Chapter 4

With that, Ruby took out two 50-dollar bills from her purse and slid them across to me. "Here's a little something from us. Take this money and go get your sister some cough syrup so she can actually get over this thing."

I quietly sat there, looking at the petition letter filled with signatures.

They had no idea that the real owner of the so-called "minibus Miss Ruby pulled some strings to get" was sitting right in front of them.

I didn't take the money, nor did I utter a word.

Noticing that I wasn't saying anything, Ruby scoffed. "What's this? You still think you have room to argue?"

She turned around and shouted out the door, "Gary! Gary Brown! Get in here!"

Gary, who was smoking outside, hastily put out his cigarette and scrambled in.

When he spotted me in the room, his gaze darted away for a second. He seemed to be feeling a little guilty.

Pointing at me, Ruby said to Gary, "Gary, you're the driver. Your word holds the most weight here. Go ahead and tell everybody. Having Amelia on board poses a serious risk to road safety, doesn't it?"

Gary glanced at me.

He knew I was the one paying his salary, but he also knew very well that Ruby was the one collecting his "fuel kickback" from the parents in the room.

To protect his job and keep cashing in on both sides, he swallowed hard and gritted his teeth. "That's… That's right."

Gary leaned in and tried to make his voice low and sincere. "Mr. Reinhart, I don't want to do this to Amelia, but her coughs are getting out of hand. Her coughing is really terrifying, and it always creeps me out when I drive. I'll get distracted, see? There are a dozen kids in the minibus, so safety is my number one priority. If I get distracted and get into an accident, I can't afford to take the blame for that."

As soon as Gary finished speaking, the other parents immediately backed him up. "See? Even the driver says so! Amelia must be taken off the minibus! We can't let her on board ever again!"

Ruby leaned back in her chair and looked at me in glee.

The crowd was getting riled up.

I stood up. Then, as everyone watched, I made my way to the table.

I reached out and picked up the petition letter. Without any hesitation, I tore it to shreds right in front of the parents.

Everyone was stunned.

Ruby's expression shifted. "You brat! How dare you do that to our petition letter? Are you out of your mind?"

I looked at her coldly. "You're Paul Hitchborn's wife, right? Playing the generous host with someone else's property while pocketing 100 dollars per child in illicit cash from the parents in the group chat… Do you think you can rule the neighborhood with an iron fist just because your husband is a manager?"

Ruby was worked up. "What… That's nonsense! I personally asked the factory director for the minibus—"

Just then, my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket.

The urgent ringtone cut Ruby off.

When I took out my phone, the words "Pineridge Hospital ER" were flashing across the screen.

I answered the call only to hear a voice asking hurriedly, "Is this the family of Amelia Reinhart?"

My heart suddenly sank. "I'm her older brother."

The voice continued, "Your sister had a severe asthma flare-up and is currently unresponsive. She was rushed here by emergency medical services. Her oxygen levels are critically low, and she's been admitted to the ICU for emergency intervention. Someone needs to come sign the paperwork with ID and payment immediately!"