Chapter 81

Chapter 81 Waking up in Anger Even After Falling Asleep

With her head hanging low, Leanna pushed the gate open and sat on a chair by the courtyard.

Then, Naomi came out of the house and saw Leanna. “Didn’t you say you needed to be somewhere?

Why did you come back so soon?”

Shaking her head, Leanna sighed. “It should be fine.”

She already assumed that Aidan was here to get back at her. After all, Jonathan replied to her instantly,

saying that that man was waiting for her to come begging. However, she hadn’t expected that that man

would come at her with such a grandiose project. Looking at the current situation, her begging him

would amount to nothing in the end. Just the kind of pettiness I’d expect from that scum, she thought.

After a few moments passed, she said, “Ms. Fletcher, do you know they’ll be tearing this place down?”

With a nod, Naomi sat beside her and sorted the clutter there. “I’ve heard about it.”

“Then, where do you plan to go?”

“I’m not sure. Since the project is still in the planning phase, there’s still plenty of time for me to think

about it. After all, they will still need more time to start work even after they’ve finished the proposal.”

Halfway through listening to Naomi, Leanna started having a headache as her belly growing bigger day

by day would make finding a place to move into an inconvenience.

Then, Naomi looked Leanna in her eyes and said, “If you’re troubled with where you would go, how

about living with me?”

With Naomi’s offer, Leanna’s eyes lit up with her spirits perked up instantly. “Is that okay?”

“I’m just one person anyways. Adding you into the mix wouldn’t be a bother.”

“Thank you, Ms. Fletcher,” Leanna said with a smile. Although she now had a plan for the move, she

had a feeling that her days of comfort and peace would soon come to an end with Aidan’s appearance.

Just then, there was a commotion outside the house. With no idea what was going on, Leanna turned

her attention over to the fences crawled with green vines with a thoughtful look, which prompted Naomi

to ask, “Want to go take a look?”

However, Leanna looked away from the fences and shook her head. As she didn’t want to go, she said

with a smile, “There wouldn’t be anything interesting to see since it’s just the developers’ arrival that

caused the commotion.”

Naomi was even more so, as she hadn’t the slightest interest. She had always preferred peace and

quiet and would never be present in such a lively atmosphere.

Soon after, the commotion gradually faded further away from the two in the courtyard. Then, Wendy

from next door entered their courtyard with a smile. “Oh, Leanna, Naomi, why are the two of you just

sitting still here when it’s so lively out there?”

If Leanna’s memory served her right, Wendy was beside herself with worry when she heard that the

area was going to be developed into a resort hotel. So, why does she look so happy now?

Oblivious to Leanna’s thoughts, Wendy sat with the two and said with glee, “That developer who came

looked so young and handsome. He is ways better looking than the celebrities you see on TV. If I were

20 years younger, I would’ve…! Oh dear, it’s so embarrassing just thinking about it!”

Although Leanna was speechless at the sight of Wendy giddy as a schoolgirl, she asked, “Ms. Shaffer,

have you forgotten the fact that that man’s here to develop the land you’ve been staying for ten years

into a resort hotel?”

Wendy slapped her thigh. “Oh yes, how did that even slip my mind? Ah, but forget it. This street is

really old, after all. Few years ago, the government had already said they would be planning to develop

this land. However, they’ve delayed submitting the proposal time after time. If not this handsome

developer, then there would be another developer that will come instead. At the very least, I can still fall

asleep if it was this developer.”

Leanna pursed her lips, holding herself back from remarking. She wanted to tell Wendy that she would

wake up in anger even if she fell asleep upon hearing what that man would say.

“Naomi, where would you be moving to? Vivian and Susan will be staying with their sons. Unfortunately

for me, since my son married a calculating wife, I dislike the idea of living under the same roof as her.

What say you and I be neighbors again?”

“Sure.”

Wendy was relieved after hearing Naomi’s reply. After a short moment of pondering, Wendy then

asked, “Oh, now that I think about it, I’ve never seen your son before even though you’ve been here all

these years. What does he do for a living?”

After Wendy’s question, Naomi stopped sorting the clutter briefly. Just as she was about to answer her,

Wendy continued, “Don’t you dare deny it. I saw just how handsome that little boy was in the photo.”

“He stays with his father,” Naomi said indifferently.

Realizing she had stepped on a landmine, Wendy cleared her throat before she continued, “Hey, it’s

just a divorce. No big deal. However, even though that boy lives with his father, he should at least visit

you here. I mean, it’s already been twenty years since you came here.”

“He doesn’t know I’m here.”

Wendy shook her head and sighed. “Then, you’re really…”

Leanna remained silent the entire time, but she could more or less understand just how Naomi was

feeling.”

A moment’s silence later, Wendy slapped her thigh again. “Oh right! Leanna!”

What is it now? Leanna thought, slightly taken aback.

“The neighbors came together and decided to hold a dinner party for the developers, but you should

know most of us are already in our fifties. We’ll just be treated as a joke if we’re the ones

accompanying them. That’s why we’ve all decided that you should attend the dinner as the

representative of our neighborhood.”

Leanna’s eyes widened in disbelief. “He agreed?”

“Why wouldn’t he? This is a perfect opportunity for them to build a good relationship with the

neighborhood, after all.” Then, Naomi lightly patted Leanna’s thigh before she continued, “Don’t worry,

Leanna. We’re not trying to trick you into anything. We’re just trying to uphold our dignity here. Harry

and his leader would be there as well, so you’ll be in good hands. After you’re done with dinner, you

can even ask him to send you home.”

Leanna wasn’t worried about whether she would be losing out, so to speak. Rather, she was worried

whether it was in Wendy’s intention to set her up with Harry Mills. After seconds passed, she said, “I—”

However, before Leanna could finish her sentence, Wendy stood up and patted Leanna on her

shoulder, as though she was entrusting her with a heavy responsibility. “Leanna, I’ll leave the rest to

you.”

After Wendy took her leave, Leanna immediately looked at Naomi in bewilderment, which prompted the

latter to say, “If you don’t want to go, then don’t go.”

Contrary to Naomi’s assumptions, Leanna was willing to attend the dinner party, as she wanted to ask

Aidan about what was going on. She was bewildered, as she thought just how the meeting would be…

a touch complicated.

In the evening, Leanna was all dressed and was about to leave the house when she remembered

Aidan had a dissatisfied expression upon seeing the clothes she was wearing the night before. She

then went back upstairs to her room, changed into the most vintage-looking dress she had, and put on

retro makeup. After that, she went through the pile of old items Naomi had given her and found a

hairband and earrings that were clearly dated in fashion. With the two accessories finishing her outfit,

she left the room satisfied.

When Leanna left the house, she found Wendy standing by the entrance to her house. Wendy came up

to Leanna and sang praises. “Leanna, you look so beautiful! Back in the old days, you would have

been a celebrity, a household name!”

Leanna smiled. “Thank you, Ms. Shaffer.”

“Dear, it should be me who should be thanking you. I’m ashamed to have you represent us even

though you’ve only moved here not too long ago, but you’re the prettiest in this neighborhood.”

“You shouldn’t say those words, Ms. Shaffer. You and Ms. Fletcher have taken good care of me

throughout my time here.”

Listening to Leanna, Wendy nodded in relief. “Since you have said this much, Leanna, I’ll also be

straightforward with you as well. Harry is—”

Before Wendy could carry on, Leanna immediately interrupted her. “I’ll be late if I leave any later, so I

have to go now. Bye-bye, Ms. Shaffer!”