Chapter 16 Joshua’s Meager Allowance
A sudden chill crept through Wendy’s body, spreading like ice beneath her skin.
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“Mom and Dad haven’t bought him anything in the last four years, have they? This is actually the maid’s quarters! As for us sisters, it’s clear we never did either. You didn’t, Shirley and Maddy definitely didn’t, much less Indy.” She drew in a deep breath, but the cold lingered, seeping into her bones.
“How has he survived all this while?” she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Judy returned from her search and said dismissively, “Mom and Dad probably gave him some money and told him to buy what he needed. If he didn’t use it, who’s to blame?”
“No. Mom and Dad wouldn’t have given him much,” Wendy replied, shaking her head. “I remember Mom once saying she was afraid he’d get into trouble or pick up bad habits, so she only gave him enough for food. I even remember her asking Mr. Locker how much a child typically needs. Mr. Locker gave her an estimate of 70 bucks, and ever since then, Mom started giving him exactly that each month.”
As Wendy spoke, she felt her breath hitch. “Over the years, I’m sure Mom never increased his allowance. She didn’t even handle the money herself; it’s managed by the family’s accountant. She never bothered to check with them about it.”
“Seventy bucks a month?” Judy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? Does Mom only give him that much pocket money every month?”
“I’ll
go ask Mom about it,” Wendy muttered, barely believing it herself. An uneasy feeling grew in the pit of her stomach, as though everything she knew was unraveling.
Suddenly, the memory of the severance letter Joshua had presented a few days ago surfaced in her mind. Looking back at it now, it didn’t seem so simple anymore.
It was becoming clearer. The family had already cut ties with him, in ways subtle and overt, long before he had.
She hurried toward the door, her thoughts racing.
“Wendy, did you find any clues in his room?” A voice interrupted her.
In the living room, Maggie and David were casually enjoying some chips and junk food. They glanced up, frowning slightly at the sight of her return.
Wendy looked at her parents, hesitating before she finally spoke. “No, we didn’t find Joshua’s phone number in his room.”
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Chapter 16 Joshua’s Meager Allowance
“Gosh! Is that ungrateful brat trying to drive me mad?” Maggie exploded in anger.
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Wendy exchanged a glance with Judy before speaking again. “Mom, for the past four years, how much pocket money have you been giving Joshua each month? Does he even have enough to survive outside?”
Maggie, still fuming, furrowed her brows at the question. “Why are you asking that? He hasn’t even come back home!”
“I’m just curious. Did he have enough money on him when he left? How much did you and Dad give him to make him so bold?” Wendy pressed.
Maggie frowned deeper and suddenly turned to David. “David, how much money do you give him each month? How much does he have on him now?”
“Aren’t you the one handling their allowances?” David replied with a confused look. “We’ve always divided responsibilities–you take care of the household, I take care of business. That’s been the agreement for years.”
“Are you saying you’ve never given him any pocket money?” Maggie’s eyes widened in surprise.
“When would I have the time for that?” David snapped. “I’m always busy with the company, barely keeping my head above water. I don’t have time to deal with household matters! There’s a family accountant for that. Just ask them.”
Maggie seemed unwilling to believe that David hadn’t given Joshua any money. Her anger flared again. “If he didn’t have money, would he have dared to run away from home? He must have a decent amount on him!”
As she spoke, Maggie picked up her phone and made a call. “Hello, Lily. How much do you give the children each month? And how much does Joshua get?”
There was a pause on the other end before a response came through. “What? Oh. Yes, I understand. Are you sure that’s correct on your end?”
Maggie’s expression flickered with surprise as she listened.
“Yes, Mrs. Fraser,” answered Lily. “According to your instructions, we’ve been giving him 70 bucks every month. It hasn’t changed these past few years.”
“Alright, I understand,” Maggie said before hanging up. Her brows furrowed deeper.
“Well?” Wendy pressed, her voice laced with tension.
Maggie glanced at everyone in the room and then sighed heavily. “Seventy bucks. According
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Chapter 16 Joshua’s Meager Allowance
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to Lily, it’s been this way for the past four years. I remember telling her that myself. I was worried he’d be a spendthrift and blow all his money recklessly, so giving him 70 bucks would be enough to keep him in check.”
A collective gasp filled the room.
Wendy and Judy, in particular, exchanged looks of disbelief, the shock plain on their faces.
“Seventy bucks? You’ve only been giving him that much a month?” Even David looked stunned.
Maggie sneered. “He’s careless, full of bad habits, and has sticky fingers. He’s stolen things before! Giving him 70 bucks was more than enough. As long as he didn’t starve, that’s all that mattered.”
The room fell silent. Shirley, Maddy, and Indy all frowned, their expressions darkening. No one seemed to know what to say, but the weight of the revelation hung heavily in the air.
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Promise to Punish My Ridiculous Family
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