?Chapter 1031:


    Annoyance burned inside her. How could she almost feel sorry for Jeffry? That was a dangerous road—sympathy for a man was a trap, and she knew it. The reminder echoed in her mind again and again, hardening her heart. Everything that had happened traced straight back to Jeffry’s decisions. He had been the one to walk away and choose to marry another woman, and there hadn’t been a soul who’d pushed him into it. He had everything he asked for, yet he still had the audacity to stand there and act pitiful in front of her. She tightened her jaw, forcing herself to stay sharp and not be swayed.


    Once Lydia was gone, silence fell upon the two men standing in the hallway. Their eyes locked, and for a beat, the air between them crackled with tension. Jeffry’s moment of softness vanished. He met Ethan’s stare with iciness, his jaw set and expression unyielding.


    Ethan stood his ground, matching Jeffry’s energy with a quiet, unwavering strength.


    For a long moment, their gazes locked—tension simmering between them, thick with unspoken challenge. Neither man made a move to break the silence.


    Upstairs, Lydia found Elena finishing a conversation with Lara.


    Lydia had expected to run into Elena here, so the sight was no surprise. “Looks like you got the message too,” she said.


    “Yeah.” Elena gave a small nod. “I’ve made arrangements for the kids. They’ll be staying together at the Harper Group’s welfare center, and they’ll even be able to attend school as a group.”


    Relief softened Lydia’s face. “That’s honestly the best we could hope for.” Worry about the children had followed her all the way here, but it turned out Elena already had it handled.


    A brief hesitation flickered in Elena’s eyes as she recalled that Jeffry was downstairs. Clearly, Lydia and Jeffry had crossed paths.


    “Jeffry gave me a ride,” Elena said quietly. “I didn’t realize you’d be here as well.”


    Lydia paused and then waved it off. “It’s nothing. Whatever he and I had is in the past. It doesn’t matter anymore.”


    Unwilling to linger on the subject, Lydia steered the conversation away. “When will the kids be moving to the welfare center?”


    “Tomorrow morning,” Elena replied.


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    “Great,” Lydia said with a nod. “I’lle by and help you get them settled.”


    Elena had wanted to mention Jeffry’s involvement with the welfare center, but since he’d be at work tomorrow and wouldn’t be around, she decided to keep it to herself.


    In the afternoon, after parting ways with Lydia, Elena returned to Hillside Manor. Inside the quiet house, Evelyn was the only one around. Jolie hadn’t returned yet.


    Without sparing Evelyn more than a chilly look, Elena made straight for the stairs. But just as she set her foot on the bottom step, Evelyn’s voice sliced through the silence. “Hold it, Elena. I’m not done with you.” The abruptmand brought Elena to a stop.


    Without a hint of restraint, Evelyn marched over, anger etched into every line of her face. “You’ve got some real nerve, showing up here like nothing happened! Ever hear the word shame?”


    Frowning, Elena met her with a cold stare. “Watch your mouth.”


    “Oh? You did shameless things but can’t handle being called out for them?” Evelyn retorted, contempt dripping from every word. “Don’t act innocent. You wrecked my marriage with Jeffry. You really think the universe is just going to let you get away with that?”


    Her vague usations only left Elena more perplexed. “Are you serious? What are you even going on about? Who’s ruining your marriage?”


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