Chapter 299
“What about Anthony Jayden asked, pointing at him across the table, hit tone sharp with indignation. “You told me he lost the fight for the company and Theodore broke his leg because of IL But that’s not what really happened. Anthony was
“Jayden!” Lainey cut him off in a panic. “That’s enough”
“Why stop him now?” Barbara spoke up coolly. “Feeling guilty?”
Lainey, caught between them, faltered. Her voice thinned. “Darble, I can understand Jayden throwing a tantrum, but you? You’re really going to side with him?”
Barbara met her gaze calmly. “I just think it’s time Theodore got the truth he’s owed. You let Jayden hate him for years. That has to stop.”
Jayden nodded. “Barbara’s right, You told me Dad went to prison because of Theodore, and that Anthony was ruined by his scheming. How many more lies have you been telling me?”
Lainey, growing impatient under their questioning, gave a bitter laugh. “So what if I lied? It didn’t cost you anything. Why get so worked up?”
The words hit Jayden like a blow. His eyes darkened.
During Theodore’s years of blindness, Jayden had gone out of his way to torment him, even once slinging a rock at his head, believing he was defending his family. But the truth revealed Jayden had been wrong from the start.
finally asked why, Lainey brushed it off as if it didn’t matter.
And now, when he finally
“Are you sure it cost him nothing?” Barbara asked, her voice quiet but steady. “You made him grow up believing Theodore was the enemy That alone deserves an apology.”
Lainey faltered again under their stares. Dazed, she pressed a hand to her temple, her voice cracking under the weight. “So that’s it? After all the years I spent raising you both, now I’m the villain? You’ve all turned on me?”
Seeing her retreat into self–pity, Barbara gently tugged Jayden’s sleeve, then turned to Theodore and Eliana. “I’m done with dinner, head
upstairs to study.”
Eliana gave a slight nod after glancing at Lainey. “Alright.”
Jayden followed quietly. He didn’t know how to look at Lainey or Anthony anymore. They had once been the people he trusted most, and now, they were the ones who had lied to him the longest.
Left behind, Lainey sat frozen, her expression rigid, jaw clenched tight as she struggled to contain the rising urge to lash out at Theodore
Then, Anthony’s voice broke the silence. “So, Theodore… even Jayden’s on your side now.”
Theodore, unmoved, replied evenly, “And?”
Anthony gave a twisted smile. “Nothing Just impressed. You’ve managed to turn Barbie and Jayden against my mother. They resent her. And you? They look at you like some kind of hero
Eliana couldn’t let that slide. “You make it sound like Theodore manipulated them.
“But maybe if you and Lainey had put more effort into raising them right, this wouldn’t be happening. You didn’t even show up for Jayden’s school meetings. What kind of parent does that?”
Her words landed like a shockwave, ringing in Lainey’s and Anthony’s ears.
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Chapter 209
Anthony, who rarely showed emotion, looked momentarily shaken. “Didn’t know you had that kind of bite
Eliana met his pare, cool and unflinching, if she hadn’t heard today what Theodore had endured for so many years, perhaps she wa stayed silent, but not anymore.
And when Anthony saw the chill in her eyes, real, deliberate, and tinged with disdain, he felt his lingering fondress for her begin to fade.
Two days later, inside the government building, Eliana and her team were preparing to set up the lobby when a woman in uniform approached and asked, “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”
Eliana looked up and replied politely, “Hello, I’m with Starlight Merlia
The woman studied her for a moment. “Would you be Ms. Burke, by any chance?”
Eliana gave a slight nod.
A smile appeared on the woman’s face. “Ah, then go right ahead. Mr. Jean gave us a heads–up. If you’re handling the setup, we’re to fully cooperate.”
Eliana let out a quiet breath. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“Would you like a hand with anything?” the woman asked, almost eagerly.
Eliana declined gently. “That’s kind of you, but we’ve got it covered.”
“Well then, I’m upstairs if you need me. First office on the left. I’m the director of the Tax Bureau. Don’t hesitate if anything comes up,” the added, as if genuinely hoping for an excuse to help.
Eliana could easily imagine the instructions Franco must’ve given. It was a far cry from her last visit, when the gatekeeper wouldn’t even let her in. Now, even department heads were all smiles.
Just as Franco had said, this was a world of personal connections.
By noon, the lobby was taking shape.
Eliana was just about to suggest they head out for lunch when a few young clerks appeared, each carrying two heavy bags.
One of them smiled at her. “Ms. Burke, Mr. Jean had us order lunch for everyone. Thought you all could use a break.”
Mark and Donna exchanged knowing glances, but the others looked puzzled.
“Wait, we’re borrowing the government lobby and they’re giving us lunch too?” one of them asked. “Is that even allowed?”
Eliana, unfazed, turned to the clerks. “Can I ask how much the meals cost?”
One of them quickly replied, “Oh, no need. It’s been taken care of”
“Still,” Ellana said, “how much was it?”
Seeing she wouldn’t let it go, they handed over the receipt
“Thanks. Just a moment” Eliana tumed back to her team, split the cost, and repaid the clerks.
Chapter 299
They were on their way back to their office when they ran into France in the hallway
“Mr. Jean,” they greeted, pausing instinctively,
Franco glanced at the money in their hands, his tone neutral. “What’s that?”
“it’s from Ms. Burke,” one replied. “She reimbursed us.”
Another added, “We told her not to worry, but she insisted.”
Franco’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, he approved. ‘Good. She handled it right
He gave a faint smile, then turned and walked away.
Eliana worked straight through the afternoon.
As evening approached and the team began to show signs of fatigue, she called it for the day. “That’s it for today. Let’s pick up where we left off tomorrow.”
Once she stepped outside and parted ways with her colleagues, she made her way to the car.
But the moment she sat down, before she could even insert the key, a low, cold voice sounded from behind. “Don’t move.”
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