Observing his daughter's indifference, he sneered. "A couple of pancakes sway you? Elissa, what's gotten into you? He's an unfaithful man who has hurt you. Why do you persist in defending him?"

Elissa raised her eyes, studying her father intently.

Softly, she said, "Dad, have you always been faithful to Mom?"

Raphael was truly struggling now. But when he still had everything, "I didn't you ever ask him for help?"

Her tone turned colder. "Weren't there tasks you found inconvenient to handle yourself that you asked him to do them for you?"

Yousef was taken aback.

He hadn't anticipated Elissa knowing about the student he had an affair with and the son he fathered.

He had kept this tightly guarded secret.

Overwhelmed with guilt, he stole a glance at his wife. Aware of Marcia's family's influence and his success in manipulating her, he dared not disclose his transgressions.

Yousef was speechless.

At her daughter's words, Marcia regarded her husband with suspicion.

Eventually, she inquired, "Yousef, are you hiding something from me?"

Yousef hastily adopted a righteous expression and responded, “How could that be?"

Yousef was adept at persuasion, his influence over Marcia established over years. With mere words, he allayed her suspicions. He didn't dare to provoke his daughter further, recognizing that Elissa held leverage over him.

However, he remained displeased. As he departed, he uttered coldly, “Elissa, if you persist in staying with Raphael, don't expect any financial support from the Palmer family."

Elissa turned pale.

While she had anticipated such a response, her father's words still stung.

She understood that Yousef intended to leave the family assets to his illegitimate son.

Marcia appeared troubled. She still harbored deep love for her daughter and wanted to argue. Yousef glared at her, accusing, “It's your fault she's spoiled! She can't even make sensible decisions. Despite Raphael's dire situation, she's still determined to have his child."

Marcia nodded meekly, unwilling to defy her husband.

Elissa observed stoically.

She harbored no regrets for her choice. Though aware Raphael might not be the ideal match, she was resolute in her decision to bear their child and avoid returning to the Palmer fold. She refused to be manipulated like her mother.

"Dad, rest assured. I won't come back begging for money, even if I have to go hungry."

Yousef retorted, "You'd better be prepared."