Chapter 8

Over in the living room, Dad paced back and forth in agitation, while Mom sat on the couch, her expression grim.

The moment I walked in, Dad marched up to me, demanding, "Elena! What took you so long!"

With an expressionless face, I walked past him and sat down on the opposite couch before asking, "Why are you here?"

Even though Mom's eyes were red, her tone was as haughty as ever. "Is that how you speak to your parents?"

"How else should I be speaking to you?" I retorted with a raised brow. "Do I have to get on my knees and let you berate me the way I had to before?"

Dad's face turned ashen, but he put on a strong front and spoke with his usual arrogance. "Elena, Camilla destroyed all the original design schematics. We're now acknowledging you as the one who created them, so it's your responsibility to recreate them!"

I slowly sipped at my tea before repeating, "My responsibility?"

Scowling, Dad questioned, "Do you think we want to ask you for help? Don't be ungrateful. This is