But now, I couldn’t afford to fight head-on. All I wanted was to get through this quietly, and once I moved to Palmer, I’d never have to deal with them again.

With that in mind, I gave a quick, clear apology.

“Mom, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have ignored your calls. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Hearing this, Mom’s crying slowly eased.

“Eleanor, Mom only does this for your good. You’re a girl, working so hard outside, I just can’t help worrying.”

Martin gave a cold sneer: “So now you know you were wrong? Better remember it next time.”

Dad leaned back on the sofa, his tone a little softer.

“Alright, since Eleanor admits she was wrong, let’s leave it here. But it can’t happen again.”

I nodded over and over, and only then did they look satisfied. Back in my room, I dropped onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The next day, I locked myself in my room, throwing all my focus into preparing for the tests and online interviews for the headquarters transfer.

This was my chance to leave this family, and I couldn’t afford even one mistake.

But Mom kept knocking on the door.