She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 233

"Her real name is actually Katherine Gable," Desmond explained. "But because she was always so fiercely protective, biting and scratching anyone who came near like a wild little animal, everyone started calling her 'Kit'—like a feral fox kit—and the name just stuck."

He let out another heavy sigh. "Mrs. Gable has had a hard life. Her husband passed away early. They had a son and a daughter. The daughter married someone far away and hasn't been back since. The son and his wife went off to work in the city, but a few years ago, they were killed in an accident. Mrs. Gable had to travel hundreds of miles to bring their ashes home, and when she returned, she was holding baby Kit. She said it was the only blood she had left. Those two have been relying on each other ever since."

"Kit hasn't had it easy, either. Honestly, given Mrs. Gable's age, she could easily be the girl's great-grandmother. Her health is failing, especially these last two years. Her legs are so bad she can barely do any chores. So little Kit, at just six years old, has had to take over. She gets up at dawn to feed the livestock and cook their meals. To make matters worse, debt collectors used to show up, demanding money her parents owed before they died. They were ruthless, threatening the old lady. And that little girl fought them off like a rabid animal to protect her grandmother."

Watching Kit fan Mrs. Gable in the shade while feeding her the crackers, Desmond sighed for the third time. "We want to help them. We really do. But Mrs. Gable is so paranoid and eccentric, she flat-out refuses any charity. If we push it, she chases us off the property. With her terrible temper and poor hygiene, it's no surprise she doesn't get along with the neighbors, either."

Zane chimed in, sounding just as defeated. "All we can do is keep an eye on them from a distance to make sure nothing terrible happens. We drop off food and supplies when we can, but as for how she raises that little girl or how they live their lives? We have absolutely no say in it."

Over in the shade, Mrs. Gable was happily munching on the crackers Kit had brought back.

Noticing Hulda and the officials watching them, her face instantly soured. She grabbed Kit by the arm and dragged her into their temporary tent.

Desmond held his hands up in a helpless gesture. "See? Nothing we can do."

Just then, a staff member came jogging over. "Sir, the national news reporters are here. Should I bring them over?"

"Yes! Bring them right over!" Desmond said immediately. When the national press arrived, it was his duty to welcome them personally.

Seeing Hulda turn to leave, he quickly stopped her. "Ms. Atherton, please, stay and do the interview with us. After all, it was your accurate prediction of the disaster that gave us the crucial time we needed to evacuate the residents."

"No, thank you. I'm not comfortable doing interviews," Hulda politely declined.

The truth was, she loathed the spotlight. She just wanted to quietly focus on her research without being bogged down by media circuses. She had seen how Brandon Lowe's days were constantly derailed by unnecessary PR events, and she wanted no part of it.

Soon enough, the national news broadcasted the story of the landslide and the ongoing relief efforts, bringing the disaster to the public's attention across the country.

"Mom? Is everything okay?" Sylvie Sinclair asked, looking up from her phone.

She had been busy studying the profiles of everyone attending the ladies' social club Valery was taking her to, wanting to ensure her performance was flawless.

Hearing Sylvie's sweet, affectionate voice, Valery softened and smiled warmly. "It's nothing. My eyes must be playing tricks on me."

Yes, she must have been mistaken. What on earth would Hulda be doing in some remote mountain village?

She patted Sylvie's hand gently. "Now, you make sure to put your best foot forward today, understand? Make me proud!"

It felt so good. Finally, she had a daughter-in-law she could proudly show off to her social circle.