Chapter 73

Chapter 73 - The Hot Chocolate Takedown

I froze mid-step, staring at Eleanor's sudden theatrical outburst. The café patrons were now openly watching our interaction, exactly as she intended. My stepmother had always been skilled at creating public scenes where she could play the victim.

"Eleanor," I replied evenly, refusing to match her volume, "we've been sitting here talking for ten minutes. What are you doing?"

Her eyes narrowed as she positioned herself more prominently for her growing audience. "I'm confronting the ungrateful girl who destroyed her family! Do you have any idea what you've done?"

I slowly sat back down, maintaining my composure. "I think it would be better if we discussed this privately."