Chapter 1785
Tracy scoffed. “I’ve seen your type before. You’re just after the inheritance Arnold has, aren’t you? Dream on! I’ve held my place in the Mendoza family for years. I’m not just a stay-at-home mom!”
Marlinfe finally understood why they were being held here. This mother-daughter duo believed they were here to steal Arnold away.
Although her taste in men was less than stellar, she wouldn’t go as far as to have that kind of interest in Arnold.
“Mrs. Mendoza, I think you’ve got the wrong idea. Arnold and I have no prior relationship; at most, we were classmates. I came today to clarify some old matters with him. There’s no need for you to be so anxious.” Marlinie politely explained.
Tracy was ticked off at being called out for her nerves. She felt a little humiliated. “Anxious? Who said I was anxious?!”
Marlinie smiled lightly. “If you’re not anxious, why would you lock us up here? Are you that terrified of me meeting your husband?”
Tracy’s face stiffened. “…”
Marlinie didn’t want to antagonize her further. She just wanted to see Arnold and confront him about the past.
“Mrs. Mendoza, I have no interest in your husband. You can rest easy! I just want to ask him something. Once I’m done, I’ll leave.”
Tracy eyed her skeptically.
Marlinie seemed different from the typical gold diggers she had encountered before, which made Tracy think she might be telling the truth. But Tracy was still wary of her beauty and was reluctant to let her meet Arnold.
After a long moment, Tracy pulled up a chair and sat down. “Arnold is not home. If you have business with him, you can ask me instead. I’ve been living with him for years, so I know everything about him. Just ask me.”
Marlinie figured that Mrs. Mendoza was still not comfortable with her meeting Arnold. Considering she had been living with Arnold all these years, she might be able to answer her questions too.
After a moment of thought, Marlinie sighed lightly and began, “Alright, then I’ll ask you, Mrs. Mendoza. Did you guys ever have a child
named Ellinor?”
At the mention of the name of the person she despised the most, Tracy’s eyes widened in fury. “You’re here for Ellinor? What’s your relationship with her?”
“Ellinor is my daughter. My biological daughter.”
Tracy’s expression darkened instantly. Her previous suspicions flared up again. “So, it is you! And you dare say you have no relationship with Arnold? If there’s no relationship between you two, why would Arnold raise your daughter? Isn’t Ellinor a product of your love with Arnold?”
The term ‘product’ made Marlinie uncomfortable. “Mrs. Mendoza, watch your tone! Ellinor is my biological daughter, and she has nothing to do with Arnold! She’s not the ‘product’ you’re talking about!”
Tracy scoffed. “Well, that’s strange! If Ellinor has nothing to do with Arnold, then why would he adopt her as his own daughter? I know Arnold better than anyone. He’s a penny pincher. Why would he spend money to raise someone else’s kid? Stop pretending! If you’re hoping to rekindle an old flame with Arnold, keep dreaming!”
Marlinie was left speechless.
“Mrs. Mendoza, let me explain. I was in a tight spot back then and had no other choice but to ask Arnold, an old classmate, to take care of my daughter for a while. Of course, it wasn’t for free; I gave him an antique necklace I wore as a token of gratitude. Moreover, as far as I know, Arnold hasn’t been good to my daughter all these years. He hasn’t even spent much money on her. I believe you know that better than me. If she were his biological daughter, would he send her off to live in the country? I am here to ask about my daughter, not for the reasons you think. I swear.”
