?Chapter 709:


    The thought alone pulled a scowl across Elyse’s face. How could Elena be so shameless? She had already taken Wesley, and now she had her sights set on Keith too.


    Bitterness clouded Elyse’s eyes as she red at Elena. “You’re refusing to hand over the vi because you want to drive a wedge between me and Keith, right? Well, let me save you the trouble—whatever scheme you’re plotting, it won’t work. Keith would never look at you that way!”


    A subtle shift crossed Keith’s face. Was it possible that Elena had feelings for him?


    While Keith generally preferred women who were more subdued and sweet, like Elyse, he couldn’t deny that Elena’s elegant demeanor and striking looks were somewhat attractive.


    Sensing Keith’s slight change in attitude, a wave of jealousy washed over Elyse. Her fears were confirmed—Elena was indeed attempting to lure Keith away.


    Elyse’s gaze, full of envy, settled on Elena, who stood there covered in a trench coat that highlighted her slim waist and showcased her delicate corbone and long neck with poised elegance.


    Beside her, all the effort Elyse had poured into perfecting her look only made her seem loud and tasteless.


    Elyse’s jealousy intensified, and she clenched her teeth, struggling to maintain herposure.


    “You wretch! Raised in some backwater town, ustomed to crudeness, involved with numerous men, and gued by scandalous leaks. Even if cleared by the press, your sullied reputation remains. No one in the would marry someone so disgraced as you. Forget about Keith!” Elyse hurled her usations, her gaze fierce with the urge to ruin Elena’s beauty.


    “Shut your mouth!” Jolie’s voice cut through the tension as her hand mmed against the wooden armrest of the chair. Breathing heavily with rage and usually the picture ofposure, she found it unbearable to listen to the baseless nder against her daughter.


    Jolie dered, “The Harper family will not permit such vicious smears!”


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    She turned to the butler. “Summon the police immediately!”


    Initially, Jolie had intended to give Elyse onest chance, seeing her as merely disobedient. But it was clear her leniency had been misced. The list of potential charges—forcing a signature on a contract, trespassing, extortion, defamation—could see Elyse facing years behind bars.


    Undeterred, Elyse scoffed. “Think carefully, you old hag. My fiancé is the deputy mayor’s son. Calling the police would offend the deputy mayor. You’re the ones who will regret this, not me.”


    Elyse felt secure, confident that no one in the’s legal system would dare challenge her.


    “Is that so?” Elena responded coldly. “His father may hold that title, but he is not the only child.”


    Elena smirked. Without Keith’s support, would Elyse still be so bold? Seeing Elyse bossing around with Keith’s influence, Elena was determined to sabotage that advantage first.


    Keith’s calm facade slipped, revealing a flicker of panic beneath. How could Elena possibly know about his father’s illegitimate child?


    Elyse continued boasting relentlessly, yet Keith felt a cold dread creeping over him at Elena’s knowledge.


    “Enough!” Keith yelled at Elyse, his eyes darting anxiously toward Elena as he struggled to quell his growing unease. It seemed impossible that Elena could know. She had to be bluffing. His father’s secret about the illegitimate son was tightly guarded. No one outside their inner circle could have discovered it.


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