Chapter 9 Evelyn Demands the Spot Be Reassigned
Even after Eliza had knelt before the Rivers family on Grace’s behalf to beg for financial help. Grace’s attitude hadn’t improved
She had only gone on to curse her, calling her a jinx and a money pit.
Looking at Grace’s fake smile across the <b>table</b>. Eliza set down her fork and said. “Madam Grace, Zayden should’ve already told you everything, night<b>!</b>”
That boy doesn’t know any better. I’ve already spoken to him–you don’t need to take it to heart.”
So a simple don’t take it to heart is supposed to wipe away all the humiliation Ine suffered
“Yes, yes, Naomi jumped in, eager to push the me. “Zayden didn’t mean it. He was just upset because you brought up the engagement. Don’t hold it against him.”
Eliza didn’t argue. She simply gave Grace a thoughtful look and <b>said</b>. “Madam Grace, Zayden and I grew up together, but we don’t have any real romantic feelings. And I want to go to college. I probably won’t be able to get married right after graduation.”
“What’s wrong with that! Feelings can grow with time.”
Grace reached for her hand and smiled. “I’ve heard your grades aren’t too steady Lately. Whether you’ll even get into college is still a question. Even if <b>you </b>do, we can always have the wedding first–or at least get engaged. Once everything is settled, 1 can finally rx.”
Grace’s affection for Eliza <b>as </b>a daughter–in–<bw </b>made Naomi’s heart twist with envy
Zayden frowned. “Mom. I don’t want to get married so soon.”
<b>“</b>You’re being immature. Eliza is your fiancée. From now <b>on</b>, don’t you dare treat her badly at school, understood?”
“Enough Let’s eat.
Grace shut the topic down like it was final–no mention of breaking off the engagement
Eliza said nothing more and quietly resumed eating.
Naomi had thought this would be the moment Eliza burned bridges with Grace, boldly dering her intent to break off the
engagement.
She hadn’t expected Eliza to be so calm, or to <b>back </b>down so easily
Zayden watched her with a sneer.
<b>I </b>knew it. She was just putting on a show yesterday. Break off the engagement? As if she could bear to! What a joke.
After dinner, Naomi sat beside Eliza, feigning concern. “Eliza<b>, </b>didn’t
Did you change <b>your </b>mind?”
Eliza caught the panic and urgency in Naomi’s eyes.
I you say you we
say you were going to break off the engagement?
She knew Naomi was afraid she <b>wouldn’t </b>go through <b>with </b>it–because if Eliza <b>didn’t </b><b>back </b>out, Naomi could never be with Zayden openly.
I haven’t changed my mind, it’s just
<b>Just </b>what?”
<b>Eliza </b>hesitated, then said, “It’s just, <b>Madam </b>Grace was pretty nice to me. I guess we’ll talk about the engagementter
Before Naomi could respond, Eliza <b>stood </b>and walked off
Chapter 9 Evelyn Demands the Spot Be Reassigned.
+ Pearls
Naomi stared at her back, furious
What a pathetic excuse. She just doesn’t want to let go
That’s fine. If you won’t break it off. I’ll give Zayden plenty of reasons to hate you
In the bathroom, Eliza knew exactly what Naomi was thinking
She hadn’t officially brought up the breakup yet because she didn’t have <b>a </b>solid reason
If she acted too rashly, she’d offend both her parents and Grace. Things would only get harder for her-
But the engagement had to end.
It just had to be on her terms<b>, </b><b>and </b>with a reason neither the Holt family nor her parents could refuse
And Naomi‘ She loved stealing things from her. The more Eliza wavered, the more Naomi would try to seduce Zayden.
When that time came, Eliza would have all the reason she needed.
Eliza,e out
Zayden’s voice knocked from outside the door.
She could hear the irritation and impatience in his tone.
Opening the door, she found Zayden standing there with a dark look on his face.
“What is <b>it</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
“What do you mean, <b>what </b>is it?” he snapped, pushing her against the wall. “You keep talking about breaking off the engagement. Is this how you’re doing it?”
“Zayden, you want to break it off too, right? So why didn’t you say anything at dinner?”
“You…”
“So what, I’m supposed to <b>take </b>all the heat while <b>you </b>sit there and stay quiet? You call that being a man?”
Zayden flushed with embarrassment but gritted his teeth. “Don’t act like some innocent victim! I already got into a huge fight with my mom about thisst night! What else do you want?”
