Annabel! Annabel!" Elena called as she pushed open the bedroom door. "Where were you last night? You didn't come home, and Dad was worried sick."
Annabel slowly sat up on the bed, her hair messy and her eyes filled with irritation.
"Elena, can you stop acting like my mother?" she snapped. "You're always watching me, always questioning me. Let me live my life!"
Elena sighed. "I'm not trying to control you. I just want to know where you were."
Before Annabel could reply, their mother, Olivia, entered the room.
"What is all this noise?" she demanded.
Elena turned to her respectfully.
"Good morning, Mom."
But Olivia ignored her greeting and walked straight to Annabel.
"Oh my poor baby," she said softly, sitting beside her. "What did this wicked girl do to you?"
Elena stared at her mother in disbelief.
"Mom, I didn't do anything," she said calmly. "I only asked her where she slept last night."
Olivia's face darkened.
"You're lying!" she shouted. "If she slept outside, so what? Will you give her the money she earns if she stays at home?"
Elena felt her heart tighten.
"Mom, she's only nineteen," Elena said. "All she does is go clubbing with friends and attend birthday parties. She should be in school!"
Olivia scoffed. "And who will pay the school fees? You?"
Elena didn't answer. Instead, she turned and walked out of the room.
She didn't want another argument.
She was already dressed for work anyway.
Behind her, Olivia followed angrily.
"Elena! Stop right there!"
But Elena ignored her and walked into another room where her father, Samuel, was lying weakly on the bed.
"Dad," she said softly.
Samuel looked at her and smiled faintly.
Before he could speak, Olivia entered the room with a mocking laugh.
"So you came to report me?" she sneered. "Go ahead. Even if you tell him, he can't do anything."
Samuel slowly sat up, his face pale.
"Olivia," he said quietly, "don't you see what you're doing to this family? Your love for money has blinded you."
Olivia's expression turned furious.
"Shut up, Samuel!" she shouted. "If I don't tell these girls to go out and make money, will you give it to me?
She pointed at him with anger.
"Look at you! Sick and useless!"
Elena quickly held her father's hand as tears filled her eyes.
"Mom, please stop," she said.
Olivia laughed cruelly.
"If you keep listening to this useless father of yours, you will die poor just like him," she said coldly.
With that, she stormed out of the room.
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Elena wiped her tears and forced a small smile.
"Don't mind her, Dad," she said gently.
Samuel held her hand.
"My daughter… you've suffered so much for this family."
Elena shook her head.
"You worked hard for us when you were healthy," she said. "Now it's my turn."
She leaned down and kissed his forehead.
"I'm late for work."
As she stepped outside the house, her phone suddenly rang.
The caller ID showed Sophia.
Elena answered with a smile.
"Hello, Sophia."
"Where have you been?" Sophia asked. "I've been calling you."
"I just left home. I'm heading to work."
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something important," Sophia said.
Elena frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
Sophia hesitated.
"It's about a job opportunity… in a big company."
Elena raised her eyebrow.
"What company?"
Sophia took a deep breath.
"Ethan Alexander's company."
Elena froze.
Everyone in the city knew one thing about Ethan Alexander.
He was powerful, rich… and completely ruthless.