Sheila shot Ellinor a look, ready to throw a couple more insults her way, but was cut off by the sudden ring of her phone It was a video call from their dad, Arnold Mendoza Sheila waved her phone in front of Ellinor, bragging, âSee, itâs Dad calling! I bet you hardly ever get calls from him, huh? Just shows that he doesnât care about his illegitimate daughter!â
Ellinor just shrugged and laughed, âBetter answer it quick, sis, or your beloved dad might hang up.â
Sheila picked up, making sure Ellinor could hear Onâscreen, Arnold and Tracy appeared, smiling at their celebrity daughter.
Amold asked with concern, âHowâs work today, Sheila? Have you eaten yet?â
Sheila pouted, pretending to be upset, âHavenât had the chance! Iâve been so busy, who has time for food?â
Arnold frowned. âYouâve got to eat! No matter how busy you are, health comes first!â
Tracy chimed in, âSheila, your dad is night! if you really canât, have some milk first Weâll be worried sick if you starve yourself.â
Sheila put on a wronged face, âIve no appetite for anything but Dadâs cookingâ
Arnold cooed, âWell, thatâs easy Iâll cook for you when you get back from work!â
âBut Iâll get home so late! Youâll be asleepâ¦â
âDoesnât matter! No matter how late, Iâll get up to cook for you!â
âThanks, Dad I knew you loved me the most!â
âAlright, your mom and I wonât disturb you at work. Come home early tonight; Iâll cook for you!â
Just as Arnold was about to hang up, Sheila called him back.
âWait, Dad! Look whoâs here!â
She suddenly turned the camera to Ellinor.
Spotting his less accomplished daughter, Ellinor, Arnold frowned in disappointment, âEllinor? What are you doing in Sheilaâs car?â
Ellinor smiled, ready to talk to her father.
But Sheila didnât give her the chance, turning the camera back to herself, âDad, hereâs the thing! I ran into Ellinor at the company today. She was there for a job interview. So I asked her to be my assistant!
You know, family helps family!â
âOh, I see! Sheila, turn the camera back. Iâve got something to say to your sister.â
Sheila did as told.
Arnold, looking at his younger daughter on screen, advised seriously. âEllinor, your sister has given you a great opportunity. You should work hard! Itâs much better than being someone elseâs maid. Itâs better to look after your sister than serve others. Itâll put me and Auntie Tracy at ease!â
Ellinor felt the irony, but she just smiled sweetly, âTll be sure to appreciate my sisterâs helpâ
Sheilaâs pride was evident as she excitedly bragged, âSee? Iâm Dadâs favorite. No matter what I do, he forgives me. He treats me like a princessâ But you, no matter how good or hardworking you are, no matter how much you try to please him, you canât get his attention!â
Ellinor closed her eyes, choosing to ignore her.
Sheila felt she hadnât vented enough and added, âEllinor, nobody in this world could love you!â
Ellinor gripped her water bottle tightly, âSo what? Should I die if no one loves me?*
Sheila scoffed, âNo one would care whether you live or die No one would mourn your death! Whatâs the use of being a top graduate? In the end, arenât you just my assistant? Ellinor, you better behave yourself, or Iâll have Dad kick you out of the Mendoza family!â
Without batting an eyelid, Ellinor replied, âDo as you wish, sis Iâll be waitingâ
Sheila glared at Ellinorâs nonchalant look, feeling unsatisfied.
But she figured there was no need to deal with her right away. She had plenty of time and opportunities to knock her down a peg or two in the future!