CHAPTER 288: CHAPTER 288: ABBY MONROE, YOU’RE JUST A LITTLE BEGGAR!

"What’s going on, brother? Why are you standing at the door?" Yvonne walked in from behind.

Last night, Joy stayed at The Hawthorne Estate. When Yvonne went to pick Joy up from school, she received a call from Vincent. The siblings decided to have a meal together, and then Vincent would take Joy home.

This family restaurant had good reviews online, and Joy liked looking at little animals, so Yvonne made a reservation here.

She just went to park the car while Vincent took Joy inside first. But when Yvonne parked and came in, she saw Vincent’s tall figure holding Joy’s hand, standing at the door.

Yvonne thought Vincent was looking for the table she reserved, "Brother, I reserved the table by the window..."

Before she finished her sentence, Yvonne saw Felix Kendall sitting not far away, and she recognized him instantly even from the side!

Her heart excitedly thumped twice in her chest, but the next second, she saw the woman sitting with Felix Kendall!

"Tanya?!" Yvonne’s face changed instantly.

How could Tanya be associated with Felix Kendall?

She looked again and saw that besides Caden, there was another little girl next to Tanya. Felix Kendall peeled a shrimp and put it in the girl’s bowl. They looked very close.

Yvonne frowned slightly, her expression becoming more unsightly.

She hadn’t heard that Felix Kendall had a daughter that old!

"Brother, what’s going on?" Yvonne couldn’t help but ask. "Why is Tanya having a meal with Felix Kendall? And who’s that little girl..."

"Let’s go." Vincent coldly interrupted her, leading Joy to the reserved table.

Yvonne bit her lip, glared resentfully at Tanya, but could only follow along.

Caden unconsciously lifted his eyes, as if he saw some familiar figures pass by.

He seemed to see Dad and Aunt Yvonne and Joy...

Caden looked at his mom, saw Tanya calmly picking up food for him, and after thinking for a moment, swallowed back the words on his lips.

Forget it, Mom would never want to see Dad and Aunt Yvonne, including Joy.

He was still mad at Joy himself.

The table Yvonne reserved had an excellent view by the window, with only a serving aisle on the other side and a curtain in front, ensuring good privacy.

Joy usually liked watching Animal Planet, but now, the small animals separated by glass didn’t interest her, and she fiddled with the food on her plate listlessly.

Vincent placed cut-up steak pieces onto her plate and said flatly, "Joy, once you’re done eating, I’ll take you home. I need to go back to the office for some work. Auntie will put you to sleep; don’t wait for me."

"Oh..."

Yvonne heard this and frowned slightly. "Brother, isn’t Ms. Cindy living with you in the villa now? Why don’t you let her take care of Joy?"

She still didn’t know about Cindy, and Vincent didn’t feel like explaining.

After all, if Yvonne found out, her big mouth would surely make Mother Hawthorne and Old Lady Hawthorne know, which would be a mess.

The father, Theodore Hawthorne, was previously so stressed with a fundraising project that he almost ended up in the hospital and was now recuperating.

Right now was a crucial time, and Vincent didn’t want any trouble.

He responded perfunctorily, "Cindy has something else to do; she won’t be around for the next few days."

"What else could she have to do? Aren’t you and Joy her biggest priorities now?" Yvonne’s eyes twinkled with realization, "Is sister-in-law preparing the wedding dress? Since you guys are about to get married soon!"

Vincent: "...Let’s eat."

His obviously cold attitude led Yvonne to guess they had a fight.

It’s nothing unusual; couples often quarrel while preparing for a wedding.

"Brother, if sister-in-law is too busy, I can help. I don’t have anything else to do right now," Yvonne offered kindly.

Unexpectedly, Vincent slammed his chopsticks on the table, startling even Joy.

"Isn’t this enough?"

Yvonne felt like crying from being scolded without reason.

"Brother, why are you scolding me?"

Vincent took a deep breath, "Stay out of my business."

Yvonne pouted, "Fine, I won’t interfere... Brother, then tell me, who is that little girl with Felix Kendall?"

Vincent didn’t have a chance to explain before Joy spoke grumpily, "That’s Abby, our classmate..." She paused, recalling Tanya wiping Abby’s hands, and added, "She’s also my little follower! Without me, no one in class is willing to play with her! Everyone says she’s an unwanted child, and she’s always dirty!"

The more Joy spoke, the angrier she got. She shouted, "Abby is just a little beggar!"

Only beggars take what others don’t want!

Besides, Tanya is her mom. Even if they don’t want her anymore, she’s still her mom!!

And her brother, doesn’t he hate people with bad grades the most? How could he play with that little beggar!

Vincent frowned and lightly reprimanded, "Joy, what are you talking about? Abby is your friend; how could you..."

"She’s not my friend!" Joy covered her ears and loudly retorted, jumping off the chair and storming out, "I don’t want to eat anymore; I’m going to the castle!"

Upstairs was a children’s activity area with a small castle playground.

Vincent felt a little headache coming on and was about to follow her when a call came in. Seeing the caller ID, his expression changed slightly.

"Yvonne, keep an eye on Joy; I need to take this call."

Being her own niece, Yvonne naturally cared about Joy and promptly followed her.

The activity area only allows children to play inside, with surveillance all around and several staff members keeping watch to ensure safety, so nothing should go wrong.

Yvonne leaned against the side, playing on her phone.

As Joy played, she looked up and saw Abby and her brother standing on the glass walkway outside the castle, watching the fish. Her brother was even explaining to her.

How silly, not to know the names of these fish.

Joy put on her shoes, huffed in anger, and ran over.

"Caden, what’s this fish?" Abby asked with wide eyes, curiously watching the fish swimming past.

"This is a stingray..." Caden was halfway through when Joy came over aggressively, pushing Abby hard.

"Who says he’s your brother? He’s my brother!" Joy put her hands on her hips, glaring at Abby angrily.

Abby, who was already thin and small, was unprepared and got pushed to the ground by Joy charging in. Her knees turned red from the fall, and tears welled in her eyes, holding back her grievances.

Joy shouted, "Are you a beggar or a thief, for stealing someone else’s brother!"

Caden frowned, "Joy, why are you bullying her?" He tried to help Abby up, but Joy hugged his arm tightly, refusing to let go.

"He’s not her brother! He’s my brother!"

Tanya had just returned from the restroom and saw the scene as she approached.

"Abby!" Tanya quickly walked over, helping Abby up, and seeing her reddened knee, she tenderly blew on it.

Joy saw this and became even angrier.

Before, her mom’s whole heart and eyes were filled with her, but this time, she didn’t even glance at her!

Joy shouted, "Abby, you’re just a little beggar! You even take someone else’s mom!"