?Chapter 3034:


    “You’re far too humble,” Emma said, her smile never fading.


    From her seat near the edge of the room, Elissa quietly turned her eyes away from the dance floor and fixed them on the slice of cheesecake before her. Instead of eating, she pressed her fork into it repeatedly, leaving small dents across the surface.


    “You don’t want that cake?” Savannah gently took the te from her and set it aside. “If so, then don’t force yourself.”


    While they were speaking gently, Neville came over to them. “My dear,” he said to Elissa with a warm smile. “How about a dance with Dad?”


    The whole purpose of this trip had been to help Elissa rx, yet she still seemed closed off from everyone. Since she didn’t trust many people, Neville was the only one she might let close.


    Savannah tried again, her tone light but urging. “Elissa, would you go with your dad for a bit? Let him take you to the floor.”


    Elissa lowered her gaze and gave a small shake of her head. “No. I don’t feel like it.”


    Her tone held not only reluctance but a quiet resistance that neither of them could miss.


    A quick look passed between Savannah and Neville before she spoke. “If you’d rather not dance, that’s fine. Why don’t we step outside and take a walk instead?”


    “That’s fine,” Elissa replied quietly.


    “Thene on.”


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    As the music faded and the crowd began to disperse, Ernest let go of Emma’s hand and stepped off the dance floor. His eyes searched the room, yet Elissa was nowhere to be seen.


    Where could she have gone?


    A faint crease formed between his brows as he lowered his head, the dim lighting casting shadows across his face. His lips tightened into a hard line.


    Muchter that night, Ernest found himself on the terrace again, a cigarette glowing between his fingers.


    Ever since Elissa’s disappearance, his old habit had returned with a vengeance. When restlessness struck or his thoughts became too loud, he reached for a smoke.


    Drawing in a slow breath, he released a thin stream of smoke that curled upward and vanished beneath the gentle gleam of the lights. Then he tapped the ash away with a quiet flick of his finger.


    A faint rustle stirred the quiet night, catching Ernest’s attention.


    His brows knit together as Ernest turned toward the terrace next door, alert to every sound. There, faintly outlined against the darkness, was a small figure in white—Elissa.


    So she had slipped out again.


    With a gentle exhale, he crushed the half-burned cigarette under his heel and headed in her direction.


    The moment she noticed him, Elissa stiffened, her eyes widening in surprise.


    “Elissa,” Ernest said with a faint smile, his gaze warm as he looked down at her. “What brings you out here at this hour?”


    Her cheeks puffed slightly as she answered, “If you’re allowed out here, then so am I.”


    Ernest stopped for a moment, one brow lifting in mild amusement.


    Fair enough—her logic was hard to argue with.


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