?Chapter 516:
Elena’s eyesnded on childhood photos of Jeffry, Ellis, and Louis.
The three brothers lined up for the photo—Jeffry, always the mature one, stood tall in a sharp suit, his expression serious beyond his years. Ellis, calm and collected, clutched a model airne, lost in his own world. Meanwhile, Louis, the troublemaker, couldn’t resist pulling silly faces at the camera.
Bertha ran her fingers over the faded pictures, her voice thick with nostalgia. “Time flies… All of you grew up in the blink of an eye.”
Bertha turned the page, and there was Elyse.
Dressed like a little princess, Elyse stood in front of a towering three-tiered cake. The words “Happy 3rd Birthday, Princess Elyse” were scrawled across the frosting.
Bertha’s smile faltered for just a second. She stole a nce at Elena, but Elena’s face was unreadable. Without a word, Bertha quietly shut the album.
“About what happenedst time…”
Elena cut Bertha off, her voice even. “I don’t hold a grudge.”
Bertha felt a mix of relief and guilt. Elena was so considerate, yet as a grandmother, she had failed her.
Elena’s sharp eyes flicked to Bertha’s wrist. Something was missing. She kept her voice light. “Grandma, where’s your bracelet? I don’t see it today.”
Bertha’s fingers brushed over her bare wrist, her brows knitting together. “My bracelet… Where is it? Did I leave it on my dresser? Ugh, I’m getting old. My memory’s getting worse—I keep miscing things.”
That bracelet wasn’t just jewelry. It was a piece of Bertha’s heart, a symbol of the love she and her husband shared.
Bertha’s hands trembled slightly as she started looking around, worry creeping into her face. Elena ced a reassuring hand on hers. “Rx. I’ll help you find it.”
Elena didn’t have a shred of doubt—Elyse had stolen it.
With her back turned to Bertha, Elena smoothly slipped the bracelet back into the drawer and then pulled it out like she had just found it. “Got it!”
Bertha let out a relieved sigh. “Thank God. If I lost it, your grandfather would never forgive me.”
Elena gently fastened the bracelet around her grandmother’s wrist. She didn’t say a word about Elyse’s theft—or about the sickening fact that Elyse had tried to bribe the servants to drug her.
Every story starts at galn ovels ;
Bertha hadn’t been feeling welltely. Seeing this, Elena checked on her and prescribed some calming medicine.
As soon as Elena left, Elyse rushed into Bertha’s room.
“Grandma, why was Elena here so early?” Elyse asked, suspicion thick in her voice.
Bertha kept her eyes closed and didn’t respond.
Elyse’s expression turned cold. Bertha’s silence said it all—Elena must have spilled everything! That damn girl! Her uncles couldn’t find out about this—no matter what!
Elyse hadn’t slept a wink. Her mind was a tangled mess, frustration wing at her nerves. She was on edge, barely holding it together.
A servant entered, holding a bowl of steaming herbal medicine. “Mrs. Harper, it’s time for your medicine. Elena said you should drink it while it’s warm—otherwise, it will turn bitter.”
“Medicine?” Elyse’s voice sharpened with agitation. “Wait. This is from Elena?”
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