Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Didn’t Treat Her as One of Their Own
Inside, there were both large and small bills.
She counted them on her lap: eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars and eighty cents in total.
After confirming the amount, Ashley Shaw was even more surprised.
For Claudia Jennings, anything less than five figures wasn’t even considered money.
When she saw how thin the red envelope was, she thought it might contain a card or something similar, planning to send it back to the Prescott Family along with the money meant for Warren Prescott before leaving Aethelgard.
She didn’t expect there to be just over eight hundred dollars inside.
Just as she was puzzled, she heard Warren Prescott say lightly, "She really put some thought into it."
Ashley Shaw was about to ask what he meant, and then suddenly everything clicked.
She understood Claudia Jennings, and Claudia Jennings understood her as well. So Claudia Jennings knew that if the red envelope contained too much money, Ashley would find a way to return it.
It was only by giving a sum that regular people could afford, like 888.8, that Ashley would actually accept it.
"She definitely doesn’t think everyone is like her, finding auspicious numbers so important, does she? She’s really been superstitious lately, probably played too much mahjong, making her mind a mess, and she only gives such a small amount. It’s not even enough to buy a suitcase to Aethelgard."
Warren Prescott was complaining over there, but Ashley Shaw could tell that he was subtly hinting that Claudia Jennings wasn’t stingy, just wanted to bring some good luck.
By now, Ashley Shaw had also figured it out.
She gently bit her lip, still finding it hard to digest Claudia Jennings’ sudden change.
But no matter what, having one less person to clash with her was better than having one more.
Warren Prescott continued to complain about Claudia Jennings, but Ashley Shaw suddenly said, "You don’t need to say any more, I understand. Aunt Jennings isn’t actually bad, just too sharp-tongued."
In the past, even though Claudia Jennings never showed her a good face, she never really acted against her or engaged in any petty tricks.
This showed that Claudia Jennings was simply spoiled by her maiden family and the Prescott Family; her nature wasn’t that vicious.
This was a small comfort in the failure of her previous marriage.
Otherwise, with her then overly romantic mindset, who knows how badly Claudia Jennings would have scolded her.
Warren Prescott glanced at her sideways, "Are you sure you understand everything?"
"Of course."
"Then tell me, what exactly do you understand?"
"Is that even necessary to say? The less given, the more thoughtful it actually is because she knows that I wouldn’t return the 888. But with 8888 or more, it’s different, I definitely wouldn’t accept it."
Warren Prescott frowned, "Why?"
Ashley Shaw retorted, "Why what?"
"Why you definitely wouldn’t accept it."
"Because it’s too much."
"And why wouldn’t you take it because it’s too much? You should know it clearly in your heart."
Ashley Shaw was at a loss, not knowing how to answer, just repeating, "Because... it’s too much."
"The real reason isn’t that it’s too much, it’s because you don’t consider her family, right? Think about it, if Aunt Shaw were still around and financially well-off and gave you 8888, would you accept it?"
Instinctively, Ashley Shaw said, "That’s different..."
Warren Prescott sneered, "Of course it’s different because Aunt Shaw is family and my mom is an outsider to you. My mom knows you’ve always seen her as an outsider, which is why she didn’t dare give you a big red envelope—otherwise, with her personality, how could she have given just 888?"
Ashley Shaw could tell he was mocking, and though she felt uncomfortable, she oddly found his words made sense.
She thought she was being polite and courteous, but to others, it seemed like she was keeping them at a distance.
Suddenly, Ashley Shaw didn’t know what to say and looked down in silence.
Warren Prescott also fell silent when he saw her say nothing.
Soon they reached their destination, and Warren Prescott spoke again, "Do you remember, Aunt Shaw used to have a good relationship with my mom?"
Ashley Shaw nodded slightly.
Indeed, when her mom was alive, she got along well with Claudia Jennings.
For one, her mom was relatively young among the helpers and could chat well with Claudia Jennings.
And she was also beautiful, graceful, diligent, and hardworking.
When attending events, Claudia Jennings loved to take her mom along, feeling that she added to her own prestige.
Warren Prescott continued, "They were close, which is why she felt more betrayed. Because she considered Aunt Shaw a friend, a part of her circle, yet a friend turned on her, making her feel more hurt and angry."
"...I get what you’re saying now. It’s not because she didn’t care, but because she cared too much..."
Warren Prescott had a "you finally understand what I was really trying to say" look on his face.
He paused and said, "Now she’s figured things out and is racking her brains on how to compensate you."
"I don’t expect you to forgive her for her past attitude towards you, but I hope that if she gives you something or sends you something in the future, you’ll accept it."
"If you really don’t want it, then at least take it in front of her, and later you can throw it away or send it to me."
Ashley Shaw moved her lips but felt inexplicably unsettled.
"I got it... I’ll keep what you said in mind."
After speaking, Ashley Shaw opened the car door and stepped out, not forgetting to thank him before closing it.
Thanking him for driving her home.
Even though Lars Prescott’s words angered her, she knew it wasn’t Warren Prescott’s fault, so she never blamed him for it.
Warren Prescott simply replied with an "hmm," and without any pause, he turned the steering wheel and drove towards the Spectator Tower.
Earlier today, Leon Zeller’s injuries worsened because he had strained himself again while helping the Stardust Team drive away a bear.
The producers needed to discuss whether to have the medical team treat Leon.
The company has been deliberating this all afternoon, unsure of what decision to make, so the final decision was left to Warren Prescott.
Meanwhile.
Ashley Shaw returned home and immediately noticed the living room piled high with various gift bags of all colors and sizes.
There were clothes and jewelry, and judging by the brands, they were not cheap.
"Ariana?"
At the sound of her voice, Ariana Grant immediately emerged from the room.
"Ashley, you’re back?"
Despite Ariana Grant’s smile, Ashley Shaw could easily tell her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
"What’s going on with you?"
Ariana Grant shook her head, trying to brush it off, but under Ashley Shaw’s "interrogation," she had to confess.
It turned out that Jade Coleman had called her half an hour ago.
The call was full of curses, calling her an ungrateful wolf, and saying that if she had known it would turn out like this, she should have aborted her back then.
As Ariana Grant narrated, her eyes reddened again.
Not because of feeling wronged, but out of anger.
"I could tell that she wanted this apartment not even for herself, but for her current family. They all live in it now, and finding a good job outside is hard, so this apartment is their greatest asset. Selling it would at least ensure they wouldn’t starve, but even if I had to blow it up or burn it down, I wouldn’t give it to her!"