Chapter 235

"What? Moving out after the family splits?" Victoria Johnson shot up from her seat, her bowl and chopsticks clattering loudly.

Anthony Johnson leisurely picked up another bite of food. "If you and Richard don't want to move, that's fine. You can stay with your parents, and Catherine and I will move back here. It's livelier when we're all together."

Victoria's face turned ashen. Her parents' cramped house barely had room to turn around.

"Catherine's right," Catherine Johnson spoke up, her tone measured. "If Richard doesn't move out soon, he'll miss his chance at the factory housing allocation. By seniority, this year should be his turn."

Her words landed like a bomb, sending shockwaves across the table.

Catherine calmly continued eating. Working at the Supply & Market counter, she'd long mastered keeping her composure under scrutiny.

"Anthony's wife makes a good point," Henry Johnson said firmly, setting down his chopsticks. "Richard's worked at the factory for years—it's time he got housing. If you don't move, you'll never qualify."

Victoria twisted her hands anxiously. She'd been counting on her sons staying close to their grandparents to secure the family inheritance. But if they moved out...

"Mom, where's Emily? Why didn't she come back with you?" Victoria abruptly changed the subject, her eyes darting around. She still hoped her sister-in-law could help her out.

All eyes turned to Margaret Johnson.

"She's married," Margaret said coldly.

"Married?!" Victoria shrieked before lowering her voice. "How could she not tell us about something so important? We're her closest family—"

"Closest family?" Anthony slammed his chopsticks down. "Is that why you signed her up for that rural labor program behind her back? And sent her to the poorest region—the Northern Wilderness?"

Victoria's back went rigid. How had this old secret resurfaced?

"Mom, how is Emily doing now?" Catherine quickly interjected, pinching her husband's arm.

Margaret sighed. "She married the village chief's son, Michael Stone. They have two boys—David, five, and Tommy, three. Both can already recite the Three Character Classic. The young man treats her well—built her the best brick house in the village..."

"Five years old and reciting classics?" Anthony's eyes lit up. "My nephew's that bright? What's the husband like? Does he treat Emily right?"

"Very well," Margaret finally smiled. "Emily hasn't worked in the fields since marrying. I didn't see Michael this time—he was away on a delivery..."

Victoria clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. How did that little wretch get so lucky? She'd have to find a way...