Chapter 195: I Want to Join the Housewarming Feast
The next day, at the Johnson residence.
After breakfast with Ernest and Karen Johnson, the three members of the Liu family sprawled out on the couch, relishing their time watching TV.
Liu Xueming scratched his foot as he sighed, "Man, life in the city is just so comfortable. A real bed beats a hard, old-fashioned cot any day!"
His wife, Yvonne, nibbled on an apple and agreed, "Isn't that the truth, hon? Once we snap up that house in the school district, let's get a fancy couch like your sister's. It’ll be perfect for lounging and watching TV!"
After her declaration, she turned to their son and said, "Tom, once you get into that downtown high school, you gotta work hard, son. Aim for Harvard, make the Liu family proud, and we can get ourselves a bigger house!"
Tom, who was engrossed with his game console and giggling to himself, just nodded absently.
Just then, Liu Xueming noticed a news ticker scrolling across the TV screen from Houston TV: "The Johnson family is moving into a Platan Height villa in three days (September 1st). They will host a housewarming feast then. Eminent Houstonians are invited to attend!"
Spotting the news, he exclaimed wide-eyed, "Holy smokes! Sis, you're really good at keeping secrets, aren't you? The Johnsons are moving into a Platan Height villa and you didn't give me a heads up?"
"Huh?" Karen, who was sitting nearby on the couch, paused before snorting, "Pff, that's the Johnsons' villa, not ours. Why did I need to tell you about that?"
Yvonne grinned and teased, "Gee, Sis, you're being modest now, aren't you? Didn't you always boast about being the high-and-mighty daughter-in-law of the Johnsons' back when you visited our hometown?
"Now that the Johnsons are getting a villa, you'll be the first to enjoy inheritance rights when the old lady passes, right?"
Karen's face flushed with embarrassment. She used to love showing off her status within the Johnson family to her relatives, basking in their envious gazes.
But times had changed. Since Sarah Johnson's branch broke away from the main family, their relationship with the rest of the Johnsons had gone downhill.
Would she inherit the Platan Height villa? Not a chance. Heck, Grandpa Johnson wouldn't even agree to let them stay for a few days.
Despite wanting to show off, Karen could do nothing but nod in firm agreement. "You’re right, of course. I am, after all, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Johnsons. Ever since I married into the family, the Johnsons' standard of living has skyrocketed. A psychic once said that it was all because I’m the reincarnation of a lucky star, and I bring tremendous fortune to the Johnsons!"
Jim and his wife Sue were quick to butter Karen up. "That's for sure! You're such a kind person, you deserve all that good fortune!"
"And you just look like someone who's blessed, Karen. Those features, that demeanor, you’re simply stunning..."
All this flattery made Karen beam with satisfaction. She felt as if she truly was the reincarnation of a lucky star.
Ernest Johnson, who was mopping the floor in the corner, couldn't help but heave a sigh of resignation.
He couldn't recall any psychic proclaiming Karen the lucky star of the Johnson family... On the contrary, Grandpa Johnson had a penchant for cursing Karen, calling her his least favorite daughter-in-law and a jinx!
Of course, Ernest didn't have the courage to voice these thoughts. He just kept his head down and worked to atone for his own past indiscretions.
After lavishing praise on Karen for a while, Jim chuckled and asked, "Say, Karen, since the Johnson family hosting such a grand housewarming party, we'd love to go and experience it. Could you possibly arrange that for us?"
Karen was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Jim to make such a direct request. How could she possibly arrange that?
She began to craft an excuse to brush it off when Linda beat her to the punch, scolding Jim sharply, "Look at what you're saying! Who do you think Karen is? She's famously protective of her own! She would've taken care of it without you even asking!
"Besides, it's just a matter of getting our family of three into the banquet. It’ll be a piece of cake for Karen! Right, Karen?"
Faced with Linda's expectant look, Karen was caught between a rock and a hard place. She hesitated for a moment as she realized her pride was at stake, so she replied with feigned nonchalance, "Ah, come on! It's just a simple housewarming party, no biggie. I'll take care of it for you!"
"Karen, you're awesome!"
"Thanks so much!"
Jim and his wife couldn't hide their glee. They were practically on cloud nine!
Then, something else seemed to suddenly occur to Jim.
"Honey, let's step out for a bit. We can't attend the Johnsons' housewarming party without some new clothes. It's a matter of etiquette!" he implored his wife.
"Sure thing! Let's hit the boutique!" she replied enthusiastically.
And just like that, the family of three hurried out the door...
After the door closed behind them, Karen sat on the couch, sighing and groaning.
Ernest Johnson approached her, his voice thick with concern. "Sweetheart, didn't you jump the gun by agreeing to bring them to the party? We haven't even received an invite ourselves..."
Before he could finish, Karen turned sharply, scowling at him. "And you have the nerve to say that, as if it's not your fault?"
Ernest Johnson was utterly shocked!
He thought: ‘You're the one who agreed! How is this on me?’
Karen continued to complain, her mouth twisted unhappily. "This is all because you're a useless a disappointmentP. If you had any authority with your mother, would I need to put up with all this?"
Ernest Johnson shrank back, not daring to utter a word.
As Karen's anger rose, she coldly said, "I don't care. You need to make sure my brother's family attends that party!"
"Huh?" Ernest was taken aback.
"Honey, that's... I can't do that! You know how mom is, I can't just..."
He was cut off by Karen’s loud rebuke, "I don't care! You will get it done, or I'm divorcing you! And don't forget, I haven't settled the score with you about your infidelity yesterday. I have solid evidence, and if we get divorced, you'll walk away with nothing! You can just freeze to death under some overpass then!
“Of course, with my qualities, I'll have men better than you lined up from our house to the complex gate the second I’m single!"
Ernest Johnson felt as if he had been drenched in disdain.
His heart was drowning in resentment.
He thought, ‘You were the one who wanted to frame Ryder Clark for cheating. I was just following orders!
‘Why did you blame me when the plan failed?’
But what good did it do to feel aggrieved?
In this house, Karen was the law, the undisputed ruler!
He had no choice but to obey.
This was real defeat.
Finally, with a heavy sigh, he nodded. "Okay... I'll try talking to mom about it..."
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