Chapter 256
Just this afternoon at three o’clock. Molly was washing dishes at the Roberts place when she received a phone call.
It was from Diana, who said she had tried calling Stephanie but couldn’t get through.
“Stephanie is home alone today while I’m out. Molly replied, anxious. “I’ll try calling her in a bit. Stephanie’s been in good spirits lately.”
They chatted for a while, and Molly realized it had been many days since she last saw Diana. Spontaneously, she invited her over for dinner at her apartment this evening, to which Diana readily agreed.
After hanging up. Molly immediately dialed Stephanie’s number, but no one answered.
Unease grew in her heart. She quickly spoke to Scott and hurriedly gathered her things to head home.
Se
Meanwhile, at the apartment, nothing much was happening with Stephanie. She had gone to the guest room to look for her medication, leaving her phone on the living room TV stand.
Stephanie found a bottle of antidepressants prescribed by the hospital, twisted it open, and swallowed two pills dry, her expression mechanical.
She didn’t want to be sick anymore and didn’t want to worry those around her.
She couldn’t afford to be ill again. She needed to get better soon.
Stephanie curled up on the sofa, staring blankly at the empty apartment. The beavy, gloomy emotions in her chest made it feel like she was the only person in the world, not knowing whom to trint,
The phone screen blinked, showing two missed calls.
She put
down the medicine bottle and walked over just as she was about to check her phone, the sound of keys turning came from the front door.
She thought Molly or Oscar were returning, but they weren’t
The person who entered started yelling immediately, “I heard you’re squatting in my daughter’s house and not paying rent! Look at you, dressed up like a decent person, but you’re shameless.”
It was a woman around 60, wearing a black chiffon dress with floral prints. She had a touch of urban fashion, but the cheap foundation and lipstick she wore made her look rather tacky.
Stephanie didn’t recognize the woman at first. After a moment, she guessed, “Are you Molly’s mother!”
“You don’t even know how to address me properly! My daughter treats you well, but you have no conscience. Do you because she’s kind?”
you think you can bully Molly just
“Stop wasting words with her Just tell her to get lost.” Another figure stepped in behind the woman. It was Wade, Molly’s stepbrother.
He looked much more perky than the last time she saw him. Dressed in a T–shirt and black jeans, with his hair dyed in multiple colors, he had gained weight, likely from indulging in a chaotic nightlife and greasy food. He had the appearance of a typical thug
“Hey, I said, get out immediately!” he barked in a coarse voice. “Isn’t your man supposed to be rich? Do you plan to freeload off my sister here?” Sizing her up. Wade seemed hesitant but then demanded, Either you hand over ten thousand dollars now, or get out. Don’t think having a man backing you will scare me. This is our house, Leave, right now!”
Despite their harsh scolding and threats, Stephanie remained motionless, her eyes fixed on them.
“This is Molly’s house,” she replied quietly, without emotion
.
“This is my daughter’s housel” Molly’s mother, Andrea, shouted, her voice shrill and nasty “My daughter’s house is my house We’re moving in now You’re just one of her friends, clinging on like a leech. I’m telling you, there’s no place for you here. Pack your things and leave, and don’t think you can take advantage of us anymore.”
At 4:05 PM. Molly and Diana met downstairs and walked to the apartment together.
As soon as they entered, they saw the place in disarray.
What’s going on here? Mom, why are you here?” Molly hurried over, recognizing the familiar figure. She saw her mother moving furniture in the guest room. “Mom, don’t move things around. This is my friend’s room”
“What friend! Are you out of your mind, letting your friend stay here for free!” Andrea snapped, her face dark with anger.
Molly said, “I had an extra rooms, and my friend needed a place to stay. What’s wrong with that!”
“You’re so stupid! You could rent out that room
and get rent every month. You always say you’re
e broke. Are you hiding money from me? You only
10:36 AM ₫ ·
Chapter 256
give me a linde every month. How w did I raise such an ungrateful daughter? Now tell me, who’s more important, your mother or your friend?”
Molly was furious, knowing her mother’s unreasonable temper all too well
Just then. Diana’s voice came from outside, “Molly, where’s Steffi? I don’t see her
After searching the apartment without finding Stephanie, Diana grew anxious. “Did Steffi go out!”
“She didn’t say she was going anywhere today. Molly replied automatically. Then her mind clicked, and she shouted at her mother, “Mom, where’s my friend! Did you see her when you came in!”
Andrea avoided her gaze and mumbled, “She left.”
“You chased her away?”
“So what if I did? This is my house! Why should she freeload here! Are y
you stupid?” Andrea retorted as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
Molly’s face turned pale with anger. “She wasn’t feeling well. How could you be so heartless and chase her out? Mom, you’ve gone too far!”
Annoyed by Molly’s tone, Andrea snapped back. “If she’s sick, she should go to the hospital, not stay here.
Diana, unable to stand it any longer, interjected. “She’s just been unwell recently. You don’t have to be so harsh.”
The small apartment erupted in a cacophony of arguments,
“She is not answering. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have left her alone at home.” Molly muttered anxiously, redialing Stephanie’s number repeatedly.
Seeing their panic, Andrea felt something was off. “Is that woman mentally ill? Why did you bring someone like that into our home? She should be sent to a psychiatric hospital”
“Can you please stop talking?” Molly exploded with anger,
“What kind of attitude is that? Everything I do is for your own good. Your brother found several tiny wireless cameras in the trash earlier. Do decent people use those things? From now on, I forbid you from interacting with her. She’s nothing but trouble, Andrea said.
Molly had no idea what her mother was talking about regarding cameras. However, she noticed an old whiteboard that hadn’t been used in ages. now sitting on the sofa with faint traces of writing on its edges.
“Who took it out?‘ she thought
f someone didn’t want others to see what was written.
The writing on the whiteboard had been thoroughly erased as if someone
“Til contact Oscar and have him
him send people out to search: Diana fed up with Molly’s uncouth mother, left the apartment immediately.
Molly hurried to follow. “Let’s drive around and look for her
“Where could she have gone? She doesn’t have anywhere else to go.” Diana said, her worry evident as they walked side by side.
As the elevator descended, they headed straight to the garage.
Molly hesitated for a moment while reaching for the car keys and then said uncertainly. “Maybe I should call the Wellingtons