The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1572

“Charlotte, come on in.”

Geneva stepped aside and bowed her head a little, her tone almost reverent without thinking about it. Charlotte wasn’t just Shirley’s classmate, after all. She was the one who’d helped save her life. If she hadn’t slipped Shirley the medicine all those months ago, Geneva was pretty sure she wouldn’t be standing here now.

Charlotte just offered a small smile, then shot a pointed look at the two guys lingering by the door. “Are you two planning on helping, or what?”

“Huh?” they both blurted out, following her gaze in confusion.

“Grandma, let me do that…” Parrish recovered first, reaching for the broom Geneva was holding. But Andrew, shaking himself out of his daze, suddenly sprang to life. He shoved the box of cake into Parrish’s hands and practically lunged for the broom.

“I’ll do the sweeping, Grandma,” he said, his voice a little high-pitched with nervous energy.

Geneva found herself staring at the broom in Andrew’s hands, then looked at how hard he was already working before glancing at Shirley.

Shirley just touched the tip of her nose, her voice low as she muttered, “Andrew, do you even…um, know how?”

Honestly, how could someone like Andrew, spoiled since birth, ever have done real chores?

Andrew’s ears went pink. If anything, he swept harder, replying in a flustered rush, “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

Shirley just lifted her brows a little, not letting her expression slip, as if she hadn’t even noticed how easy it was to read between the lines.

“Do a good job,” Charlotte said with a playful edge as she walked over. She bent down, close enough so only Andrew could hear, and whispered, “You better impress them.”

Andrew jerked rigid, eyes widening as he risked a glance at Shirley, who just blinked back at him in confusion. His cheeks were burning as he ducked his head and went back to sweeping in silence.

“Grandma, let’s go inside,” Charlotte urged gently, slipping her arm through Geneva’s with a reassuring smile.

...

The house felt warm and welcoming. Afraid her guests would get too hot, Geneva had splurged over two thousand dollars on a new air conditioner. All the rest of her money went into groceries for tonight’s meal. Nothing on the table was fancy by ordinary standards, but for Shirley and her grandma, the cost was practically two months of careful saving.

Charlotte looked at their kitchen table, covered in homemade dishes and kindness. Her chest tightened with longing and gratitude, a little ache threading through.

But when she caught Geneva’s beaming smile and the happiness shining in Shirley’s eyes, that ache faded a little. Life was hard, but Shirley was still here—still gentle, still bright. That was something worth celebrating.

“Happy birthday,” Charlotte said, offering a small envelope, her eyes dancing as she nudged Shirley’s hand. “Go on, open it.”

“Thank you,” Shirley replied, her voice soft. She felt the envelope—so light—and had no clue what it could be. When she finally slid open the flap and saw the receipt inside, her eyes grew huge in surprise.

This…