Chapter 39:
Elyse was oblivious to the fact that her actions only served to increase the Harper family’s favor toward Elena.
Alexander’s face hardened as he commanded, “Elyse, come here.”
Elyse was displeased as Alexander interrupted her conversation with Wesley. In her mind, Alexander’s actions felt like deliberate interference. He clearly intended to stop her from talking to Wesley, likely out of fear that Wesley might develop feelings for her.
Feelings for her. The bias was obvious—he wanted his own daughter to get close to Wesley. Elyse seethed with resentment toward Alexander, conveniently forgetting that he had raised her for over twenty years.
Despite her fear of Alexander, Elyse stood her ground. She had thought it through. Now that Elena was back, Alexander would surely pay less attention to her, and she knew she had to seize this moment. She dreamed of marrying Wesley and becoming the esteemed Mrs. Spencer. Looking pleadingly at Wesley, Elyse whispered, “Wesley…”
Without even glancing her way, Wesley replied, “I don’t remember you. Ugh, dirty.”
He scowled, removed the suit jacket that Elyse had touched, and flung it into the trash.
Disgust was written all over Wesley’s face.
Elyse was left speechless, her eyes welling with red indignation.
A mocking laugh soon echoed through the quiet hall.
The red-haired girl, who had initially felt dejected at being ignored by Wesley, now found relief in witnessing his disgust directed at Elyse. At least she wasn’t the victim of Wesley’s disdain.
Elyse felt the weight of derisive stares from everyone, and when she turned to Jeffry and Alexander for support, their lack of any intent to intervene only deepened her resentment. She couldn’t help but wonder—if Elena were the one being mocked, would they still act so coldly? Perhaps, like the others, they were also ridiculing her inwardly. What once seemed like feigned concern now revealed itself as a sham, a mere act of moral posturing meant to elevate themselves.
Lowering her head, Elyse’s eyes flashed briefly with unresolved bitterness.
“Elyse, Jolie is looking for you. You should go meet her,” Alexander said, providing her with the perfect excuse to leave the party.
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Yet, Elyse felt no gratitude; she was convinced that Alexander was deliberately shunting her aside.
“I understand, Uncle. I’ll go right away,” she replied, masking her discontent with feigned compliance, having already defied him once and fearing to truly upset him.
As she turned away, a flash of malice briefly darkened her eyes. Wesley, having lost his patience, nodded curtly at Alexander and left the Peak Hotel.
As the night deepened, the party naturally began to wind down. Soon after, Jeffry and Elena left the hotel and made their way toward Harper Manor.
The sleek black Maybach roared along the road, its path lit only by solitary streetlights.
Resting against the car window, Elena took a moment to collect herself. Abruptly, Jeffry broke the silence by asking, “Did Wesley know you before?”
Elena slowly opened her eyes, meeting his probing gaze.
Jeffry, well aware of Wesley’s methodical nature, knew that he never acted without reason and would never attend an event without a clear purpose.
