?Chapter 689:


    Of all the women who had imed to be the lost Elsie Lambert, none had made Carole feel as threatened as she did in that moment.


    Quickly regaining herposure, Carole looked past Ellie at Kaiden. “Kaiden…”


    “Carole, I’m staying out of this,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Ellie had already delegated the situation to Marvin, effectively removing Kaiden from the equation.


    Carole stumbled back, her body trembling with fear.


    No one in the room was willing to help her. But she refused to give up. Her life would not end here.


    Desperation sparked a memory in Carole’s mind.


    She snatched a small gold locket from her neck and thrust it toward Katharine. “Katharine,” she pleaded, “Grandfather instructed you to protect me before he passed.”


    Katharine’s face hardened. “Are you attempting to manipte me with Grandfather’s words?”


    “I just want to be safe! Grandfather said this locket signifies I belong to your family!”


    The sight of the locket stirred something in Ellie, reminding her of the silver pendant that symbolized her own parents’ love.


    After a tense moment, Katharineid out her conditions. “If I intervene, this locket and your status as our foster daughter are relinquished.”


    Carole was stunned for a moment before nodding repeatedly. “Please. Please help me!”


    Had she known the cost, she would have nned more carefully.


    Ellie observed Katharine with cold indifference. Indeed, the Lambert family remained the biggest hurdle.


    Katharine ignored Carole and pocketed the locket. She then turned to Baylee. “Miss Curtis, you are the directly affected party, and I propose to send Carole abroad tomorrow. She’ll be gone from Critport permanently. What are your thoughts?”


    “Agreed,” Baylee responded without hesitation.


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    “Baylee!” Ellie eximed. This was far too light of a punishment.


    Baylee reached for Ellie’s hand and patted it. “It’s the best solution.”


    Carole crumbled to the floor, overwhelmed by the sudden defeat. How had she be so utterly powerless?


    The answer, she realized, was simple: because of Ellie.


    She had known Kaiden first, yet Ellie became his wife. Light had once been friendly with her, but now ostracized her, favoring Ellie in her ce. Even Kaiden, who once showered her with attention, now coldly rejected her pleas—all because of Ellie.


    Tears streamed down Carole’s face as Katharine led her away.


    As the door shut, Katharine locked eyes with Baylee. Everyone thought Katharine was thanking Baylee, but Baylee knew it was a signal of their secret agreement.


    “Baylee!” Ellie burst out, her voice filled with frustration. “Letting Carole go so easily feels wrong.”


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