Chapter 161: Where Did the Money Come From?

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: Where Did the Money Come From?

The moment she took out the radio, the entire family froze.

Rona Langdon immediately shrieked, "Vera Xavier, didn’t you say last time that you didn’t have a single penny on you? Where did you get the money for this?"

Vera Xavier smiled and replied, "Mom, I’m eighteen now. I’m an adult with my own rights. I promise this money wasn’t taken from home, and it wasn’t stolen or robbed. You won’t be mad at me for having a little secret, will you?"

Rona was about to explode with anger. If her grandmother hadn’t been there, she would have forced Vera to return the radio.

Grandma was already overjoyed. She reached out to stroke the radio and said to Rona, "The girl is grown up now. Talk to her nicely. Don’t just shout at her all the time!"

Grandma had disciplined Rona harshly a few times when she was younger. Even though they hadn’t lived together for years, Grandma’s formidable presence lingered. Rona didn’t dare talk back to her and could only reply, "Yes!"

Grandma looked at Vera and asked, "Vera, my dear, it makes Grandma so happy that you’re so thoughtful, but can you tell me where you got the money for the radio?"

Vera pressed her lips together and said, "It’s my secret. I’ll only tell you."

Her playfully coy, secretive expression made Grandma chuckle. "Alright," Grandma said quickly. "Then whisper it to me."

Vera leaned in and whispered a few words in her grandmother’s ear. Grandma’s eyes instantly lit up. After Vera finished, Grandma took her hand and said with a smile, "Yes, my Vera has always been a good girl. I’ll accept this radio!"

After she spoke, she shot a glance at Cara Preston. "You’re so much better than some people. She’s been my granddaughter for so many years, and I haven’t received so much as a pin from her. All she knows how to do is stir up trouble."

Grandma was a sharp woman. She hadn’t fully grasped the meaning behind Cara’s words earlier, but now she understood everything. Her own words became much less polite.

Having been scolded by Grandma, Cara Preston was crestfallen and didn’t dare make a sound, but inside, she was seething with hatred.

Rona couldn’t help but say, "Mom, that’s a bit unfair. Cara has been obedient and well-behaved since she was a child. She’s nothing like Vera, who’s full of devious ideas. And Vera didn’t even consult me on something as big as buying you a radio."

"She used her own money to do something nice for us, so what was there to consult you about?" Grandma shot her a glare. "And don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. If Vera had actually consulted you, that money would have ended up in your pocket long ago. We wouldn’t be seeing this radio."

Rona took the scolding but still didn’t dare talk back, only muttering, "I was just trying to do what’s best for this family..."

"Shut up!" Grandma glared at her. "You mean for your own family, don’t you!"

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Rona’s face flushed bright red. Grandma added, "Even though we’ve divided the households, I still hear things about your family. Every time your mother comes back to the countryside to visit relatives, she tells everyone what a wonderful daughter she has, who gives her a pile of money to spend every month."

There was a great-aunt on the paternal side who lived in the same village as Grandma and Grandpa, and whenever Patricia Thompson visited her, she would show off and brag endlessly.

Rona’s expression soured when she heard Grandma’s words. She cursed her mother in her head. ’She should just take the money I give her and keep her mouth shut! What is there to brag about? And even if she has to brag, she should do it in the city. What’s the point of showing off to a bunch of country bumpkins!’