Chapter 128 Kelly's Scheme

Maria's voice was calm as she looked at Kelly and suddenly asked, "Are you really okay with me staying at your place? Aren't you worried I'll take over the house?"

Maria didn't avoid Kelly's gaze and met her eyes, her voice steady. "The house is mine. If I don't give it to you, you can't take it."

Kelly was taken aback and huffed but didn't say anything more. Maria knew she had agreed and got up to have Molly pack her things.

Molly grabbed her arm, her voice urgent. "Maria, are you really going to take Mom with you? I don't think this is a good idea. Mom will definitely cause trouble. Maria, let her stay with me."

Maria shook her head firmly. "Molly, Mom isn't just your responsibility. She's mine too. I'm sorry for making you bear this alone for so long. Don't worry, I won't be soft on her anymore. She can't manipulate me."

Molly was still worried, but Maria was determined. Molly had no choice but to pack Kelly's clothes. As they were about to leave, Molly wanted to go with them, but Maria stopped her. "Look at your dark circles. Go back and get some rest. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Mom."

Molly bit her lip and took a deep breath. "Maria, once I'm done with my thesis, I'll come and take Mom back."

Maria didn't respond, just loaded the suitcase into the taxi's trunk and waved goodbye to Molly.

"Didn't you say your boyfriend treats you well? Why didn't he buy you a car? You're still taking taxis. You're really not as good as Molly." Kelly's mocking voice came from the backseat. Maria ignored her, texting Henry. He had asked if she needed help since she was coming home late.

Maria only mentioned visiting Kelly, not the trouble Kelly had caused. Henry quickly replied: [How's Kelly? Can I come see her?]

Maria hesitated. If this had been before she realized she liked Henry, and before Diana came back, she would have been happy. But now, thinking about Diana and Kelly's favoritism, she didn't want Henry to see her family like this. She remembered a saying: when you like someone, you could feel inexplicably inferior because of certain situations.

[No need. My mom's fine. You should focus on work.] She sent the message and was about to put her phone away when Kelly snatched it. Maria frowned. "That's my phone. Give it back."

Kelly was holding her phone, reading the messages. Henry had just replied with a simple [Okay.]

Kelly tossed the phone back to her with a cold laugh. "Looks like your boyfriend doesn't care about you at all. You told him not to come, and he didn't. He doesn't even want to meet his future mother-in-law. He has no intention of marrying you. Maria, are you really that desperate to be with this man? What's wrong with Frank? He's a doctor with a good family. I'm telling you, if you don't act fast, you'll regret it."

"Enough." Maria interrupted, taking a deep breath to stay calm. "I've told you, Frank and I are just friends. And whether Henry and I have a future is none of your concern."

Kelly was furious, pointing a finger at Maria's face. "I'm your mother. I get to decide your life. My chest hurts. You ungrateful girl, are you trying to kill me?"

Maria looked at her coldly. After taking care of Kelly for so long, she could tell if Kelly was really sick. And now, Kelly wasn't having an episode; she was just pretending to make Maria give in.

"Mom, are you sure your chest hurts? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Maria was already telling the driver to head to the hospital when Kelly quickly interrupted. "I'm fine. No need for the hospital."

Maria smiled slightly and said nothing more. She had promised herself not to be soft on Kelly anymore. From now on, she would only fulfill her duties and responsibilities, without giving her emotions.

The rest of the ride was uneventful. They returned to the apartment complex without further incident. Maria hadn't been back here for days. She carried Kelly's suitcase, walking ahead while Kelly followed. Kelly watched Maria's back, realizing that using family ties wouldn't work anymore. But she had promised Frank to help him get together with Maria.

Kelly knew she was biased, but she didn't think she was wrong. Maria wasn't as clever or charming as Molly. She was too much like their father, Richard Brown.

Thinking of Richard, Kelly felt a mix of love and hate. She took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts aside, and started planning how to get Maria and Frank together. She believed that marrying Frank would be the best thing for Maria, and Maria would thank her for it.

Feeling justified, Kelly sat on the uncovered couch, watching Maria clean. She had to admit, the apartment was nice.

Maria had managed to buy this place on her own, which surprised Kelly. Maria didn't let Kelly stay in the master bedroom. After finding Billy and Vivian messing around in there, she had cleared out the bed and clothes. Now, only the guest room had a bed, so Kelly stayed there. Maria had just finished cleaning when Kelly spoke up. "I'm hungry."

Maria was tired, and there were no groceries at home. She took out her phone to order takeout. It was already 8 PM.

Maria didn't plan to stay and eat with Kelly. When the food arrived, she told Kelly, "I'm not staying here. The takeout is delivered. I'm leaving. There are no groceries, but I'll buy some tomorrow. If you want to cook, you can. I'll give you $2,000 a month for living expenses. If you don't want to cook, you can eat out. I won't be coming by often."

Maria laid out her plan and was about to leave when Kelly grabbed her, her tone suddenly serious. "Where are you staying? Are you living with your boyfriend?"

Maria frowned, looking at Kelly coldly. "Yes. Anything else?"

Kelly was furious, pointing at her and yelling. "Are you that desperate for a man? So eager to sleep with him?"

Maria's face turned cold, her heart freezing over. Even though she knew Kelly was biased, she hadn't expected her to say something like that.

"What, you can do it, but I can't?" Maria retorted with a cold laugh. Kelly's expression froze, her face turning pale. She raised her hand and slapped Maria.

Maria turned her head, a handprint appearing on her face. Regret flashed in her eyes. No matter what, Kelly was still her mother. She shouldn't have said that. But Maria couldn't bring herself to apologize. She gave Kelly one last look and walked out.

Closing the door behind her, Maria took out a mask and put it on, covering the handprint on her face.