Patricia said, âMomâs feeling a bit off, can you go upstairs and check on her?â
McNeil frowned, âIf sheâs not well, someone should take her to the hospital. Iâm no doctor.â
Patricia was taken aback. Her fatherâs response was almost identical to Theoâs.
Did all men treat women they didnât love this way?
Ever since her mom married McNeil, she did everything she could to please him and his parents. But she had never been able to earn their respect or McNeilâs love.
Even after all these years, it was only because of her and Byran that her motherâs position in the Howard family had remained stable.
She really couldnât wrap her head around what these men were thinking. Her dad had been obsessing over his good-for-nothing ex-wife and her daughter for years, completely neglecting her mother.
As for Theo, he was smitten with that crafty country girl, Ellinor, and couldnât care less about her.
Patricia wasnât going to let this slide. She tried again, âDad, can you please go check on Mom? I heard that Grandma and Grandpa have an important guest at home today. If Mom gets sick and has to go to the hospital, theyâll be upset!â
McNeil rubbed his forehead, âGo back and stay with your mom. Iâll check on her later.â
Pretending to be distressed, Patricia said, âI wish I could stay with Mom, but I have to look after Baber.
Dad, please go to Mom quickly!â
With a sigh, McNeil got up.
Byran took Ellinor to his room, afraid that if they spoke outside, the elders would see and scold him.
Carlos, who was being forced to help with Byranâs homework, was stunned when he saw Byran bring Ellinor back.
Byran ordered, âCarlos, get out!â
Carlos weakly replied, âMr. Howard, I havenât finishedâ¦â
âYouâre dismissed! Get out!â
âYes, sir.â
Carlos felt relieved. He put down his pen and got up. He didnât know how to answer most of the questions, and if he got them wrong, Byran would yell at him. He was glad to be let off the hook.
After Carlos left, Byran slammed the door and angrily pointed at Ellinor, âEllinor, you liar!â
Ellinor leisurely looked around his room, then found a chair and sat down, âOh? What did I lie to you about?â
Byran glared at her angrily, âYouâre playing dumb now? You lied to me about losing interest in Theo and about not competing with my sister for him anymore. But youâre back with the Blanchet family now, arenât you?â
Ellinor admitted calmly, âIâm back with the Blanchet family, but Iâm not competing for anyone.â
Byran crossed his arms angrily, âRight! You donât have to compete. Just the sight of you makes Theo surrender. Youâre really something!â
Ellinor yawned with boredom, âDid you bring me here just to say that?â
Although it was irritating, Byran had become accustomed to Ellinorâs casual attitude.
âCan you give Theo back to my sister?â
Ellinor answered directly, âNo!â
Byran was clearly not satisfied, âWhy? Going back on your word, are you?â
Ellinor smiled, casually resting her elbow on the armrest, âThere was a misunderstanding between Theo and me because of your sister, which left me disappointed in him. Now that weâve cleared things up, Theo likes me, and I like him. Why should I give him up for your sister?â
âEllinor, quit making excuses! You just donât keep your word!â
âEven if I were willing to give him up, would he even accept your sister? Before I came along, didnât your sister spend all those years failing to win Theoâs heart?â