Elizabeth''s list of reasons sounded neat enough, but none of them felt real to Anneliese.


    She met Elizabeth''s eyes. "Oh? That''s strange. You used to favor Selina, didn''t you? Don''t tell me you never saw what she really was."


    Her tone stayed steady, but there was an edge beneath it. "Selina''s an illegitimate daughter who faked her way into a wealthy life. Her looks and skills are below mine, and her background and morals are worse. Yet you were satisfied with her. So let''s not pretend those reasons you just gave are the truth."


    Elizabeth hadn''t expected her to hit that hard. Her gaze faltered for a split second.


    Anneliese took a step forward. "Seems to me, you prefer a daughter-inw you can control. Someone soft, someonepliant. If that''s the case, my past and my background should make me a perfect fit. But you still want to tear us apart. Why is that?"


    Her eyes narrowed slightly.


    "Or maybe, Mrs. Fullbuster, you''re scared. What exactly is it that you''re afraid of?"


    Elizabeth gave a short, icyugh. "Afraid? Don''t tter yourself. I just don''t like you. You''ve got a sharp mouth and no respect for me. Why would I keep someone like you around to irritate me?"


    With that, she walked right past and into the vi.


    Anneliese''s brow furrowed as she watched her go.


    She had been studying every flicker of expression on Elizabeth''s face, but there wasn''t a trace of panic or guilt.


    Back when the fire happened, there had only been three people in the vi— Elizabeth, her husband, and Jonathan. If Elizabeth had nothing to hide, why get so defensive? Why push so hard to break her and Jonathan apart?


    That made her very suspicious, though; it was still possible that Elizabeth just despised her.


    Anneliese stepped inside as Jonathan came down the stairs with Zion.


    "Jonathan, I need to speak to you privately. Let''s go to the study," Elizabeth said as


    she moved toward the staircase.


    Jonathan raised his hand, stopping her.


    Elizabeth frowned, puzzled.


    He didn''t even look at her. His eyes went straight over her head, locking on Anneliese instead.


    "Baby," he said, his tone low but firm. "Come here."


    Anneliese picked up her pace.


    As she reached him, Jonathan extended his hand. She ced hers in his, and he immediately drew her in watil she stood right beside him, shoulder to shoulder.


    He turned his gaze to Elizabeth. "If you''ve got something to say, we can talk in the living room. I still need to help my wife with piebakingter."


    Elizabeth''s expression hardened. "Jonathan, is this really how you treat your own mother?"


    Jonathan''s tone chilled. "If you can''t stand being here, leaving is always an option." Elizabeth hadn''t expected him to humiliate her like that, not in front of Anneliese and Zion.


    Her throat tightened, the words stuck like a heavy stone she couldn''t swallow.


    But she forced herself to remember why she came. It was for the Hoff family.


    Without Fullbuster Group''s backing, they wouldn''t even be able to keep up their polished fa?ade.


    She swallowed her pride and turned to Anneliese. "Get us some refreshments."


    Anneliese thought that as thedy of the house, it was only polite to treat Elizabeth like any guest and offer her tea.


    She took a step forward, but Jonathan slipped an arm around her waist and stopped her.


    He guided her down to sit beside him on the couch, while Elizabeth froze at the foot of the stairs.


    After two seconds of tense silence, Elizabeth turned and sat stiffly in the single armchair opposite them.


    Her cold gaze fell on Margot, then on Zion.


    Sensing the tension, Margot quickly headed toward the kitchen to prepare tea.


    Zion nced at Jonathan, who gave him a slight nod, and Zion followed her out.


    Only the three of them remained. Elizabeth parted her lips, but the humiliation was thick in her throat.


    Jonathan''s hand stayed firm on Anneliese''s waist, his expression calm andposed. Anneliese sat straight beside him poised and confident, perfectly at ease in her role as mistress of the house.


    The idea of having to humble herself in front of a daughter-inw she despised


    made Elizabeth''s chest tighten.


    She adjusted her face and spoke again. "Jonathan, you should have gone to your uncle''s for New Year''s They even hosted a banquet for you. They were disappointed you didn''te, but they still care. They sent you a gift through me."


    She reached into her purse, but before she could take anything out, Jonathan''s cold


    voice interrupted.