Chapter 717

Eloise was dumbfounded by Joseph's stunt. She was speechless. By the time she recovered, he was gone.

"Miss"

The housekeeper, noticing Eloise's burnt hand, quickly fetched the first-aid kit. Before she could reach Eloise, however, Eloise stood abruptly, sweeping everything from the table to the floor in a fit of rage.

Smash! A teacup shattered, sending glass shards flying. The housekeeper, too frightened to move or speak, stood frozen.

Arianna, startled, gently instructed the housekeeper, "Go clean up the glass, then you can leave."

Relieved by the instruction, the housekeeper immediately began cleaning. Arianna sat beside Eloise, taking an ointment tube from the kit. Gently taking her mother's hand, she applied ointment to the burn.

"Mom, please don't be angry," she said.

"How could I not be?!" Eloise struggled against Arianna's grip, but couldn't break free. She continued to vent her frustration, allowing Arianna to tend to her wound. "Look at your father! His heart isn't even at home! He doesn't even tell us if he won't be back for dinner. He barely speaks to me anymore! How could he do this to me after all I've done for his family?! When I married into this family, he was a useless second son of the Tanner family. He couldn't do anything, and now he thinks he can run the company! All these years, your uncle only gave him a meaningless position. Aside from some company shares, he had no authority! If it weren't for me, do you think we'd have what we have today?!"

Arianna, knowing her mother needed to release her anger, listened without interrupting. She understood her mother wanted a listener, not advice.

"Yet, he dares to stop me from attending tomorrow's auction! Why? Is he afraid I'll spend all his money?!" Eloise yelled.

Arianna gently caressed her mother's hand. "Maybe that wasn't what he meant."

"Then what did he mean?! Don't tell me it was goodwill?"

Eloise turned and saw the housekeeper still sweeping. Annoyed, she said, "That's enough! Stop sweeping and leave!"

The housekeeper hurried away. Arianna returned the ointment to the kit and wiped her hands with a tissue.

"Mom, just like Dad said, it's not like you've never been to an event like that. And he's always brought you, right?"

"Of course!" Eloise replied. "Except for those smaller auctions Dad refused to attend. He usually brought me. If he didn't bring me, who else would he bring?!" Her face changed as she realized.

"You're saying"

Arianna nodded. "I think that's what Dad meant."