Chapter 401: Chapter 401

Ellinor chuckled. “I don’t get it. If I leave, you get to go back to Mr. Blanchet. Aren’t you afraid he’ll get bored of you and ditch you?”

Patricia’s face was full of pride and nobility, with a hint of condescension. “Ellinor, you and I are not the same.”

“Oh? How so?”

“I come from a family that can stand toe–to–toe with Theo’s. I have parents who love and protect me, a Balfour who’d shield me from the rain, and a Byran who guards me. And you? Your family? Do you have anyone who can give you enough support?”

Ellinor’s smile vanished in an instant as it dawned on her. “So, it was you who spilled the beans to the Mendoza family about me marrying into the Blanchet family.”

Patricia didn’t shy away, “Yes, it was me!”

“So, you thought by ratting me out to the Mendozas, you could kick me to the curb?” Ellinor was calm.

Patricia’s angelic facade couldn’t hide her arrogance. “I know it’s not that simple! Ellinor, I just wanted you to see your reality. You’re a girl with no backing, marrying into a wealthy family with no one to rely on. Over time, people will look down on you. But me, because my family is not to be messed with, the Blanchets would never dare underestimate me, and Theo wouldn’t dare cross me. Even if one day, things between Theo and I go south, I can take the hit. My safety net is my family, they’ll always protect me, get it? That’s my trump card!”

“So your “backing‘ is relying on your family’s protection?”

“Isn’t it?”

Ellinor laughed lightly, “I admit, that is a form of support, but it’s not what I have. My support is myself. I don’t rely on anyone and I don’t expect to be protected for a lifetime. Being self–sufficient means I won’t be put in a passive position. I stay with the Blanchets because I have a thing for Mr. Blanchet. I don’t care about his family, status, or wealth, nor am I envious. Even if one day he gets tired of me or I get tired of him, 1 can walk away freely, without any unbearable consequences. Ms. Howard, I just want to remind you, don’t keep thinking this way. Be careful, one day your perfect image may crumble, and no one will spoil you unconditionally!”

With that, Ellinor got up, ready to check if the chicken wings were done.

“Hold on, Ellinor, I have something to show you!”

Patricia doggedly followed, blocking Ellinor’s way.

Ellinor was getting impatient, “What is it?”

Patricia lifted her top, showing her belly. “See this scar?”

There was a noticeable horizontal scar on her abdomen.

Ellinor squinted, “Is this… appendicitis?”

Patricia was almost knocked out by her words; she gritted her teeth. “It’s a C–section scar!”

Ellinor paused for a moment, looking at Patricia in disbelief. “You’ve had a child?”

Patricia smiled in response, “Yes, Theo and I have a child.”

“..What?”