Chapter 479 Losing Temper
When Carol heard that, she totally lost it!
Seb and Susan went stiff, and Todd and Catherine's faces changed too.
Carol smacked the table by the hospital bed, pointing at Hayden and yelling, "You little punk, who taught you to talk like that? Where are your manners?"
Susan was scared out of her mind, but seeing Hayden's terrified face, she felt torn. She thought, 'This is all on me. I must've let something slip when I was chatting with Isabella or on the phone, and he picked it up and blurted it out now.'
Seeing Carol fuming, Seb quickly stepped in and grabbed Hayden. "How dare you talk back to your grandma?"
Then Seb gave Hayden a few good spanks on the butt.
Susan jumped in to protect Hayden. Seb wasn't holding back, and she was scared he'd really hurt the kid.
She hugged Hayden tight and said, "Mom, it's my fault. I didn't teach him right. If you're mad, be mad at me!"
Hayden, scared and spanked, started bawling his eyes out.
Carol shot a look at Susan. "You need some discipline too. But Hayden cussing me out at his age? If we don't straighten him out now, what's he gonna be like later?"
With that, Carol gave Seb a look, clearly telling him to keep spanking Hayden.
Seb had no choice but to grab Hayden again for another round.
Catherine quickly stepped in, "Mrs. Carol Anderson, Hayden's just a kid. A little discipline's enough. You don't wanna hurt him."
Carol wasn't having any of it and snapped, "He's young, which is why we need to set him straight now. If we wait, it'll be too late."
Susan held onto Hayden, but Seb was determined to spank him.
Their eyes met. Susan's were begging, but Seb couldn't look at her. His face was twisted with anger and heartbreak. He raised his hand and spanked a few more times.
The room was filled with Hayden's cries, and Susan started crying too. She felt so guilty. It was just a random talk between her and Isabella, and now Hayden was getting spanked for it.
Carol watched coldly, no sympathy at all, while Catherine paced around, worried.
Just as Seb raised his hand again, Todd, lying in the hospital bed, couldn't take it anymore and shouted, "Enough already!"
Seb froze, his hand in the air.
He turned to see Todd's face, dark with anger. Todd looked at Carol and said, "You can't just spank a kid to teach them. You need to guide them. Hayden's just a little kid. What if you scare him sick?"
When Todd got mad, the room went dead silent. No one dared to say a word.
Even though Todd was usually chill, when he got angry, he had this presence that even made Carol shut up.
Susan knew it was time to go, so she hugged the still-crying Hayden and said, "Dad, I'll take Hayden home. I'll teach him properly there."
Todd gave a nod, showing he was cool with it.
Susan quickly whisked Hayden out of the room.
Catherine, feeling like an outsider, decided to follow them out. She figured it was best to leave the family to sort things out.
With just the Andersons left in the room, Carol started up again, "Hayden's just a kid. Where'd he learn to call me an 'old witch'? It had to be Susan. I've always said mismatched marriages are a mess. A mom like her can't raise a decent kid!"
"Are you done yet? Hayden's got a point. You act all high and mighty at home, no wonder he called you that," Todd shot back, cold as ice.
"I..." Carol was fuming, ready to argue more.
But Seb cut in, "Mom, Hayden's been with me since he was little. If he's not well-behaved, that's on me. Susan's getting blamed unfairly here."
"You two are always taking her side!" Carol snapped.
"If she's right, I'll back her. If you're right, I'll back you," Todd said.
Carol didn't have a comeback for that.
Instead, she did something rare—she got up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Todd. "Alright, I was out of line. Don't be mad. Have some water."
Todd looked at the glass, sighed, took it, and drank a few sips.
Carol took the glass back and asked softly, "You look better. Are your legs still hurting?"
Todd nodded and said, "Much better. But it's a hassle having Catherine take care of me. Now that you're calmer, how about we hire a caregiver and let her go home?"
Carol stiffened and said, "She has to stay until you're fully recovered. We agreed on this. We can't just change it now."
"But..." Todd started to say.
Carol cut him off with a smile, "Let's wait a bit longer. I'm still not over it."
Todd sighed, realizing he had to wait a few more days.
Then Carol smiled and touched Todd's arm. "I came today with some good news."
"What good news?" Todd asked, curious.
"My brother's eldest son is running for district chief in the central district. It's a big deal. If he wins, his future's set," Carol said, smiling.
Todd replied, "What's so great about that? He hasn't won yet."
Carol, still in a good mood, said, "That's why we need your help, dear."
"I've retired. How can I help him? He's barking up the wrong tree!" Todd said, looking stern.
Carol, still smiling, said, "You've retired, but your old connections are still there. A few calls from you, and it's a done deal."
Todd firmly said, "Even if I wasn't retired, I wouldn't get involved. If he's got what it takes, he'll win. If not, tough luck!"
Seeing Todd so firm, Carol raised her voice but held back her anger, still hoping to get his help.
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