"Tell me, Candis, what time did Travis come home last night, and the night before that?"
"He was working."
"I see, but hear what tomorrow I want you to bring one of his pay slips, and let me see how much overtime he is working?"
"You mind your business."
"Thank you, my baby sister, and I should advise you to do the same? Don't meddle in my life, Shawney is my business, so please stay out of it."
"You are so stupid, she is not interested in you, only in your inheritance, if you make a mistake, she is waiting to swindle you every cent."
"Thank you for your concern, but you are worrying unnecessarily."
"You might take me lightly,y Torren, but Shawney is a very good gold digger."
"Maybe I am Candis, but I have been called many things. So that doesn't bother me; now we are here to enjoy a dinner, I prefer not to be the menu."
Fixing Tray next to Torren, Shawney said quietly, "I had asked Mrs Louise to bring the baby chair." Placing it between Torren and herself. "Daddy, mummy, Aunty, help me with my home-lessons."
"Are you done, my son?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Good boy, now eat your food!"
"Tray, tomorrow I will help you, and where is Aunty Liz?"
Torren replies to her question, "There is no need to worry about the children, and Candis, Shawney said she will attend to the children. And for your information, Liz is on vacation, and I believe Shawney is doing a fine job with the children. And Candis, I had a meeting with the account department this week. So from next month every person has to clock in and out, and according to their time, it will determine the person's salary."
"Torren, what nonsense? I have been collecting a flat salary for years."
"I heard so, but this is the new orders that I passed on to the board and for the different departments, I am just letting you know beforehand, I trust you will abide by the rules."
"Dad, what sort of foolishness is going on? Will Careen, Jeff, Travis, and I have to collect pay like the other workers?"
Torren didn't hesitate, knowing how demanding and manipulative she can be, especially when she is not in control. "Candis, the board meeting today was unexpected because the shareholders had many complaints. From tomorrow onwards, if the different department Managers are not getting performance. They will have to move aside and allow potential personnel to take over. I tried to help, but the majority shareholders insisted. So do your best to manage the departments."
"This is ridiculous, Torren?"
Train intervenes, "To you, my child, it might sound ridiculous, but the board members want performance. They are not concerned if you are siblings; they want profit."
Noticing when Shawney told Mrs Louise to get the children's dessert. "Yes, Mistress!"
Already angry by Torren's news and her Dad's intervention, Candis stood up in a rage, saying, "Mrs Louise, why do you call her Mistress? She is not the lady of this house?"
"Candis, next time you speak to Mrs Louise in that tone of voice, you will sit at another table and prepare your own meal, do you hear me?" Her dad shouted after her.
"But Dad, Shawney is not the Mistress of the house?"
"You just sit down and shut your mouth, and let me be the judge of that? Mrs Louise is just being polite, and it will be nice if you could follow the same pattern."
Hearing her outburst, "Since Shawney comes to this house, you two have changed."
Train saw when Shawney stood up, wondering what she must be thinking. 'I could understand the predicament Torren used to be in; her attitude and behaviour stink.' "If you all will excuse me, it seems I am the problem, so I will leave you all to finish."
"You, my friend, will not be going anywhere; this is my house and the decisions are still mine."
"But, Sir," just then Shawney stopped when she heard the groaning sound escaped Careen's lips, which ceases any other remarks, Shawney turns her attention to Careen, "Careen,n are you alright?"
" Shawney, my back is paining terribly."
"Torren, hurry and call the doctor. Dad, can you please take care of the children? Now you come along."
Holding Careen's hand, "I will help you to your room." Asking Lasandra to inform Mrs Louise to have a warm glass of milk sent to Careen's room?"
In the room, helping Careen out of the dress and asking her to lie down on her side. Using a small towel and some hot water. Resting the towel on her back, allowing the muscles to relax. Careen whispers, "It pains so much."
Shawney said nothing as she continued to apply the warm towel to her back. "Okay, just take some deep breaths for me. Shawney instructed her to inhale through her nose and exhale through her mouth. Come on, it will help until the doctor reaches."
Lasandra, who stood aside, was looking closely at what Shawney was doing. She just listened to Shawney's instructions.
With everything she was doing, her lip continued to move. Lasandra knew Shawney was praying.
"Lasandra, will you put the fan on her and tell Dad when the Doctor comes to send him up. Shawney encourages Careen, "Okay, girl, you are doing well."
"Shawney, my time is not due for another month."