Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 32

It was Lacey.

“What is it? Spit it out.”

Since her rebirth, Mira found she couldn't bring herself to call them “Mom,” “Dad,” or “Brother.” Sometimes she tried to pretend, but the words felt foreign in her mouth.

“Is that any way to talk to your mother?”

“If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, I’m hanging up.”

On the other end of the line, Lacey sighed in resignation.

“There’s a party tonight. I want you to come home right away and go with us.”

“Just take your precious daughter Mara, won’t you? Why are you asking me?”

“Your sister just arrived and isn't familiar with the social circles here. She hopes you can accompany her.”

Otherwise, Lacey couldn’t care less if Mira went or not.

“This isn’t another one of your schemes, is it? I’m not going. I’m working, I don’t have time.”

Mira hung up as soon as she finished speaking.

Meanwhile, at the Mercer family residence.

Mara said to Lacey, “Mom, if my sister doesn’t want to miss work, I can compensate her with a thousand dollars.”

Mira’s absence from the house for the past two days had made Mara feel a severe loss of control.

In just two months, she had managed to win over her parents and brothers, firmly pinning Mira under her thumb.

Mira was supposed to be at home, suffering punishment and torment, her reputation in tatters, despised by everyone.

But for some reason, on the day of the welcome banquet, Mira had ruthlessly turned the tables on her.

Although her family was still on her side, Mara had become a social pariah.

Despite the PR efforts from the Mercer Group and her Julian, the damage to her reputation was hard to erase.

Now, she needed Mira in her sight to feel at ease. Only then could she find opportunities to put her back in her place.

A short while later, Lacey called again.

“Come home. Your sister pleaded for you. She’ll compensate you a thousand dollars for your missed work.”

The child also chimed in, “The lady is so cool!”

“I’m not that good, really. I haven’t studied it for very long.”

Mira replied as she started walking back.

Back in her rental, she took a quick shower, changed her clothes, and hurried out.

It was already nine o'clock. She had to be home before ten, and she still needed to eat.

Until she was fully prepared, she wanted to avoid conflict with them as much as possible.

She ordered two beef burgers at McDonald's and ate them as she walked to the roadside to hail a cab.

Time was tight, and now that she had a small fortune of two million dollars, there was no need to pinch pennies over a 20-dollar taxi fare.

She arrived back at the Mercer residence at exactly 9:40 PM.

“Miss Mira, you’re back,” Ms. Sue greeted her cheerfully.

Then she whispered in her ear, “Mr. and Mrs. Mercer and Miss Mara aren’t back yet. I kept some chicken soup warm for you.”