Chapter 82 Battle Ready
Tessa mumbled, “What kind of bug is that aggressive?”
Ste was silent.
What kind? Not a question she could answer.
Tessa nced at the stiff bodyguard standing not far away and could not help but cringe. “Your brother really dotes on you,
<b>hub </b>
Just to make sure she did not <b>eat </b>unhealthy food, he sent someone to tail her.
Ste rolled her eyes. “You don’t think that’s just a bit too controlling?”
Tessa smirked, “That kind of controlling brother? I’ll take a dozen! Love that stuff.”
Ste shot her a look. “You’re hopeless. You actually want someone to keep tabs on you.”
<b>Most </b>people fought tooth <b>and </b><b>nail </b>for a little freedom from their families.
Back in Falvaria, several of her girlfriends had rebelled exactly because their parents were too strict.
But Tessa only shrugged. “You don’t get it. I’ve raised myself my whole life. I want someone nagging me!”
Ste’s hand paused mid–air<b>, </b>chopsticks in mid–reach. Her gaze softened <b>with </b>a hint of sorrow as she looked at her friend.
Tessa’s life… started on hard mode.
Ste had been abandoned by her nanny, sure, but the Dawson family, who took her in, had never treated her badly.
<b>But </b>Tessa? Her father bailed the moment she was born. A textbook deadbeat.
Her mother, too busy trying to make ends meet, left her with <b>an </b><b>aunt</b>, sending only money each month. Even when her motherter made it big <b>and </b>became one of Rivermount’s top businesswomen, she never really came back into Tessa’s life.
They still did not even live together.
“If you really had someone like that, you’d just find them annoying. Ste tried tofort <b>her</b>.
Tessa pouted. “You just don’t know how lucky you are.” But she let it go. “What matters is I don’t have to worry about you starving in the Reed family anymore.”
Ste chuckled but did not bother responding about the Reeds..
Honestly, even thinking about them was exhausting. Words failed her when it came to describing their stupidity.
“How’s your mom?” she asked instead.
“She’s great. <b>Too </b>great, actually.” <b>Tessa </b>snorted. “She’s always busy making money, even though she already has piles of it. Honestly, <b>with </b>the way she hustles, it’s like <b>she’s </b>trying to <b>bludgeon </b>someone to death with cash”
When it came to her mother, Tessa never quite knew <b>what </b>to say. It was not that there was no affection. Every <b>month</b>, her nother handed her a generous <b>allowance</b>.
She was never stingy with <b>money</b>. But as forpany, for warmth <b>and </b><b>presence</b>, those had never been part of the deal.
“Has she?” Ste asked with a half–<b>smile</b>.
“Oh, probably. It feels like she’s on some kind of <b>mission</b>. To surpass someone and crush them under her heel”
Every time money came <b>up</b>, <ol><li>p. Tessa could sense <b>a </b>kind of hatred in her mother’s tone. </li></ol>
Chapter 82 Battle Ready
+8 Pearls
anymore.
“Alright, enough of this depressing stuff. Let’s talk about Ethan and the Reeds.”
“That’s depressing too, Ste muttered.
They were always themon thread in her most frustrating family conversations.
Tessa stuffed a nd mushroom into her mouth and sighed. Way too light on vor. For someone used to <b>spice</b>, this was practically tasteless.
Tm just saying <b>Jonathan </b>is a schemer. <b>And </b>Ethan? He’s brainless when ites to Lilian. They’re definitely going to mess with your studio.”
She was not worried about open conflict. Ste had her powerful brother behind her, after <b>all</b>.
But those two liked to pull dirty tricks in the dark. Especially Lilian. A maniptive little snake who knew how to sweet–talk. and scheme behind the scenes..
Ste gave her a nod. “Don’t worry. I’m ready for anything. Whether theye at me in the open or from the shadows.” Let theme. I’ll dismantle every move they made. And in the end? The one getting burned would never be me
Tessa rxed at that
The other side was clearly getting desperate, and they would resort to anything. But Ste? She was ready and waiting. If they darede for her, she would make sure they fell right into their own trap.
“Good,” Tessa said, nodding. Just say the word if you ever need help from me. I’m not scared of them.”
Send Gifts
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