?Chapter 1558:


    Sandra, who had been lying to Keira since she was a kid, was a pro at it. She didn’t even have to pause to think. “No, the groceries and seafood are from my sry. Living with the Harpers keeps my expenses low, so I can afford to buy them like this.”


    Keira wasn’t convinced, her lips pursing in doubt. “I’m not buying it. You are lying to me, right?”


    She pressed further. “Come clean. How much money do you really have? You’ve never been one to splurge like this. You must be sitting on a fortune.”


    “Honestly, Mom, I don’t have that kind of money. If I did, would I only give you a little spending money?” Sandra knew Keira’s tendencies well. Any extra money would likely find its way to the gambling tables.


    She continued, “Are you thinking about gambling again? Did your old gambling friendse looking for you?”


    Her voice hardened. “If you go back to gambling, I won’t give you a single cent.”


    Keira, seeing Sandra’s sincerity, believed her. She said, “rice stopped by today. She said one of her neighbors works as a maid for a wealthy family and heard the Harpers were giving you money. She asked me about it, and I told her you’d never hide the matter from me…”


    Sandra replied, “You’re believing rumors now? Mom, are you going to trust me or every piece of gossip that floats your way?”


    She finally understood—someone had been spreading the news about her getting money from the Harpers.


    Keira stood rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on her daughter. She believed Sandra had changed.


    Gone was the timid girl of years past. Living with a wealthy family had sharpened her edges, her voice now carrying a bold, authoritative tone.


    Keira swallowed her shock. So be it. With her ability to earn a living gone, she depended on Sandra now. She wouldply with her.


    After all, she had squandered eleven million on gambling. What authority did she have to dictate Sandra’s actions or demand control over her finances?


    ???€$? ???t??я? ?n ??ln?νεl?.c??


    Standing before the mirror, trying on the new clothes, Keira masked her thoughts with a bright smile. “Look at these—high-end clothes just feel different. Sweetie, don’t I look absolutely stunning?”


    Sandra’s face lit up with joy. “Absolutely, Mom!”


    Keira’s spirits lifted. Whether Sandra had money or not didn’t matter now. As long as she had food to eat and clothes to wear, she was content. The rest was Sandra’s business.


    For the first time in weeks, the weight of losing her left hand seemed to ease, and the mother and daughter shared a joyful evening together.


    Over dinner, Keira couldn’t resist probing Sandra about life with the Harpers. Sandra answered with patience, recounting every detail.


    Yet Keira’s curiosity about Sandra’s finances refused to wane. Sandra saw through her mother’s intentions and deftly sidestepped the questions.


    .


    .


    .