Chapter 578
Chapter 578
+25 Bonus
Chapter 578
Eli’s question made the spoon in Riana’s hand pause midair.
The silence that followed was immediate-thick, unmistakable.
Because no one answered right away, Eli shifted in her seat, suddenly self-conscious. “She usually tells me,” she added softly. “But she hasn’t sent me a single message since this morning.” Her voice wasn’t demanding. It wasn’t panicked. Just confused. She only wanted to know-so why everyone was looking at her like that?
“Did… did I ask something wrong p>
Daven was the first to move.
He turned toward her, his expression composed, steady. The last thing he wanted was for her to grow anxious or worse, to suspect that something was being deliberately hidden from her.
“Your mother has some business to take care of outside,” he said evenly, his tone calm but gentle. “She may not be coming home tonight p>
Eli blinked, her brows knitting together. “But… where? She usually tells me p>
Daven exhaled quietly. “It’s related to colleagues you don’t know p>
She held his gaze for a long moment, searching his face. Then, slowly, she nodded-as if accepting that perhaps her mother truly hadn’t been able to send word. After that, she lowered her head and resumed eating.
“You don’t need to worry,” Daven added, just to ease whatever might still be stirring inside her.” Everything is fine p>
Eli looked up again.
For a brief second, something flickered in her eyes-uncertainty. As if she were trying to determine whether he was hiding something. Lying, maybe.
But his ocean-blue gaze remained steady, open, unwavering.
And suddenly, she felt foolish for doubting him.
“All right,” she said quietly. “Thank you p>
Lydia, seated not far from her, offered a gentle smile and rested a reassuring hand on Eli’s shoulder. The news about Selena Ward had shaken everything outside these walls-the confession from Noel Abraham, Harold’s arrest. Lydia had confirmed the truth of it with Cale earlier.
It was Cale who had ordered that no one in the house turn on the television or browse the internet since
morning-to prevent exactly this kind of moment.
Now Lydia understood why.
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Chapter 578
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“You can sit with me later,” she said lightly. “I’d love to hear about your vocal
Eli nodded, her smile widening just a little. “Okay, Aunt Lydia p>
Ching.
Grace let out a small yawn. Josh merely shrugged before returning to whatever was on his phone. The atmosphere didn’t fully return to its earlier playfulness-but it didn’t lose its warmth either. It was simply … quieter.
Grace was clearly tired. Josh was distracted. The adults carried their own exhaustion behind calm
expressions.
Tonight would be peaceful. After days heavy with pressure and emotion, they could finally sleep.
Nathan rose slowly. “Let’s continue our discussion in the study p>
Riana nodded. “I’ll have the staff prepare some tea p>
Daven reached for Althea’s hand, giving it a subtle squeeze-a silent reassurance that everything was under control. She squeezed back, though her heart still felt slightly heavy.
“Please,” Althea called softly to the staff. Several of them stepped forward at once.
“Yes, Mrs. Althea p>
“Take Grace and Josh to their rooms. Make sure they don’t stay up too late. And Eli…” She turned gently toward the girl. “Would you like to rest soon, or would you prefer to talk with Aunt Lydia first p>
Eli looked at Althea, slightly startled. “Um… I think I’d better go back to my room. Aunt Lydia looks really tired too. I can talk to her tomorrow p>
a’s smile widened. She gently stroked the top of Eli’s head. “All right. I’ll spend the whole day with
omorrow. I don’t have anything scheduled anyway p>
nodded, her expression brightening. “Thank you p>
One by one, the people gathered around the dining table began to disperse, retreating to their respective rooms. Chris had already left ahead of the others, reminding the staff not to disturb him until morning.
Josh and Grace were escorted upstairs after bidding Daven and Althea goodnight. Lydia and Cale lingered a while longer, savoring the quiet before eventually heading off themselves. Felicia did the same -she still had a few work matters to finish. As for Arsen, he showed no intention of returning home.
It wasn’t a problem. The house had more than enough rooms, and anything he needed could easily be provided.
Nathan led the way toward his study, Riana walking beside him, occasionally asking small, trivial questions that Nathan answered with quiet affection. Daven stayed close to Althea, attentive to every subtle sign of fatigue she might try to hide after a long day.
Nathan’s study felt noticeably calmer than the dining room. A soft yellow lamp glowed in the corner, casting warm light across polished wood and neatly arranged bookshelves.
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Riana sat down first, and Nathan took the seat beside her. Daven and Althea settled across from them.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
The silence wasn’t awkward, it was heavy. As if each of them was carefully arranging their words, searching for the least painful way to discuss a matter that ultimately involved a child who had never asked to be part of this family. A child drawn in by someone who had used her, who had planted the idea so deeply that she belonged here.
Nathan was the first to break the quiet. “We all understand how serious this situation is. If Selena hadn’t dragged innocent people into it, perhaps we’d only need to focus on the trial p>
Daven nodded. “And I think the girl is beginning to sense that something isn’t right p>
Riana agreed. “Her eyes changed when she asked earlier. She didn’t fully believe it-but she chose to accept it p>
“Maybe the atmosphere at dinner made her decide to let it go,” Althea said gently. “You know how Selena treated her. Even in front of us, Eli was often under pressure p>
Riana turned to her daughter-in-law, studying her carefully. “You’ve been paying attention from the start p>
Althea offered a small smile. “Since this morning, Eli’s been different. Brighter. More expressive about what she wants. She doesn’t hold her words back as much before speaking-though she’s still polite. Kind. Considerate p>
Daven looked at her with quiet curiosity. “You’ve been observing her closely all day p>
Major Canis
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