Early Evening.
The Gallagher House.
Fiona woke up, stretched, and headed straight for the bathroom to use the toilet.
Debbie, who had been waiting downstairs for Fiona to wake up, heard the movement. She sprinted up the stairs and stopped at the bathroom door. "Fiona, I need to ask you something."
Fiona had just flushed and was about to get undressed to shower. She opened the door. "What is it?"
Debbie poured out the whole story about Carl and Peggy in one breath—the shopping trip, the gifts, everything.
Hearing this, Fiona immediately frowned. "She told you that? That she's only buying things for Carl and not for you?"
Debbie nodded. "She didn't say it in those exact words, but yeah, that's exactly what she meant."
Fiona was pissed.
She wasn't annoyed because Peggy didn't buy Debbie gifts; she was annoyed because Peggy's behavior was fundamentally dividing the Gallagher family!
She couldn't accept that, and she absolutely wouldn't allow it to happen.
"Debbie, whatever you want, I'll earn the money and buy it for you. Don't get too close to Peggy. She's a criminal. Nothing good comes from hanging around her."
"As for her cutting you out, I'll find a time to have a serious talk with her."
"This is our home. We're letting her stay here. If she's going to pull this kind of shit, I'll kick her out!"
Debbie felt better. She smiled. "Okay."
"I'm gonna shower now. Go play downstairs," Fiona said, closing the door.
Debbie hurried back downstairs.
Meanwhile, Frank was in Peggy's room. He had been searching for ages but couldn't find a single cent. Frustrated, he was lying on Peggy's bed. Hearing the commotion, he grinned, quickly left the room, leaned against the hallway wall, lit a cigarette, and quietly waited for Fiona to finish her shower.
About fifteen minutes later.
Fiona finished washing up, wrapped a towel around herself, and stepped out of the bathroom.
"Fiona," Frank spoke up immediately.
Naturally, Fiona jumped. "Jesus, Frank! You trying to scare me to death?"
Frank smiled, skipped the small talk, and got straight to the point. "We need to team up and get rid of your grandmother. We can't let her keep living here. She's going to corrupt Carl and Debbie."
Fiona was sharp when it came to Frank. She saw right through him and scoffed. "You say that like you actually care about Carl and Debbie. You just don't want to take care of your mother."
Called out, Frank didn't care in the slightest. "Fiona, think about it. Peggy is treating Debbie and Carl differently. What are the consequences going to be?"
"Debbie is such a good kid. Why should she be treated like that? If this goes on, what is Debbie going to think? How much is she going to hate Carl?"
"Worse case scenario: Debbie tries to suck up to Peggy, and Peggy takes both her and Carl out to commit crimes. Do you want to see that happen?"
Fiona's face changed!!
Debbie and Carl getting corrupted by Peggy???
Absolutely not!
"I'll talk to her. Whatever you want to do, you do it yourself. I'm not getting involved in your schemes," Fiona thought for a second, dropped that line firmly, and walked toward her room.
Frank wouldn't give up. He followed her. "Fiona, this operation requires two people. I can't get rid of her alone."
"For the sake of this family, you have to help me!"
"Heh," Fiona didn't even look back. She laughed coldly. "You said all that, but the truth is, you're just scared of her."
Mocked by his daughter, Frank got annoyed and desperate. "Fiona, don't regret this!"
Fiona ignored him. She went into her room, threw on some clothes, and quickly went downstairs to find Lip.
Lip was still in the backyard. He had basically finished fixing the van.
Karen had left earlier because of Lip's bad attitude.
Not seeing Karen, Fiona walked straight up to Lip. "Lip, something happened. I need your opinion."
Lip glanced at Fiona with a smirk. "Shoot."
Fiona explained the situation.
Listening, Lip stopped what he was doing. He instinctively glanced toward Dexter's house next door, thought silently for a moment, and said, "Talk to Peggy first. Tell her clearly: she can't pull this crap. Otherwise, we kick her out!"
"Also, Fiona, Peggy seems to have money. We need money. If she keeps living here, she needs to contribute to rent, utilities, and food."
Family was important!
But in the eyes of Lip and Fiona, Peggy wasn't a member of this family. Even Frank barely counted.
Fiona agreed. "Yeah, I'll go talk to her."
She checked her watch.
She had to work tonight; there wasn't much time left.
"Do you know where she is right now?" Fiona asked.
Lip shook his head. "No idea. Don't you have her cell number?"
"No," Fiona replied. "Forget it. I'll go make dinner. Maybe she'll be back soon."
"Alright."
Fiona didn't say more and walked back inside. She didn't realize—and couldn't possibly have known—that the conversation she was about to have with Peggy would be the straw that broke the camel's back. It would cost the Gallagher family dearly.
---
The Alibi Room.
Peggy was happily drinking beer.
Carl sat opposite her, drinking a Coke and playing on his new phone, equally happy.
Frank hurried in, eyes fixed straight ahead, completely missing Peggy and Carl. He made a beeline for the bar. "Kevin, three beers and a pickled egg, quick!"
Kevin frowned slightly. He didn't pour the beer. "Money?"
Frank waved his hand impatiently. "Put it on my tab! Don't worry, I'm gonna have a lot of money soon!"
Kevin obviously didn't believe him. "Oh? And where is this money coming from?"
"My damn mother! As soon as she dies, I'm rich!" Frank said with pure venom.
As soon as the words left his mouth.
Instantly.
Kevin's expression shifted slightly.
Tommy, Kermit, and the other barflies at the counter turned in unison to look at Frank.
Behind Frank and to the side, Peggy and Carl did the same.
A second later.
Peggy smiled.
Carl's little face was filled with confusion.
Frank was actually very sharp. He sensed something was wrong. His body went rigid, and he slowly turned his head to look behind him.
One look!
His eyes landed on Peggy's face. Whoosh. Frank's ugly face collapsed, panic taking over completely. "...Mom, you're here drinking too?"
Peggy smiled but didn't say a word to him. She ignored Frank completely and turned to Carl. "Carl, when does Dexter's restaurant open for dinner?"
Carl checked the time on his phone. "Usually around five. It's almost time."
"Then let's head over there now," Peggy suggested.
"Okay," Carl had no objections. He answered, stood up decisively, and went behind Peggy to push the wheelchair.
A moment later, the old woman and the young boy left the Alibi.
Seeing this.
Frank let out a long breath of relief. Then, he yelled at Kevin in frustration. "Fxxk, Kevin! That damn woman was right here! Why didn't you warn me?"
Kevin wasn't going to coddle Frank. "How the fxxk was I supposed to know you were gonna dig your own grave? Can't you just keep your damn mouth shut for once?"