Chapter 740
“Don’t touch me! I’ll walk out myself.
“I knew it! You never cared about me at all! The second Mira showed up, you threw me in the dirt and gave her everything.
“If I mean absolutely nothing to you, then don’t expect me to ever acknowledge you as my grandmother again.
“Since you’re so utterly obsessed with her, go rot in her house forever! And when you’re bedridden and dying, don’t you dare come crawling to us for help p>
“Sera, how could you say that p>
Lacey gasped, horrified by the vile disrespect spewing from her niece’s mouth.
Eleanor was an intimidating force of nature, but every harsh decision she made was rooted in fierce protection of their family.
After their father passed away so young, Eleanor had stood alone against the world, shielding her children from total ruin.
For as long as Lacey could remember, her mother had never once steered them wrong.
When Lacey was young and foolishly defied Eleanor’s advice on marriage, reality had slapped her across the face with devastating consequences.
Later on, Eleanor had desperately warned her to keep a close eye on Adrian Mercer, and she had ignored that too. If Ethan Mercer and Mira hadn’t orchestrated her flawless legal escape, she would likely be in a grave right now.
Before Sera could spit out another toxic retort, Eleanor cut her off. “There it is. The ugly truth finally comes out.
“Get the hell out of my sight, you ungrateful wretch.
“Ha! Rely on you to take care of me in my final days? I’m not that eager to die just yet p>
With the towering security guards glaring daggers at her, Sera finally turned on her heel and marched toward the exit.
“Sera, please, just listen to me this one time. Lawrence is a dangerous, cruel man. Cancel the engagement before it’s too late p>
Lacey chased after her, grabbing her arm in a desperate plea.
She couldn’t bear to watch her niece walk straight into the same marital hell she had just escaped.
“Save your pathetic fake pity! Your own life is a catastrophic train wreck, yet you have the sheer audacity to lecture me p>
With a vicious sneer, Sera ripped her arm away and stormed out the door without a backward glance.
“Let her go p>
Eleanor called out, her voice trembling violently as if that explosive confrontation had drained the very last ounce of life from her bones.
“I raised that girl with my own two hands. She was so frail when she was little… I was terrified the maids would neglect her, so I cooked every single meal from scratch and spoon-fed her myself.
“Meanwhile, Daphne would waltz in from work, glance at her for two seconds, and instantly disappear to focus on her own selfish agenda.
“Whenever Sera caught even the slightest fever, it would take weeks to break, She would cry relentlessly, and I sat by her crib night after hight, staying awake for days on end just to watch her breathe p>
“I poured my soul into her, thinking was raising a sweet, loving
granddaughter only to find out was nurturing a venomous, ungrateful
snake p>
Eleanor collapsed heavily against the sofa, her posture completely defeated.
After a few agonizing minutes, a
fraction of her iron will returned, and
she looked back up at Lacey. “You
saw exactly what she is today. That girl’s core is entirely rotten. I want you to cut all ties with her immediately.
“And stay far away from the Quinn family estate as well. Daphne is a toxic,
manipulative plague, and you are better off without her.
“Just like I told you earlier, focus solely on what makes you happy.
“If you ever truly miss me, you can come visit me at Mira’s house p>
“Really? Are you absolutely sure I’m allowed to go there p>
“Don’t get any wild ideas. Mira is rarely home these days, so you can only visit while she’s out.
“You, me, and the housekeeper can spend the afternoons catching up.
“I’ll run it by Mira when I get back, but I highly doubt she’ll object to that arrangement p>
“But let me be perfectly clear: do not push your luck. The absolute second she is scheduled to return, you must vanish p>
“I swear, I’ll do exactly as you say p>
“If you ever find yourself short on cash, I can transfer whatever you need p>
Catching a glimpse of the silvery gray strands woven into Lacey’s hair, a rare wave of maternal tenderness washed over Eleanor.
Despite all the explosive arguments, this was still her daughter, and a mother’s instinct to protect never truly faded.
“I don’t need any money, Eleanor. My accounts are more than full. And if I ever did run low, Ethan Mercer makes sure I’m well taken care of p>
“That’s a relief to hear. But remember what I said: stay the hell away from Sera. She
is pure poison, and she will drag you down with her p>
“I understand, Eleanor p>
“Alright, I’m heading out p>
“Eleanor, you rarely come all the way out here. Please, at least stay for lunch p>
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