"Meryl grew up helping run her family's shop, keeping the books. With her in charge, you won't have a thing to worry about."
When I said nothing, he shifted his gaze to Madge Sullivan. Then he looked down at the bowl of chicken soup in front of me.
"Sis, how many times have I told you? Mom has a bad stomach. She shouldn't be drinking soup with her meals. Why can you never remember? And you keep putting it right in front of her."
"No wonder they say a married daughter is like water poured out the door. When Mom's old and needs someone to take care of her day and night, that's going to fall on me and your sister-in-law."
Madge took after me in temperament. She wasn't someone you could push around.
She fired back without hesitation. "Have you lost your mind? Ever since you got involved with this woman, you've been siphoning money from the company's finance department to buy her luxury cars and mansions."
"Mom's been more than lenient with you, turning a blind eye every single time."
"And now you have the nerve to bring a gold-digger home to fight over the family fortune? Do you have any conscience left at all?"
His little scheme laid bare, James flushed red, then went white, frozen in place.