Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 284

Hearing this, Holden finally realized, ‘Yeah, that made sense. If Phoebe was Elysia’s friend, then of course Elysia

would know her well. So, her silence earlier wasn’t doubt; it was confirmation.

Once he figured that out, Holden felt much better. Elysia didn’t say much, just smiled softly at her brothers. “I'm

heading to my room now,” she said. After they nodded, she got up and made her way upstairs.

When Elysia pushed open the door to her room, Phoebe immediately stretched out her leg tically. “Elysia,

you're finally here! I've been waiting for you forever,” she said, throwing a playful wink her way.

“Did spending all that tat the police station mess with your head?”

Phoebe pouted. “Elysia, | was being a hero, okay?”

“I know you were,” Elysia replied, lying down beside Phoebe. Her face was calm, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as

if deep in thought.

Seeing her like this, Phoebe dropped the playful act. She propped herself up on one elbow, studying Elysia’s

face. “Elysia, you've been acting kind of weird today.”

Elysia smirked, her tone light. “Weird how? Is it because I didn’t fall for your little games?”

Phoebe huffed, flopping back onto the bed. “I don’t know if you're falling for anything, but I'm confident in my

charm.”

“Oh, really?” Elysia teased, turning her head to look at Phoebe.

“Of course,” Phoebe said, her gaze lingering on Elysia. But when she saw the playful glint in Elysia’s eyes, she

felt a little self- conscious. “Anyway, most people can’t resist me. Except you, obviously, because we're so close.

Otherwise, you would've been flustered by now.”

Phoebe spoke with such seriousness that Elysia couldn't help but laugh. ‘Where did Phoebe learn all this?‘ Elysia

thought, shaking her head.

“What are you laughing at?” Phoebe demanded, narrowing her eyes.

“Nothing,” Elysia said, still smiling.

Phoebe didn’t press further. She snuggled closer, wrapping her arms tightly around Elysia’s arm. “Whatever

you're laughing at, you're mine tonight.” Elysia tilted her head to look at her, a faint smile playing on her lips,

but she didn’t say a word.

“Elysia, do you know how much I've missed you since you left Silverstream?” Phoebe’s voice softened, her

playful tone fading. “We grew up together, promised we'd never be apart. But you broke that promise, always

leavingbehind.”

Phoebe’s voice was calm, her face expressionless, but her words brought Elysia’s memories rushing back to their

five years old. Elysia had been lying on a tree branch, while Phoebe stood below, her eyes wide and watery.

“Elysia, do you think we'll ever be apart?”

“Do you want to be?” Elysia had asked, swinging her legs lazily.

“Of course not. | want us to be together forever, never separated.”

“Okay, then we'll never be apart.”

The memory of their childish voices echoed in Elysia’s mind. She looked at Phoebe lying beside her, now so calm

and composed, and realized how deeply Phoebe had held onto those words all these years.

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Chapter 284

When Elysia was ten, she tested into Harfard University and left for Morgania. Phoebe had smiled and waved her

off at the Silverstream entrance. But now, thinking back, Elysia wondered if Phoebe had been hiding her

sadness.

When no one was looking, she probably cried, Elysia thought, her chest tightening. Over the years, Elysia had

been constantly on the move, and she had broken that childhood promise.

“Elysia, | don’t blyou, Phoebe said softly, tightening her grip on Elysia’s arm. ‘You've always been so smart. |

knew you couldn't stay Silverstream long.” She paused, her voice barely above a whisper. “Elysia, I've missed

you so much.”

Phoebe rambled on, her voice growing softer and softer until, well past midnight, she finally fell asleep. Elysia

carefully sat up, pulling the blanket over Phoebe before lying back down, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, lost in

thought.

Earlier, when Elysia had returned from the Shelton residence, she had received a video call from Eric. On the

screen were the familiar faces of Class 6, their voices bright and cheerful.

“Elysia, how have you been lately?”

“Elysia, when are you coming back? Without you, we've lost all motivation to study.”

“Elysia, we've missed you so much while you've been away.”

Seeing their sincere smiles, the words of refusal caught in Elysia’s throat. They were all eagerly waiting for her to

return. She thought about what Jack, her great-grandfather, had told her. Maybe she could relive her student

days-not many people got a chance like that.

Over the past few days, Elysia had thought a lot. Ever

decision she made seemed to pull her back toward Sivro. That city held so many memories for her. Both the

good and the bad had started there. Perhaps, she already had her answer.

Closing her eyes, scenes from her tin Sivro flashed through her mind, vivid and clear. That night, sleep

eluded her until late. When she finally opened her eyes the next morning, Phoebe was still sound asleep beside

her.

Carefully, Elysia slipped her hand out of Phoebe’s grasp, got dressed, and left the Evans residence.

She went for a morning run, eventually stopping in front of Jim's estate. Standing before the heavy gates, she

didn’t ring the doorbell. Instead, she waited patiently outside.

As the sky began to lighten, the gates finally opened, and a black car drove out. Behind the wheel was Jim.

Noticing her, he stopped the car and rolled down the window, his brow furrowing as he met Elysia’s cold gaze.

“Elysia, what are you doing here?”

“I cspecifically to give you a warning.”

At her words, Jim's frown deepened, his expression darkening. ‘A warning? What kind of warning?‘ he wondered.

Before he could ask, Elysia continued, her voice calm but firm. “Jim, the things you've done-others might not

know, but | do. I'm advising you to stop dabbling in shady business.

Otherwise, you might need to think carefully about whether your underhanded tactics can stand up to mine. My

methods are far more ruthless than yours.” She emphasized the last sentence, her tone sharp and unyielding.

From the subtle hints she dropped at the last banquet to this direct warning, Jim was now certain that Elysia

knew something. ‘But what exactly did she know?‘ he wondered.

He stared into her eyes, trying to find any clue, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't detect even a

flicker of

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Chapter 284

emotion. Instead, the overwhelming aura the exuded murde him oneasy. How can a ghost from t commanding

presence? he wondered.

Forcing himself to stay calm, Jim put on his usual mask, squeezing out a smile and patarting to be rude or are

you talking about? | don’t understand

“Don’t you understand?” Elysia’s expression remained indifferent, her tone almer playth That's for fiver they the

conversation, Jim. Remind yourself constantly what you should and shouldn't dev

My eyes will be on you at all times. If you ever cross the line, don’t blme for being merciles

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