"I’m sure you know there’s an auction event tomorrow night, and I need a gown for that.If I didn’t go
shopping today, I wouldn’t have enough time to get it," Eloise said as she took the cup of tea handed to
her by the housekeeper.
She blew into the cup and took a sip while glancing briefly at her husband.
"What thief? That's Elizabeth..."
He paused as if realizing that saying this name out loud at home would only cause a problem.
Even though he wanted to bring Elizabeth back as soon as possible, he needed to take it slow.
Since he could bring his son back, he knew Eloise would make a scene if he brought Damian’s mother
home, too.
If word got out, it would only affect their family and the company’s reputation.
"Fine, fine.I forgot that Arianna had another card with her."
Joseph waved and turned to Arianna.He extended his hand toward her, "Arianna, give me your card."
"Why?" Arianna asked wide-eyed, obviously confused by his request.
"Since your mother froze all our cards, mine is unusable, too.Just give me your card.I need it urgently,"
he said.
Arianna stood up in confusion as her eyes gleamed, "Mother had only asked the bank to freeze her
sub-card.Your main card wouldn’t be affected."
"Of course, it would be affected.Besides, there’s something else I need my card for.Why can’t you just
give me your card? Are you not even willing to lend me some money now, or you’re not willing to listen
to me anymore?"Joseph remarked angrily as his face darkened.Arianna could no longer reject him
since he was annoyed.She removed her card from her bag unwillingly.
"There’s a limit on my card.It’s not that I don’t want to give it to you, but I don’t think it will be sufficient
for you."
"Enough with the excuses.Don’t you think I’m aware of your salary? It’s not like I'm asking you for
money.I’m just asking you to lend me your card for now.Why are you acting like a scrooge? I'll return
your card and the money I spent when my card is working again."
Joseph took Arianna’s card and tapped her shoulder.
Arianna was speechless by how shameless her father could be.He took her card and dared to call her
a scrooge, yet she could not even talk back to him.
"That’s not what I meant.If you want to use it, go ahead.I’m just saying that my card has a limit.It might
not be enough for you,"
Arianna reasoned gently.
"I don’t need a lot of money.Your card should be sufficient,"
Joseph looked at the card and placed it in his pocket.
Then he stood up and left.
"Father, are you going somewhere?" Arianna asked.
"It’s already so late.Are you not having dinner? Where are you going at this hour?"
Eloise turned to him with her hand still on her teacup.
"I’m not staying for dinner.There’s something I have to handle.You don’t need to wait for me," Joseph
said without turning around.
Moments later, he returned and said to Eloise, "You don’t need to attend tomorrow’s auction event."
"What?!"
Eloise was so shocked that she unknowingly tilted her cup, causing the hot tea to spill onto her hand
and scorch her.She quickly placed down the cup and blew her hand.
"Didn’t we agree that I’ll be attending? Why the sudden change? Did the auction even change its
timing?"
"No, just do as I say.Besides, it’s not like you’ve never attended these events.Just spend some time
with your girlfriends instead," Joseph spoke impatiently and left immediately, not even caring about
Eloise’s reaction to the news.
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