The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 22

Eleanor coughed pointedly. "You can't put it that way. This is, after all, the house she shares with Adrian. As elders, we can't be like some ill-mannered young people, without a sense of propriety."

Michelle replied dutifully, "I understand, Mom."

Jocelyn scoffed internally.

"They think I'm a child? Putting on this little two-person act for me?"

They were insulting her with every word.

"Jocelyn." Audrey called out to her but didn't bother to move from her spot on the sofa. "I'm so sorry. I guess we'll be intruding on you and Adrian from now on."

Jocelyn forced a smile. "Not at all. We're family. I couldn't be happier to have you here, Audrey."

Audrey looked momentarily stunned.

This wasn't following the script. Shouldn't she be throwing a fit right now?

Thinking quickly, Audrey continued, "Michelle was just saying that your bedroom is the best one in the house, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. She wanted to give it to me."

"But I didn't want you to be put out, Jocelyn, so I insisted I couldn't take it."

Jocelyn remained perfectly calm. "I'll clear out the room tonight. You should have it, with the baby. I'll just take a guest room."

A flash of delight crossed Audrey's face, though her words were laced with false modesty. "Oh, I couldn't. It would feel like I'm the lady of the house instead of you."

Jocelyn rolled her eyes internally.

"This isn't just feeling like the lady of the house. This is a full-blown hostile takeover."

The mistress had moved into her home, and her in-laws were her backup.

Jocelyn was fighting this battle alone. She had to be smart.

"It's fine. You have a baby to think about now, Audrey. For Leo's sake, you should have that room."

Eleanor cleared her throat. "Audrey, since Jocelyn has been so gracious, you shouldn't refuse. We're all family. There's no need to be so formal. Go ahead and take it."

Audrey replied softly, "Alright, I'll listen to Grandma."

Then, she added pointedly, "Thank you, Jocelyn."

Jocelyn stretched her lips into a smile. "You're welcome."

Claire, still stewing over yesterday's argument, pouted and muttered, "So fake!"

Why would she care about a stupid room?

She didn't fight because she no longer cared.

Besides, she wouldn't be living in this house for much longer.

Her only goal now was to execute her plan, step by step, before she left.

So, she couldn't afford a direct confrontation.

A strategic retreat was the best approach.

Suddenly, an idea came to her. "Maria, are there any photos of the two brothers together?"

Maria thought for a moment. "I think so. In the storage room upstairs."

"Go get one for me."

Maria was confused. "What do you want that for? After Arthur passed, Adrian put away everything that might remind him of his brother."

Jocelyn's smile was full of meaning. "Just bring it to me quietly. It's time Audrey had a little reunion with her husband tonight."