Chapter 3 Family Drama

Five years later

An exhausted Elise took out her key. But the door in front of her opened itself and a figure in red jumped out, grabbing her handbag.

"Elise, you are back! Did you get your salary today?" Paying no attention to her, Elaina Ye rummaged around Elise's handbag and finally found the envelope she was looking for. "Ah, why is there so little money in it?"

Elise was used to Elaina's complaints. She replied indifferently, "That's all I have left after paying the medical bills."

"The medical fees?" A sharp voice came from behind Elaina. "Who asked you to pay those? I told you to hand over all your salary to me!"

It had come from Harley Yu, Elise's stepmother. She came forward and put her hands on her hips with a frown of discontent. "I've been working so hard to take care of the family. And you just give your money away!"

"Auntie, we owe those bills to the hospital. I had to pay them." Elise was tired and didn't want to argue with her stepmother. She went to her room.

Harley snorted behind her. "What do we owe the hospital for? Did they ask for the money?"

"Mom's right. And besides, my brother-in-law will pay those bills. Why did you pay? We are left with so little money that I can't even buy my study materials," Elaina pouted. Just as she was about to stuff the money into her pocket, Harley grabbed it.

"Mom! What are you doing?" Elaina shouted discontentedly. Harley responded with a snort. "Go ask your brother-in-law for the money."

"Stop it, both of you!" Elise rubbed her temples, feeling a terrible headache rising. "I broke up with Victor a long time ago. I have nothing to do with him anymore. So, we can't take money from him."

Five years ago, she had lost her baby and then created a scene at the hospital. Afterwards, she'd suffered a massive hemorrhage, making it difficult for her to get pregnant again. Marion had used that as an excuse to force her break up with Victor and cancel their engagement.

Further, she had told her that the Chi family was on the verge of bankruptcy. The only way to save them was for Victor to marry a woman from a powerful family. Marion had begged her not to hold him back like some deadweight.

However, that wasn't why she had broken up with Victor. Although she did not want him to go bankrupt because of her, she also didn't want to give up her love.

Recalling the events that had taken place five years ago, Elise felt a dull pain in her heart. Without even realizing it, she dug her nails into her palms, almost drawing blood. She didn't come back to her senses until Harley's sharp voice rang out.

"The Chi family owe us! If you hadn't broken up with Victor, could they have turned the tables? In my opinion, all the credit goes to you." The more Harley thought about it, the angrier she became. Back then, Elise was pregnant with Victor's child. Harley had thought that she would live a good life in the future after Elise married into the Chi family. What hadn't crossed her mind was that Elise could be utterly useless. Not only had she lost her child, but she'd also been dumped. To top it all off, they were getting nothing from the Chi family.

In fact, if Harley hadn't made a scene, even the betrothal gifts would have been returned.

"Hey! You! You're really useless!"

Elise knew her stepmother's feelings towards her. If she had a choice, she would have never returned home.

But when she thought of her father lying sick and alone in bed, and in desperate need of someone to take care of him, she had to endure it for her father.

"Auntie, stop it. I'll make money!"

Elaina heard the declaration and her eyes lit up immediately. She leaned over and tried to flatter some money out of her. "Elise, do you still have some money of your own? I want to attend a celebrity training class. I only need five thousand. Will you help me? Please?"

"Celebrity training class?" Elise frowned at the thought of Elaina's bad friends. "It's not that easy to become a celebrity. You should study hard now. And are you telling me that the entire class costs just five thousand? No, something is up!"

"Your sister thinks she is the best in the world and that only she can be a star. Elaina, just forget it! She's not going to give you any money." Harley counted the money and snorted. "This is not enough for this whole month. If you don't make it up by tomorrow, I'll go find Victor and ask him for the money myself!"

"Humph! A miser! And a useless sister!" Elaina rolled her eyes in disgust, first at Harley and then at Elise. Then, picking up her bag, she rushed out of the house.

Her mother was right. If she didn't have money, she could ask her brother-in-law for it.