Sweet Divorce

Chapter 44 I Can Not Help

Rita stared at the poached spicy slices of pork in her bowl. She didn't expect Mason to mention the past. He even almost cried. Well played!

She swallowed the food in her mouth and looked at the Browns sitting opposite her.

Liam, her parents, Amelia, Charlotte, and Mason were all staring at her, waiting for her answer.

The Browns expected her to help them make it through. But why was Liam staring at her like that? What did it mean?

"Well ..."

All the Browns were eager to hear the answer they wanted. When she paused suddenly, everyone was in a panic. Some even began to worry, looking at her with disappointment.

"Rita, what are you hesitating about? This is your chance to please Grandma. If you can help Grandma out, maybe you can be back to the genealogy again!" Charlotte whispered in her ear, feigning concern.

Rita smiled, but she knew what she was up to. Charlotte had never been kind to her. This was just another setup.

Rita looked up at Mason and said, "Mason."

"Yes, fire away," he replied happily.

"I can't help you with this," Rita refused solemnly. Immediately, Mason's smile froze.

More accurately, all the Browns' smile disappeared. Even Liam turned to her curiously.

She had actually refused to help her family.

Didn't she worry that her parents would have a hard time? His eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity. He would like to see what she was going to do.

"Rita, wh-what did you just say? I ... I didn't hear you clearly," Mason asked with a forced smile.

"As far as I know, because you failed to deliver the goods in time as agreed in the contract, the major wholesalers got the new goods more than ten days later than usual. That's why they canceled the PO in a fit of rage."

Rita had hit the nail on the head. Mason looked uneasy and awkward. "They purchased too many goods. The workers couldn't make them in time. The time was too pressing. What could I do? Besides, I was only ten days late. What's the big deal? Did they have to cancel the PO?"

"Mason, the clothing business is different from the others. It must keep up with the trend! You may miss a trend when you're a dozen days late. Then the goods you have now will be out of style, and the price will be much lower than before. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"But the price you gave the wholesalers was still the same. They naturally wouldn't agree.

"If the Wilson's family helps, it'll be like spending money on a bunch of outdated clothes. It's going to be a waste of money." Rita pressed her lips, sounding serious. "This is business. The Wilsons can't help you."

Rita's analysis was right. Liam was surprised. It seemed that he had underestimated her before.

And he didn't expect her to be so calm. Looking at her, he smiled in appreciation.

"So, you just don't want to help me." Immediately, Mason's face darkened. "Rita, I loved you for nothing. You let me down, and you failed our family! Now we are in trouble and need you, but you just sit there and do nothing. You're no family!"

With that, Mason looked at his elder brother Noah. "Look at her! This is the daughter you raised! What a shame!"

***

Noah was embarrassed. The atmosphere of the room turned gloomy and awkward.

Charlotte averted her gaze away from Rita and then nudged Grace. "Mom, don't just sit there. Say something."

She had to admit that Rita had been smart lately. She was no longer the stupid woman whose mind was all about Liam. Rita had surprised her again.

However, refusing to help the Brown family undoubtedly destroyed all the good impression her grandma had had of her before. This time, after all, the family was in serious trouble.

Now that Rita had announced her decision, Charlotte decided to take the opportunity to stir more things up, until her grandma's patience with Rita thoroughly wore away.

"Your uncle did make a mistake, but he is thinking of making amends. Rita, we have never begged anyone before. This is the first time we have asked for your help, but you just turn us down?" Grace looked at Rita tearfully.

Seeing that Rita still wouldn't budge, Grace cried louder. "Rita, you should know that if you don't help us, maybe tomorrow, your grandma and your parents will be homeless!"

"Rita, it's OK that you don't care about me and your aunt and Charlotte, but don't you care about your grandma and the others?" Mason pressured Rita again. But she remained nonchalant and quiet.

Seeing this, Amelia, who had not spoken a word in a while, was not happy. "Enough. You two have put on enough drama. If she helps, that's out of love, but she also has the right to refuse."

"But mom ..."

"Haven't you been embarrassed enough?" Mason wanted to explain, but Amelia slapped him across the face. "You're the one to blame! You should be responsible for your own mistake! Don't make a fool of yourself in front of the guest again!"

Although Amelia was dissatisfied with Rita's decision, after all, she had to consider the big picture.

Mason's face was burning up from the slap. He covered it and did not dare to speak. But when he turned his head, he glared at Rita resentfully.

"Grandma, don't get angry." When the atmosphere was awkward to the peak, Charlotte went up and held Amelia's hand. "Grandma, don't worry, as long as I am around, I will not let anything happen to our family."

"Charlotte, you're so understanding and sweet. I feel much better." Amelia sighed, her eyes full of approval of Charlotte.

"Grandma, I'm not just saying that. I signed up for this year's Jewelry Design Contest, and I'm going to win the first prize!" Charlotte rushed to explain.

Amelia didn't understand. "What does that have to do with our business?"

"After I took the first place, I will release many design works. I can sell them with the clothes. In this way, I’ll be able to solve the problem."

Amelia thought for a few seconds, looking relieved, "Binding. You can sell jewelry as well as the clothes. Good! You're brilliant!"

"Thank you, Grandma!" Winning Amelia's appreciation broadened Charlotte’s smile.

Amelia, who had been holding back her anger, deliberately patted Charlotte's hand and sighed. "At this critical moment, I have to depend on my granddaughter Charlotte. Alas, I can't count on anyone else!"