On the 4th was the Mid-Autumn Festival, but neither Annabel nor Logan were at home, leaving the house feeling cold and empty.


    Bonnie hadn’t been in a good mood these past few days because Annabel wasn’ting back. The argument between Thomas and Annabel about college had escted, and if it weren’t for Bonnie’s intervention, Thomas would have kicked Annabel out long ago. Now, the father and daughter were still in a cold war, and it seemed like they might not even reconcile by New Year’s.


    “The biological ones don’t care, but the stepsons are suddenly so beloved. No wonder Be doesn’t want toe back,” Bonnie said, pounding the table in frustration.


    Thomas and Brenna were in the study having a video call with Logan. Every now and then, Thomas’sughter could be heard from the study, which only made Bonnie feel more choked up and ufortable.


    Eve hurriedly poured Bonnie a ss of water and consoled her, “Be just went to a new school; everything feels fresh to her now. Give her some time, and I’m sure she’lle back on weekends.”


    Eve was the one Bonnie had hired to take care of Be, and she was genuinely concerned about both Bonnie and Be.


    Bonnie shook her head. “Don’t deceive me. I know Be doesn’t like this house. Now that she’s grown up, she’ll probably be even less willing toe back in the future. Her dad is unreliable. If I die one day, Be might not even have a ce to stay. We have to rely on ourselves for everything. Tomorrow, call Liam and tell him I need to see him.”


    Eve understood what Bonnie meant; she was nning to buy a house for Annabel.


    At dinner,  Bonnie had a grim expression, Thomas was forcing a smile, and Brenna was being extra cautious.


    “Just now, who were you calling in your room?” Bonnie asked.


    Brenna knew that this was a deliberate question, Even though she felt ufortable, she remained submissive on the surface. “It was Gan calling back. I thought you were resting upstairs, so I didn’t dare disturb you.”


    Everyone could tell it was an excuse. Bonnie never liked Logan and didn’t see him as her grandson.


    As expected, Bonnie brought up Annabel next, venting all her frustration on Thomas. “You’re just going to abandon your biological daughter?”


    Thomas felt his anger rising at the mention of Annabel. “Mom, don’t spoil her. If she doesn’t want toe back, am I supposed to beg her?”


    “If you didn’t scold and berate her all the time, do you think she wouldn’te back? You care for your stepson so much more. Let me remind you, Be is already eighteen. If you don’t get close to her now, you might never get the chance.”


    Brenna gently tapped Thomas’s hand under the table, signaling him not to speak. With a helpless expression, she said, “Mom, it’s not that Thomas doesn’t care about Be. You know Be’s temperament. She’s never been willing to get close to us since she was young, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”


    Bonnie sneered, “Stop pretending. Be is a soft-hearted child. What does Thomas do to your son?  If you treat Be the same way, she has long opened her heart to you. You’re just putting on a show in front of my foolish son.”


    Thomas couldn’t stand it anymore. “Mom, you always assume the worst of people. Brenna and I have been married for over a decade, and she’s always been obedient to you. Can’t you treat her better?”


    Brenna’s face showed a hint of distress, but she still forced a smile. “Thomas, stop it. Mom doesn’t mean it. I won’t take it to heart.”


    The meal ended on a sour note, leaving Bonnie furious.


    Fortunately, after dinner, Annabel called and shared many interesting stories from school, cheering Bonnie up.


    “Sweetie, when are youing back? Grandma misses you so much,” Bonnie said.


    Annabel had only been away for a month. “Sure, How about you buy back the old house? I’lle back to apany you once I’m on break. Otherwise, I won’t be back for New Year’s.”


    Bonnie knew this cunning little fox would say something like that. “We can’t buy back the old house, but tomorrow I’ll have Liame over to take me to pick out a new one. I’ll buy you an apartment so you can have your own home, instead of wandering around like an unwanted stray cat.”


    Annabel was ecstatic on the phone, cheering for her grandma.N?velDrama.Org is the owner.