Chapter 17
“Ellie!”
“Ellie.”
That’s when Selene and Kane’s voices echoed down the hall.
Selene’s face was painted with worry, though it was unclear if it was for Eleanor or for Lillian.
Kane, on the other hand, wore a complex expression as he looked at Eleanor, his thoughts unreadable.
Eleanor, seeing this, simply grabbed Lillian and tossed her toward them.
She looked at Selene and Kane with an impassive face:
“Control your little monster. If she dares to cause trouble again, I won’t be so lenient.”
“And that warning applies to both of you.”
She had had enough of their incessant meddling! Enough of the trouble they brought her!
“Mom.”
Lillian whined as she threw herself into Selene’s arms.
Selene stiffened slightly. No matter how angry she was, she couldn’t bring herself to push away the daughter she had doted on for so many years. Instead, she spoke with a heavy heart:
“She’s not Ellie. I don’t care what kind of havoc you wreak outside, but you are not to harass her again, do you hear me?”
Kane continued to watch Eleanor’s retreating figure.
Down the dimly lit corridor, she appeared so fragile, so cold.
Eleanor knew Lillian’s nature well enough to realize she wouldn’t let this go easily.
After all, Lillian had always wanted to take everything from Eleanor.
Now, with Selene and Kane visiting constantly, how could Lillian endure it?
Sure enough, the very next day, Lillian returned, this time with a demolition crew in tow.
Lillian looked at Eleanor with smug satisfaction.
“Eleanor, I told you, even if you get another chance at life, I can still leave you with nothing.”
“You care about this orphanage, right? Then I’ll buy it and raze it to the ground!”
Eleanor stared at her coolly, as though she was watching a fool.
“Do you think you’re in a TV drama? Buy it and demolish it at will?”
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“Do you have the necessary permits? Are you really that reckless?”
Lillian raised an eyebrow.
“Haven’t you heard? Money can make anything happen.”
Seeing the self–satisfied smirk on her face, Eleanor realized Lillian must have some backing.
Which meant someone else was pulling the strings.
Considering this, Eleanor felt no urgency.
She didn’t even bother having the director call the police. Instead, she instructed the director to take the children back to the dormitory while she calmly sat in the courtyard, sipping her tea.
“Go ahead, demolish it. I’ll just sit here and watch.”
“You think I won’t go through with it if you stay put?”
As Lillian was about to order the demolition crew to proceed, a stern voice rang out.
“Stop!”
It was Selene, approaching with determination.
She marched up to Lillian and gave her a furious glare.
“What nonsense are you up to now? Didn’t I tell you to stay away?”
“Go home, now!”
Then Selene turned to Eleanor, offering an apology for Lillian’s behavior:
“Lillian is immature. Please, don’t stoop to her level.”
“But rest assured, I won’t let her touch this orphanage.”
“Oh, then have them leave,” Eleanor replied flatly.
Selene, however, made no move to disperse the crew or take Lillian away.
Seeing this, Eleanor seemed unsurprised. With a cold smile, she said:
“Mrs. Yates, why don’t you just tell me what you want?”
Selene seated herself opposite Eleanor.
“Ellie, dear, I mean, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“I’ve seen your artwork and know you have a real talent. I’d like to support you in pursuing your passion, send you abroad for further studies. What do you think?”
“I’m not saying staying at the orphanage is bad, but you’re young, and you shouldn’t waste your talent here. You have so much potential!”
Eleanor took in Selene’s earnest expression, but she wasn’t fooled.
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“What if I refuse? Are you going to keep using the orphanage to threaten me?”
Before Selene could awkwardly try to justify herself, Eleanor cut her off:
“Do you
think
your guilt over Eleanor’s death gives you the right to manipulate my life?”
“My life isn’t here to atone for your guilt!”
“This act of ‘doing what’s best for me‘–is it really for my benefit? Do you even know what I want?”
“If you don’t, let me tell you!”
“What I want is the peaceful life I’m living now, undisturbed by any of you!”
Selene opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.
At that moment, Kane walked over. It was unclear if he was addressing Selene or making a vow to Eleanor.
“As long as I’m here, no one will touch this orphanage.”
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