Chapter 438
Joseph's reply was imbued with a frosty indifference. "Matilda, she may be your aunt..." he began, his voice devoid of any semblance of warmth.
A heavy sigh escaped Matilda. "But she did improve her performance last month..."
"Only because Vera invested billions into it," Joseph countered, his gaze icy. "If I'm not mistaken, it was Celeste's agreement to disfigure Cassie that led to Vera's reward. It's nothing more than an illusion."
Matilda was left speechless, her mind reeling.
"You ought to be grateful, Grandma. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have tolerated her presence at all." Rising from his seat, Joseph continued, "Consider your children; one is nothing more than a prop for her husband, another is a master of creative accounting, and your only son is painfully average. Without me, do you honestly believe you and Grandpa could peacefully enjoy your twilight years?"
The words hit Matilda like a punch, aging her in an instant.
...
As the clock struck half-past twelve, Cassie set the table, the meal only serving to deepen the already somber mood.
She filled a bowl with rice for Matilda.
Grandma surveyed the spread with a hint of surprise; the dishes were beautifully presented, rivaling the Hernandez family's chef, yet with a comforting, home-cooked touch.
She watched as her usually finicky grandson, Joseph, eagerly wielded his fork, particularly over the lamb.
Sampling a piece herself, she was delighted by the succulent flavor.
However, when she reached for more, she found the dish nearly depleted.
"We can't have more; Grandma hasn't had her share," Cassie interjected, shifting the bowl towards Matilda.
Joseph's brow furrowed. "Why didn’t you prepare more?"
"You had some last night and again today. Too much lamb isn't healthy," Cassie admonished as she served him vegetables. "You need a balanced diet. No more selective eating, or I'll cease cooking for you entirely."
"You're impossible," Joseph grumbled under his breath.
To Matilda's astonishment, her grandson obediently began consuming his vegetables. The boy who previously barely touched them now polished off two bowls of rice, his appetite igniting Matilda's as well. The meal intended for six was devoured by the three of them.
Following the meal, Cassie presented two cups of yogurt.
Rosalind chimed in with a smile, "This is also homemade. It contains honey and a fresh raspberry sauce that she simmered for two hours. Rosalind believes that a cup of yogurt after a meal aids digestion and effectively cleanses the stomach."
Upon tasting it, Matilda found the yogurt delightful; sweet but not overly so. She desired another cup but was too timid to request one.
Joseph, on the other hand, unabashedly asked for more after finishing his.
Cassie, however, declined. "Excess can upset your stomach or cause bloating."
Joseph frowned and muttered, "Such a nuisance," but he didn't press the issue.
Matilda was taken aback.
'Nature truly is humbling,' she mused to herself.
Despite her reservations about Cassie, she had to concede that Cassie's presence seemed to have a positive effect on Joseph. Perhaps, just perhaps, his condition would begin to improve, reminiscent of times past...
A frown creased her brow as she rose from her seat. "Well, it's getting late, and I've had my fill. I should be going."
"You're welcome to stay a few days, perhaps take a stroll by the beach. It could be refreshing," Cassie suggested, her smile gentle.
Matilda's gaze fell upon the scar marring Cassie's face, and a pang of guilt seized her. "No need, dear. Your granddad wouldn't be comfortable without me around."
After a moment's pause, she added, "You've outdone yourself today."
Cassie was momentarily taken aback, but even after Matilda had departed, a hint of a smile lingered on her face.
Joseph pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Grandma can be hard on you. Why go to such lengths to please her? You cook, you make yogurt, and all she offers is 'good job.' It's excessive."
"Because she's your grandma," Cassie replied, her arms encircling his neck, "You may appear indifferent, but I know you care about them. Otherwise, you wouldn't have accepted the Hernandez situation. You're concerned they've lived their lives in the public eye and may end up as a laughingstock in their old age."
Joseph could only offer a helpless shrug, his raised eyebrows conveying his surprise at her insight.
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