Chapter 11 Brandie's shrill scolding immediately exploded through the phone . Claudine held the phone at arm's length , saving her eardrums from the screeching . " The maids told me you haven't been around these days . No one's there to take care of Darla , and Dami has to take her to work . " Five barren years of marriage to Dami , Claudine ! Now you won't even care for Darla ? Have you no shame ? " Claudine had been insulted like this countless times during the past five years . In the past , she had endured Brandie's harsh words because she didn't want to put Damian in between . But she had put up with it for so long , and the abortion was the final straw . She was determined to divorce him . No longer would she submit herself to Brandie's acid tongue . She took a deep breath to suppress her emotions . Then she said calmly , " Darla is Damian's daughter , too . He's her father and is obliged to take care of her . " Besides , there are plenty of maids at home . Of course , they're more than capable of looking after a little girl . " Darla is five already . I mentioned before about enrolling her in kindergarten . " I get that a private tutor gives personalized help , but the school environment is better for her character development and social skills . " Damian agrees with me on this . Maybe you should talk to him about this . Why don't you discuss it with him ? You can call the shots on matters concerning Darla . " " Nonsense ! " Brandie raised her voice . She had always despised Claudine . Claudine's devoted care for Darlene and Damian was the only reason stopping her from urging Damian to get a divorce . How dare Claudine talk to her like this ? " Claudine , I knew it . You never truly loved Darla . You've got some nerve , pushing Dami to send her to school ! " You vicious , scheming stepmother ! " Brandie's words grew increasingly harsh . For the first time , Claudine interrupted her , " Brandie , I'm divorcing Damian . It means Darla is no longer my responsi- bility . I'm sure it's a relief for you - after all , Darla won't be around her vicious , scheming stepmother anymore . " 0.0 % 03:50 Chapter 11 288 Vouchers She hung up after saying this . Brandie stared at the darkened screen in great disbelief . Claudine was divorcing Damian? Had she lost her mind ? Darlene , who was standing aside , tugged at Brandie's clothes . " Grandma … " She'd heard Claudine propose kindergarten and say " Darla is no longer my responsibility " , which echoed in her mind . Did it mean no one would play Lego with her , bake pastries , or tell bedtime stories to her anymore ? She pouted , and the tears brimming in her eyes broke Brandie's heart . Brandie scooped her up and pecked her cheek . " Ignore her . That divorce nonsense ? Just anger talking . She could nev- er leave Dami . She said that out of spite , and that's all . " " Really ? " Though pampered , Darlene was just a little girl . She couldn't help but be upset when she heard that Claudine no longer wanted her . Brandie stroked her hair . " Of course . She's just throwing a tantrum . Let her stew - she'll come crawling back once no one's paying attention . Then things will go back to normal . She'll take care of you as she always does . " Now , who's up for some fun in the amusement park ? " " Me , me ! " Darlene immediately clapped her hands excitedly , completely forgetting about Claudine . In the evening , Damian was working when someone pushed open the office door . Brandie walked up front . Unlike usual , her makeup was smudged , and the fatigue on her face was more than obvious . She seemed a decade older , her past elegance all gone . Her bodyguard followed her with the sleeping Darlene in his arms . " I'm so exhausted ! " Brandie collapsed onto the sofa , no longer caring about her ladylike composure . Damian took Darlene from the bodyguard , gently put her on the bed in the lounge , and then asked Lindsay to prepare a cup of black tea for Brandie . Brandie took a few sips of the tea . 53.3 %