?Chapter 146:


    Eventually, Javier saw no other option. Elyse had offhandedly mentioned the significant value of the paintings in his father’s study. With so many paintings, he reasoned, a few missing would go unnoticed.


    After his father discovered the theft, Javier deliberately kept Elyse’s name out of the usations. This was his transgression alone, and he had never intended to…


    Javier lowered his head, his voice low and steady. “Elyse, don’t worry. I didn’t mention you. This has nothing to do with you. I’ll take full responsibility for my actions.”


    Elyse’s lips curved into a brief, triumphant smile, quickly hidden. She knew Javier would keep obeying her, as he always had.


    “Javier, I know you did this for me…” she began, ready to weave her usual maniptivefort.


    But he cut her off, his tone t and final. “Elyse, it’ste. You should go back.”


    He kept his gaze fixed firmly on the floor, hiding his expression from her.


    For a moment, Elyse waspletely taken aback. Javier had never interrupted her before. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him closely.


    Kneeling on the floor, he held himself with dignity despite his miserable state. Nearly twenty years old, he had transformed. His shoulders had broadened, and when standing, he was two heads taller than her.


    Elyse wondered if Vince’s brutal beating had sparked something in Javier—a bit of defiance, a flicker of temper.


    She dismissed the thought. Javier probably hadn’t noticed any change. After all these years, manipting him was always absurdly easy.


    Her tone softened. “If you’re tired, rest for a while. Don’t push yourself too hard.”


    Elyse gently closed the study door and moved silently back to her room.


    The viy shrouded in darkness, a solitary yellow nightlight casting a fragile glow in the study.


    An unsettling stillness filled the air.


    The wind had diedpletely, and tree branches outside cast delicate, tentative shadows against the window—like a seed pushing through dark earth, beginning its journey toward light.


    Javier couldn’t pinpoint his emotions; his mood felt heavy and low. Elena’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind. He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tight. He needed to find Elena and confront her about what she’d said.


    I??€?? ￠н?ρтε?? ?η g?lиσνε??.c?m


    As dawn broke, Samira quickly contacted the family physician to check on Javier. The previous night, she had been furious upon discovering what Javier had done. But in the end, he was still her son.


    Once her fury faded, all that remained was a deep ache in her heart. Samira berated Vince for hours. How could he be so ruthless? Did he intend to beat their son to death?


    Javier was in excruciating pain, unable to find a position that didn’t hurt. Lying on his stomach made his knees throb, while resting on his back worsened the pain there. Even turning onto his side provided little relief.


    After treating his knees with ointment, the physician examined Javier’s back. Suddenly, he made a startled noise.


    “Oh?” Samira tensed. “What is it?” she asked, her voiceced with worry.


    The physician hesitated before answering, “Someone has already applied ointment to his back.”


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