Chapter 1716
“Enough already! We can’t just let it go!” Thaddeus retorted as he rubbed his temples in frustration. “I understand the situation. Let me think about it.”
Bertha and their daughter, Lea, exchanged a hopeful glance.
Rising to his feet, Thaddeus continued, “You two can stay here as long as you like. I won’t bother you. I’ll arrange for someone to keep an eye on you while I’m gone, and once I’ve figured things out, I’ll come back for you.”
With that, he left the room, but his mind was clearly troubled.
As they watched him leave, Lea turned to her mother. “Mom, do you think Dad can sort this out?”
Bertha could only shrug. “I don’t know, sweetheart. Your dad’s always had a soft spot for Sophia.”
Lea sighed. “I just hope he can see past Sophia’s manipulation.”
Before Bertha could respond, her phone rang.
It was a text from her best friend, Marlinie.
[Bertha, have you found that photo of the girl who looks like my daughter? Don’t forget to send it to me.]
Bertha had almost forgotten that she had promised to find a picture of Ellinor for Marlinie. But where could she find a picture of Ellinor?
Noticing her mother’s frustration, Lea asked, “What’s wrong, Mom? Is there a problem?”
Bertha sighed. “Your godmother, Marlinie, wants to see a picture of Ellinor because she thinks Ellinor looks a lot like her when she was young. But I can’t find any pictures of her. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint Marlinie.”
Lea’s eyes lit up. “That’s easy, Mom! Remember what I decided to do as a career? I can draw a picture of Ellinor.”
Bertha gasped. “Of course! Draw a picture of Ellinor, and I’ll send it to Marlinie.”
Lea nodded, then scampered off to gather her drawing supplies.
Meanwhile, at the Blanchet Villa, Adrian and Layla were growing bored with their English homework.
Their nanny, concerned that they might disturb Old Mrs. Blanchet and Ellinor, tried to persuade them to stay in their room. However, they weren’t interested in listening. Finally, the nanny promised them a treat if they returned to their studies. Eager for a snack, the children agreed and went back to their work. The nanny retrieved two bags of snacks that she’d hidden earlier and handed them over.
Though Ellinor had recently banned snacks for a month, the nanny figured she could explain the situation to her later. After all, Ellinor was always reasonable.
But before Ellinor returned, Baber, who had just awakened from his nap, came looking for his mother. Upon entering the room, he found his siblings studying English with the nanny.
