?Chapter 363:


    With a polite nod, she addressed him, “Thank you. I can serve myself, though.”


    Wesley’s forehead wrinkled in concern. “Do you not enjoy honey-zed ribs?”


    “I do enjoy them,” Elena replied, her tone appreciative yet firm. She had always been fond of honey-zed ribs.


    Meanwhile, Jeffry couldn’t help but feel a spark of amusement at Wesley’s thwarted attempt to charm. It was an unusual sight—Wesley, always so poised, now clumsily vying for a woman’s favor.


    Initially, Jeffry had feared Elena might find herself in difort, but his concerns were evidently unfounded. Unaware of Wesley’s underlying intentions, Elena had unwittingly set a higher hurdle for him to clear.


    The following morning, Benjamin and Cecily were stationed at the entrance of Hillside Manor well before sunrise.


    Alexander’s strict orders had barred the Reed family from entering Hillside Manor, leaving Benjamin and Cecily with no choice but to linger by the gates.


    Their patience paid off when they finally spotted Elena appearing.


    Cecily, her face brightening with eagerness, quickly approached. “Elena, atst, we’ve caught you. Now that you’re woven into the Harper family fabric, it’s be so hard to glimpse even a shadow of you!” she eximed as she sped Elena’s hand.


    Elena’s face twisted in revulsion, and she swiftly withdrew her hand.


    The Reed family again? Their persistence was exasperating.


    With a frosty demeanor, Elena retorted, “I have no ties with you now. Why do you insist on haunting this ce?”


    “What do you mean, no ties?” Cecily argued, her voice a mix of indignation and pain. “The love and care we showered you with during your upbringing aren’t bonds you can simply cut through!”


    Benjamin’s brow creased in frustration as he scolded, “Yourck of grace is appalling. We nurtured you, and that’s not a connection you can just erase. We’vee all the way from Foiclens just to deliver this invitation, and you greet us with such disdain? Won’t you even invite us inside?”


    Benjamin tried to assert his authority at the gate of Hillside Manor, but no one paid any attention to his efforts.


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    Elena observed him with a frosty demeanor, hands tucked into her pockets.


    Benjamin grew increasingly agitated by the overt disrespect he faced. “Must I repeat myself? I said, let us in!”


    Elena’s face remained expressionless. “Fine,e in then.” Benjamin couldn’t help but feel a rush of triumph. It seemed Elena finally recognized her mistakes and was now ready to give in to their demands. His facial expression eased slightly.


    Just as Benjamin was about to step inside, a security guard stepped out. “You need to leave now!”


    Benjamin’s lips pursed in displeasure. “What are you doing? I’m an honored guest of the Harper family. How dare you stop me?”


    The security guard impatiently responded, “You are permanently prohibited from entering Hillside Manor. Leave immediately, or I will be forced to act.”


    The guard’s scornful eyes swept over Benjamin and Cecily. It was bold of them to im to be honored guests of the Harper family, especially considering they had shown up uninvited. Alexander had made it clear long ago that no member of the Reed family would be allowed entry, and that ban would remain in ce indefinitely.


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