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Chapter 5 Mockery

  • “Don’t be afraid, Elaine.” Eliza held Elaine tightly. “Dad, are you crazy? Just direct whatever you want to do at me; why did you lay a hand on Elaine instead?”
  • However, John went crazy at the sight of Eliza. He lifted a stool and hurled it at her right away, yelling, “You’re a b*tch, just like your mother!”
  • Caught off guard, Eliza was hit by the stool. Her head and arm were wounded instantly, putting her in a sorry plight.
  • However, she didn’t dodge the stool at all. Instead, she stared at John intently while shielding Elaine with her body.
  • She asked straightforwardly, “Dad, how much money did you lose again while gambling this time?”
  • John laughed maniacally. “You’re indeed sensible as a celebrity. What I want isn’t much—it’s just 5 million.”
  • Eliza’s expression changed, but she didn’t speak.
  • Despite her unparalleled fame during her five years in this industry, she had no permanent residence except for the house in this old neighborhood that she had bought for Elaine to reside in.
  • This was because most of the money she had earned over the past five years had been used to pay off John’s gambling debts, whereas the rest had been used to pay for Elaine’s medical expenses and babysitting fees.
  • Therefore, Eliza was probably the poorest celebrity in this industry.
  • Everyone other than Benjamin was unaware of these things, including Cody.
  • Naturally, no one knew that Eliza’s birth mother was Naomi Blanchard, a once world-renowned Best Actress Award winner.
  • She married John at the height of her popularity, only to suffer from domestic abuse, her husband’s infidelities, and a divorce, all of which subjected her to endless gossip. In the end, she left the family in bitter resentment when Eliza was five years old.
  • She no longer devoted herself to the family, for years of unhappy marriage had made her suffer from depression. Having become the laughing stock of show business, she had moved to France.
  • John hated Eliza, who was the spitting image of Naomi. Naomi loathed Eliza even more, for this daughter’s birth took her happiness away from her.
  • Eliza laughed self-deprecatingly upon recalling these past events.
  • “What, now? Are you pretending in front of me? Five million is just a drop in the bucket to you.” John stepped forward and slapped Eliza hard across the face, leaving a visible slap mark on her fair skin.
  • Elaine cried while throwing herself at Eliza. “Does it hurt, Eliza? I’m sorry… Eliza, it’s my fault for being a burden to you.”
  • “You silly girl.” Eliza held Elaine in her arms instead of crying. She looked at John with determination, saying, “Dad, I don’t have enough money on me; I have only 3 million. Take it if you want, and forget about it if you don’t.”
  • Eliza’s words sent John into a towering rage that made him want to give her another slap, but she stretched out her hand and stopped him right away. “Also, this will be the last time I’m giving you money. If you get into debt by gambling again, I’ll no longer care about you even if someone breaks your leg.”
  • “Eliza!” John stomped his feet in exasperation. “If you don’t give me money, I’ll expose you in front of the reporters. I’ll tell them how you refuse to provide for your father and how inhuman you are; I’ll see how you’re going to survive in this industry!” As he spoke, he closed in on Eliza. “I’d like to see how you’re going to afford the high cost of this handicap’s surgery and treatment when you’re no longer a celebrity!” John was very good at exploiting Eliza’s weakness. “Transfer 3 million to my bank card immediately. I’ll give you three days to collect the rest of the money. If you can’t collect the money, just you wait…”
  • It wasn’t until John forced Eliza and watched as she transferred all the money in her bank account to him that he strode off with satisfaction.
  • The room—left in a chaotic mess—became the cruelest mockery toward her.
  • “Eliza…” Elaine sobbed as she hugged Eliza.
  • Eliza’s lips parted, but her cell phone vibrated again before she could speak.