“This isn’t about what I want. It’s about what you want. Eliza said coldly “Why don’t you just tell your mom that you don’t like me and that you’re in love with Naomi? Wouldn’t that be simpler? My parents would probably be thrilled to have you <b>as </b><b>a </b>son–inw.”
Zayden scowled. This <b>has </b>nothing <b>to </b>do with Naomi. Leave her out of it.”
“Fine. Then I’ve <b>got </b>homework to do. Could you please <b>arrange </b><b>a </b><b>car </b>to take <b>Naomi </b>and me
home?”
She brushed past him without waiting for a response.
Zayden clenched his fists, mming one against the wall. The <b>skin </b>around his knuckles turned red.
That Eliza–she’s doing this on purpose!
Later that evening-
Naomi and Eliza returned home together.
<b>Nathan </b>and Evelyn already knew about their visit to the Holt family
As soon as they walked into the living room, Eliza could feel the heaviness in the <b>air</b>.
<b>Evelyn </b>sat on the couch <b>with </b>a cold face. “Eliza, <b>care </b>to exin this <b>math </bpetition nonsense?”
837 AM
Chapter 9 Evelyn Demands the Spot Be Reassigned
Eliza instantly knew the teacher must’ve called home.
+8 Pearls
She remembered in her past life, <b>when </b>Naomi got selected for the citypetition, their parents were thrilled. They even took them out for a fancy dinner to celebrate.
But now, her father sat off to the side smoking, <b>expression </b>distant. Her mother looked at her with open disapproval.
“Naomi’s grades are better than yours. So why are you the one entering the citypetition?”
“Mom, Eliza really wanted to go, so I gave her my spot.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! This <b>is </b>a city–levelpetition! You know how your sister’s grades are. If <b>she </b>goes, shell just embarrass the whole family!”
Evelyn’s voice was sharp. “I don’t <b>care</b>. I’ve already called the teacher. The spot is going back to Naomi. That’s <b>final</b>,”
Naomi froze, panic rising. “Mom! This is a huge <b>decision</b>–why didn’t you talk
Chapter 9 Evelyn Demands the Spot Be Reassigned
Even after Eliza had knelt before the Rivers family on Grace’s behalf to beg for financial help. Grace’s attitude hadn’t improved
She had only gone on to curse her, calling her a jinx and a money pit.
Looking at Grace’s fake smile across the <b>table</b>. Eliza set down her fork and said. “Madam Grace, Zayden should’ve already told you everything, night<b>!</b>”
That boy doesn’t know any better. I’ve already spoken to him–you don’t need to take it to heart.”
So a simple don’t take it to heart is supposed to wipe away all the humiliation Ine suffered
“Yes, yes, Naomi jumped in, eager to push the me. “Zayden didn’t mean it. He was just upset because you brought up the engagement. Don’t hold it against him.”
Eliza didn’t argue. She simply gave Grace a thoughtful look and <b>said</b>. “Madam Grace, Zayden and I grew up together, but we don’t have any real romantic feelings. And I want to go to college. I probably won’t be able to get married right after graduation.”
“What’s wrong with that! Feelings can grow with time.”
Grace reached for her hand and smiled. “I’ve heard your grades aren’t too steady Lately. Whether you’ll even get into college is still a question. Even if <b>you </b>do, we can always have the wedding first–or at least get engaged. Once everything is settled, 1 can finally rx.”
Grace’s affection for Eliza <b>as </b>a daughter–in–<bw </b>made Naomi’s heart twist with envy
Zayden frowned. “Mom. I don’t want to get married so soon.”
<b>“</b>You’re being immature. Eliza is your fiancée. From now <b>on</b>, don’t you dare treat her badly at school, understood?”
“Enough Let’s eat.
Grace shut the topic down like it was final–no mention of breaking off the engagement
Eliza said nothing more and quietly resumed eating.
Naomi had thought this would be the moment Eliza burned bridges with Grace, boldly dering her intent to break off the
engagement.
She hadn’t expected Eliza to be so calm, or to <b>back </b>down so easily
Zayden watched her with a sneer.
<b>I </b>knew it. She was just putting on a show yesterday. Break off the engagement? As if she could bear to! What a joke.
After dinner, Naomi sat beside Eliza, feigning concern. “Eliza<b>, </b>didn’t
Did you change <b>your </b>mind?”
Eliza caught the panic and urgency in Naomi’s eyes.
I you say you we
say you were going to break off the engagement?
She knew Naomi was afraid she <b>wouldn’t </b>go through <b>with </b>it–because if Eliza <b>didn’t </b><b>back </b>out, Naomi could never be with Zayden openly.
