Chapter 3 Threat

Elinor Fernan raised an eyebrow and descended the stairs with a cold smirk.

Sure enough, there was a steaming basket of soup dumplings on the dining table. She walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down, picking up her chopsticks to start her breakfast. Across from her, Bridget Foster's eyes were practically boring holes into her, but Elinor acted as if she didn't notice, leisurely finishing the entire basket of dumplings.

Finally, she looked up and said to Bridget, "Give me some money. I need to eat lunch."

In the past, Elinor never ate out because Bridget always claimed they didn't have money. So, her lunch usually consisted of leftovers from breakfast, just enough to get by until dinner.

Now that she knew what this mother-daughter duo was up to, there was no reason for her to hold back. She would do whatever made her comfortable.

Besides, the money from the Su family rightfully belonged to her biological parents. Why should she not spend it and let these shameless people benefit instead?

Bridget Foster, who had been simmering with anger all morning, finally exploded. "What money? We don't have any money to give you!"

"If there's no money for my lunch,then I might as well not go to school. I can just stay home," Elinor replied calmly, gathering her backpack and preparing to head back to her room. Sylvia Fernan quickly shot a look at Bridget, urging her to respond.

"Fine! Here's your money!" Bridget gritted her teeth and pulled a single coin from her pocket, tossing it onto the table. "That's for your lunch!"

With the current prices, one dollar could buy two vegetable dishes and a portion of rice.

Elinor Fernan glanced at the dollar and smiled sweetly, "But Mom, I want to eat meat for lunch. You know I'm still growing, and if I don't get enough protein, I might end up malnourished. Then I won't be able to keep up with my exams."

She had mentioned her exams more times that morning than she had in the entire previous year, as if she was deliberately trying to remind someone of something.

Bridget Foster could no longer hold back her frustration and glared at her daughter, "Elinor Fernan! What on earth is wrong with you today?"

Elinor smiled calmly, "Since you asked, I'll be straightforward. I need to focus on my studies, so I need to boost my energy. Starting today, my food budget is eight dollars a day: two dollars for breakfast, and three dollars each for lunch and dinner. Each meal must include both meat and vegetables. I can eat at home for breakfast and dinner, but if you don't want to deal with it, you can just give me the eight dollars, and I'll take care of it myself."

"Eight dollars?" Bridget Foster raised her voice. "Our entire family's food budget for a day isn't even eight dollars! Why do you think you deserve that much for just yourself?"

"Because I need to prepare for my exams and get the nutrition I need," Elinor replied, her tone firm and confident. Bridget felt a surge of anger rising in her chest, unable to vent it or swallow it down, making her face grow increasingly flushed.

"Mom, just give her eight bucks. Elinor did well on her exams, and that's a win for our family," Sylvia Fernan said, tugging at Bridget Foster's sleeve to keep her from overreacting.

Bridget Foster finally gritted her teeth and agreed. With less than two months until the college entrance exams, she decided to hold her tongue for now. Once the exams were over, she'd figure out how to deal with that little brat.

Elinor Fernan took the money and headed out with her backpack. As soon as she left, Bridget slammed her hand on the table in frustration.

"That little brat! How dare she threaten me!"

Sylvia looked thoughtful. "Mom, she was acting a bit strange today. Do you think she knows something?"

Bridget paused, her brows furrowing. She quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea. "No way. Only we and Diesel know about this.

She can't possibly know anything!"

Sylvia agreed that she was probably overthinking it. How could Elinor know? It must be that she was just overly anxious about the situation lately, making her paranoid. Still, Sylvia couldn't shake the feeling that Elinor seemed different today, especially with that oddly cold look in her eyes.

Elinor spent the whole day at school,and as soon as she walked in after classes, she heard Bridget complaining about her.

Joshua Scott had been coming home early from work lately, usually around three or four in the afternoon, since there wasn't much to do at the factory.

Bridget Foster looked hurt as she wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Joshua, I can't deal with Elinor anymore. I only said a few words to her, and she blew up at me."

Joshua Scott frowned at her words. Just then, Elinor Fernan walked in,and his gaze turned reproachful. "Is what your mom said true?"

Before Elinor could respond, Sylvia Fernan stepped in as the peacemaker. "Dad, don't be mad at Elinor. She's still just a kid; she doesn't understand and that's why she argued with Mom."

It seemed like she was defending her sister, but her words subtly placed the blame on Elinor. That was the cleverness of Sylvia Fernan-she could twist a few phrases to shift the fault onto others.

"She's eighteen now; she's not a kid anymore!" Sure enough, Sylvia's attempt to mediate only made Joshua's frown deepen. "Elinor, come here and apologize to your mom!"

In her past life, Bridget Foster had been able to bully Elinor Fernan so openly for so many years primarily because Joshua Scott was weak and useless. If he had shown even a little responsibility, things wouldn't have escalated like they did. Or maybe Joshua knew everything and was just pretending not to.

Elinor had long given up any illusions about him. With a cold expression, she replied, "I didn't do anything wrong, so I won't apologize!"

"Look at what this child is saying; she's trying to give me a heart attack!" Bridget Foster exclaimed, her face pale as she clutched her chest, leaning heavily into Joshua Scott's arms, gasping for breath as if she were truly on the verge of collapse.

"Elinor, this is unacceptable! Mom has raised us all these years, and even if she scolds you a bit, you shouldn't talk back like that. Your behavior is truly heartbreaking!" Sylvia Fernan frowned, disappointment etched on her face as she spoke to her sister.

Joshua Scott held Bridget Foster up with one arm while his anger flared. He shot a cold glare at Elinor Fernan and barked, "What are you standing there for? Can't you see your mom has fainted?"

Elinor Fernan sneered inwardly. Bridget Foster was always pulling the same tricks: crying, throwing tantrums, or pretending to be weak and fainting.

She was no longer the easily bullied Elinor Fernan from her past life. If Bridget wanted to play that game, then she would let her experience the consequences of her little act!

"Mom! What happened? Why did you faint?" Elinor rushed over, feigning concern as she helped Bridget settle onto the sofa. At that moment,Bridget looked completely out of it, her face ashen against the cushions.

"This is all your fault!" Joshua scolded, his face still dark.

Sylvia sat beside Bridget, her eyes red and voice laced with reproach. "Elinor, you really don't understand, do you? How could you make Mom so upset?"

Elinor Fernan shot a cold glance at Bridget Foster and suddenly had an idea. "Wait for me, I'll be right back," she said, not giving anyone a chance to respond before she dashed out the door.