Independence

The lab was as busy as ever in June, with Miranda working non–stop for two weeks straight before finally getting a day off. Early in the morning, just after feeding her fish, Lionel called.

“Mimi, are you up?”

“Yeah, I’m up.”

“Why not sleep in a bit more? I remember you said you’re off today and don’t need to go to the lab.”

“My body clock’s used to it. Where’s Mom?”

“In the study.”

“Writing another novel?”

“Yeah. You know how she gets–mornings are when she’s most inspired.“,

Miranda thought about the contract situation, her gaze deepening slightly. “Dad, has Mom’s editor contacted her recently?”

“No, why? They usually communicate online.”

“Nothing, just asking.”

After the call, Miranda went to the kitchen to make herself breakfast. Lionel then headed to the backyard to tend to his plants.

Meanwhile, Mindy sat in the study, fully absorbed in her work. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as line after line of text formed vivid and chilling scenes in her novel.NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

Everything was peaceful and pleasant.

Little did they know that just outside their old house in the Earnest High Staff Quarters, not far from the villa, a woman was impatiently banging on the door.

“Is anyone home? Mindy–are you there?”

Dressed in a Chanel business suit and carrying a brown Delvaux bag, Edith tapped her high heels on the dirt–covered ground, looking completely irritated.

What a dump! What kind of place was this? It was worse than a dog’s kennel!

If it weren’t for Mindy’s contract nearing its end and needing renewal, she wouldn’t have bothered coming. out here! They could have renewed it online without all this hassle, but after their last argument, Mindy had blocked all of Edith’s contacts.

Edith simply scoffed when she discovered this. After all, this wasn’t the first time they’d fought over the years, and it was always Mindy who eventually caved and chose to compromise.

Asking Mindy to write web novels this time around might have genuinely made her resistant, which was why she was being so stubborn.

But Edith was confident that Mindy would eventually give in just like every time before–it was only taking longer this tim

“Mindy? I know you’re in there! Open the door!

You’re being ridiculous! I came all the way here; even if we have work–related disagreements, you should at least show some basic courtesy and respect!

“Mindy–if you keep this up, I’m done managing your books!”

Edith’s knocking grew more agitated, eventually turning into outright banging on the door. Her hand turned red from all the pounding, but there was still no response from inside.

“What are you banging on the door for so early in the morning, like a grim reaper collecting souls?” Karen shouted. She stormed out in her pajamas from next door. Her hair was disheveled, and she clearly had just woken up, her bad mood evident.

Standing in her little front yard with her hands on her hips, she glared fiercely at Edith through the iron fence between their homes.

“What are you staring at? Yeah, I’m talking to you! Showing up early in the morning bringing bad luck and disturbing everyone’s sleep! Look at you all dressed up, yet you don’t know the first thing about proper manners!”

Edith hadn’t been yelled at like this in a long time and was momentarily stunned into silence.

Karen continued her tirade. “It’s true that crap attracts flies; everyone around these people are just as annoying!”

“Excuse me, lady, but mind your language! Don’t keep cursing–I’d hate to see you twist your tongue and jinx yourself!” Edith finally snapped back, t willing to be bullied.

Did Karen think she was an easy target?

“And you’re the one bringing bad luck–your whole family is bad luck!”

Being quite superstitious, Karen hated being cursed at. “You hag! Who are you cursing at? You’re probably working at those sex clubs, huh?”