Chapter 8: World War III (and Dinner)

 

Harper insisted on stopping by her family’s home before returning to the Sterling Estate. She needed to pack her things properly and, more importantly, explain to her overprotective family why she was going back to the "Lion's Den."

The Evans family lived in a cramped but cozy apartment above their Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) massage clinic.

The moment Harper walked in, the aroma of spicy tofu and braised pork ribs hit her. The whole family was there: Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, and her outspoken Aunt Susan.

They were all deaf or mute, except for Aunt Susan and Harper. But the house was never quiet. It was filled with the sounds of aggressive sign language, stomping feet, and laughter.

"I'm sorry!" Harper signed rapidly, pouring orange juice for everyone. "I promise, I won't make you worry again."

Her father, Frank, signed back vigorously: [You better not! If that rich jerk bullied you, I’ll go over there and acupuncture his remaining good nerve!]

Harper smiled nervously. "Okay, Dad. I promise."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Knock, knock. Polite and rhythmic.

Aunt Susan opened the door. Standing there was Liam Sterling, looking like a runway model in his navy suit, with his terrified assistant, Ken, behind him.

"Excuse me," Liam smiled dazzlingly. "Is this the Evans residence?"

"Who are you?" Aunt Susan asked, blocking the doorway.

"I'm Liam Sterling. Harper's... boss."

The room went dead silent. Then, chaos erupted.

It was World War III.

Frank roared (a guttural sound) and charged forward, grabbing a broom. Mom grabbed a spatula. Grandma clutched her chest and slumped into Grandpa’s arms, wailing dramatically (without sound), pretending to faint from the shock.

[THE ENEMY IS HERE!] Frank signed furiously, his hands moving so fast they were a blur. [YOU! YOU MADE MY DAUGHTER CRY! GET OUT BEFORE I TURN YOU INTO A PINCUSHION!]

Liam backed away, hiding behind Ken. "Ken! What's happening? Why is the old lady fainting? Is this a ambush?"

Ken was sweating buckets. "I think... I think they don't like us, sir."

Harper jumped into the middle of the fray, waving her hands frantically. "STOP! STOP! Everyone, calm down!"

She turned to Liam, forcing a bright, fake smile. "Sorry, Mr. Sterling. My family is just... very passionate."

"Passionate?" Liam eyed the broom in Frank's hand. "He looks like he wants to murder me."

"No, no!" Harper lied through her teeth. "My dad is saying..."

She glanced at her father, who was currently signing: [Tell this rich bastard to get lost or I'll break his legs!]

Harper cleared her throat. "He says... Welcome to our humble home! We are honored by your presence!"

Liam blinked. "Really?"

"Yes!" Harper nodded vigorously. "In our family dialect, waving a broom means... sweeping away bad luck to welcome a guest."

Frank: [Why is he still here?! Get out!] Harper translation: "Please, come in! Don't be shy!"

She grabbed Frank’s hand, pleading with her eyes. [Dad! Please! He's the nice brother! He gave me a bonus!]

Frank huffed, throwing the broom down. He glared at Liam with the intensity of a thousand suns.

Liam stepped inside, cautiously. "Well, thank you for the... warm welcome."

The apartment was small, and adding two grown men made it tiny. Aunt Susan pulled up two extra stools.

"Since you're here," Harper said, trying to diffuse the tension. "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

Liam looked at the table. It was overflowing with homemade dishes: sticky rice, dumplings, spicy fish, and glazed ribs. Compared to the cold, silent meals at the Sterling Mansion, this looked like heaven.

Liam gulped. "Can I?"

Ten minutes later, the CEO of Sterling Corp had loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves. He was devouring a chicken wing with his bare hands.

"Oh my god," Liam moaned around a mouthful of food. "Harper, did you learn to cook from your mom? This pork melts in my mouth!"

Ken, the assistant, was equally ungraceful, shoveling rice into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in a week.

Aunt Susan whispered to Harper: "Are you sure this is a billionaire? He eats like a stray dog we found in the alley."

"Rich people are weird," Harper whispered back. "They probably starve themselves for fashion."

Grandpa, who had "recovered" from his fainting spell, watched Liam eat with a satisfied nod. He signed to Harper: [This boy has a good appetite. Reminds me of the pigs I used to raise on the farm. Good eater, good heart.]

Harper chuckled. "Grandpa says you look healthy."

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Liam beamed, grabbing another dumpling. "I'm stuffed, but I can't stop."

Once the plates were licked clean, Liam wiped his mouth and suddenly remembered why he was there. He signaled Ken to bring out the Contract.

The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted from "Feast" back to "War."

"I'm here to apologize for my brother," Liam said seriously, placing the thick document on the sticky table. "Sebastian was wrong. He regrets firing you. He hasn't eaten in three days."

He pushed the contract forward. "We want you back, Harper. Officially. This is a permanent contract with full benefits."

Frank saw the paper. He didn't need to hear to know what it was. He slammed his hand on the table. [NO!] Frank signed aggressively. [My daughter is not going back to that monster! He fired her once, he'll do it again! No amount of money is worth her dignity!]

Grandma started "crying" again. Mom shook her head vehemently. It was a unified front. The Evans family would not sell their daughter.

"They seem... upset," Liam shrank back.

"They are protecting me," Harper said softly. She looked at the contract. She wanted to go back—partly for Sebastian, partly for the money—but she couldn't break her family's heart.

"I don't think I can—"

Suddenly, Aunt Susan snatched the contract. "Let me see this 'insulting' offer."

She flipped to the page titled "Compensation & Salary." Her eyes scanned the numbers. She blinked. She rubbed her eyes. She looked again.

There were so many zeros.

Aunt Susan gasped. She elbowed Harper hard. "Look!"

Harper looked. Her jaw dropped. It was triple her previous salary. Plus a signing bonus that could buy this entire apartment building.

Aunt Susan slammed the contract down in front of Frank. She pointed at the number. Frank squinted. His anger froze. Mom leaned in. Her eyes widened. Grandma stopped crying instantly and put on her reading glasses.

Silence descended on the room. The only sound was the ticking clock.

Then, Frank cleared his throat. He straightened his shirt. He looked at Liam with a newfound gentleness.

He signed slowly and elegantly: [Everyone deserves a second chance.]

Harper translated, trying not to laugh. "My dad says... forgiveness is a virtue."

Aunt Susan patted Liam on the shoulder, smiling like a shark. "Harper isn't unreasonable. We are a kind family."

Grandma pushed a plate of oranges toward Liam. [Eat, child. You look thin. Take care of our Harper.]

Liam and Ken hugged each other, trembling with relief. "Thank you!" Liam said. "I promise, she'll be safe."

Harper looked at her family—who had gone from "War Mode" to "Business Mode" in three seconds flat—and shook her head. Money really was the universal language.

She picked up the pen and signed her name.

"Okay, Liam," Harper stood up, clutching her backpack. "Let's go feed the monster."

(End of Chapter 8)