Everyone Can Hear My Thoughts, and Now They're Panicking

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: She Wants to Clear Luna Morgan’s Name

Jane Lancaster’s thoughts from beyond the wall left Pauline Shaw feeling conflicted.

She couldn’t believe her mom would do nothing at all. But why was Jane Lancaster so certain that her mother’s love for her would be enough to overcome her prying and controlling nature?

"Auntie, that job Pauline has now, did you vet it for her?" Jane Lancaster suddenly asked.

Yara Yates was a little surprised, but answered nonetheless, "Pauline doesn’t like me interfering in her business. Shaw is the one keeping an eye on her job."

She added with a smile, "But Shaw only gave her a few suggestions. Pauline got this job through her own interview. She did it all herself."

’No wonder Pauline Shaw is being led around by the nose. If Auntie Yates had ever met Manager Raymond, she wouldn’t have let her daughter be manipulated into leaking her own company’s secrets.’

’Auntie Yates can’t get involved because Pauline is so resistant to her. But Uncle Shaw must know about Manager Raymond, right? Can’t he see what’s happening either?’

Pauline Shaw’s heart clenched. ’So, is she planning to tell on me to my mom?’

’But then again, what does it have to do with me? I’m not going to be a busybody.’

"Oh, so that’s how it is. Pauline is pretty incredible, then. I heard her manager really values her. I’m sure she’ll build a great career for herself!"

When Yara Yates spoke of her daughter, her voice filled with relief. "She’s grown up. She’s more mature now."

After a pause, Yara Yates turned to Jane Lancaster. "Jay, Auntie has to thank you properly. If you hadn’t been there to help Pauline study and improve over the years, she wouldn’t be where she is today."

Jane Lancaster replied, "You’re too kind, Auntie."

Yara Yates shook her head. "I’m not just being polite; I’m truly grateful. I was always so worried about Pauline when she was a child. She wasn’t a naturally bright kid, and on top of that, she had a weak personality—afraid of hard work, afraid of struggle... If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid she wouldn’t have even gotten into university."

A knot formed in Pauline Shaw’s chest. ’What did me getting into university have to do with Jane Lancaster?’

’Her mom was always like this, looking down on her deep down while putting Jane Lancaster on a pedestal!’

’Right now, Jane Lancaster is the one who’s a nobody—someone whose family had to buy her diploma—so what right does her mom have to still think so highly of her?’

Having said this, Yara Yates walked over and took Jane Lancaster’s hand.

"Jay, you’re a smart girl. Auntie hopes you and Pauline can be friends for life. If she ever gets confused or does something foolish in the future, you must remember to help her out, okay?"

"Auntie, you really overestimate me..."

The Mrs. Shaw in the novel was just a one-dimensional "strong career woman" archetype, but this Yara Yates, in this moment, moved Jane Lancaster.

Pauline Shaw couldn’t listen anymore. She turned and walked out, her eyes catching sight of a figure. "Luna!"

Hearing her daughter’s voice, Yara Yates reacted instantly. ’Pauline was just outside?’

Worried that Pauline Shaw was upset, she quickly opened the door and went out. "Pauline!"

Pauline Shaw turned around as if nothing was wrong. "Mom, you’re here too."

"Auntie Yates." Seeing Yara Yates, Luna Morgan quickly came over to greet her.

Pauline Shaw pulled Luna Morgan closer and said with a smile, "Mom, you remember Luna, right? Back when the kidnapping happened, I almost gave up on my college entrance exams because of the injury to my face."

"She was the one who came to our house every day during that time to encourage me and study with me. That’s how I was able to pull myself together so quickly and get into Stratton University."

As she spoke, she shot a deliberate glance at Jane Lancaster.

’See that? The person who actually helped me get into university is right here, but *she* never tries to take the credit.’

Of course, Yara Yates wasn’t going to let her daughter lose face. "I remember you, Miss Morgan. So you helped our Pauline so much back then. Auntie has to thank you."

Luna Morgan refused to take credit. "It was all because Pauline herself is smart and had a good foundation that she was able to get such good results."

Pauline Shaw insisted, "But I still needed you to pull me through. Otherwise, I really would have given up."

Jane Lancaster listened with keen interest. "So that’s what happened. Luna, you were a victim back then too. I can’t believe you recovered so quickly and were able to help someone else."

’Just what you’d expect from the female lead. She must have been under so much criticism and pressure back then, yet she could still worry about Pauline Shaw’s mental state.’

She glanced at Pauline Shaw again.

’And here I was, just saying Auntie Yates overestimated my influence. So this is what you’re like without me.’

The smile on Pauline Shaw’s face slowly stiffened, and her fingers dug into her palms.

’She hated that high-and-mighty, self-righteous attitude of Jane Lancaster’s.’

’When they studied together, she was always the one slacking off, looking for shortcuts.’

’But what was so wrong with that? Both of their families were well-off. They had parents to guarantee them a worry-free life, never having to fret about making a living.’

’Why bring suffering on herself by studying so desperately?’

’But Jane Lancaster would always just say, "Just hang in there a little longer," completely ignoring how much pain and anguish it caused her.’

’If you love perseverance so much, then why didn’t you take the college entrance exams? Why did you choose the shortcut your family arranged for you?’

Pauline Shaw lowered her gaze, swallowing the words that were about to burst from her lips.

’Jane Lancaster had betrayed her own proclaimed ideals of perseverance, but that was fine. She would prove with her actions that she was the more disciplined, more exceptional one.’

"Pauline, what’s wrong?" Yara Yates asked, keenly aware that something was off with her daughter’s expression.

"It’s nothing." Pauline Shaw composed herself. "Mom, there’s something you don’t know. Back then, I was the second person taken hostage. Luna only got dragged into it because she was trying to save me."

For all these years, she had never spoken about the kidnapping. Her parents had always protected her so well, consistently downplaying the fact that she had been one of the hostages.

But some things, once buried for long enough, could finally be brought to light.

If Jane Lancaster could give a TV interview and use this incident to build herself up as a hero, then why couldn’t Luna Morgan?

She had done so much. Was all the credit she deserved going to be erased, just because she hadn’t managed to stop Jane Lancaster from dragging the kidnapper down with her in a final, desperate act?

It was too unfair.

Today, in front of everyone, she would set the record straight for Luna Morgan.

Luna Morgan shot an uneasy glance at Jane Lancaster. "Pauline, don’t say any more."

Pauline Shaw replied, "Why not? Luna, I’m so sorry. For so many years, I never even dared to thank you."

The people nearby pricked up their ears, their interest piqued at the mention of the old kidnapping case.

"Why wouldn’t you dare to thank her?" someone couldn’t help but press. "If she really let herself be taken hostage to save you, she’s your savior!"

"So there was such a touching, untold story behind the kidnapping case?"

"Haha, Young is a reporter, alright. What a sharp nose for a story! He’s spotted his next scoop!"

"Ma’am, were you also one of the hostages? Would you be willing to share your story?" Young asked, even pulling out a voice recorder.

Pauline Shaw glanced at "Young." He was a retired television reporter; she had read his work before.

Luna Morgan grew even more anxious. "Pauline, please stop."

Young was clearly not about to let it go. There was obviously a story here, and he was eager to dig it up.

"Ma’am, shall we find a place to sit down and have a proper talk?"

"Excuse me." An arm stretched out, blocking Young. "My sister doesn’t do interviews with reporters."