Chapter 483
Chapter 483
“Oh God, what am I going to do?” Eli was in a full-blown panic. She kept jabbing the elevator buttons, as if pressing them again and again would make the doors close faster and carry her straight to her floor.
She couldn’t imagine how furious her mother would be. All she could do was hope-desperately-that Selena wouldn’t be too angry about what she’d done. She had finally managed to get Riana to agree to meet her. She would do everything she could to persuade the woman, to make sure they were allowed to move into the main
house.
Just like her mother wanted.
The moment the elevator doors slid open, Eli broke into a half-run. She hurriedly entered the passcode at the door, whispering a prayer that her mother could still be reasoned with.
But it was useless.
The instant she stepped inside, Selena was already there-waiting. She stood without a smile, without the warmth that usually softened her gaze. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her face tense and cold. That look alone made Eli’s stomach twist painfully.
“Where have you been?” Selena asked flatly.
Eli swallowed. “School p>
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“Don’t lie to me,” Selena cut in sharply. “I know where you went.
Eli froze. Her heart slammed against her ribs. “I… I was just meeting a friend p>
“A friend?” Selena stepped closer. “Or Josh Miller p>
The name was spoken casually, but it hit Eli like a blow. She lifted her head, stunned. Over and over, the same question echoed in her mind—how did her mother know who she’d met?
“Answer me, Eli. Don’t make me lose my patience,” Selena said, her tone sharp enough to raise goosebumps.
Eli could only lower her head in fear. Her hands clenched together, fingers digging into each other as she tried- vainly to steady herself. Finally, she forced the words out. “Yes, Mom p>
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“How dare you,” Selena’s voice rose. “You lied to me. You said you had school activities and an extracurricular meeting. And what were you really doing p>
“I’m sorry,” Eli whispered. “I really am p>
“What made you think you were free to meet anyone you wanted? Especially Josh Miller? Do you even know who he is p>
“I only met him to talk, Mom,” Eli said softly. Her voice trembled, but she tried to stay calm. “There were things we needed to discuss. Didn’t you ask me to meet Josh too p>
“And did meeting Josh give you any results?” Selena let out a short, humorless laugh. “I gave you a chance, and you wasted it p>
“This time I succeeded, Mom. I really did,” Eli insisted. “And we only talked about school. It wasn’t even for long p>
“Not for long?” Selena laughed again, cold and sharp. She pointed at Eli’s phone. “Do you know I can track where you go? How long you stay in one place? And who you meet p>
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Chapter 483
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Without realizing it, Eli’s hands clenched into fists. “You… you’re monitoring me?” “Why?” Selena snapped, glaring at her. “You don’t like me doing this to you p>
“But I didn’t do anything wrong p>
“In my eyes, you did,” Selena replied coldly. “You disobeyed me p>
Eli drew in a deep breath. “My conversation with Josh had results. Just like I told you, Mom. I finally managed to meet Riana p>
That made Selena pause.
“What?” she asked, her voice dropping a notch.
“Josh said,” Eli continued quickly, as if she’d finally found solid ground, “he’s already asked GrandMom for some time. She’s going to meet me p>
For a split second, Eli hoped that would be enough-to calm Selena down, to make her efforts count after failing so completely before. But Selena only stared at her for a long moment, then curved her lips into a faint smile-a smile that carried no warmth at all.
“And you think that justifies your lies?” she asked.
Eli froze. “I just p>
“You humiliated me,” Selena cut in. “You acted like you knew what was best, when in fact, you know nothing p>
Selena’s hand lifted on instinct, her anger spilling over before she could stop it. She hadn’t expected Eli to lie to her. Maybe if things were still the same as before, Selena would have been satisfied with Eli’s efforts this time. But the original plan was no longer in motion. They had already decided what would happen next.
So… Eli’s actions were pointless.
What a waste.
Selena’s hand swung forward with full force, aimed straight at Eli’s face. Eli squeezed her eyes shut on reflex- but the slap never came. Selena’s hand stopped midair, trembling, then slowly dropped back to her side. She let out a long breath and turned her face away.
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