The moment Eloise brought those clothes home, her husband and mother-inw sent her straight back to her parents'' house.


    Reba didn''t mince words. "Either youe up with the money for those clothes, or don''t bothering back."


    Eloise returned to her parents'' ce in a miserable state, only to be scolded harshly by her father. If her parents had had a son, Eloise probably wouldn''t even have been allowed to set foot back home.


    She was consumed with regret. "I really messed up. Do you think you can help me raise five million?"


    Her mother, Hannah, let out a sigh. "Do you think five million grows on trees? If your aunt were still alive, this wouldn''t even be a problem."


    They had finallye to appreciate Pa''s value.


    "It''s such a shame," Hannahmented. "That Cecilia just turned her back on the Escobar family like we didn''t matter. If only she were more like Pa."


    Whenever Hannah thought about how Pa had married into the wealthy Smith family all on her own and brought fortune to the whole family, she couldn''t help but feel a twinge of longing.


    Eloise pursed her lips. "Over the years, we got a decent amount of money from the Smith family. How is it we can''t scrape together five million now?"


    "It''s because your dad can''t handle money to save his life! And your grandma, she scammed us not long ago and took the money to help your cousin, Magnus. Don''t even get me started on him!"


    Hannah clearly had no shortage ofints about both Magnus and her own mother-inw.


    At that point, Heather was still staying in a hotel. She wanted badly to go home, so she called her two sons. But neither of them wanted anything to do with her. "They''re all so ungrateful. If Pa were still alive, I wouldn''t be suffering like this." Heather was thinking more and more about Pa as she rambled. With no other options, she started hanging around outside Cecilia''spany building, hoping to catch her.


    Eventually, some employees started to notice her.


    Charlotte reported it to Cecilia. "The old hag is hanging around outside. It''s not a good look for thepany."


    "Let here up," Cecilia said calmly.


    It''s about time to settle this.


    "Got it." Charlotte wasted no time arranging for Heather to be brought upstairs.


    When Heather walked into the


    "Is this really Cecilia''spany?" Heather asked the secretary who was escorting her.


    The secretary nodded. "This is just one of our branchpanies. The headquarters is even bigger and a lot more luxurious."


    Heather couldn''t help but sigh.


    When they finally reached Cecilia''s office, Heather stepped into the spacious


    CEO''s office, feeling more than a little overwhelmed.


    Cecilia was reviewing some documents with her head down. When she heard her enter, she looked up. "Old Mrs. Escobar," she said inly, "I heard you''ve been waiting downstairs. What''s going on? You''re not hoping I''ll take care of you in your old age, are you?"


    Cecilia didn''t want to y games, so she got right to the point.


    Hearing that, Heather thought back to all her recent humiliations. There was no way she''d dare rely on Cecilia now. "Ceci, you''ve got it wrong. I came to apologize in person."


    "I''ve already told you, I only have one maternal grandmother. Herst name is Jamieson," Cecilia said, her tone turning cold.


    Heather nodded quickly. "Yes, I know. Ceci, please, I''m old and confused, Don''t hold it against me My two boys, well, their businesses are struggling. And it''s all because I ran my mouth. Please, have some mercy."


    Charlotte muttered from the side, "Would''ve saved us all a lot of trouble if you''d


    done this sooner."