Chapter 28: Talent Stalled?
In a school dormitory, specifically the girls' dorm, a sweet and innocent young girl stared at her phone after her call was abruptly cut off. She seemed dazed. "I didn't even get to say how much I needed, and he just transferred it? What if he didn't send enough? Ugh, stupid brother—was that just to brush me off?"
"Elena, does your brother even have money to send you?" asked a sweet-looking girl who walked over to her.
Elena Carter shook her head uncertainly. She knew her brother's salary wasn't high, and he still sent her living expenses every month. He couldn't possibly have much saved. But she had no one else to turn to.
"I swear that girl is doing this on purpose! Just because the guy she likes secretly likes you, she's picking fights! Eight grand for a broken bottle of makeup? She's out of her mind!" the sweet-looking girl fumed.
"It's fine. I'll just stay away from her in the future. It was my mistake for breaking it anyway. And I checked online—apparently, it really does cost that much," Elena replied, trying to sound calm, though her eyes welled up with tears. She knew it was intentional, but what could she do? Eight thousand dollars was more than half a year of her living expenses. She felt helpless and wronged.
"Ugh, you're too nice! That personality of yours is going to get you in trouble someday. Honestly, it's partly my fault—if I hadn't spent my money on that gaming headset, I could've helped you cover it," Vivian said, her tone laced with guilt.
"Don't say that! You lent me your living expenses already. I don't even know how to thank you properly. What are you going to do for the rest of the month?" Elena asked, feeling grateful yet worried for her friend. Vivian had been her closest confidant and supporter since they'd met.
"Me? I'll just pull my usual move: cry, throw a tantrum, and guilt-trip my dad until he coughs up more cash. He'll cave—he always does," Vivian replied casually.
Just then, Elena's phone buzzed with a text notification. She opened it to see a bank transfer of $20,000. Her hands trembled as she stared at the amount.
"Whoa! Your brother's loaded! My dad only gives me $3,000 a month, and I have to fight for every penny. One call from you, and bam! Two grand! Where can I get a brother like that?" Vivian teased.
But Elena didn't join in the joke. Instead, she quickly called her brother back. When he answered, she asked anxiously, "Where did you get all that money? You're not doing anything illegal, are you?"