Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)
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.

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."

"What the hell are you on about?!"

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.

Peyton, tears welling up, cradled the broken foundation, half the product still salvageable. She picked up the other bag, containing clothes, and headed home.

Emma was busy arranging a backdrop with leaves when she noticed her mother's injury and gasped, "Mom! What happened?!" Peyton's tears flowed anew, but she couldn't bear to tell Emma about Leona's bullying, fearing her daughter couldn't stand up to such wealth. "I just tripped coming in. Look, Emma, I got the makeup you mentioned."

Emma, unfamiliar with brands and

their costs, carefully transferred the remaining foundation to a secure container. She was surprised her mother even knew to shop for makeup, let alone buy a complete set.

"Mom, did you spend all our money? We might have to find work if we run out."

Peyton waved her off, "Don't worry about it. We needed to spend a bit."

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.