- May 17, 2020
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to speak of manipulation seems to me quite exaggeratedShe might not have been the architect, but she was complicit in the emotional and psychological manipulation of the MC, a soft form of child abuse.
Iirc the MC actually mentions that Bella used to stand up for him against Elaine when she was exceedingly harsh towards him. So it wasn't just that she was distant and aloof towards him, she actually took part in the 'toughening up' process.
So I am sorry, but if you mistreat a child just to maintain your fancy lifestyle, then yes, you are a terrible person.
Bella is two faced, that's kind of her whole character. She's not a good person, that's for sure, but exactly how bad she is will depend on her true motivations and main plan.
manipulation, if anything, is getting deliberately found naked in the shower by an underage boy, which is what Bella does (ok it's a porn game..)
from what I remember Elaine's roughness toward MC was limited to getting him away from herself, no particular mistreatment or maltreatment
let's be clear though: Elaine should have realized that the one with Donald was a toxic relationship for herself before it was for MC, but asking a person in love (and Elaine was in love with Donald, she has a hard time even now badmouthing him and hearing others do it) to realize it is not that simple.
Elaine herself suffers so many limitations in her relationship with Donald, that house was not a paradise for her either