?Chapter 330:


    The jeep pulled away the instant his feet touched the pavement.


    Stars scattered across the night sky by the time Elena reached home, the clock nearing five in the morning.


    She had expected the Harper household to be wrapped in slumber, but to her surprise, Jolie and Alexander sat alert on the sofa. Their expressions melted into relief at the sight of her.


    Elena paused in the doorway, her voice tinged with confusion. “Why are you sitting in the living room?”


    Jolie’s eyes were rimmed with red, dark circles forming shadows beneath them.


    Alexander’s face was rough with stubble from his extended vigil.


    Jolie hurried to Elena’s side, concern evident despite her attempt to sound casual. “Your dad and I couldn’t sleep, so we came to sit in the living room waiting for you. Why are you back sote? You should have had the drivere pick you up.”


    Something unfamiliar stirred in Elena’s heart—a warmth spreading through her chest like honey.


    She had been absent all night, and clearly, they had remained awake, consumed with worry over her whereabouts.


    Elena had grown ustomed toplete independence; in the past, she could vanish for days on end, and the Reed family would scarcely notice her absence.


    The realization that Jolie and Alexander had spent the night anxiously awaiting her return caught her off guard.


    With genuine remorse coloring her voice, Elena said, “I’m sorry, Mom, Dad. I was with a friend and forgot to tell you. Next time, I’ll be sure to let you know when I go out.”


    Tension melted from Jolie’s expression as she reached out to stroke Elena’s soft hair with maternal tenderness.


    “Your safety is all that matters. Go upstairs and rest.”


    Earlier, anxiety had knotted in her stomach, fearing Elena might interpret her concern as overbearing control.


    Fortunately, Elena proved remarkably understanding.


    After a full night’s sleep, Elena woke to find sunlight streaming through her curtains, the clock already showing nine in the morning.


    She freshened up and descended the stairs, Samira’s voice drifting up from below before Elena even reached thending.


    “Louis, you really should take better care of Elyse,” Samira said, her tone honeyed yet insistent. “She dreams of entering the entertainment industry, and since you’re an award-winning actor, who better to guide her path?”


    Louis sat across from Samira, one leg crossed elegantly over the other, wearing a smile that never quite reached the depths of his eyes. His tone remained deceptively casual. “What exactly do you want me to do, Samira?”


    At this, Samira’s face illuminated with a triumphant smile.


    She sped Elyse’s delicate hand and turned to Louis. “It’s simple. Just secure her a lead role in a movie or TV series.”


    As if lead roles were as easily dispensed as free samples at a grocery store.


    Louis regarded Elyse with a half-smile that revealed nothing of his thoughts.


    Elyse perched beside Samira, having remained silent since the conversation began, her expression carefully neutral.


    .


    .


    .