Chapter 291 Starting a New Life
"Sophia's a real piece of work, ain't she? Didn't she and James start that insurance gig? Now Sophia and Amelia swiped all the cash, shut it down, and booted James out. Dude's homeless now, begging Catherine to let him crash at her place. Catherine's too soft, I have to say. James camped out in front of her house for days, and she finally caved. If it were me, I'd chase him off!" Tuva fumed.
Susan felt a mix of satisfaction and bitterness. James got what was coming to him, but it stung a bit. When he was down, he ran to Catherine, but when things were good, he was all about someone else.
"Tuva, how do you even know all this?" Susan asked, eyeing Tuva skeptically.
Tuva was the neighborhood gossip queen, always in everyone's business. Sometimes her stories were a bit over the top, so Susan wasn't sure if she should buy it.
Tuva shot back, "You think I'm making this up? My distant cousin works at their insurance company. She spilled the tea a few days ago. Sophia and Amelia left James with just a few hundred bucks. After all he did for Amelia, raising her and all, they did him dirty like that!"
Susan figured Tuva was likely right this time. Sophia and Amelia were total snakes. Now that James was useless to them, they ditched him for richer folks. James was both pitiful and pathetic.
Susan thought for a sec and then grinned. "Tuva, have you told my mom about this?"
"No way, I'd never tell Catherine. She'd be crushed," Tuva said, looking all concerned.
Susan suggested, "Tuva, why don't you be the hero and spill the beans to my mom? I'm worried she'll fall for James's sob story again. What if Sophia gets dumped and comes crawling back to James? My mom would be the one getting hurt."
Tuva nodded, "You're right. We've been neighbors forever; I can't let Catherine suffer. I'll go talk to her now, especially since James and Dorothy aren't around."
"Yeah, yeah," Susan agreed quickly.
Tuva started to leave but then turned back, grinning. "Susan, what's up with Dorothy? Why's she been crashing at Catherine's with her kid for so long? Did she have a blowout with her hubby?"
Susan sighed, knowing Tuva's gossip radar was on full blast, but she needed her to talk to Catherine. So, she played along. "Tuva, don't all couples have their spats?"
Tuva nodded, "Yeah, yeah!"
With a grin, Tuva turned and left.
Susan was sweating bullets, worried Catherine might fall for James's crap again. That guy was a total jerk, and if Catherine took him back, her golden years would be a mess.
She was banking on Tuva to spill the beans to Catherine. Maybe hearing it from someone else would make it stick. Susan just hoped Catherine would pity James but not get all mushy about him.
Susan had her own stuff to handle too. She was worried about Catherine, Dorothy, and Amanda, but she couldn't control everything. She had to get her own life sorted first.
So, Susan went and submitted her resume, hoping to land a gig with good perks and room to grow.
Soon enough, a solid accounting firm hit her up. With her years of experience and a more polished vibe, the interview was a breeze.
The next Monday, Susan, all dressed up, walked into the office of Linda Ward, the business director at Pioneer Accounting Firm.
Linda, around thirty, rocked a golden round-neck dress. Her blonde curls flowed down her back, and she sported big gold earrings with pearls. She was a total boss babe, probably a top grad.
Sitting across from Linda, Susan felt a bit out of her league.
Even though they were about the same age, Susan had never dyed or permed her hair.
Susan wore an old black suit, matching black heels, and no jewelry, giving off a stiff vibe. But her clear features gave her a fresh and natural look, which was probably the best compliment she could get right now.
Susan's mindset had shifted big time. When she was single or dating, she cared about her looks, wore light makeup, nice clothes, and bought some cheap accessories.
But since having Spring, and now with Hayden, her focus was on living independently and giving her kids a good life, hoping to own a home in a few years.
So, Susan needed to hustle and make bank.
Linda glanced at Susan and smiled. "I've checked out your resume. You've worked at Prosperity Group and George Law Firm, so you've got the basics down. We have six teams here; you'll be on the sixth team."
"Ms. Ward, I'll go wherever you need me," Susan said, trying to be humble.
Even though she and Linda were the same age, Linda was way ahead. Susan couldn't help but admire Linda's style and skills. Linda was so young and already the business director at this top firm. Susan doubted she could reach that level even by forty.
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