?Chapter 582:


    Elliana stopped, her expression frosty, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. Paige had never shown kindness without a motive.


    Paige’s smile faltered, then she added with feigned sincerity, “Elliana, that close call with death changed me. I’ve done a lot of thinking. I treated you poorly. I want to fix that. Please—can you forgive me?” She extended the bowl a little farther, her eyes soft with practiced remorse.


    Elliana stared down at the soup, her heart filled with scorn. If she didn’t know Paige, she might’ve fallen for the act. But she did know Paige—too well. Behind


    the teary eyes and timid smile was the same cunning girl she’d grown up with—a master of deception wrapped in silk and sweetness.


    Elliana said nothing. She simply took the bowl.


    From the side, Kiara and Tony watched, trying to mask their anticipation.


    As Elliana lingered without drinking, Kiara stepped forward, smiling warmly. “Elliana,” she said, voice syrupy, “I was wrong too. Let’s let the past go, hmm? If you drink this soup, it means we can start over—as a family. Stay with us as long as you like. We’ll take care of you.”


    Elliana’s lips curved into a soft, gentle smile. “Alright,” she murmured.


    Then, she lowered her head and made a motion as if to sip the soup.


    Elliana lifted the bowl to her lips but paused, her gaze shifting to Kiara and Paige.


    An awkward grin flickered across Paige’s face. “Is something wrong, Elliana? Not a fan of the soup?”


    Kiara’s nerves were barely hidden. “If sweet soup isn’t your thing, I can bring you something else. Just say the word.” To Kiara, switching soups wasn’t a big deal. She could just spike it again.


    Elliana’s smile grew sly. “Wouldn’t it be a shame to let this go to waste? Why don’t you drink it for me, Kiara?”


    Before anyone could react, Elliana reached out, gripped Kiara’s neck, and forced the sweet soup down her throat.


    Kiara spluttered and coughed, struggling to catch her breath.


    Tony shot up from the couch, fury written all over his face. “You evil woman, how dare you scheme against my mother? You’ll pay for this!”


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    Elliana barely spared him a nce. Her footshed out, sending him flying and tumbling.


    Panic set in for Paige, who tried to dart for the door, but Elliana’s hand shot out, grabbing her by the neck and yanking her close.


    Elliana’s hand mped firmly around Paige’s throat, leaving her struggling to breathe, color rising fast in her delicate face. “L-Let me go, Elliana!” Paige screamed, desperate to pry Elliana’s hand away.


    But Elliana’s grip held firm, her strength leaving Paige powerless.


    Standing half a head taller, Elliana gazed down at Paige with eyes full of disdain. “Paige, it’s not that I can’t handle you. Most days, I simply don’t care to bother,” she said coldly. “But you keep pushing, so don’t me me for putting you in your ce.”


    Elliana delivered a sharp tap to Paige’s cheek, each word measured. “Keep this in mind. Don’t ever cross me again. If I really lose patience, you’ll regret it.”


    With a final flick of her wrist, Elliana tossed Paige into a nearby swivel chair. The chair whipped across the room, spinning out of control as it barreled straight toward the giant fish tank. ss shattered on impact, sending water, decorative gravel, and a flurry of startled fish cascading over Paige.


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