Anneliese could not tell whether Elizabeth had lost her grip on reason-or if she herself had stepped into madness.


    She gave a brief nod and turned to leave.


    Elizabeth''s expression hardened instantly. She was just about to erupt when her phone chimed.


    The device rested on the table. A notification lit up the screen. Elizabeth nced down without thinking. The moment she read it, her eyes widened, rage and disbelief crashing together.


    Her voice snapped, sharp enough to cut. "Anneliese! What exactly is your rtionship with that child?"


    The usationnded behind Anneliese''s back. She did not slow her pace. Honestly, she had no idea what Elizabeth was even shouting about.


    "Stop right there!"


    When Anneliese ignored her, Elizabeth''s face wentpletely cold. She strode forward and grabbed Anneliese''s arm.


    "Oh? Not saying anything now? Feeling ashamed?"


    Anneliese turned, genuinely stunned. "Ashamed of what? You''re being absurd. You''re frightening her let go."


    Ellie was trembling against her, her small body shaking. The child''s cheek pressed to Anneliese''s neck, icy and tense, fear written into every breath.


    Anneliese only wanted to leave this private room. Coming here had already been a mistake.


    But the more urgently Anneliese tried to go, the more tightly she held the child, the more Elizabeth convinced herself that the message she had just read was true.


    Elizabeth''s breathing grew uneven. Instead of releasing her grip, she tightened it. "You''re not leaving until you exin yourself."


    The tension between them crackled, sharp and unstable.


    Martha felt a headache bloom. Regret flooded her-she never should have involved herself.


    She hurried over, forcing herself between them, voice raised just enough to cut through the moment. "Enough. Both of you, calm down. Let go first. The child is about to cry."


    She turned to Anneliese, tone measured but firm. "Anneliese, your mother-inw only wants to ask something. Answer properly, and this will pass. And as your elder, she deserves at least basic patience."


    Anneliese''s irritation crested. She was about to respond when Martha''s phone rang.


    The device was already in her hand. She nced at the screen, surprise shing across her face. "It''s Mrs. Fullbuster," she said quickly. "I''ll take this."


    She answered at once. "Mom? You and Dad just got back to Oceaton?"


    At the mention of Penelope''s name, Elizabeth finally released Anneliese''s arm. Her posture rxed, but her eyes remained icy, lips pulled into a thin, macking line


    Anneliese took a half-step, ready to leave—


    Then Martha added, casually, "Perfect timing. I''m having coffee with Elizabeth and Jonathan''s wife right now."


    Anneliese could confront Elizabeth without blinking. She had little patience left for Martha either, especially after being maneuvered into this meeting.


    But Penelope was different.


    Anneliese respected her deeply.


    And so, she stopped.


    On the other end of the line, Penelope and Derek had just returned to Oceaton after visiting friends. Martha had mentioned earlier that she was in town on


    vel


    nned to stop


    by,


    business and penelope had called


    which wou


    why


    as soon as she got home?


    She had not expected to hear Elizabeth and Anneliese mentioned in the same breath.


    Elizabeth''s recent attempts to pressure her and Derek into


    intervening in Jonathan''s handling of the Hoff family were still fresh in her mind. The two elders had refused outright.


    Now, hearing this, Penelope understood immediately.


    Her voice cooled. "Hand the phone-"


    She intended to speak directly to Anneliese and confirm whether she had been wronged.


    Before the sentence finished, Elizabeth reached over and snatched the phone from Martha''s hand.


    "Mom, there''s something serious about Anneliese I need to tell you and Dad," Elizabeth said sharply. "Can wee over right now?"


    As she spoke, her gaze locked onto Anneliese, mockery and hostility sharpening in


    her eyes.


    On the other end, Penelope felt a familiar pressure rise at her temples. She pressed her fingers to her brow. "Give the phone to Anneliese."


    At the sound of Penelope''s controlled, authoritative tone, Elizabeth''s face darkened further.