Hi Ex, Your Uncle Is My Hubby Now - Chapter 70: Chapter 70

After lunch, Irene drove Ruth to the studio.
On the way, Irene was on the phone with Anthony. She said, "My grandma can't sit idle. Let's find her something to do at the studio. The pay doesn't matter."
Anthony readily agreed, "Sure thing! What do you think would suit Ruth best?"
Irene smiled. "Mopping floors?"
Anthony didn't even think twice before flat-out rejecting it. "That job's tough on the back—we can't have Ruth wearing herself out."
Irene suggested, "Well... cooking?"
Anthony rejected it without hesitation. "That'd strain her shoulders. Besides, we don't even have a kitchen here."
Irene said again, "How about organizing some files?"
Anthony shook his head. "That'd strain her eyes, too."
Irene's voice turned icy. "Or should we just put a chair at the reception desk and have Grandma sit there as our studio mascot?"
Anthony burst out laughing at the suggestion.
Seeing Irene getting annoyed, Anthony quickly stopped teasing and said with a chuckle, "Just kidding. I've got it all figured out."
Irene asked, "What's the job?"
Anthony said, "Hey, we've got those office cats and betta fish—how about making Ruth their pet caretaker? What do you think?"
Irene agreed. "That could work."
Anthony grinned, "Right? Ruth's raised chickens and ducks all her life—so looking after cats and fish will be a piece of cake for her."
With everything settled, as soon as they arrived at the studio, Irene took Ruth straight to meet the cats and fish.
There were three cats in total, all neutered.
There was a tabby named Big, an orange tabby named Fortune, and a Ragdoll-Siamese mix simply known as Kitty.
Put together, their names meant the Lucky Cat trio, bringing big fortune.
There were also three fish: a pink-and-white one named Rich, a purple butterfly-tailed one called Luck, and a blue butterfly-tailed one named Happy—all Siamese fighting fish.
The three fish were kept in side-by-side tanks, and when you put their names together, they stood for wealth, good luck, and happiness.
Both being money-savvy, Irene paid for the cats while Anthony splurged a fortune on the fish. Naturally, they gave their little pets delightfully money-themed names.
Normally, the cleaning lady handled changing the water and cleaning the litter boxes. But she disliked cats and was allergic to their fur.
With Ruth taking the job, it was a win-win for everyone.
Ruth stared at the three fairy-like betta fish and suddenly blurted out, "They're beautiful, but probably not very tasty."
Irene was left speechless.
She couldn't help but think, 'Only the Fresteinese would find a way to cook anything.'
"I've only ever raised fish for food, never pet ones. Rini, get me a betta fish care guide—I promise I'll make sure they grow up healthy and vibrant."
Ruth took the job to heart—even before her first day, she was already showing the dedication of a seasoned professional.
Upon seeing the three cats in the adjacent sunroom, Ruth frowned at them.
Irene wasn't surprised when Ruth remarked, "These three cats are so fat that they look like pigs—doubt they could catch a mouse."
Irene didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "So, are you still going to do it or not?"
Ruth said, "Of course! Rini, just get me a scientific cat care manual—I promise I'll get them in shape!"
She declared confidently, "I guarantee that in the entire neighborhood, you won't find a single cat or fish prettier or healthier than those in our studio."
Irene smiled. "Alright, Grandma, I'll leave them in your care then."
After showing Ruth around the studio, Irene headed back to her office to get some work done.
Half an hour later, Anthony returned from a site visit with the client.
After greeting Ruth, Anthony headed to the pantry for a bottle of cold water and barged straight into Irene's office.
Irene figured Anthony was about to vent about their nightmare client's ridiculous antics today.
For once, Anthony was uncharacteristically quiet.
After downing half a bottle of iced water, he leaned against the windowsill, watching Irene work, clearly struggling to find the right words.
Irene frowned and teased, "Are you doing that whole 'hesitating to speak' act right now?"
Anthony finally spoke up, "That girl who came to see you yesterday, well, is her last name Ward?"
Irene thought, 'Oh, that's what this is about.'
She nodded. "Yeah, right."
"Valerie Ward?" Anthony said without missing a beat.
Irene nodded and looked up at Anthony. "Valerie told me about you and Jaycee.
"I never imagined Jaycee was your wife... let alone that she would..."
Even then, Irene still couldn't bring herself to believe that Jaycee was really gone.
Irene thought, 'How could someone as kind, optimistic, and charming as Jaycee be gone in the prime of her life, and in such a heroic way?'
Just thinking about it made Irene's heart ache with regret.
Anthony was stunned—he never expected Valerie to tell Irene all this, let alone that Irene actually knew Jaycee.