And off he went like a rocket.
Corinne sighed in exasperation. “Mrs. Mathis, you and Mr. Mathis spoil that child far too much…”
“It’s alright,” Lottie replied gently. “Don’t stop him. He’s the Mathis family’s only grandson. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters.
“After all, it’s not like Esther’s stepping in either, is she? We have to respect her parenting style. If something actually goes wrong, neither of us can afford to take the fall.”
“…Fine.”
Corinne reluctantly gave in, muttering, “You’re just too nice. That’s why people think they can walk all over you.”
Lottie simply smiled, not bothering to reply. Instead, she asked, “Do we have any extra gift boxes lying around?”
“What kind are you looking for?”
“Doesn’t matter-just something big enough to fit a stack of A4 papers.”
“There should be some in the storage room,” Corinne said, thinking for a moment. “I’ll go grab one for you.”
Once Lottie had the box, she went back to her room and quietly closed the door behind her.
She placed the signed divorce papers inside with care, then even took the time to find a silk ribbon, intent on tying it into a neat little bow.
Just as she was finishing, a loud bang echoed from downstairs.
Lottie didn’t flinch.
Her slender fingers tightened the bow with precision. She tilted her head, looked at the gift box, and gave a satisfied
nod.
Beautiful.
Perfect.
A few moments later, there was frantic knocking at the door.
“Mrs. Mathis! Please, come downstairs!” Corinne’s voice was rushed. “That little rascal just destroyed Jospeh’s final painting!”
Lottie shot to her feet, her face darkening. “What did you say? You mean the painting in the sitting room?”
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Chapter 5
“Yes…” Corinne nodded quickly.
Lottie hurried down the stairs, moving so fast she twisted her ankle halfway down.
288 Vouchers
As she limped into the room, Rolland looked up at her and lifted his chin with smug defiance-as if daring her to do something.
Lottie turned to Corinne. “Did you call the main house?”
“Not yet.”
“Then call. Now.”
Just as the words left her mouth, Rolland came barreling toward her like a little cannonball. “No calling! Bad lady! You’re not allowed to snitch!”
She hadn’t expected it-and didn’t manage to dodge in time. The full force of his small body knocked her to the ground.
She hit the floor hard.
The impact shot pain up her spine. Her tailbone took the brunt of it.
“Lottie! Are you hurt?” Esther rushed over, pulling her up with exaggerated concern. “Rolland’s just a little spoiled. He gets too rough sometimes when he’s playing. That’s just how kids are-don’t take it personally.”
Lottie braced herself with one hand and held her lower back with the other. Her eyes landed on the painting on the wall-now torn through with a massive hole.
She let out a cold, quiet laugh.
“So destroying someone else’s home now counts as playtime? That’s on you.”
Esther’s eyes instantly welled with tears. “I just looked away for a second! Are you really going to blame me for ev- erything? Isn’t that a little much?”
“Oh, just a second?” Lottie nodded slowly, then looked around at the wreckage that had once been her living room. “Then tell me-exactly when today did you actually have your kid under control?”
“Lottie!”
With no outsiders around, Esther dropped the sweet act in an instant. “Do you have to go this far? You’re seriously going to bring this to the main house? Over some stupid painting? You think Grandma’s going to throw me out be- cause of that?”
Lottie’s voice was calm, steady. “Just so we’re clear-that ‘stupid painting’ was Jospeh’s final work before he died.”
As the words left her mouth, a sleek black sedan pulled into the driveway.
The Mathis family had arrived. And fast.
Esther’s face went rigid.
