Chapter 449: Chapter 449: A Resounding Slap
The man known as "Director Sheffield" glanced at Harvey Jennings and frowned. "Jennings, I didn’t expect to see you here... Perfect. Pull some strings for me and get me a private room."
Director Sheffield’s condescending tone was that of a man ordering his own subordinate. But Harvey Jennings, far from being annoyed, put on a fawning smile and replied, "Director Sheffield, it’s really impossible to arrange a private room for you right now. There are just too many people! We’re almost completely full!"
Seeing Director Sheffield’s expression darken, Harvey Jennings quickly added, "But I’ve picked out a room in a decent spot for you and your companion. There are fewer people on this side. Let me take you to have a look! If you’re not satisfied after seeing it, I’ll find you another one!"
Hearing this, Director Sheffield knew a private room was out of the question and took the out Harvey Jennings had offered. After all, he had no other choice. He couldn’t very well go home and freeze, could he?
Seeing Director Sheffield leave with his companion and Harvey Jennings, Melody Summers walked over to Winnie Summers and asked, "Mom, who were those two weirdos?"
Winnie Summers shook her head and replied, "I don’t know them either. They’re from 1704. They just arrived today."
Melody Summers froze. ’From 1704?’
Melody Summers remembered 1704. She had been the one to notify everyone on the 17th floor.
But Melody remembered that when she went to 1704 to tell them about the shelter, the residents had said they didn’t need to go to a shelter and didn’t need supplies.
’I can’t believe they showed up today... Is it because they ran out of supplies?’
While Melody Summers was pondering this, she heard Winnie Summers say in a low voice, "Your Uncle Cameron and his family of three are here too. They’re staying in 2306 now."
Hearing Winnie Summers mention Cameron Summers and his family, Melody Summers couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
’I don’t want to hear a single word about that family of three right now!’
’I couldn’t care less whether they live or die!’
Melody Summers changed the subject immediately. "Mom, why are you here by yourself? Where are Uncle, Mr. Lynch, and Lynch?"
Winnie Summers smiled at her question. "They went to move the rice. The pot’s already set up. We’re getting ready to make some porridge!"
Tomorrow was New Year’s Day, and everyone had unanimously decided to use the government-issued rice to make porridge, so all the residents who had come to the shelter could have something nice to eat.
Hearing this, Melody Summers rolled up her sleeves, ready to help.
******
Meanwhile, Harvey Jennings settled Jim Sheffield and Ivy Draper into the secondary bedroom of 2305.
As soon as they entered, Ivy Draper twitched her nose and sniffed the air. While there was still a bit of an odor, it was much better than the last room and was barely acceptable.
Ivy pursed her lips and said in a low voice, "Fine, this will have to do..."
Jim Sheffield glanced around and saw that the room was only occupied by a few young people who all looked relatively clean. He gave a reluctant nod and said, "Alright, we’ll stay here for now."
Seeing that Jim Sheffield and Ivy Draper were more or less satisfied with the room, Harvey Jennings felt relieved.
He rubbed his hands together, leaned in, and whispered in Jim Sheffield’s ear, "Director Sheffield, I’m staying in the master bedroom right next door in 2306. If you need anything at all, just come and give me your orders."
Jim Sheffield nodded and then waved his hand, dismissing Harvey Jennings.
After Harvey Jennings left, Ivy Draper scanned her surroundings and saw that the only space left in the room was in the corner behind the door. But that was the spot farthest from the stove and also the coldest.
Ivy frowned at the sight. After a moment’s thought, she called out to the others in the room, "Is anyone willing to switch spots with us?"
No one in the room paid her any mind.
Frustrated, Ivy bit her lip. She thought for a moment, then walked over to a young woman’s bedding and said, "We’re taking this spot. You go to that corner over there!"
Maisie Lynch followed Ivy Draper’s pointed finger to the corner behind the door, then rolled her eyes and thought, ’What a psycho.’
Seeing Maisie Lynch ignore her, Ivy said angrily, "Hey, didn’t you hear me? We’re switching spots with you!"
Maisie Lynch rolled her eyes again and answered bluntly, "I’m not switching."
Seeing Maisie Lynch refuse her, Ivy bristled. "How dare you refuse me?" she snapped. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
Ever since getting together with Jim Sheffield two years ago, Ivy Draper had grown accustomed to a life of being flattered and fawned over. After being rejected first by Winnie Summers and now Maisie Lynch today, she could barely contain her rage.
Maisie Lynch rolled her eyes for a third time and said with disdain, "I don’t care who you are! We’re all in a shelter now. We’re all refugees. You’re no different!"
Hearing Maisie Lynch’s words, the ever-proud Ivy Draper was so furious her vision started to blur, and even her hands began to tremble. ’How dare she call me a refugee!’
’This is outrageous!’
Blinded by rage, Ivy Draper said nothing more. She ripped off her leather glove, revealing a hand glittering with gemstone rings.
She shoved her hand in Maisie Lynch’s face and snarled, "You’re the refugee, not me! I’m just here to get warm! Take a good look! I’ve got plenty of money!"
Maisie Lynch glanced at Ivy Draper’s ring-covered hand, her eyes lingering for a moment on the dazzling gems...
’So big! So shiny!’
’But... what did that have to do with her?’
’Besides, at a time like this, could you eat those gemstone rings? Could they keep you warm?’
Maisie Lynch scoffed and sneered at Ivy Draper. "Oh, then you can just go ahead and cuddle your big gems to sleep. I’m still not switching spots!"
"You!" Ivy was still not ready to give up, but Jim Sheffield, who was standing to the side, reached out and pulled her back. "That’s enough," he said. "If she won’t switch, then forget it. The corner is fine."
A few people nearby had already started looking their way, and Jim Sheffield didn’t want to attract too much attention.
Hearing Jim Sheffield say this, Ivy had no choice but to drop the matter.
As she spread their bedding in the corner, the more Ivy thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She couldn’t help but complain to Jim Sheffield, "This is all your fault... If you hadn’t gambled away all the supplies we stockpiled, I wouldn’t have to come to this shelter and be humiliated... Why did you have to go gambling..."
Ivy felt utterly wronged, but the moment the words left her mouth, Jim Sheffield turned without warning and slapped her hard across the face.
A sharp SMACK echoed clearly in the quiet room.
Everyone in the room secretly glanced over, their faces showing they were ready to watch the drama unfold as they furtively observed the couple’s spat.
Jim Sheffield’s face was thunderous. He stared at Ivy Draper and said coldly, "Shut your mouth! You bitch, have you forgotten your place? I pay for everything you eat and wear, and now you dare to criticize what I do?!"
Jim Sheffield had lost all their food and coal gambling with Saul Archer over the past few days and was already miserable. Ivy’s words had hit a raw nerve, and of course, he couldn’t tolerate it.
