When Dora saw Eli's message, she didn't mention that she had made herbal medicine herself and quickly replied, "Why do you need it?"
Eli texted back, "Didn't you say the herbal medicine would improve my mom's relationship with Mr. Everett? I don't think it's working well. Maybe the dose wasn't strong enough? I want them to try it again."
"No way!" Dora couldn't help exclaiming when she read his reply. She was about to respond when Hera overheard her and came in. "Dora, who are you chatting with? Have you finished your homework?"
Dora quickly hid her phone, picked up her pen, and pretended to focus on her homework. "No, I just find this question hard!"
She regretted saying this as soon as the words left her mouth.
Hera pulled up a chair and sat beside her. "Which one? Let me help."
Dora had no choice but to work on math problems with her mom's guidance for the next half an hour. Finally, when Hera stepped out to get some water, Dora quickly sent Eli a message, "Let's talk in person after school tomorrow."
…
The next day, after school, Dora went to Eli's classroom as usual to walk home together. She wanted to discuss the plan she had thought up the night before.
When she approached the back door, she saw Penelope standing beside Eli's desk.
"Eli, I accidentally made you drop your phone last time. Here's a new one to replace it." Penelope held out an unopened phone box to him.
Eli kept packing his backpack without looking up. "I don't need it."
Penelope set the box on his desk. "Just take it. I don't like owing people."
Dora stepped forward, picked up the phone box, and handed it back to Penelope. "He said he doesn't need it. That phone means a lot to him, and no one can just replace it."
Then, she turned to Eli. "Let's go, Eli."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Under the Heiress' Facade