Chapter 459 Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Issues
Just as she finished her work, the shop door was gently pushed open, and Anna walked in looking half-asleep. "Bella, you're here so early?" she asked with a yawn.
Bella nodded slightly. "Why are you here too?"
Only then did Anna notice the roses. Her eyes widened in surprise. "These roses are gorgeous! Did you just buy them?"
Bella smiled softly without answering directly, just changed the subject. "Alright, alright, since you're here, go help out. We've got a lot of work to do today."
Just as Bella and Anna were busy in the shop, a figure rushed through the front door.
A woman with a rather harsh-looking face appeared, and her presence made Isadora, who was cleaning, instantly change expression.
Bella recognized her too. It was Isadora's mother-in-law, Felicity.
Isadora quickly put down her broom and hurried forward, her voice tinged with helplessness. "Mom. What are you doing here?"
But Felicity showed no courtesy, raising her voice in a sharp, piercing tone. "I came here to ask your boss right in front of you how much she pays you a month! You don't take care of the house, don't take care of the kid, and don't give us any money for living expenses. What are we supposed to eat? So I'm basically your free babysitter, right? And I have to pay for your food and housing too, while you only care about feeding yourself!"
These words shot out of Felicity's mouth like rapid fire, each one barbed and cutting, her tone full of dissatisfaction and anger, as if she wanted to dump all her resentment on Isadora.
Isadora's face turned even paler. She kept her head down, hands tightly gripping the corners of her clothes. This Felicity had always been dissatisfied with her, and no matter how hard she tried, she could never seem to gain her approval or acceptance.
"Mom, please don't do this." Isadora's voice trembled as she tried to explain. "I've been really busy with work lately, but I am trying hard to earn money to help with household expenses. And I've always been taking care of the child—it's just that sometimes when the shop is too busy, I have to trouble you to help watch her. When have I ever not taken care of you?"
But Felicity wouldn't listen to her explanation at all, continuing to criticize endlessly. "Stop making excuses! You're just an incompetent daughter-in-law and an incompetent mother! Look at the neighbor's daughter-in-law—so capable, so virtuous! And look at you, all you do is run to the shop every day, not caring about anything at home!"
Isadora's emotions were on the verge of collapse. Her face flushed red with a mix of anger and humiliation, and her voice trembled with agitation. "Whatever it is, we can talk about it at home. There's no need to come to the shop and make a scene, disrupting other people's business."
But unexpectedly, Felicity didn't seem ready to let it go. She suddenly pressed forward to the counter, her eyes wide and staring, as if trying to see right through Bella. She asked bluntly, "Now can you tell me exactly how much Isadora makes a month?"
Bella kept a cold expression, glanced at her coolly, and said calmly, "I'm only responsible for hiring employees. As for their salary distribution, that's not my concern."
Bella's attitude left Felicity momentarily unable to respond. She could only stare with an arrogant and disdainful expression.
"Are all dessert shop owners this arrogant? People who don't know might think you're a Fortune 500 company! I came here today to have you, as the boss, judge this situation fairly." Her words were full of sarcasm and provocation.
"With such long working hours every day, you must be paying good money. If it's good money, how come we haven't seen Isadora bring home a single cent?" Felicity's tone grew increasingly bitter and mean.
"She's being unfilial. After marrying into our family, she treats us like outsiders. She's selfish. How dare you hire someone with such character?" Felicity's words shot out like rapid fire, each one full of accusations and put-downs toward Isadora. Her bitter, mean expression made everyone feel disgusted.
This bitter, mean attitude made everyone extremely uncomfortable. The shop employees cast sympathetic glances, knowing Isadora's character. She was definitely not the unfilial person Felicity described.
Isadora worked hard in the shop, was gentle and kind to everyone, always greeting every customer with a smile. Her upbringing and character were plain for all to see.
Isadora's patience had reached its limit. Her fists clenched tight, knuckles turning white from the pressure, and her voice was somewhat hoarse from emotion. "Mom, whatever it is, wait until I get off work, and we can close the door and deal with it at home. Please don't make a scene at my workplace, okay?"
Isadora's tone carried a hint of pleading and helplessness. She was afraid of causing trouble for Bella. Bella had already been good enough to her. She couldn't let her personal matters affect the shop's business.
But Felicity just sneered, her voice full of mockery and disdain. "What do you mean? You mean you want to settle accounts with me? However we calculate it, you owe our family! Those years taking care of the kid, only my son was earning money to support the family. Now you're finally making money, but you still want to spend my son's money, while keeping your own for who knows what!"
Felicity's words were like a sharp knife, stabbing at Isadora's heart again. Isadora's face turned even paler, her body trembling slightly, as if she might collapse at any moment.
Isadora took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, then said, "Mom, that's really unfair of you to say. When I was taking care of the child, I wasn't completely dependent on your son's income either. I was also doing my best to fulfill my duties, taking care of the family and the child. And the money I earn isn't all for myself. I'm also contributing to this family. How can you say such things?"
"What's left of your son's income after the mortgage and car payments? Since I married into your family, you two old folks have always had everything handed to you. I was even cooking for your whole family while pregnant. How do I owe you? How? You say I don't take care of the child, most of the time it's me picking up and dropping off Novi. What have you done?"
Faced with Isadora's accusations, Felicity showed not a trace of guilt or reflection. Instead, she became even more dismissive. A cold smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, her eyes full of provocation and contempt. "Did I beg you to marry my son? You were willing back then—nobody forced you! You had the kid, you raise the kid, even your own mother doesn't care, so why should I? You brought this on yourself. Who can you blame?"
Her voice was sharp and piercing, as if pouring out all her dissatisfaction and anger. Each word was like a needle, deeply piercing Isadora's heart. Isadora's face turned even paler, her body trembling slightly, as if she might collapse at any moment.
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