The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1463 Put Charles In An Awkward Situation

Helen feared that the kids wouldn't understand her. So she called them, "Kids, come here. Let auntie see you."

This woman made Clark sick. In fact, he didn't like anyone his grandmother brought home. But Clark didn't want to be rude so although he was reluctant, he held Shirley's hand as they headed towards the table where Helen sat. He didn't want others to think that children of the Lu family didn't know how to respect elders and behave well in public.

When Clark and Shirley were finally standing in front of the table, Melissa smiled at them and said, "Clark and Shirley, this is Grandma Helen."

These wealthy women were arrogant and proud. They envied Melissa for her adorable grandchildren which only cushioned Melissa's ego. She felt as if she was superior to them as she flaunted Clark and Shirley to the table.

Clark and Shirley did as Melissa told them and greeted each woman around the table. The excited women giggled at the two adorable kids. They wished they could hug and pinch Clark and Sheryl. Clark and Shirley were just about to leave when Helen grabbed Shirley's hand. She asked Shirley to stay with her.

Amy wanted to smoke so she grabbed a cigarette from her pocket and lit it up. Without a care in the world, she just started smoking. Soon, the whole living room smelled like cigarette smoke.

The children couldn't stand the strong smell. Clark and Shirley felt uncomfortable right away and their noses started to itch with the strong smell. But they couldn't leave as Helen held Shirley in position next to her.

The women gathered around to play cards as they chatted with one another. They were even making dirty jokes despite Clark's and Shirley's presence. The room was noisy and it smelled of smoke. Helen holding Shirley's arm so tightly made her feel anxious. It reminded her of being kidnapped. Ever since then, Shirley had been more sensitive. She always felt anxious whenever there were strangers around.

Shirley had been trying to break free from Helen, but she was too small and too weak. No matter how hard Shirley tried, Helen's grip was still too tight.

Shirley became more and more anxious. Her eyes started to well up. What was worse was that she was starting to get choked by the smoke and her throat was hurting. She was coughing now and tears were starting to fall down her cheeks.

However, they just all ignored Shirley. They just kept gossiping about someone whose husband had an affair or whose son was a drug addict. They were condescending and enjoyed other people's sufferings. Clark, who stood next to Shirley, could see his sister's anxiety and struggle. And it angered him to see her suffering like that all the while being ignored. He needed to protect his little sister. He needed to ask the mean woman let go of Shirley.

Clark clenched his fist and glared at Helen like a wolf staring at his prey. Just as he was about to ask Helen to let go of Shirley, Helen turned around and asked Melissa, "Mrs. Lu, how is Sheryl treating you lately?"

This caught Clark's attention. He exhaled and leaned in to listen. He wanted to know what they were going to say about his mother.

But Melissa's face turned dreary the second she heard Sheryl's name. She pursed her lips and pulled a long face.

During the past few weeks, Melissa had been walking on thin ice around Sheryl. She was afraid that Sheryl would do something to drive a wedge between her and Charles. Melissa knew that her relationship with Charles could not take another hit. Charles would kick her out for sure.

But there was no way she was letting these women know about that. If they found out that she was scared of Sheryl, they would make fun of her and talk about her behind her back. They might not even wait for Melissa to leave the room!

This frightened Melissa so much that it sent a chill down her spine.

Melissa knew that she couldn't tell the truth so she gathered herself and came up with a lie.

"I hate to say such mean things but having her as my daughter-in-law is such a shame. To be honest, I don't really like living with her." Melissa glanced around the table as she spoke. Everyone was leaning in, looking curious, eager for the gossip.

Melissa placed one card on the table indifferently and continued, "Sheryl doesn't know how to be a good daughter-in-law at all. She doesn't get up until afternoon. Seriously, what is she thinking? Does she want me to go to her bedroom and send her breakfast every morning? And not to mention doing housework. I have never ever seen her clean the house."

Melissa sneered as she finished. Her disdain towards Sheryl was obvious.

No one noticed Clark and Shirley at all. They totally forgot about the kids. Clark and Shirley were furious to hear Melissa talking crap about their mother. Their faces blushed as blood rushed to their heads. They were about to lose control and defend their mother.

The other women, however, relished at the gossip. They loved hearing gossip and scandals like this. No wonder they got along with Melissa so well. After all, birds of the same feather flocked together. Melissa herself was a snarky and mean woman too.

"Tell me, whose daughter-in-law is this lazy. I honestly don't think I can replace a woman in this world that is lazier than Sheryl. And what's worse, Sheryl won't listen. If you try to help her, she'll get mad at you and start making faces at you. She has no respect even for the elder. If it wasn't for Charles, I would have kicked her out of the house. The only reason I put up with her is because of Charles."

Melissa's excitement grew as she told story after story. She was so happy that she could finally tell everyone how much she hated Sheryl.