Chapter 653: Not Right in the Head (1)

Chapter 653: Chapter 653: Not Right in the Head (1)

Julian Caldwell quickly said, "Yes, yes. I’m the one who spoiled her. She’s in class right now. When she’s on break, I’ll punish her properly and make her apologize to you."

Winter Sullivan let out a long sigh. "I don’t need an apology," she said. "I just want her to get on the right path and stop going astray."

Julian Caldwell wasn’t convinced. ’In his mind, Susan Caldwell was wonderful. She did well in school, she was beautiful, she had class. She was tactful and discerning, and incredibly smart. How could a daughter that wonderful possibly go astray?’

His loathing for Vera Xavier deepened. ’To think that girl managed to drive such a wedge between his wife and daughter.’ Still, Winter Sullivan was unwell at the moment, so he didn’t want to argue.

He simply said, "Just get some rest. We can talk about all this later."

When Winter Sullivan heard him say that, she assumed he meant he would deal with Susan properly later. A wave of relief washed over her. Her head was starting to feel groggy anyway, so she didn’t feel like saying anything more.

Julian Caldwell held an important position and was always incredibly busy. He had a pile of work to deal with, so he couldn’t stay with Winter Sullivan indefinitely. Once Sheldon Caldwell returned with the report confirming Winter Sullivan had only suffered a mild concussion, Julian rushed off again.

Sheldon Caldwell peeled an apple for Winter Sullivan. "Keep a close eye on your sister at Veridia University for a while," Winter Sullivan said softly. "Don’t let her cause any more trouble."

Although she was furious with Susan, Susan was her biological daughter, after all. She didn’t know what to do with her. It seemed the only option for now was to have her watched.

Sheldon was thoroughly disappointed in Susan. She had pushed Winter Sullivan, causing her to get hurt, and then hadn’t even bothered to check on her. His heart had grown cold toward his sister.

He said in a low voice, "You just focus on resting. Don’t worry about her."

"I can’t just leave her be!" Winter Sullivan sighed. "Your father only knows how to spoil her. She’s a master at twisting right and wrong and playing the victim. Even if your dad’s heart is set on punishing her, she just has to squeeze out a few tears, and he goes soft. The job of disciplining her falls back on me."

"I regret it now, too. I used to be so absorbed in my work that I didn’t have time to look after her, and I let her become the person she is today."

"Unfortunately, she’s grown up now. It’s incredibly difficult to correct her path once she’s already strayed. The way she is now is dangerous. If she were just a child who wanted to live a life of luxury, that would be one thing. At worst, we’d just have to spend more money on her. But she’s not like that. With one misstep, I’m afraid she could bring disaster down on the Caldwell family."

Sheldon fell silent for a moment. He knew full well that in the eyes of outsiders, the Caldwell family seemed to be at the height of its power. Both Winter Sullivan and Julian Caldwell held high-ranking, influential positions. But because of that, countless people in Veridia looked upon the Caldwell family with envy and resentment, constantly plotting and waiting for their downfall.

He said softly, "Mom, you’re not well. Just focus on resting for now. Don’t worry too much about Susan. I’ll be watching her!"

Winter Sullivan looked at him, gratified. "Yes," she said. "Thank goodness I still have you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to do."

To the outside world, she was a workaholic, an Iron Lady. But Sheldon knew that deep down, she was just like any other mother who cared for her children, and she had a vulnerable side as well.

Sheldon felt conflicted. Unsure of how to comfort his mother, he simply sat with her and made small talk about one thing and another.