Chapter 198
Eleanor Wallace stormed into the house, her face smeared with dust. Frank Ferguson was waiting in the living room for news. He was anxious about the monthly allowance—after all, he had promised his son toys and chicken drumsticks.
Their combined wages barely covered basic necessities. The only reason they could afford small luxuries was the monthly stipend from Lily Collins. Their son was their pride and joy, and they couldn’t bear to deprive him. Besides, as he grew older, expenses would only pile up.
When Eleanor barged in, fuming, with a bewildered Phoenix trailing behind her, Frank’s heart sank. Something had gone wrong. Had his mother failed?
"Mom, how did it go?" he asked cautiously, handing her a cup of tea.
Eleanor shot Phoenix a venomous glare. "It’s all this useless girl’s fault! Why didn’t you cling to your mother’s leg and cry? Because of you, I got humiliated like never before!" She directed all her rage at the child.
Phoenix was hurt. Since she was little, her grandmother and father had drilled into her that Lily was a bad mother, so she had learned to resent her. But this wasn’t her fault.
"Grandma, Lily refused to give the money—why blame me?" she retorted defiantly. As the favored child, she had never held back her words.
Frank frowned. "Mom, what exactly happened?"
After hearing Eleanor’s account, Frank’s expression darkened. They had always been able to manipulate Lily because she cared about appearances and feared public shame. But now that she had support, she was standing her ground.
"Phoenix, go home and help your mother with chores," he snapped, too agitated to deal with her.
Phoenix dragged her feet. Ever since her half-brother was born, the atmosphere at home had changed. Her stepmother, Maggie Lawson, smiled sweetly to her face but never missed a chance to order her around.
"Dad, I want to go with you—"
"Just go!" Frank suddenly raised his voice. "Since when do you disobey me?"
Tears welled up in Phoenix’s eyes as she left, her heart pounding. Her father had never been this harsh with her before.
When she got home, Maggie was bathing her little brother.
"Phoenix, you’re back? Where’s your dad?" Maggie asked sweetly. She had her eye on a new fabric and was counting on the allowance to buy it.
"He said he’d stay with Grandma a little longer..."
"Go do your homework. Your dad will bring chicken drumsticks when he gets back," Maggie coaxed. Privately, she thought, If it weren’t for that twenty-dollar allowance, I wouldn’t bother with someone else’s brat.
Meanwhile, Frank and Eleanor were scheming.
"Mom, what do we do now?"
Eleanor smirked darkly. "It depends on how ruthless you’re willing to be."
"What do you mean?"
"Make Phoenix suffer a little, then send her to Lily in tears. Let’s see if her mother’s heart can take it!" Eleanor lowered her voice. "With the child in our hands, she’ll have no choice but to comply."
Frank hesitated. "What if she demands custody?"
"Don’t be ridiculous! You’re her father!" Eleanor scoffed. "Who doesn’t discipline their kids? Even the police can’t interfere!"
Frank clenched his jaw. "Fine. I’ll handle it when I get home."
When he returned, his three-year-old son ran into his arms. Maggie’s face fell when she saw his empty hands. "Where are the apples?"
After hearing his explanation, she exploded. "Frank Ferguson! Are you trying to starve us?"
"Of course not!" Frank forced a smile. "I have a plan. Within a month, Lily will be begging to send us money!"
Maggie’s anger melted into a coquettish smile. "You devil, always full of ideas! But let me make one thing clear—if the allowance stops, I’m not lifting a finger for that girl!"
Frank pulled her close. "Don’t worry. Starting today, she’ll do every chore she’s supposed to."
"You won’t feel bad?" Maggie eyed him skeptically.
"The only one I care about is you..." Frank dragged her toward the bedroom, calling over his shoulder, "Phoenix! Come watch your brother! Your mother and I have things to do!"