Chapter: 1559

Watching Laney through the rearview mirror with grandfatherly concern, the driver attempted to soothe her wounded heart. “Mr. Hopkins had quite a bit to drink today and isn't fully himself. Don't take his harsh words to heart. You know how he is-sharp tongue, soft heart."

Silent tears traced paths down Laney's cheeks. Deep down, she knew the driver spoke truth. Cliff stood as the unwavering pillar of the Hopkins family, his kindness touching everyone around him. Even after discovering her feelings and deliberately maintaining his distance, he never once faltered in his responsibilities. But tonight, his words had cut too deep. Her pride and dignity lay in tatters, trampled beneath his thoughtless remarks.

Just then, Laney's phone‘s chime pierced the heavy silence. A bank transfer notification illuminated her screen, accompanied by Cliff's message: “Here's your allowance for this month. Let me know if you need more."

Laney bit her lip. Her monthly expenses ran into hundreds of thousands, and the allowance Cliff gave her separately was around fifty thousand, just as generous as Madison's. Despite Laney's repeated protests about the sum unnecessarily exceeding her budget, Cliff brushed aside her concerns with casual indifference. Sometimes, as if to spite her, he'd increase the amount further.

In a surge of defiance, Laney returned the money without a word.