I haven’t changed my mind, it’s just
<b>Just </b>what?”
<b>Eliza </b>hesitated, then said, “It’s just, <b>Madam </b>Grace was pretty nice to me. I guess we’ll talk about the engagementter
Before Naomi could respond, Eliza <b>stood </b>and walked off
Chapter 9 Evelyn Demands the Spot Be Reassigned.
+ Pearls
Naomi stared at her back, furious
What a pathetic excuse. She just doesn’t want to let go
That’s fine. If you won’t break it off. I’ll give Zayden plenty of reasons to hate you
In the bathroom, Eliza knew exactly what Naomi was thinking
She hadn’t officially brought up the breakup yet because she didn’t have <b>a </b>solid reason
If she acted too rashly, she’d offend both her parents and Grace. Things would only get harder for her-
But the engagement had to end.
It just had to be on her terms<b>, </b><b>and </b>with a reason neither the Holt family nor her parents could refuse
And Naomi‘ She loved stealing things from her. The more Eliza wavered, the more Naomi would try to seduce Zayden.
When that time came, Eliza would have all the reason she needed.
Eliza,e out
Zayden’s voice knocked from outside the door.
She could hear the irritation and impatience in his tone.
Opening the door, she found Zayden standing there with a dark look on his face.
“What is <b>it</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
“What do you mean, <b>what </b>is it?” he snapped, pushing her against the wall. “You keep talking about breaking off the engagement. Is this how you’re doing it?”
“Zayden, you want to break it off too, right? So why didn’t you say anything at dinner?”
“You…”
“So what, I’m supposed to <b>take </b>all the heat while <b>you </b>sit there and stay quiet? You call that being a man?”
Zayden flushed with embarrassment but gritted his teeth. “Don’t act like some innocent victim! I already got into a huge fight with my mom about thisst night! What else do you want?”
“This isn’t about what I want. It’s about what you want. Eliza said coldly “Why don’t you just tell your mom that you don’t like me and that you’re in love with Naomi? Wouldn’t that be simpler? My parents would probably be thrilled to have you <b>as </b><b>a </b>son–inw.”
Zayden scowled. This <b>has </b>nothing <b>to </b>do with Naomi. Leave her out of it.”
“Fine. Then I’ve <b>got </b>homework to do. Could you please <b>arrange </b><b>a </b><b>car </b>to take <b>Naomi </b>and me
home?”
She brushed past him without waiting for a response.
Zayden clenched his fists, mming one against the wall. The <b>skin </b>around his knuckles turned red.
That Eliza–she’s doing this on purpose!
Later that evening-
Naomi and Eliza returned home together.
<b>Nathan </b>and Evelyn already knew about their visit to the Holt family
As soon as they walked into the living room, Eliza could feel the heaviness in the <b>air</b>.
<b>Evelyn </b>sat on the couch <b>with </b>a cold face. “Eliza, <b>care </b>to exin this <b>math </bpetition nonsense?”
837 AM
Chapter 9 Evelyn Demands the Spot Be Reassigned
Eliza instantly knew the teacher must’ve called home.
+8 Pearls
She remembered in her past life, <b>when </b>Naomi got selected for the citypetition, their parents were thrilled. They even took them out for a fancy dinner to celebrate.
But now, her father sat off to the side smoking, <b>expression </b>distant. Her mother looked at her with open disapproval.
“Naomi’s grades are better than yours. So why are you the one entering the citypetition?”
“Mom, Eliza really wanted to go, so I gave her my spot.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! This <b>is </b>a city–levelpetition! You know how your sister’s grades are. If <b>she </b>goes, shell just embarrass the whole family!”
Evelyn’s voice was sharp. “I don’t <b>care</b>. I’ve already called the teacher. The spot is going back to Naomi. That’s <b>final</b>,”
Naomi froze, panic rising. “Mom! This is a huge <b>decision</b>–why didn’t you talk to me first?”
She knew exactly how bad her math <b>was</b>.
If she really had <b>to </b>take part in thatpetition, she was finished!
“It’s done. The name’s already been submitted. Your job now is to study your math and make sure you ce well. The teacher told me with your scores, you can definitely get top thirty!”
to me first?”
She knew exactly how bad her math <b>was</b>.
If she really had <b>to </b>take part in thatpetition, she was finished!
“It’s done. The name’s already been submitted. Your job now is to study your math and make sure you ce well. The teacher told me with your scores, you can definitely get top thirty!”