"That's right. If you want to leave, I won't stop you, but Elena stays. Brian is already grown and about to get married. Elena needs to stay behind and find a way to buy him a house and a car so that Brian can continue the Dalton Family bloodline without any worries."
My mother was so furious she could not even form words. Seeing an opening, Vanessa quickly stepped in, smiling as she said, "Please, it's better if you don't talk about divorce. We'll still be sisters in the future."
"You don't really have to serve me or anything. Even though I gave birth to a son for the Dalton Family, I will still treat you as my dear sister. You just need to help with the housework when you have free time."
Grinding her teeth, my mother hissed, "You betrayed me and now you want to drain me dry. Keep dreaming. I will definitely divorce him!"
Vanessa frowned, looking confused and said, "You really don't know how to appreciate a good life. Or are you bringing up divorce just because Elena secretly bought a big house?"
Vanessa's words might have been said 'without intention,' but they landed like a thunderclap in the ears of Gerald and Martha. Not only them even the surrounding relatives and friends who had come to watch the spectacle began to whisper and gossip about my house purchase.
Although I was the only child of my parents, it did not stop Gerald and Martha from disliking me simply because I was a daughter. After I started working, they constantly found excuses to ask me for money, which was why, when I bought a house, I only told my mother about it.
It seemed my mother had trusted Vanessa Grayson far too much.
I glanced at Vanessa. She wore a proud and self-satisfied expression.
I finally understood everything. The reason Gerald and Vanessa had kept their affair hidden for so many years, only to reveal everything today, was because of the house.
Facing everyone's questioning eyes, I ignored my mother's anxious gaze and calmly nodded.
"Yes, I did buy a house. It's about twice the size of the one we live in now. Although it's not very close to the city center, there's a subway station nearby, so it's very convenient. The neighborhood also has great landscaping."
"Since it’s a fully furnished house, I won’t need to buy any more stuff. I'm planning to move in within the next couple of days. It's a spacious place with three bedrooms and a living room. It's very nice."
Gerald suddenly slammed the table, pointing at me and shouting, "Good, very good! When I asked you to pay for my renovations last time, you told me your salary was low, that rent was expensive and you hadn’t saved anything! Turns out you secretly bought a house for yourself! How could I have fathered such an ungrateful daughter like you!"
Meanwhile, Martha’s eyes lit up with excitement. "I knew my granddaughter was extraordinary. She bought a house just like that! This is perfect. I was just saying there wouldn't be enough room at home for Brian and Vanessa. This solves everything."
"You can move back home. It's close to your workplace anyway. The house you bought will be just right for your father, me, Vanessa and Brian to live in. Three bedrooms and a living room. Absolutely perfect!"
My mother immediately shouted, "That can't be! That house belongs to Elena. It's in her name alone. Even if I die, I will never let you get away with this!"
However, no one paid her any attention.
Martha’s words had clearly given Gerald an idea. The anger on his face vanished, replaced by a broad smile.
"Good, very good. I was just wondering how to get Brian a house and it turns out you’ve already bought one."
"Let me make the decision. Tomorrow, you’ll transfer the house to Brian."
"As a woman, it’s useless for you to keep a house. Besides, you said it yourself that you don't intend to marry or have children. Since you don't plan to start a family, the house would go to Brian when you die anyway."
"It’s going to belong to him sooner or later, so why not just hand it over now? You'll even save the inheritance tax!"
