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Novel Catalog
Chapter 44
“She’s always flunked her tests. How could I affect her grades?” Gresham muttered, his voice rising with frustration.
Trina, ever the actress, wiped her eyes dramatically. “Do me a favor, Dad. Please stop being angry, okay? She’s been alone out there for days. She must’ve had a hard time. Now that she’s finally back home, you’re going to hit her? What will people think of us?”
Tears rolled down Trina’s face, and Gresham’s heart cracked. Throwing the broom aside, he sighed heavily. “Oh, Trina, you’re too softhearted. You defend Bonnie every time she makes a mistake, but she never appreciates it.”
“I don’t mind,” Trina said, her voice sweet. “We’re family. She’s my sister. I have to help her. It’s the right thing to do.”
Vera, her eyes glistening with fake affection, hugged Trina. “My dear Trina… You’re so thoughtful, you break my heart.”
“I know you and Dad love me with all your hearts,” Trina said, her voice softening. “I’m just sorry I’m not your flesh and blood.”
The manipulation was nauseating to Bonnie. She was well-versed in human psychology, and every gesture, every expression Trina made screamed acting. Trina’s eyes flicked around, her lips tight with forced emotion, and she’d touch her nose whenever she lied. Yet Vera and Gresham ate it all up, falling into the trap she’d set.
“My wonderful child,” Gresham said, voice full of emotion. “We may not have given birth to you, but you’re closer to us than anyone else could ever be, even our own daughter.”
Trina’s eyes welled up with more fake tears.
“That’s right, Trina,” Vera added. “I’ll fight anyone who says you’re not my child.” She took out her credit card and handed it to her. “Here. Take my card and stop crying.”
Bonnie couldn’t take it anymore. The false tenderness in the room made her sneer. “I told you,” she said with a sharp edge to her voice. “You have a favorite. You just won’t admit it. You said it yourself—Trina is closer to you than your own daughter ever will be.” Her eyes flicked to her parents, who were clearly unable to deny the truth. “You’re lucky I’m tough. Anyone else would’ve had a meltdown or been so depressed they’d take the easy way out.”
Vera and Gresham were caught off guard, unable to respond. But Trina wasn’t about to let Bonnie win. She shot Bonnie an angry look. “Don’t blame Mom and Dad, Bonnie. They didn’t mean it. They were just…”
“Shut your trap!” Bonnie interrupted, her voice low and threatening.
“Bonnie…”
“I’ll cut out your tongue if you say another word.” Bonnie made a cutting gesture with her hands, her eyes gleaming with menace.
Vera couldn’t hold it in any longer. “You’re being mean to Trina again, Bonnie! I’ll—”
“Did you ask me to come home just so you can bite my head off?” Bonnie shot back. “Are you trying to make me flunk my SATs tomorrow? Alright, then. You’ll regret it if anything goes wrong with my grades.”
Vera fell silent, unable to think of a response. Gresham, too, seemed unsure whether he should step in.
Bonnie turned to leave. “If that’s all, I’m leaving.”
Vera, after a long pause, finally spoke up, though her voice was tinged with annoyance. “Your grandparents are celebrating their seventieth birthday. Like I said before, you need to get their presents ready. Don’t embarrass us and make us the laughing stock of our relatives.” She transferred five hundred dollars to Bonnie.
Bonnie looked down at the transfer, her lips curling into a cold smile. Five hundred dollars? It was laughable. “You said you didn’t want to be the laughing stock of your relatives,” Bonnie said, her voice icy. “But five hundred dollars? You think that’s enough?”
Vera’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re jealous of Trina, as always. She’s way more mature than you. I tried to give her money, but she refused. She’s saved up enough to buy a present on her own. She’s a good girl. You could learn something from her.”
Bonnie understood immediately what this was all about. With a sly smile, she transferred the money back to Vera’s account.
Vera froze. “What’s the meaning of this? Wasn’t five hundred enough?” she demanded, her voice rising in irritation. But then she noticed the new amount in her account—fifty thousand dollars.
Bonnie raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Will you look at that? I refused your money, and I’ve just given you fifty thousand dollars. You can buy a present on my behalf, right? What do you think? Am I better than Trina now? Am I more mature than her too?”
Vera’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Where did you get this money? Be honest with me, Bonnie. Have you done something illegal? Please don’t tell me you’ve become someone’s mistress…”
Bonnie’s lips curled into a mockingly sweet smile. “You’re asking the wrong questions, Vera. But if you really want to know—no, I haven’t done anything illegal. Unlike someone, I actually know how to make money without using others.”
Vera’s face turned red, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a retort. But Bonnie, her point made, turned on her heel and left the room, leaving nothing behind but the burning tension in the air.