?Chapter 117:


    Elliana had been captivated by medicine since childhood, always watching Rita concoct new remedies. Rita had never stifled Elliana’s curiosity, instead imparting vast medical knowledge to her eager daughter.


    Years ago, before stepping into that fateful fire, Rita had entrusted Elliana with a sh drive containing all her groundbreaking medical research. This became the foundation of Elliana’s medical expertise. Rita possessed unparalleled genius, her medical prowess ranking among the finest worldwide.


    With her intellect, Rita could have effortlessly established her own empire. Yet, she chose to marry Darin, an ordinary man, maintaining a subdued existence and standing by him even through his infidelities. She endured it all in silence.


    As a child, Elliana had failed toprehend her mother’s decisions. Even in adulthood, she still grappled with understanding why her mother would deliberately subject herself to such sacrifices.


    Emerging from her reverie, Elliana redirected her focus to Barbara’s predicament. Upon discovering the sinister poison—Scorpion King—in Barbara’s system, yet without Venacure pills at her disposal that day, she had discreetly employed treatments to contain the toxin. That intervention should have stabilized Barbara, not elerated her demise. Something wasn’t right.


    “I’m heading downstairs to investigate,” Elliana announced.


    Paulina attempted to dissuade her, her tone gentle. “Mrs. Evans, everything’s chaotic down there. You should remain here and rest. I’ll arrange for breakfast to be delivered to your room.”


    Elliana paused, perplexed. “Paulina, I assumed the responsibilities of being matriarch of this householdst night. With such a crisis today, sequestering myself upstairs with breakfast creates a poor impression, doesn’t it?”


    “You make a valid point,” Paulina acknowledged with a nod. “But this situation isplex. It involves longstanding animosity between the Henderson and Evans families, plus a death. You’re unfamiliar with our history. It’s overwhelming, and the Hendersons are extremely agitated. I fear you might be entangled in their wrath if matters deteriorate. Please stay uninvolved. Mr. Ruben Evans is addressing it downstairs with his legal team’s assistance. I’ve summoned Mr. Cole Evans to return immediately. Please remain here for now.”


    Paulina’s expression conveyed genuine concern, her eyes reflecting worry. She was truly looking out for Elliana.


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    Elliana recognized Paulina’s good intentions, understanding there was no malice behind them. However, she was already deeply embroiled in the situation and couldn’t simply withdraw. “Paulina, I can manage this. Don’t worry yourself.”


    With that, Elliana descended the staircase.


    Paulina offered no further persuasion and followed quietly behind Elliana.


    The borate spiral staircase curved gracefully. As Elliana navigated the bend, the scene in the living room unfolded before her. What she witnessed left her utterly stunned.


    The room was a zoo, crammed with two families facing off.


    An imposing ck coffin dominated the center of the room. Barbara’s photograph rested on the table. The Henderson family, attired in somber funeral garb, disyed reddened, swollen eyes. They had transformed the Evans family’s living room into an impromptu memorial.


    The atmosphere hung heavy, bordering on eerie.


    Eloisa Henderson, Barbara’s mother, clutched Jeff’s arm with fierce intensity, her voice hoarse as she shrieked, “My daughter was merely eighteen, and you murdered her, you worthless boy! Today you’ll pay with your very life!”


    Eloisa then began forcibly pulling Jeff toward the coffin.


    Irene seized Jeff’s other arm, her voice equally strained. “Release him! It was unintentional! Jeff never meant harm, and we’ve alreadypensated you generously. What additional restitution do you seek?” Jeff, trapped between the two women, trembled violently. Then, he lost control of his dder. “No! I refuse to get close to that coffin! Someone help me!”


    With each powerful tug from Eloisa, Jeff’s cries intensified, as though being dragged toward certain doom.


    Elliana couldn’t suppress a slight smirk at the unfolding pandemonium. Jeff, that arrogant youth who had behaved as though the world could barely contain him, now cowered in abject terror, confronted by someone demanding retribution.


    Themotion proved so intense that nobody noticed Elliana observing from the staircase.


    Ruben slumped dejectedly on the sofa, exhaling repeatedly, while the remaining Evans family members stood in silence. None dared intervene.


    Bertram, Jeff’s father, appeared at a loss, uncertain what to say.


    The Evans family possessed wealth and influence. Ordinarily, anyone creating disturbances here would face swift repercussions. But the Hendersons weren’t just anybody.


    In years past, Barbara’s grandfather and Ruben shared a profound bond, their families practically one.


    While Barbara was still alive, the two families could talk things out through dialogue. But with her apparent passing, the Evans family could only attempt to cate the grieving Hendersons. The Evans family’s prestigious attorneys proved ineffective in this deeply personal conflict.


    After prolonged arguments yielded no resolution, Eloisa’s frustration peaked, and she redirected her wrath toward Ruben…


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