Chapter 2 A Million-Dollar Debt

Eleanor inhaled deeply, striving to quell the surge of sorrow and resentment rising within her.

In the past, she might have lashed out, but now, she understood there was little use. The home that should have offered warmth had only ever been a cold, indifferent place-staying would only magnify the humiliation and suffering.

Camila's mocking voice cut through Eleanor's thoughts as a sheet of paper fluttered to Eleanor's feet.

"This is a detailed account of everything you've spent while living under the Marsh roof," Camila said, her voice laced with cold authority. "The total comes to one million dollars. You should pay it back."

Eleanor blinked, momentarily stunned by the words, before slowly picking up the list. As she scanned the figures, a cold sense of disbelief settled in her chest. Each entry was an exact record of the money spent-piano lessons priced at five hundred dollars an hour, etiquette courses at eight hundred dollars per session...

She couldn't fathom the kind of family that would maintain such meticulous records, as if every penny of her existence had been accounted for, tracked, and now demanded back.

Seeing the stunned expression on Eleanor's face, Camila stepped closer, a triumphant smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

"Just so you're aware," she said, her tone oozing condescension. "This list was carefully prepared by both Mom and Dad. Oh, and I heard your biological parents are struggling. When they find out you owe us a million dollars, they'll probably throw you out, too. Hilarious, right?"

The venom in Camila's voice stirred something deep inside Eleanor, igniting a fire of frustration she could no longer contain. In a flash, her fist shot out, connecting with Camila's face in a swift strike.

"Ouch!" Camila shrieked in pain, stumbling backward before collapsing to the ground.

"Camila!" Chloe Marsh, her mother, rushed over with alarming speed, helping Camila up with exaggerated tenderness.

The instant Camila was steady, Chloe whirled around, fury etched across her face. "How dare you strike my daughter, you ungrateful wretch?"

Without missing a beat, Camila quickly adopted a look of feigned hurt, masking her earlier malice with a sorrowful expression.

"Mom, don't blame Eleanor. I was wrong to meddle, telling her not to stay out all night. I completely understand why she's acting out-my return must've shattered her perfect life, and now she hates me for it."

Eleanor ignored Camila's blatant distortion of the truth, focusing instead on the words "ungrateful wretch." The sting of them, especially coming from someone who had raised her for eighteen years, cut deep.

With a bitter laugh, Eleanor dismissed the nonsense. She didn't have the energy to argue with someone so untruthful. Instead, she raised the list, her fingers curling around the paper as she looked at Chloe.

"So, this is the list you and Dad created, and now you expect me to pay it back?" she asked, her voice dripping with incredulity.

"Eleanor," Camila interrupted, her voice laced with false concern, "Mom and Dad created this list as a reminder of the generosity the Marsh family has shown you. You shouldn't have spoken of them in that way just now."

"What did she say?" Chloe's fury flared as her eyes narrowed, silently echoing her daughter's sentiment.

At that moment, Louis Marsh, the family patriarch, arrived. His face was clouded with displeasure as he addressed Eleanor with chilling finality.

"Your mother and I initially intended this list as a gentle reminder," he said, his tone unforgiving. "But your lack of respect for your parents, and your physical aggression toward your sister, have changed everything. You now owe the Marsh family one million dollars. Failure to repay this debt will lead to legal action."

Eleanor's heart sank, her smile laced with bitterness as she processed the words. Eighteen years spent under this roof, and in a single moment, she was branded the villain, all because of Camila's manipulative words.

With no energy left to argue, she quietly responded, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow, "Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, I am grateful for the years you took me in and raised me. As for the money, I will repay it. But from this moment forward, I have no connection to the Marsh family."

Louis' face hardened, his voice taking on a final, harsh tone. "Very well. But remember, once you leave this house, without the Marsh family's support, you are nothing."

Eleanor scoffed coldly, grabbed a backpack from the ground, and turned on her heel. She left without a backward glance.

Throughout the years, she had never known the warmth of the Marsh family's affection. Now, as she walked away, her adoptive parents had left her with nothing but a crushing debt-every bit a testament to their cruelty.

As Eleanor's forlorn silhouette receded from view, Camila's lips curled into a self-satisfied grin. At last, everything would be hers alone.

"Dad," she said, her voice honeyed with feigned concern. "Don't be upset. Once she has a moment to calm down, she'll come to her senses and realize the generosity of the Marsh family. She'll come crawling back, begging for forgiveness."

Her words, laced with malice, only fueled Louis's growing anger.

"Humph," Louis muttered, his voice thick with bitterness. "Even if she regrets her actions, there's no place for her in the Marsh family anymore. An ungrateful child like that deserves nothing but to be cast aside."

The more bitterness Louis poured out, the more Camila reveled in it. She knew this would ensure Eleanor's permanent exile-never again would she return to this home.

"Camila," Louis continued, his voice turning sharp with authority. "She's no longer your sister. Someone like her doesn't deserve that title. Now go change. We have an important guest coming, and we can't let this opportunity of impressing him slip by..."

"What guest?" Chloe asked, sensing the seriousness in her husband's voice. She immediately recognized that this guest must hold significant weight.

"It's Elijah Campbell," Louis replied, his voice low, almost reverential. "The king of Isonsea's underworld."

At the mention of Elijah, Chloe froze, her heart skipping a beat.

The man was infamous, spanning both the criminal world and mainstream society. His infrequent public appearances were the stuff of legends-meeting him was a rare and coveted privilege. And now, the Marsh family had secured such a visit?

"Indeed, this time, we owe it all to Camila. Mr. Campbell specifically requested to meet with our daughter!" Louis spoke with a proud smile, his hand gently resting on Camila's head.

Camila paused for a moment, her thoughts swirling.

How could she possibly be known to someone like him? Could it have been when she was struggling in Dridsa, a poverty-stricken area of Isonsea known for its desperate conditions, that Mr. Campbell took notice of her? She couldn't help but think that her beauty, combined with the dramatic contrast of her circumstances, might have caught his attention.

A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she spoke, her tone edged with surprise. "I believe we met once while I was in Dridsa. I never expected Mr. Campbell would remember me."

"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!" Louis chuckled with genuine delight, giving Camila's shoulder an approving squeeze. "Camila, you truly are a blessing. If we secure that land in Dridsa, the Marsh Group will rise to unmatched success."