Martha was obviously pleased. "This is all due to my strict upbringing. Girls need firm discipline. How else could they live well now?"

Although my mother was furious with me, she understood that I was her daughter, born after two days and nights of difficult labor. She knew I wasn’t someone to make empty threats.

To prevent me from making any rash decisions, she had no choice but to live with me in the decaying house, sighing in frustration every day.

During these six months, I regularly sent money to my father, making sure Gerald could pay off the mortgage. I even gave him a few thousand extra each month, ensuring that they lived comfortably, even better than what I had promised them before.

Gerald and Martha were initially skeptical of my words, but now they were left speechless. Even Vanessa praised me, saying that I was more like a daughter to her than her own.

Six months passed like this and one night, I finally received a call from Gerald.

His voice was frantic when he said, "Hurry, Elena, bring the property certificate. We’ll transfer the ownership tomorrow morning. We’ll give the large flat back to you and you can just give me the old house."