Chapter 193: Your Ancestor's Tomb Exploded!
Aunt Linda's tone dripped with disdain.
No matter how poor they were, she couldn't bring herself to respect Ryder Clark, the stay-at-home son-in-law.
She habitually used Ryder as a negative example when lecturing her son, Brian.
In her eyes, Ryder wasn’t really a part of the Johnson family.
He was just a tag-along husband, no different from a domesticated dog.
This was why she had never been nice to Ryder. He didn't dare speak up, and no one from the Johnson family ever stood up for him.
But after she finished speaking, Sarah Johnson couldn't stay silent any longer.
"Aunt Linda, Ryder Clark is my husband, and he's not as bad as you're making him out to be!"
Aunt Linda retorted, "Did I say anything wrong? Everyone in the old neighborhood knows he's just a penniless nobody. He works on construction sites and earns just a few thousand dollars a month. Our local pig farmers do better than that! What prospects could he possibly have?
“And if you compare him to the people your cousins back home married, some drive for the Mayor, and others are middle school teachers or own big supermarkets. Every one of them is leagues above Ryder! I really don’t understand what you see in him!
“If only he had some ambition, we could all benefit from his shine as relatives!"
Sarah, who had heard this and was visibly annoyed, huffed, "Ryder Clark doesn’t work construction anymore, and he earns way more than you think. Don’t speak if you don’t know the full story!"
Caught off-guard by this remark, Aunt Linda was momentarily speechless.
Then she turned to complain to her husband, "Mike, do you hear how your niece talks to me? I am her elder, after all!"
Uncle Mike put down his chopsticks and turned to Sarah. "Now, Sarah, I have to say something as your uncle. Even though you don’t carry our surname, you still share half the Thompson blood, and we’re family.
"What's so special about Ryder Clark that you're giving Aunt Linda this attitude? I'll let it slide this time, but if it happens again, you better apologize to her, capiche?" he said, his eyelids lifting as he berated Ryder with contempt in his voice. "Kid, don't think for a second I don't know what's on your mind. You’re just scheming' to get a piece of my sister's estate, aren't you?
“Well, let me lay it out for you. My sister's estate bears the Johnson name, and not a single cent of it is tied to you! Drop the idea, or you'll learn that I didn’t earn the name Leroy Johnson for nothing!"
Ryder didn't get mad at Leroy's tirade. In fact, he almost laughed out loud. There was a saying that went, "People wear their faces like trees wear their bark, when shamelessness peaks, they're invincible." The full extent of the JohnsonP's shamelessness was right there!
You just had to leave small fry like that to their delusions.
At the same time, Ryder felt a warmth in his heart toward Sarah Johnson who had just stepped in to speak up for him. Karen's relatives had always sneered at him, and Sarah had never defended him. But times were changing. It seemed that recently, his relationship with Sarah had been steadily progressing.
Ernest Johnson cleared his throat and said, "Leroy, there's one thing I need to correct you on - my sister's property belongs to Johnson, not Liu!"
With a sly smile, Leroy quipped, "Hey, we're all relatives here, we’re one family. Why are you splitting hairs? Besides, we should be helping each other out, right?"
Then, turning to Karen, he rubbed his hands together and asked, "Sis, can we talk business?"
"What is it?" she asked.
Leroy grinned and explained, "Here's the thing. My boy Tommy just graduated from middle school, and it’s nearly time for high school. We thought about sending him to the local high school, but considered transferring him to the city high school instead. They have better teachers, and with Tommy's smarts, getting into an elite university like Harvard won't be a problem.
“And when he makes it big and earns good money, he’ll take care of his aunt, right?"
A flicker of joy crossed Karen's face as she nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, I've watched Tommy grow up. It'd be a waste if he didn't go to the city high school."
Her reaction made Leroy's eyes light up, and he quickly continued, "But the city high school is expensive! I've asked around. It's going to cost 50,000 dollars. Heh, as you know, my wife and I are in a bit of a tight spot, so how about you cover the tuition?"
Karen's expression turned to one of surprise. "Why should I be the one to pay?"
That was when Yvonne Johnson cut in, "Oh, Karen. We're really in a bind here. After all, we don't have your resources or good fortune."
“In Johnsonville, everyone knows you're one of the most capable folks in Houston. The whole town speaks highly of you. They admire how you honor and take care of your siblings. That's why you're the only one we can turn to when trouble comes knocking!
“Besides, it's not like we're asking for a handout; we're talking about a loan. Once Thad graduates from university and starts pulling in the big bucks, we'll pay you back every penny, with interest!
You had to hand it to Yvonne Silver, she sure knews how to butter someone up.
Karen's mood visibly brightened, and she chuckled, "Is that really the talk of the town back in Johnsonville?"
Luke and Yvonne exchanged knowing glances and nodded vigorously. “You betcha! Even the town mayor is all politeness around our mom because she has a daughter like you in the city!"
"That's right! Folks are green with envy over you, sis! Some people even wanted to use our connection to get to know you. I turned them down flat. What makes them think they're worthy of rubbing shoulders with my big sis?"
The couple played off each other so well that Karen couldn't help but beam with delight, temporarily putting Ernest Johnson's infidelity out of her mind.
Riding the wave of excitement, she declared with a grand gesture, "What's $50,000, after all? IT’s child's play! Since it's for my dear nephew's education, consider it done!"
Luke and Yvonne were grinning ear to ear.
Seizing the moment, Luke added, "Sis! Here's something else to consider: When Thad starts school at the downtown high school, it won't be easy for us to look after him from back home.
“That's why I'm thinking of getting a place near the school to help him out with his studies. Nothing too pricey, just a two-bedroom in a decent school district. I've done some digging, and a down payment of $300,000 should do the trick!
“How about it, sis? Could you cover that for us as well?"
Karen hesitated.
Luke kept pressing. "Sis, I've heard all about it. Your daughter Sarah's the CEO of a big corporation, and your son Kyle graduated from a prestigious college and has a bright future ahead of him!
“Even so, some petty folks are saying your family's lifestyle is all for show—you're not willing to help your little brother; you're simply broke..."
The mere suggestion that someone might doubt her financial status made Karen's eyes flash with anger. "Who’s saying I'm broke? I'm living the high life here. Money isn't an issue! A $300,000 down payment? That’s easy, I’ll cover it! Let's see if that shuts up those gossipmongers!"
Luke and Yvonne gave her enthusiastic thumbs up. "That's my sister! You always keep it real— you’re generous to the core!"
"The Johnson family is truly blessed to have a sister like you. Our ancestors must be smiling down on us!"
No sooner had Luke finished his praise when Ryder Clark's nonchalant voice cut through: "Ha! From what I see, with a son like you, your family line will probably go up in smoke!"
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