Chapter 411 The Past
James always thought Dennis was an orphan, so he never brought up family stuff. Every holiday, they'd head over to Kaitlyn's place. But now, things seemed way more complicated than he ever imagined.
Dennis looked torn. "Molly called me. She wants us all to come back. Says she hasn't seen us in ages."
Jennifer's face turned icy. "Why? So they can humiliate us again?"
Kaitlyn gently tugged at Jennifer, hinting she should chill out.
Seeing Dennis so troubled, Jennifer felt a bit sorry for him and held back.
"Molly sounded really sincere this time," Kaitlyn said. "She's been asking us to come back for the holidays. Seems like they've dropped their grudges and won't treat us like before."
Dennis looked like he wanted to say something but stayed quiet.
James didn't know much about the Johnson Family, but he could piece together the situation.
Jennifer scoffed, "I doubt they've changed. They just want to humiliate us again!"
Dennis sighed, "Jennifer, let's go back home for the holidays this year."
"Dad, are you nuts? Have you forgotten how Valor Johnson kicked you out? How they humiliated us?" Jennifer was fuming.
Dennis sighed deeply, "They're updating the family list. If we go back and agree, they'll include us. They were awful back then, but they're still our family."
Dennis's eyes turned red with emotion. Kaitlyn held his hand, feeling his pain.
Jennifer's mouth hung open, her emotions all over the place.
After a bit, Jennifer said, "What if they're lying?"
"They're not," Dennis said firmly.
Jennifer looked skeptical.
Kaitlyn chimed in, "Jennifer, let's go with Dennis's wishes this time. It's just a visit. We can come back after the holidays."
Kaitlyn gave James a look, hoping he'd help convince Jennifer.
James was curious about the Johnson Family and how they'd treated Jennifer's family.
Since Dennis wanted to go back, it was better to do it now. They could sort things out while he was still around, so he wouldn't be alone when he returned to the City of Mysteries.
James took Jennifer's hand, "Let's listen to Dad. It's just a few days."
Jennifer looked at James, still hesitant, her eyes filled with worry and fear.
James noticed her fear and her face flushed with worse fury.
He whispered to Jennifer, "Don't worry, I'm here."
Jennifer's tense face relaxed. She squeezed James's hand, nodded, and agreed.
Dennis was thrilled. "Jennifer, don't worry. This time will be different. I'm a business owner now, with millions in assets. We'll be fine."
Ever since James hooked Dennis up with a big chunk of cash, his investments in a bunch of businesses had really paid off. Now, he had over six million bucks in the bank and was a legit business owner. With all his assets, he was worth around twenty million! That was why he felt brave enough to face the Johnson Family again.
Back in the day, the Johnsons kicked him out not just because he was a nobody, but because he was flat broke. Now that he was rolling in dough, he figured they wouldn't treat him like dirt anymore. Heck, they might even try to suck up to him. That was what he was really looking forward to!
It was kind of a revenge thing. Years ago, they'd booted him out with a broom, and a bunch of relatives said he'd never amount to anything. Now, showing up as a successful business owner would make those jerks eat their words.
After deciding to go back, Dennis felt way better and even started eating more.
The holiday was the day after tomorrow, so they planned to head to the Johnson Family early the next morning.
On the way to the clinic, James asked Jennifer about the Johnson Family, and she filled him in on the whole messy story.
It turned out Dennis was an illegitimate kid. His dad, Valor, the head of the Johnson Family, had a drunken fling with a maid, and that was how Dennis came into the picture.
The maid's life didn't get any better; it got worse. The Johnsons were ashamed and kept it all hush-hush, threatening the maid to keep quiet or else she would be dead.
To protect Dennis, the maid stayed silent and kept working as a maid for the Johnsons.
But somehow, the secret got out, and the Johnsons were humiliated. Valor became a joke.
Everyone blamed the maid, thinking she spilled the beans. They beat her so badly one night that she almost died.
Back then, the laws weren't great, and poor folks didn't know much about their rights. The maid chose to endure it all to protect Dennis.
She soon died a terrible death from hunger and wounds, leaving young Dennis all alone.
Dennis received nothing but pain and abuse from the Johnsons.
The worst part was his dad, Valor, who ignored him and never treated him like a son, seeing him as a lifelong shame.
After middle school, Dennis was kicked out for good.
Dennis managed to survive on his own, working hard. He missed his family and tried to go back a few times, but they never respected him.
Even Jennifer, when she went back, faced horrible humiliation and abuse. Her cold and distant personality was shaped by those awful experiences.
So, Jennifer only felt hatred for the Johnson Family, no attachment, and no desire to return.
After Jennifer told her story, her eyes went red and teary.
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