Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

"Let me ask you something, Chelsea," Mr. Brown began, his tone sharp and unrelenting. "Have you ever come back to your parents' home empty- handed? Even a roll of paper from your brother's house-you'd find a way to take it home. What do you think this place is, your personal supply depot? You treat your family like a bunch of fools you can rob blind!"

He didn't give her a chance to respond, his anger building.

"It's partly your mother's fault too. We helped you far too much in the past, and you took it for granted. Worse, you turned us against Liberty. You had the nerve to blame her, saying she didn't do enough, even convincing us to neglect our own grandson. You've always acted like the world owes you something, Chelsea!"

Chelsea's eyes reddened, tears streaming down her face. She opened her mouth, but no words came.

Mr. Brown wasn't done.

"From now on, if you come back here, you leave empty-handed unless Hank gives you something himself. If he doesn't offer it, don't you dare take a single thing. This is Hank's house now, and when your mother and I are gone, Hank will be responsible for this family. We rely on him for our retirement, not you.

"And don't even think about swindling money out of your mother anymore. We know all about the so-called hot pot incident. What kind of daughter tricks her own mother like that? You're a grown woman, Chelsea. You're a mother yourself. How would you feel if your daughter pulled the same stunts on you one day?"

cutting through the air like

the consequences of your actions?

briefly before

had a decent life together, but no, you couldn't stand it. You were jealous of Serenity's success, jealous that she married into wealth. So, what did you do? You

the wrong side of the law, and you played

trouble, mark my words—I'll break ties with you. No more visits, no more excuses. You're my daughter, but there's only so much I

frozen, stunned

Brown went on. "You and your husband are healthy, your business is thriving, and you've saved millions. Meanwhile, look at your brother. Hank's life is in shambles, and yet you still try

put you first, and destroyed his own family in the process. Even now, you've done nothing to help him,

you're already scheming to use