?Chapter 53:


    In the past, Jolie felt sympathy for Elyse. But now, she realized Elyse wasn’t as gentle andpliant as she had once thought. Letting out a quiet sigh, she chose not to say anything further.


    Just then, movement stirred from the bed.


    Alexander immediately stepped forward. “Mom, you’re awake!”


    A faint groan escaped Bertha’s lips, and momentster, her breathing became strained, as though something was obstructing her throat.


    The next moment, Bertha coughed up a mouthful of dark blood.


    “Mom!”


    “Grandma!”


    “Bertha!”


    The Harper family was thrown into chaos, surrounding Bertha in rm. Blood had sttered everywhere, and Jolie quickly grabbed a cloth to clean Bertha’s lips.


    Alexander leaned in and spoke softly. “Mom, how are you feeling?”


    Elena remainedposed as she exined, “That blood had been trapped in her chest for years. Now that it’s out, she’ll recover.”


    Javier charged toward Elena, attempting to seize her by the cor, but she effortlessly dodged his grasp.


    He stumbled back, barely managing to stay upright, then turned to her with fury in his eyes.


    “What did you do to my grandmother, Elena? If anything happens to her, I swear you’ll pay for it!”


    Elena’s voice was steady, almost indifferent. “You’re not capable of that.”


    There was no mockery in her tone—just a statement of fact.


    “You can’t measure up to me in terms of strength.”


    Elena was confident in her martial arts skills and had also trained in boxing.


    Javier, on the other hand, couldn’t eveny a finger on her, let alone pose a real threat. But he thought otherwise.


    “You think being a woman means I won’t fight you?” Javier scanned the room, searching for something to use as a weapon. “You harmed my grandmother—you’re dead!”


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    He reached for an antique vase, but before he could make a move, Elena had already mmed him against the wall.


    Javier struggled with all his strength, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t break free. His face flushed from exertion.


    Shocked, he stammered in defense, “I—I was just holding back!”


    Elena didn’t take his bluff seriously. Instead, she asked coolly, “Are you done?”


    If he wasn’t, she had no problem helping him settle down.


    Realizing she might actually hit him, Javier shut his mouth.


    If word got out that he lost a fight to a woman, he’d be humiliated.


    Since he offered no more resistance, Elena released him.


    Ferris watched with a smirk.


    Bertha had already coughed up so much blood—she likely wouldn’t make it.


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