<h4>Chapter 398: Testing the Waters</h4>


    E noticed Luke’s movement and immediately lifted her head, ring at him. "What are you doing? Don’t touch me!"


    Luke froze for a moment, then awkwardly withdrew his hand, his expression shifting to one of cold detachment. "I was just going to tell you there’s a guest room over there. If you’re tired, you can rest."


    E scoffed. "Rest here? I wouldn’t even know if I got eaten alive!"


    Luke’s face flushed crimson. "E, don’t overestimate your charm. I’m not Eric!"


    Without giving him another nce, E turned and headed toward another staircase.


    The vi was grand and spacious, with a main staircase in the hall and another leading to the backyard, showcasing its luxurious design.


    E walked to the backyard, marveling at its size. It featured a swimming pool and a small za, a truly perfect estate.


    Still, no matter how grand this vi was, it couldn’tpare to the warmth of the home she was building with Eric.


    Luke remained where he was, staring after her graceful figure as she walked away. Narrowing his eyes, heposed himself and descended the stairs without a word.


    ...


    E wandered to a carved bench in the backyard and sat down, pulling out her phone to call Eric. He answered, exining he was currently having dinner with his uncle, Curtis Miller.


    E had never met Curtis.


    Before Victoria’s tragic suicide, Curtis had emigrated abroad. Later, when Eric was sent to Country W, Curtis, though sympathetic to Eric’sck of parental love, faced opposition from his difficult and stingy wife when it came to adopting him.


    The constant arguments over Eric’s presence led to family discord. Once Eric realized he was causing trouble, he stopped asking Curtis for financial help.


    Still, Curtis secretly sent Eric small amounts of money now and then, which, though modest, sometimes helped in critical moments. Most of Eric’s living expenses, however, came from his own hard work.


    E knew Eric had intended to stay a few extra days to introduce her to Curtis, but Lucas’s situation had thrown their ns off track.


    Eric had run into his uncle unexpectedly tonight and decided to treat him to dinner. Since E was with the Anderson family, she couldn’t join them.


    After hanging up with Eric, E received a call from an unknown number. When she answered, the voice on the other end made her think she was hallucinating.


    "Miss Davis, how have you beentely?"


    It was Mrs. Miller’s voice, warm and pleasant, though its insincerity made E want to throw her phone. This was the same woman who had let Rylee take the fall for drug trafficking. Now she had the audacity to call?


    "I’m doing well, thank you for your concern, Mrs. Miller," E replied with a coldugh. "I didn’t expect that when my sister became inconvenient to your family’s interests, you’d be so quick to abandon her. Truly disheartening."


    Mrs. Miller chuckled softly. "Miss Davis, you must understand. I gave Hannah a chance to turn her life around, but she squandered it. What was I to do? Besides, Hannah falsely used you this time. Why are you defending her?"


    "She’s still my sister," E said icily. "No matter our past grievances, I will stand up for her when faced with injustice."


    Mrs. Miller’s tone remained smooth and gentle. "Hannah is lucky to have such a caring sister. But with her currently in prison, aren’t you going to try to help her?"


    "She brought this upon herself. It has nothing to do with me. If you have nothing else to say, Mrs. Miller, I’m ending this call," E replied, uninterested in continuing the conversation.


    She was well aware of Mrs. Miller’s intentions—probing to see if E had uncovered the truth about Hannah and Rylee’s switched identities. E had no intention of stirring up more trouble and chose to feign ignorance.


    Mrs. Miller’s voice remained soft. "Since you’re so busy, Miss Davis, I won’t keep you."


    With that, she ended the call.


    E’s eyes gleamed with a cold light. Although Mrs. Miller had seemingly gotten the answers she sought, that didn’t mean the Miller family would simply let things go.


    Mrs. Miller was likely trying to avoid trouble, but she also feared E discovering the truth.


    Now that E and Lucas had been seen interacting closely, and with E seemingly unaware of the secrets involving Hannah, the Miller family remained wary.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Mrs. Miller returned to the study, her expression calm. "Father, E doesn’t seem to know anything about Hannah. I tested her," she said softly.


    Mr. Bowen sat in his chair, his face grim and foreboding. His demeanor exuded cold menace.


    "This is all your doing!" he snapped. "If Alice had passed away, that was one thing. But to think an outsider could rece her? And worse, Hannah—a woman with a notorious reputation in Country S? For you to go so far as to have them surgically alter their appearances and switch identities—utter foolishness!"


    His voice cut sharply, dripping with contempt.


    "Father, even if I hadn’t acted, didn’t you already target Eric?" Mrs. Miller retorted, her brow furrowed. "The Nelson Group’s meteoric rise is worrisome, sure, but we are still aristocrats. How can you even see such a smallpany as a threat?"


    "You’re wrong," Bowen countered with a steely re. "Eric is incredibly shrewd. I’ve had my eye on him since his early days in Country W. And more importantly, they’ve been taking clients that should’ve been ours!"


    His face darkened further. "That brat even stabbed us in the back! If it weren’t for your brother’s quick thinking to shift the me for the drug charges onto a subordinate, the Miller family’s losses would have been catastrophic."


    Mrs. Miller lowered her head, feeling the sting in her father’s words. "So...what do we do next?" she ventured cautiously.


    "You don’t meddle any further!" Bowen snapped, his voice sharp. "Your idiocy has caused enough trouble. Keep yourself in check."


    Mrs. Miller flinched under his icy re.


    Had it not been for Hannah provoking E, the situation might not have escted to this point.


    Bowen’s thin, angr face twisted into a menacing smirk. "Eric is indeed brilliant. If we could bring him into the fold, it would be a valuable move. But...with his personality..."


    He trailed off, lost in thought.


    Mrs. Miller, trembling slightly, spoke up again. "Father, that E—she’s been spending a lot of time with Lucastely. There are even rumors that they’re father and daughter."


    Bowen nodded. "I’ve heard that too. For now, leave E alone. The Anderson family is not an easy target. But when ites to their interests, they won’t ally with Eric."


    Mrs. Miller’s eyes reflected her unease. "And what about that brat Eric? He once pointed a gun at me to threaten me! He humiliated me—I won’t forget that."


    "Enough!" Bowen barked, waving her off with an annoyed flick of his hand. "Put aside your petty grievances for now. I have my own ns. Leave me."


    Mrs. Miller bowed respectfully before retreating from the study.


    ...


    At the Anderson estate, E sat through dinner, though every bite felt like a struggle. Despite this, she managed to eat half a bowl of rice before setting down her chopsticks.


    Lucas noticed herck of appetite and frowned. "Is the food here not to your liking?" he asked, surprised.


    "No, I’m just not very hungry. Please, take your time, Mr. Anderson," E replied coldly.


    The formal way she addressed him struck a chord of pain in Lucas’s heart. He sighed softly and turned to a nearby servant.


    "Take Miss E to my study. Open the top drawer of my desk and give her everything inside," he instructed.