Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 97: Double-Dealing

The neighbors still couldn’t believe it. They never thought the reputably virtuous Mrs. Chapman would be so vicious to a little girl visiting from out of town. Everyone knew she favored boys over girls, and they were aware she wasn’t particularly kind to her own granddaughter. But they didn’t think much of it, since most of them felt the same way. Sons were essential for carrying on the family line, while daughters would eventually marry out anyway. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

But Mrs. Chapman usually only ever scolded them. The neighbors had never seen her lay a hand on Amanda. Yet today, she had struck Phoebe’s young niece. Not only that, but she’d also made the visiting girl do chores. That was just going too far.

"You didn’t pinch her? Are you saying my sister pinched herself?" Patrick Thorne demanded icily.

Pearl lowered her head guiltily, but to the onlookers, it just looked like she was crying, making their hearts go out to her even more.

She was such an adorable little girl—fair-skinned, plump, and pretty. Her clothes were made of fine fabric, and she was spotlessly clean. Anyone could tell she was the treasured pearl of her family.

They’d heard Phoebe mention before that her niece was a precious treasure back home, doted on since she was a baby. What on earth had gotten into Mrs. Chapman? Making a guest do chores and even striking her—it was just so wrong.

"The damned brat pinched herself! You’re a whole pack of bandits and thugs... coming to my house to bully a poor old woman like me... I can’t go on living...!"

Mrs. Chapman was so furious she lost all reason, completely forgetting her virtuous facade. She started screeching like a madwoman.

"I didn’t pinch myself, Patrick... It was Grandma Chapman! She said Auntie was lazy, and when I said she was hardworking, she pinched me... She called me a damned brat, but I’m not... I’m a precious darling..."

Pearl cried out her story between sobs, letting out a little hiccup now and then. The neighbors were completely convinced. How could a child so young be lying?

Besides, her innocent, childish words were so endearing. Mrs. Chapman had really gone too far this time. While Phoebe might have a bit of a temper, she was known for being incredibly capable, keeping everything at home running in perfect order, inside and out.

Mrs. Chapman often praised her daughter-in-law in public, yet here she was bad-mouthing her in front of Phoebe’s niece. Wasn’t that the very definition of two-faced? They’d never realized it before!

"You damned brat, you’re spouting nonsense! All of you bandits, get out! Get out and don’t ever come back!"

Flustered and enraged, Mrs. Chapman tried to drive them out, completely missing the warning look from Mr. Chapman. All she wanted was to get these bandits gone. Out of sight, out of mind.

Patrick scoffed, then ran to the kitchen and brought back the things they had carried over that day. He set them down in front of Mrs. Chapman. "We brought all of this. The pork was used for lunch, and you certainly ate your fill. We’ve sent plenty of meat over in the past, too. You eat our family’s food and still call us bandits? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be struck by lightning?"

The neighbors’ eyes widened at the pile of goods: meat, edible vine stems, rice cakes, sweet potatoes. Each item was a life-saving treasure in these times, more valuable than cash itself. They all knew Phoebe’s family sent things over from time to time, but they had never seen the deliveries with their own eyes. Today, they finally understood.

No wonder the Chapman family could afford to eat meat so often. It was all coming from Phoebe’s family! They’d kill for in-laws like that. Mrs. Chapman was just plain ungrateful.

"Auntie, why are you arguing with a child? Please, calm down. Children don’t know any better!"

The neighbors chimed in, trying to placate her. Though their tone was as respectful as ever, their perception of Mrs. Chapman had distinctly changed.

"Amanda, where did your mom go?"

"My mom wasn’t feeling well, so my uncle took her to the hospital," Amanda replied.

A neighbor asked in alarm, "What’s wrong with your mom? Is she alright?"