Master of his heart (Max and Brielle) novel Chapter 1271

Peyton was secretly terrified of Leona. Speaking up against her in the cafeteria was only possible because her daughter was by her side.

But now, alone and unguarded, she hurried towards her home with a sense of urgency.

Leona, faster on her feet, caught up and noticed Peyton carrying two bags, one branded with a luxury makeup logo.

"Look at you, country bumpkin, where'd you swipe the cash from? If it weren't for the generous perks at Stellar Stage Entertainment, you and your daughter wouldn't even have a pot to piss in. Don't tell me your girl's got herself a sugar daddy? Tsk, how low can you go?"

Peyton initially chose to ignore Leona, but the mention of her daughter ignited her anger.

"What the hell are you on about?!"

Leona approached and shoved her, "Just what I said. Living in the same place as you makes me sick. Can't wait for the auditions to end so I don't have to see trash like you anymore."

Peyton, having been bedridden for years and only recently gaining a bit of weight since moving to Beaconsfield, couldn't match Leona's physical strength.

The shove sent her forehead crashing into a flowerbed, immediately drawing blood.

Leona crossed her arms, watching Peyton scramble for the makeup bag she had kicked away, a twisted smile on her face.

"Bet that's bought with the money from selling your daughter, how vile."

The makeup bag, now open, showed a cracked foundation bottle. Peyton went pale at the sight; it had cost her a hefty sum.

Leona, satisfied with the torment she inflicted, kicked the other bag aside and strutted into the building complex.

Emma's eyes reddened. Peyton had always been frugal, except when it came to her daughter. She rarely stinted on Emma, mostly on herself.

"Try them on, Emma. And these clothes too, they're what you called 'edgy.' I don't know much, but I got help from a kind stranger."

Emma had low expectations for her mother's understanding of "edgy" fashion, but she was stunned by the clothes' style, exactly what she had seen online.

But her concern was for Peyton, "Don't move, let me take care of that cut."

As Peyton sat, dazed and fighting off dizziness, Emma's worry grew, "You've got to be more careful. With your health, a fall could be serious."

Peyton remained silent, her tears not of pain, but of feeling wronged.