Chapter 536

Chapter 536

Selena crossed her arms over her chest. “You seem quite concerned about Josh,” she said flatly.

Eli turned toward her. “Because he’s Josh’s father p>

“You’re only worried about Josh?” Selena asked, her tone beginning to shift.

Eli let out a quiet breath. “I’m just relieved that what Josh has been going through won’t get worse. He told me he couldn’t even go to school freely because of the case against his father p>

Selena studied her for a few seconds, then asked abruptly, “How close are you and Josh now p>

Eli fell silent. “Mom, we’ve only talked a few times. Nothing more than that.” Her voice grew softer.

“Answer me,” Selena pressed.

Eli lowered her gaze. “We’re not close p>

“You were close, weren’t you? Josh wouldn’t have opened up about his feelings over his father’s case that easily,” Selena said. “I saw the two of you talking myself not long ago p>

“That was before everything changed,” Eli replied quietly.

“Don’t lie to me, Eli.” Selena narrowed her eyes. “And what exactly did you say that made things change p>

Eli exhaled slowly before finally lifting her head. This time, there was no hesitation in her eyes.

“Because the situation in this house isn’t comfortable anymore,” she said honestly. “And it’s not because of them p>

Selena understood immediately.

“You’re blaming me?” she asked coldly.

Eli swallowed. “I’m just telling the truth p>

Selena’s expression hardened—but then she remembered her current situation. She needed a backup plan. Waiting for news from Harold alone wasn’t enough.

“How is it possible that you can’t be friends with him anymore?” she continued. “This is your chance to get closer to this family p>

Eli shook her head gently. “Relationships can’t be forced p>

“If you don’t try, of course they won’t work,” Selena snapped.

Eli sighed. “Josh is keeping his distance from me now. He’s angry and disappointed, Mom p>

“Because you’re not trying hard enough,” Selena said.

“No, Mom.” Eli shook her head again. “Because everything has been a mess from the very beginning p>

The words struck Selena like a disturbance she hadn’t expected.

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Since when had Eli started pushing back like this? What had given the girl the confidence to speak so openly?

Selena took a step closer.

“If you want to keep staying in this house,” she said, her voice low but firm, “you need to start thinking more realistically p>

Eli stiffened.

“You need to get close to Josh again,” Selena continued. “Make him trust you. Make sure he’s on your side p>

Eli shook her head immediately. “I don’t want to do that p>

Selena went silent for a second. “What do you mean you don’t want to?” Her voice began to rise.

“I don’t want to approach someone with that kind of intention,” Eli replied. “I don’t want to use anyone p>

Selena’s jaw tightened.

“You’re too naive,” she said coldly.

“If that’s what it takes, then I’d rather keep my distance,” Eli answered quietly.

Selena’s patience was starting to wear thin.

“You don’t understand the situation,” she snapped. “If we don’t secure our place in this house, we could lose everything p>

“I never asked for any of this,” Eli said softly.

That sentence nearly pushed Selena’s anger over the edge.

“You p>

But before she could continue, her phone rang.

The sharp sound cut through the tension between them. Selena stopped mid-sentence and clicked her tongue in irritation as she grabbed the phone from the table.

The screen lit up, displaying an unfamiliar number. Her breath caught. Without saying another word, she answered and stepped a few paces away.

“Yes?” Her voice was low.

For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence-thick, unsettling silence that made her frown.

Who was calling her? Then a voice came through.

“Selena… it’s me p>

Selena froze.

The voice was hoarse. Strained. But she recognized it immediately.

Bret.

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“What is it p>

“You’d better p>

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