âEllinor, you have so much dirty laundry back in the sticks. You hurt so many people, and now youâre here, living all high and mighty as Mrs. Blanchet! I regret ever raising yout Arnold got out of the passenger side of the sports car, his temper was still as fiery as ever, ready to chastise before understanding the situation.
Tracy Mendoza also hopped out of the car, her eyes filled with schadenfreude.
Upon seeing Arnold and Tracy, Ellinor remained unperturbed, âWhat are you on about? What dirty laundry do you think I have? You guys made a special trip to confront me?â
Arnold, fuming, pointed at Ellinorâs face, âDonât you know what youâve done? I should have dealt with you ages ago and saved myself the shame. You ungrateful woman!â
Ungrateful woman? Ellinor found Amoldâs accusations quite armusing.
Arnold never really raised her and never took any responsibility as a foster father. He might have fed her a few times before dumping her with some relatives in the country, but that was it.
Of course, he did agree to look after her when her mother was in trouble, which was a favor of sorts.
However, she had already repaid those favors.
The Mendoza family had been cruel to her, and she had respected them enough not to hold them accountable. And now they had the gall to accuse her?
âWho do you think you are? Show some respect! If you dare to make a scene at the Blanchetâs doorstep, Iâll have you thrown out!â
Veronica stood in front of Ellinor, hands on her hips, glaring at Arnold.
Her brother had given her a look before he went into the room with their grandfather, a look that said he was worried about Ellinor. So here she was.
And the first thing she saw was someone yelling at Ellinor. She wouldnât stand for it, not for her brotherâs sake!
Arnold, having been called out by a youngster, looked furious. But given who she was, he didnât dare to retaliate, âMiss, this is none of your business! Ellinor is my foster. daughter, how I talk to her is my business; she should take it!â
Veronica, not one to back down, was ready to hit back.
Before she could, Ellinor put a hand on her shoulder, gently patting her, âVeronica, go back in; donât get involved.â
Veronica turned to look at Ellinor with her brows furrowed, âEllinor, Iâm not doing this for you; Iâm doing this for my brother! I canât stand seeing someone disrespect my brotherâs woman!â
Ellinor smiled, âYes, I know. Now donât worry about it; go play.â
Veronica frowned. Why did Ellinor sound like she was shooing a child away?
Ellinor knew Veronica wouldnât just leave, so she gently pushed her aside, took a step forward, and faced Arnold.
âSpit it out!â
Arnold frowned, âYouâre getting more and more disrespectful. We are here for a reason, but how can we talk while standing out here? Have someone show us in!â
Normally, Ellinor might have invited them in to see what they were up to.
But not today.
Today, Putnam and Marissa just got back. Putnam was still in a wheelchair, and his health had not fully recovered.
If she let these uncivilized Mendozas in, who knew what theyâd say or do. It would be bad if they made the old man upset.