?<strong>Chapter 188:</strong>


    “What?” Madonna stared at Baker, her disbelief evident. “She refused you even after you personally spoke with her about that? Baker, doesn’t your own daughter respect you?”


    Baker felt a sting of humiliation at her words. Scowling, he retorted, “You know her situation has changed! She has the backing of the Thomas family now; what can I do? I can’t force her to do things she doesn’t want to do.”


    Madonna let out a scornfulugh. “The backing of the Thomas family? Well, whether the Thomas family truly supports her remains to be seen.”


    Baker stayed silent, his frustration evident.


    At that moment, Madonna’s eyes turned towards Holley, who had been quietly eating from the side.


    “Holley,” she called.


    Holley lifted her gaze to meet Madonna’s. “Yes, what can I do for you?”


    Madonna fixed her stare on Holley, articting each word with emphasis. “Your daughter—she ought to heed your advice, right?”


    Holley quickly grasped what Madonna was hinting at.


    With a nervous gulp, she pressed her lips together for a second and responded, “It’s hard to say. I’ve tried speaking with Belinda several timestely, but she wouldn’t heed my words.”


    After a brief hesitation, she hastily continued, “Now that she’s an adult, she has formed her own views and rarely takes my guidance.”


    Madonna’s face chilled at Holley’s exnation.


    Her sneer sharpened as she asked, “Are you saying you won’t help me with this?”


    Holley quickly replied, “It’s not that I’m unwilling to help you, but honestly, there’s nothing I can do.”


    Madonna’s gaze hardened, her voice biting. “Enough with the excuses! Just tell me if you will help me with this!”


    Taking a deep breath, Holley firmly said, “I’m sorry; I really cannot help you with this.”


    Despite her fear of Madonna, Holley stood resolute on this issue.


    “Very well then! This is truly great!” Madonna’sughter wasced with fury.


    She then turned to Baker, gesturing at Holley. “Look, Baker! Now it’s not just Belinda opposing us, but even this insignificant woman dares to refuse me!”


    Baker scowled, his voiceden with impatience. “Belinda isn’t thepliant child she used to be! She no longer heeds my words or Holley’s, so badgering Holley is pointless. Let’s just drop this! If Lillie is genuinely interested in Darren, she should pursue him herself. If she seeds, then it’s all because of her own efforts. Ultimately, it all depends on Darren’s feelings, right? Even if Belinda were to intervene, if Darren doesn’t reciprocate Lillie’s feelings, it would not work!”


    Holley promptly nodded in agreement.


    As Baker began to defend Holley, Madonna’s irritation surged. “Baker, you…” She could hardly believe Baker wasn’t taking her side but was instead supporting his mistress.


    Bristling with anger, she instructed Holley, “Fetch me a bowl of soup, now!”


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