?Chapter 276:


    A soft smile touched Elliana’s lips. “But you have me.” Hailee turned slowly to look at her.


    Elliana gently patted her hand. “I’ve already gathered all the evidence. What you need now is courage. Stand your ground and fight. I’ll back you up, no matter what.” She reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Hailee. “This is an invitation to Boris and Hester’s engagement party tonight. Do you have the guts to crash it, expose them, and watch them get dragged off in handcuffs on their big night?”


    Hailee’s heart raced. She had never done anything so bold in her life. Ruin someone’s engagement party? The thought sent a thrill down her spine. The idea of seeing Boris and Hester end their night behind bars was too satisfying to ignore. And if the whole thing went public, it would shine a spotlight on them. Boris wouldn’t daree after her. If anything ever happened to her, everyone would point straight at him. Elliana’s n was wless. It protected her and gave her a chance to fight back.


    The more Hailee thought about it, the more her nerves turned to excitement. She gave a firm nod. “Elliana, I’m in!” But then doubt flickered across her face. “Elliana, what if the Craig family finds out you’re helping me? Could it make things difficult for you in the Evans household?”


    “It won’t.” Elliana’s voice was calm and sure. “I’ve already talked to my husband. He’s furious about what Boris did. He’spletely on board.”


    “Mr. Evans is amazing,” Hailee said with admiration.


    Then, Hailee added, “But you’re even more incredible. When I had no idea what to do, you came up with the perfect solution. How do you do it?”


    Elliana chuckled softly. “Silly girl. It’s not that I’m smarter than you. It’s just that we’re standing in different ces.” She looked at Hailee kindly. “I have power and resources. That gives me the room to think clearly and take action. But you’ve been stuck in fear, feeling like there’s no way out. It’s not about brains—it’s about perspective.”


    Hailee nodded slowly. She and Boris were like a mouse against a mountain. A mouse could never imagine toppling a mountain. But Elliana was…


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    She was different. She was a hunter staring down a rabid dog. If it dared to bite, she had the means to end it in a sh.


    In that moment, Hailee understood. Elliana was showing her that kindness alone wasn’t enough. She needed strength behind it. She needed a sharp edge when things got ugly. And she knew she had to grow that edge, too.


    “Thank you, Elliana. From now on, you’re my role model. I’ll keep learning and growing until I am no longer a doormat,” Hailee said, her voice filled with emotion.


    Elliana smiled warmly. “I know you will.” She truly believed in Hailee because she saw Hailee’s potential. This was the same girl who taught herself to paint and made it to the finals of the Starry Oil Painting Competition. That kind of talent didn’t lie.


    Then, Elliana looked at her closely. “Hailee, one more question.”


    Hailee’s eyes were bright now, full of new fire. “Go ahead.”


    Elliana studied her expression before asking, “Do you love Boris?”


    On the other side of the flower wall, Merlin’s body stiffened, his ears straining to catch every word.


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