?Chapter 28:


    What did it matter if Ellie wasn’t his biological daughter? She was still his child. If his adopted daughter surpassed his own in excellence, had he been missing the bigger picture?


    With a sigh, Houstonmented, “Aside from not being of our blood, Ellie surpasses Demi in every way. She’s more beautiful, admired as a top socialite, and I should have chosen a more advantageous son-inw for her.” The thought of Ellie marrying Kaiden seemed like a missed opportunity.


    “Dear, what are you saying! Demi is our flesh and blood!” Litzy responded, stunned by Houston’s thoughts. “If we hadn’t revealed Ellie’s fake heiress status, wouldn’t Demi always be overshadowed? When would she ever get her chance to be with Erick?”


    “You’re just a housewife, so how can you possibly understand this?” Houston retorted sharply.


    He always believed that the most reliable assets were the tangible ones right in front of them.


    Litzy, familiar with Houston’s mindset, bit back her irritation and remarked, “But if Demi marries Erick, the alliances we’d form through our son-inw and his family would be unmatched.”


    Houston reflected for a moment before conceding, “That’s true, but it does seem like a waste to overlook Ellie’s potential.”


    Litzy’s gaze dropped as she remembered Ellie outsmarting her the day before, a trace of resentment in her eyes.


    Ellie, meanwhile, paid little attention to the ongoing gossip involving her and Demi. She was focused on an opportunity with GT Group, which was currently seeking a stylist for their new quarterly project.


    GT Group, a global powerhouse recently expanding into the domestic market, held significant influence — enough to make even the Thorpe family cautious in their approach.


    A coboration with GT Group would offer her a shield from Demi’s interference.


    As evening approached, Ellie descended the stairs to find Cayson deep in conversation with Kaiden. Upon noticing her, Cayson quickly addressed her, “Mrs. Thorpe, we were just talking about you.”


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    When Ellie moved closer, Cayson informed her, “There’s a banquet at the Thorpes’ house tomorrow, and both you and Mr. Thorpe are invited.”


    “Me?” Ellie nced at Kaiden, uncertain.


    She knew Kaiden’s rtionship with his family was strained, and their marriage was merely a facade to honor Brisa’s memory. She doubted he wanted her apanying him to the Thorpe family event.


    The invitation seemed more like a trap…


    “Not interested in going?” Kaiden asked, his expression impassive.


    “No.” Ellie shook her head.


    She firmly believed she had always been the nominal Mrs. Thorpe, especially given Kaiden’s tense ties with his family.


    The idea of visiting his family hadn’t crossed her mind. Yet, being married to him, she felt it was only right to meet his family.


    The following day, when Ellie appeared, Kaiden watched her with a quiet intensity.


    She had chosen a traditional dress, subtly adorned with a moon-white pattern, perfectly suitable for meeting the elders.


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