To Olivia’s surprise, after her blunt retort, her aunt-in-law simply stared in stunned silence for a long moment.

Olivia had expected an explosive rage next—threats like, “Ungrateful brat! I’ll cut off your food supply and starve you both!”—just like always. But after a while, the woman merely nodded, her expression sour, and said:

“Alright… fine. If you refuse the allowance, so be it. Xiao An… come sit closer. Your aunt-in-law has something to discuss with you…”

She forced a grotesquely sweet smile and beckoned Olivia over. The blue-haired loli and her mother froze in place. What… what was this?

This was creepier than being yelled at! What was going on? Since when had this vile, fat woman ever been considerate?!

A chill ran down Olivia’s spine. She couldn’t fathom the woman’s scheme. Was Vinous just a bully who preyed on the weak? Had their past silence encouraged her cruelty?

But even after Olivia’s first show of defiance, why would this hag back down so fast? Her insults hadn’t been that harsh—could she really be scared?

Olivia didn’t buy it. Sensing hidden malice, the girl stayed calm. She took her mother’s hand and slowly sat across from her aunt-in-law on the sofa.

Fufu seemed uneasy with the sudden shift. She hesitated when Olivia gripped her hand, but the firm warmth steadied her. The blue-haired beauty glanced at her daughter with mixed emotions, then followed her to sit before Vinous.

For the first time in years, they were equals.

Olivia kept her poker face, though her mood lifted. Heh, her beautiful mom’s hand was so smooth—great texture!

Olivia coughed twice, releasing Fufu’s hand. She fixed a cool gaze ahead and spoke softly:

“Just say what you need. I want to settle our family matters today. No more mutual resentment. We’ll both find peace. Don’t you agree, Aunt-in-law?”

A flicker of anger crossed the woman’s face—gone in an instant, but Olivia caught it. Vinous frowned, set little George aside, and waved a hand.

“What nonsense, Xiao An! What conflicts could our family have? Since your uncle passed these two years, times have been hard. We can’t afford servants, so you help out. It’s unavoidable—you must understand.”

Olivia smiled thinly. So she was hinting Olivia was spoiled and lazy. Some habits never changed. But why pretend calmness now? Suspicious, the blue-haired loli decided to provoke her. Let’s see how long this smiling tiger act lasts. Disgusting.

“I don’t mind chores. I’ve got hands and feet—unlike some overgrown babies who still need Mom to feed them at nearly school age. But… can we really not afford servants? Business must be booming. Pity you run everything now—hard to pinpoint the problem, isn’t it?”

Tsk, sarcasm? Easy.

Instantly, Olivia sensed a shift. Vinous lowered her head, hiding her face. Her fists clenched on the sofa arm. After a pause, she looked up, fury barely contained in her eyes.

Little George, the spoiled brat who needed spoon-feeding, just gaped blankly. Why was Mom so patient today?

Olivia felt satisfied. Finally, the truth would come out. But after another long moment, Vinous seemed to reset her rage like a cooled game character. Her usual smirk returned as she coldly chuckled.

“Let’s skip that. Xiao An, I called you here to say… after this week’s classes, you won’t be returning to school.”

…

Olivia’s face darkened. Fufu beside her paled, blurting out:

“Sister-in-law, are you joking? Xiao An… oh dear, she’s just young! No need for this—she…”

“Mom, stop.”

Olivia cut her off, locking eyes with the smug fat on her aunt-in-law’s face. Her voice turned icy.

“Are you serious? I graduate in barely a year. My grades are excellent. And now… I quit?”

“Oh, don’t rush!” Vinous laughed, twirling a black velvet folding fan to hide her grin—though her upturned lips betrayed her. “This is for your own good, Olivia. What use is schooling for a girl? Besides… times are tough. After raising you all these years, I expect you to contribute to the household sooner.”

Olivia scowled, utterly baffled.

“Don’t you know how sought-after Imperial Capital Magic Academy graduates are? My future’s bright! If you want my contribution, wouldn’t waiting for graduation bring more? Can’t you hold on that long?”

“Patience, Xiao An. I’ve found you a better path.” Vinous sneered, eyes gleaming. “A nobleman in his fifties proposed to our family the other day.”