The chaotic and increasingly tense atmosphere finally subsided.
Lip, Ian, Carl, and Debbie all left their house with their backpacks, heading off to school.
That's when the four of them saw Fiona, and Fiona saw the four.
The next second, Fiona got out of her car, her eyes red.
The four siblings walked up to her.
"Are you guys okay...?" Fiona started, her voice tearful.
Lip, with his usual nonchalant and self-assured attitude, gave a calm nod. "We're fine."
Ian, who often mirrored Lip's behavior during this time, gave a similar response.
Carl, as usual, wasn't overthinking things and simply spoke the truth. "I hate Bob."
Debbie, wanting Monica to stay, quickly jumped in to plead. "Fiona, you should give Monica a chance. I think she's really serious this time..."
Debbie spoke for a while.
Fiona listened, sniffed, and wanted to argue, but she felt it would be too cruel to shatter Debbie's illusion. So, she skipped that topic, checked in on Lip and the others, asking how they were and giving them some gentle advice.
Afterward, the four siblings walked off.
Fiona got back in the car, watching their retreating backs, her eyes welling up.
Steve, seeing no other option, silently sighed and waited patiently.
### The Gallagher House
Frank, who had naturally drunk a lot the night before, woke up drunkenly on the sofa. He shook his head and quickly sobered up.
Once clear-headed, Frank's eyes darted around until he found Monica. He shouted excitedly, "It's morning, Monica! Come on, let's go sign those settlement papers!"
As he spoke, Frank skillfully moved himself into his wheelchair, ready to head out the door.
Monica, looking utterly miserable, like someone had died, glanced at Frank. She was about to speak, but Roberta beat her to it.
Roberta spoke to Frank with a definite swagger. "Frank, the deal's changed. You need to get Fiona and the other four to agree to let me and Monica take Liam!"
"Otherwise, Monica isn't signing those settlement papers!"
Frank, whose heart had been filled with joy at the thought of getting money today so he could go drink and get high, couldn't handle this sudden change. He immediately started yelling in distress. "A deal is a deal! How can you just change it like that...?"
Roberta sneered, speaking from a position of authority. "You want that money, right? Well, then you have to do what I say!"
"I'm telling you, Monica was originally only going to take half the settlement money!"
"If you complain one more time, we'll take all of it!"
Since the money meant liquor and drugs, Frank, though grinding his teeth in fury, immediately stopped arguing with her and quickly nodded in agreement. "Fine, I'll convince Fiona and the others."
"Hurry up! I don't want to stay in this pigsty any longer!" Roberta said with utter disdain.
### The Milkovich House
Even though she was close to being late for school, Mandy didn't care. She just kept staring at Mickey while he ate breakfast, giggling to herself.
Mickey was annoyed by the scrutiny. "What the hell are you looking at?"
"You look like a totally different person, like you've actually got your life together," Mandy laughed back.
Being as proud and arrogant as he was, Mickey couldn't take that comment. His cheeks immediately flushed. "Fk you!"
"Don't talk like that when you go to work later. It'd be better if you didn't talk at all, just so you don't get fired on your first day," Mandy advised, ignoring Mickey's attitude.
"If I get fired, I get fired. I don't care," Mickey retorted, still playing the tough guy.
Mandy's expression instantly changed. "If you dare get fired, you'll see what happens to you!"
"Fk off!" Mickey swore. "You're gonna be late! Get your ass to school!"
Mandy glanced at the time. She figured she wasn't really in a hurry, but she knew if she kept pushing, Mickey might seriously refuse to go to work. So, she got up. "Remember this: show up early on your first day, work hard, and stay out of trouble."
Mickey couldn't be bothered to reply.
Mandy grabbed her backpack and left the house.
---
Around 8:00 AM, Dexter stretched, lit a cigarette, and said goodbye to Kevin and Veronica before heading out.
Standing outside, Dexter looked toward the Gallagher house.
Roberta's black truck—the one belonging to the woman who would, in all likelihood, be dead tonight—was still parked there.
In addition to the truck, there was a silver Porsche. That Porsche was undoubtedly the one Steve drove.
Dexter smiled, looked away, got in his car, and drove back to the hotel to shower and change.
At 8:50 AM, Veronica and Vivian arrived at the restaurant door together. Veronica took out the key, ready to unlock the door.
Just then, Mickey, who had been waiting for almost twenty minutes on the curb not far away, immediately stood up and quickly walked over to the two women without saying a word.
Veronica had just opened the door when she saw Mickey, dressed differently today and looking "normal" and put together. She was genuinely surprised, practically jaw-dropped.
After a few seconds of surprise, Veronica finally found her voice. "Mickey, what is this?"
"Here to work," Mickey answered briefly, instinctively holding back the swear word that was on the tip of his tongue.
Veronica realized what his new look was all about and smiled. "I see. Welcome."
Mickey didn't say anything.
Veronica generally knew what kind of guy Mickey was, so she didn't press it and stepped into the restaurant.
"Hi, I'm Vivian, Vivian Ancestor. It's nice to meet you," Vivian said cheerfully, reaching out her hand to greet Mickey before rushing inside.
Mickey was taken aback... Growing up in the Milkovich family, no one had ever greeted him like that...
Mickey felt really awkward. After a moment of hesitation, he finally shook Vivian's hand. "Mickey. Mickey Milkovich. I'm glad to meet you, too."
"Great! Come on in. I'll make you a fruit platter as a welcome gift," Vivian said.
Mickey's feelings were complicated. "...Okay."
Inside the restaurant, Vivian wasted no time, quickly and deftly getting the fruit ready. Veronica started wiping down the tables.
Mickey stood to the side, a little lost. After struggling with himself, he finally spoke up. "What am I supposed to do?"
"The boss hired you as a dishwasher, right? There are no dishes to wash right now, so just chill out," Veronica replied.
Mickey was speechless, feeling even more conflicted. Just stand around? Watch these two women work?
After about a minute of silence, his inherent macho side kicked in. As a guy, Mickey couldn't stand the idleness. He spoke up. "Veronica, where's another rag? I'll help you wipe."
Veronica froze, turning her head to stare at Mickey. "?????"
Did the sun rise in the west? Or is this guy actually not Mickey?
Veronica couldn't figure it out. "In the kitchen."
Mickey said nothing more, went into the kitchen, found a rag, and uncomfortably started to work.