Chapter 501
Chapter 501
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Chapter 501
“Then I’ll see you at the house, Mr. Miller,” Selena said with a slight, polite bow. “And you don’t forget to say your goodbyes to your grandparents. Don’t let them think you don’t want to spend time with them p>
Her words made Eli turn and stare at her mother in disbelief. Even so, she did what she was told. She offered her farewell, because the meeting had truly come to an end.
A conversation that left Eli’s stomach in knots.
Because of that, the array of delicious dishes on the table suddenly tasted bland. She had no appetite at all when asked to eat and it felt like she wasn’t the only one. Nathan and Riana seemed the same.
The only person who truly enjoyed the meal was her mother. More than once, Selena smiled broadly, almost excessively. She even asked questions that felt oddly out of place for a setting like this.
“Then we’ll be going,” Selena said after Eli finished saying her goodbyes.
The door to the private dining room opened. Four men in black suits were already waiting outside-more precisely, waiting for Nathan to conclude his affairs. One of them spoke up,
“We’ve prepared a secure route for your return, Mr. Miller. Hans has also been instructed to pick up Miss Eli at the same exit p>
Nathan gave a brief nod.
They walked toward the lobby. Just as they were about to reach the restaurant’s main entrance, camera flashes erupted again, reporters’ voices colliding with one another, eager to pounce on who appeared first.
Security immediately stepped forward. “Mrs. Selena, please use the side exit. The front area is no longer safe. I’m concerned p>
Selena stopped walking. She turned slowly, fixing the guard with a controlled, faint smile.
“That won’t be necessary,” she said calmly. “I’ll go through the front. And please make sure my driver is waiting at the main lobby p>
The guard hesitated. “For your safety p>
“I’ll only say a few words,” Selena cut in, her voice gentle yet leaving no room for refusal. Her gaze shifted briefly to Nathan, who stood not far away.
“I won’t let my child be cornered,” she continued evenly. “I don’t want her to be seen as a child forcing her way into any family p>
Behind her, Eli stiffened. Her hand instinctively clutched the edge of her coat. Her heart pounded erratically. She wanted to refuse, wanted to say her mother didn’t need to say any of this-but as always, her voice dissolved before it could be born.
Nathan fixed Selena with a sharp look. “We had an agreement, Selena. No statements. Are you ignoring my warning p>
Selena turned to him. This time, her smile widened. “I won’t break our agreement, Mr. Nathan. I only want to
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Chapter 501
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clarify one small thing p>
Riana opened her mouth, about to speak, but Nathan stopped her at first. He drew in a deep breath, then gave a brief nod. “Five minutes,” he said firmly. “Not a second more p>
Selena’s smile grew even wider. “That’s enough p>
She reached for Eli’s hand, gripping it this time with deliberate pressure, forcing the girl to follow. Selena didn’t need to hear Eli’s protest-she already knew the child would resist, would hesitate.
Later.
When they were alone, Selena would issue a very harsh warning to Eli. She wouldn’t allow a plan she had carefully laid out to fall apart just because Eli’s attitude had shifted.
Damn it. This girl truly needed to be put in her place.
The lobby doors opened as Selena stepped forward with unwavering confidence. Behind her, Eli followed with her head lowered. Several restaurant security guards trailed them, ready in case anything unruly broke out. The situation had to remain controlled-no matter what.
The reporters’ voices crashed over them at once.
“MRS. SELENA p>
“IS IT TRUE THE MILLER FAMILY HAS ACCEPTED YOU p>
“WILL ELI BE LIVING IN THE MAIN HOUSE p>
“HAS ELI’S STATUS BEEN OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED p>
Selena stepped forward, positioning herself slightly ahead of Eli—a gesture that looked protective, even as it placed the girl squarely at the center of the spotlight.
“Thank you for your attention,” Selena said clearly. “I won’t be answering many questions p>
Cameras surged closer, microphones thrust forward without hesitation.
“I only want to say one thing,” she continued. “Starting today, my child and I will be living in the Miller family home. We’ve been welcomed there to live together p>
The crowd erupted instantly.
“DOES THIS MEAN ELI HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED p>
“DID THE MILLER FAMILY APOLOGIZE FOR IGNORING YOU p>
“IS THIS THE END OF THE CONFLICT p>
Selena raised a hand, signaling for silence. “Please listen until I’m finished p>
She turned slightly toward Eli, resting a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Eli has never tried to exploit anyone or cause harm. Not even once. She has never begged to be accepted. She’s just a child who wants to know who her family is p>
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El lowered her head Her face had gone palle. She could feel fines of eyes fixed on her judging very breath the But Guit crept upward castingte diet uitva tandu breathe
Her mother was textung good a vising the cur
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