?Chapter 98:


    Elena answered nonchntly, “Just a minor issue, but it’s handled now.” She chose not to provide details, and Wesley did not pursue the matter further.


    They shared their meal in a quiet, unbroken silence.


    Elena had braced for a lunch filled with probing questions from Wesley, yet to her relief, he was genuinely focused on the meal, not once delving into her affairs.


    After dinner, Wesley finalized the signing of the contract.


    Elena epted the document and exchanged goodbyes with him.


    Later that evening, she arrived back at her home.


    As she ascended the stairs, Elyse, who had been awaiting her return, issued a challenge.


    “Elena, signing that contract doesn’t guarantee your victory. The true test wille when our new collections hit the stores. We’ll see then whose designs truly capture the market.”


    Elena couldn’t help but smile at her.


    Bertha had previously dered that the partnership would secure Leopardex for the winner. Now, with the contract in her possession, Elena noticed Elyse shifting the goalposts to focus on the product designs. Elyse’s refusal to concede was evident.


    Observing Elena’s silence, Elyse asked, “Are you frightened? Worried your designs fall short of mine? If you’re afraid, you can concede. After all, you studied abroad and might not be familiar with the domestic market. Losing wouldn’t be surprising. If you step aside, I can tell Grandma that your designs aren’t a good fit for Leopardex. It’s not your fault.”


    Elyse thought she was being clever by forcing Elena into a hasty decision. She never entertained the possibility that her own designs might fail more spectacrly.


    Elena regarded Elyse with a serene smile, as though observing a performance.


    “You think provocation will bait me into a mistake?” Elena replied. “Elyse, resorting to such base tactics—shouldn’t you feel embarrassed?”


    Elyse had never anticipated that Elena would see through her so quickly. A frown creased her brow, and her expression darkened. She worried that Elena might take the contract to Bertha, and if that happened, Leopardex would never belong to her.


    “Elena, you already have the love of our families. Why do you stillpete with me? I have nothing, and now you want to take Leopardex as well. How much further are you going to push me?!”


    Elyse finally couldn’t keep her emotions in check. If Elena hadn’te back, the love of Alexander and Jolie, the shares in Harper Group, Jeffry’s favoritism—all of it was meant to be hers!


    Elena wasn’t affected by Elyse’s attempt to manipte her emotions. She hadn’t taken anything; those things were never truly Elyse’s to begin with.


    Elena nced at her indifferently and said coldly, “I am part of the Harper family, so of course I deserve our families’ love.”


    There were souls in this world perpetually consumed by dissatisfaction. Elyse had basked in the Harper family’s wealth without a shred of gratitude, forever plotting to im it as rightfully hers.


    Now that Elyse had dropped her facade, Elena saw no reason to maintain pleasantries.


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