The maid spoke up, "Miss Ellie said she went back to her roam to read.”


    Edna frowned, “I''m here, that''s enough. You can leave now! Oh, and call Darleen for me, will you?"


    The maid nodded and then left the kitchen


    Soon, Darleen arrived, clearly annoyed, "Mom, what do you want? The SATs areing up, and I need to study...”


    "Smack!"N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Before Darleen could finish her sentence, Edna had pped her hard across the face.


    It all happened so fast.


    Darleen was stunned


    Her cheek stung fiercely as she looked at Edna in disbelief, "Mom! Why did you hit me? What did I do wrong?”


    Edna''s expression was stormy, "Who gave you permission to leave? Didn''t I tell you to keep an eye on the stew?"


    "I only stepped away for a moment!” Darleen felt wronged, “Is that really necessary? I''m your own daughter! You hit me over some stew? What''s the


    use of being so good to that olddy? She still hasn''t epted you into the family!"


    Darleen was gearing up for her SATs.


    Determined to make Edna proud, Darleen was aiming for a spot at Harvard University.


    Even if she couldn''t be the national topper, she had to be among the top three in the city!


    With the SATs not far off, she couldn''t afford to ck.


    Edna could disappear to the bathroom for what seemed like ages, and Darleen, anxious not to waste precious study time, had asked one of the


    servants to watch the stove instead. She hadn''t expected Edna to react so violently.


    “Smack!”


    Edna raised her hand again. delivering another p!


    "Mom!" Darleen cried, looking up at Edna, her voice loud with indignation, “Just because you couldn''t marry into the Lindsay family, you''re taking it


    out on me? I''m your daughter! I''m not your punching bag!"


    Edna, trembling with anger, pointed to the door, "Go to your room and think about what you''ve done!”


    Darleen covered her face with her hands. crying as she left the kitchen


    Edna watched Darleen''s retreating figure.


    She sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness.


    Darleen was a good kid, really.


    Just too naive and impulsive sometimes.


    After a moment, Edna poured the


    health stewitrto a thermos, nning


    to bring into. J. Justas she =>


    stepped but, she turned back and


    headed to the third floor, to CG .


    Dartgen''s room, and knockegon the


    door.  _ ~


    swnovel. 4


    Through the door, she could hear Darleen''s sobs.


    She was clearly inside, but wouldn''t open the door.


    Edna frowned, “There’s a limit to patience! I''m counting to three, and if you don''t open this door, I''ll have someone break it down!”


    "3,2..."


    Just as she was about to say ''1'', the door opened


    Darleen looked miserable.


    Her eyes were swollen.


    So was her face.


    Edna stepped in, ced the thermos on the desk, and locked the door behind her.


    “Darleen, are you still mad at Mom?"


    Darleen remained silent.


    How could she not be?


    Though Edna was usually strict, pping her across the face was a first.


    She was a girl, after all


    Edna''s actions hadpletely disregarded her dignity.


    Edna sighed, "Darleen, in this family, it''s just us. We''re the only true family we have. So. besides you, there''s no one else I can truly rely on.”


    She paused, "Do you understand what I''m saying?”


    "


    ''s just some stew. Was it worth


    pping me twice? Am I less


    important toyou than that olddy


    of the Lindsay family?’ Darleen _<


    continued, "I could charm that old”


    lady w with a ten-dor pair of socks,


    making her smile from ear te ear.


    Raés it really matter if the-stew was


    personally watched by you ora


    maid?"


    Darleen couldn''t understand Edna''s logic.


    She thought Edna was making a mountain out of a molehill.


    There was absolutely no need for it!


    Darleen also couldn''tprehend why Edna insisted on personally preparing J''s stew for ten years.


    Edna simply looked at Darleen, "Darleen, there’s a reason for everything I do. One day, you''ll understand my intentions.”


    "I don’t understand!"


    “You may notwnderstand now,"


    Edna sighed“but one day you will.


    For now, just know that everything


    do is forYour sake, for your futures


    Only if {manage to marry into the


    Lindsay family, as their a


    granddaughter, will you stand a


    Cfance to marry Mr. Christensen!"