?Chapter 217:


    Elena nudged Jeffry gently, silently warning him that Aria and Evelyn were watching his every move. Jeffry’s expression remained neutral as he replied, “Focus on your food. Don’t get distracted.”


    Elena withdrew her hand, sighing inwardly as she realized Evelyn’s subtle flirtations were going unnoticed.


    After a while, Evelyn’s frustration became apparent as she shot Elena an angry re. Before this visit, Evelyn had done her homework and learned that Elena was the long-lost daughter the Harper family had recently brought back from a supposed backwater vige.


    Her frustration only deepened her bias against Elena. As expected from someone raised in such humble circumstances, Elenacked refinement. At her age, she still relied on her brother to pour her water—surely she could manage it herself. Evelyn was convinced Elena was deliberately keeping Jeffry’s attention away from her.


    Evelyn had never respected Elena, believing a woman raised in a backwater vige would naturallyck sophistication. By contrast, Evelyn was a distinguished graduate of Harrington University. Since she was willing to lower herself to befriend Elena, Elena should be grateful instead of sitting there contributing nothing.


    Jolie recognized Aria’s true intentions. Aria had asked about Jeffry several times before, but with Evelyn studying abroad and Jeffry busy with work, Jolie hadn’t given it much thought. Now, with everyone gathered, she saw it as the perfect opportunity for the younger generation to get acquainted.


    Jolie said, “Jeffry, the weather is pleasant today. Why don’t you take Evelyn and her brother for a walk around?”


    Before Jeffry could respond, Evelyn interjected, “Thank you, Jeffry.” Evelyn had long known of Jeffry’s reputation as an eligible bachelor well-respected throughout the. Unlike many second-generation heirs who merely inherited family wealth, Jeffry had founded his own techpany through personal effort at a young age.


    The Harper family was known for their excellent gics and striking looks, especially Jeffry and Elena, who shared amanding presence. The moment Evelyn saw Jeffry, she decided she wanted to marry him.


    Jeffry didn’t move at first, but Jolie gave him a meaningful look, silently instructing him not to embarrass their guests. Only then did Jeffry slowly rise from his seat, gesturing for Elena and Louis to join him.


    Elena briefly nced at Matias Morgan, Evelyn’s younger brother, before dismissing him entirely. Matias followed Evelyn, initially worried Elena might say something inappropriate. When he realized she seemed not to remember him, the tension eased from his shoulders. Matias was still young, a junior in college and Javier’s ssmate. Finding the formal atmosphere around Jeffry and Louis too stiff, Matias slipped away to the neighboring house to seek Javier’spany.


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    Javier was reluctant to entertain Matias at first, but Elyse, who had been upstairs and spotted Jeffry and the others from a distance, came down to join them.


    Elyse asked, “Matias, are you here to see Javier?”


    Matias, seated beside Javier, shook his head. “I was dragged here against my will. If it weren’t for the prospect of my sister forming a marriage alliance with the Harper family, I wouldn’t havee at all.”


    Elyse raised an eyebrow. A marriage alliance? With whom, Jeffry or Louis?


    Elyse had been staying at Vince’s house for several days but hadn’t found a good opportunity to return to Alexander’s home. Today might be her chance.


    Feigning concern, Elyse suggested, “Your sister just returned from abroad and isn’t very familiar with Jeffry and Louis. Why don’t we join them so she doesn’t feel awkward as the only girl in the group?”


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