Chapter 49 James Should Learn How to Ask for Help.

Elena Garcia POV:

Sofia shot me a look that could kill. Her words cut deep. My mom, Isabella, had just thrown some serious shade at my foster mom, Rosa.

I mean, Rosa was basically my real mom. I had way more memories with her, and she was way more important to me than Isabella. But try explaining that to everyone else—they'd probably think I was out of line for snapping at Isabella.

And now, Sofia was using this whole mess to come at me.

Honestly, I wasn't sure if I was in the right or not.

All I knew was that Rosa was the sweetest person ever. She'd hug me tight whenever Andrew got all mean and nasty.

She took me out of the orphanage, taught me how to read, busted her butt to send me to school, and always told me I'd have a bright and happy future.

To me, Rosa was a hero, and Isabella didn't know squat about her.

Isabella's harsh words about Rosa were all because Sofia had fed her lies, and she was just taking out her frustration on me.

"Isabella and James will find out the truth eventually, Sofia. You can't keep playing the innocent act and framing others. You're no angel," I shot back.

Sofia just laughed in my face, looking at me like I was dirt. "Why can't I? Elena, you're so naive. Instead of waiting for me to mess up, you should worry about yourself."

Then she added, "You're about to start college, and my apartment's too small for you. You'll be in the dorms, and you should worry if your dumb brain can keep up. The Garcia family has never had a failure, but it looks like you might be the first."

I was floored by Sofia's words. 'Does she really think I didn't bust my butt to get into college?'

But then it hit me—when I was getting tutored by the private teacher James hired, no one at home cared about how I was actually doing.

So, in Sofia's eyes, she really thought I was some uneducated dummy with bad grades.

Thinking about that, I couldn't help but smirk. "That's not something you need to worry about. Thanks for your concern."

Sofia eyed me, realizing her little jab didn't work, and she wasn't happy about it.

"Alright, seems like you're confident. I hope you're just as confident in your social life at college as you are in your academics." Her eyes were full of spite.

The Garcia family, like all rich and powerful families, loved using social events to keep their connections strong, helping their business or political moves.

But I didn't think my college social life would be anything like the fancy parties these families threw, so I was confused by Sofia's words.

But not deigning to explain, she just clamoured for the maids to change the flowers in the garden and kick out anyone who might mess up the party.

I figured she meant me.

Seeing the maids all flustered and worried, I decided to head back to my room to avoid causing them any more stress because of my beef with Sofia.

They were just doing their jobs, not slaves, and didn't deserve to get caught in the crossfire.

Later that evening, at James' request, a maid brought me the message to go to the study.

When I walked in, he was on the phone, sounding all sweet and eager. "Of course, Elena will be there. The party's at the Garcia Mansion! We'd be thrilled to have you!"

After hanging up, he gave me a once-over.

I thought he was gonna lay into me about Isabella and Sofia, but James didn't.

"Tomorrow, Mrs. Fisher is coming over to sign a contract with my company, which happens to be the same day as Sofia's party, so I invited her to the party," James started.

'What does this have to do with me?' I wondered, looking at James, confused.

He quickly explained, "Mrs. Fisher agreed to come because she has to bring her kid. She hopes someone can look after him while we talk business."

I heard him mutter under his breath, "Troublesome kid."

Was James hinting that he needed me to babysit Emily's kid?

I recalled the words James had been saying in the phone when I walked in and speculated Emily probably wanted me to watch her little one.

Last time we met, I got along great with her kid, which left a good impression on her.

Emily didn't want to leave her kid alone at home because of work; that would be super lonely. She wanted to bring him along as much as possible.

She loved her kid a lot, and I was happy to help her out.

But since James didn't straight-up ask me to take care of Emily's kid, I didn't volunteer.

James gave me a hard look and snorted in dissatisfaction. "But I wasn't planning to let you attend the party, Elena. You almost made Isabella faint. She's still heartbroken over you, and you haven't even apologized to her."

I was stunned, then felt both angry and amused.

When Isabella fainted, I tried to follow them upstairs, but the maids stopped me.

After that, all my attempts to visit Isabella were shot down, and the next morning, my parents just left.

They didn't give me any chance, like a punishment, refusing my visits, and now they wanted to blame me for not apologizing?

I took several deep breaths to keep my cool. "Your decision is very reasonable, Dad. I'll stay in my room."

"No, Elena, I think you misunderstood me. I originally didn't plan to let you attend the party, but if you're willing to apologize to Isabella, I'll let you go." James looked at me, smiling slightly.

I got what he was after. He seemed to think not letting me go to the party was some kind of punishment.

And as long as I admitted I was wrong, he'd lift the punishment.

Some might think going to a big party was a big deal and something to brag about, but I couldn't care less about the party.

Besides, James was the one who needed my help! He needed me to take care of Emily's kid, yet he still acted all high and mighty, like he was doing me a favor?

"If I apologize to Mom, will she take back what she said about my foster mom, Rosa?" I kept my cool as I spoke.

James's smile vanished, and he frowned at me, "Elena, Isabella is your mother. She may have said some harsh things, but I can't make her take them back."

"Alright." I nodded. This was expected.

James's expression softened. 

"I will apologize to Mom, but let's forget about the party. You know, I'm about to start college, and I still have a lot of things to take care of."

Seeing James's face turn sour again, I secretly smiled.

I pretended to be troubled, listing all the stuff I had to do for college, like maybe sorting out my dorm.

James looked like he was about to blow a gasket.

His condescending attitude had completely vanished. He couldn't find any fault with my excuse, but he couldn't agree to me not going to the party, because he needed me.