The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 277

“What’s he doing here?”

Lorinda cared about her reputation. With someone else around, she couldn’t let herself lose control.

Catherine hadn’t paid much attention to Gavin’s parting words, the whole “I’ll wait for you” thing.

But the second he showed up, those words popped right back into her head.

“Give me a few minutes,” she told Lorinda quietly.

“I’m going in. Just make sure Gavin doesn’t come inside.” Lorinda didn’t even wait for an answer. She was already heading into the orphanage.

Catherine was nervous about letting Lorinda go in alone. She worried things might get out of hand.

She turned to Gavin and asked, “Did you need something?”

But Gavin was just staring after Lorinda.

“You both look upset. Is it about—”

Catherine cut him off. “Can you just say what you need? I’m in a hurry.”

Gavin opened his mouth, hesitated, then mumbled, “Uh, you go ahead. I’ll just… I’ll wait here…”

He trailed off, completely tongue-tied.

Catherine didn’t bother waiting. She hurried after Lorinda, already catching raised voices from inside.

Thankfully, Lorinda had enough self-control to pull Amanda into the kitchen, away from the kids.

Catherine pushed the door open.

Amanda’s voice was already rattling the windows.

“What do you want from me? Are you trying to push me over the edge? Do you know how hard I’ve worked to keep this orphanage running? This is what I get for being a good person? You’re just hounding me! It’s just a couple hundred thousand, I don’t have it. If you want my life, take it! Go ahead, kill me!”

Lorinda had imagined Amanda refusing to return the money a hundred times, but nothing had prepared her for this level of shamelessness.

They had to make sure Lorinda could pay back the money she’d borrowed from her fan.

“She won’t give it!” Lorinda snapped. Just thinking about how Amanda had insisted she didn’t have the money made her blood boil.

Catherine looked at Amanda, who was acting like she’d rather die than pay up. Frustration tightened in her chest.

“That money came from Lorinda’s fans. If anyone finds out and twists the story, Lorinda’s whole future could be ruined.”

She pulled the tissues out of Amanda’s mouth. “If you can’t earn money, I’ll take care of you and your son. But we’re done giving you anything else.”

Amanda spat, broke free, and wiped her mouth.

“Anyone can talk big. You think I believe you’ll ever help me again after this mess?”

Lorinda’s anger was about to spill over. She stepped forward, ready to lash out.

Catherine blocked her, then turned to Amanda. “I told you before, what you’re doing is illegal. If we call the police, they’ll force you to return the money, and you’ll end up in jail. You need to think about what’s really best for you.”