Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 288

Elysia stared at her phone, batlled by the sudden hang-up. Ava’s probably wiping away tears right now, Elysia

thought. It seemed like her joke had gone too far. ‘If | call back now to comfort her, it might only make things

worse.

Forget it. Ill just surprise her when she shows up at Class 6s door. With that thought, Elysia slipped her phone

into her pocket and went to help Jack. After escorting him back to the courtyard, she made her way to the cabin.

Pushing open the storage room door, Elysia immediately saw Zoe tied to the pillar. Her head hung low, and she

looked much thinner than before. Elysia stepped inside, and Zoe, noticing the difference in footsteps this time,

slowly lifted her head.

When she saw Elysia, a faint smile tugged at her lips. In a weak, hoarse voice, she said, “I knew you'd come

back. You wouldn't letdie.”

“Not necessarily. Who says you won't die just because I'm back?” Elysia replied coolly.

“What do you mean?” Zoe asked, her voice ing.

“Before, | kept you alive because you were still useful to me. But now.” Elysia’s eyes met hers, a sly glint in

them. “I've already caught the person behind you. You're no longer useful to me, Zoe.”

Zoe's eyes widened in shock. With what little strength she had left, she rasped, “What did you do to Ryan?”

“You're really loyal, aren’t you? Too bad, Ryan doesn’t seem to want you in this world anymore.” Zoe let out a

bitter laugh, her expression indifferent.

“So what? My life was his to begin with. If he wants it back, I'll give it to him. But if you dare lay a finger on him,

I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you regret it.”

Elysia wasn’t fazed by the threat. Instead, she chuckled. “You can barely save yourself, and yet you're still

spouting threats? You couldn't killthe first time. What makes you think you'll get another chance?”

“I'll get my chance someday!” Zoe hissed.

“Whether you'll even live to see that day is debatable. | really don’t understand how Ryan trained you so

foolish?” With that, Elysia shoved a pill into Zoe’s mouth and clapped her hands, as if she'd just accomplished

something great.

Zoe's eyes filled with panic. “What did you just give me?”

“Poison, of course. Did you think I'd give you an antidote? Dream on,” Elysia said with a smirk. Without waiting

for a response, she turned and walked out, ignoring Zoe's horrified expression.

‘Truthfully, | don’t want her dead-at least not yet. She still has her uses. Even if she isn’t particularly useful, she

can always serve as a test subject for new drugs, Elysia thought as she stepped out of the cabin.

sok

As Elysia exited, she spotted Phoebe sitting on a tree branch. She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms and

smirking. “Here to seeoff?”

Phoebe pouted. “Aren’t you leaving tomorrow? If | were here to see you off, I'd wait until then.”

“I was just worried someone might be pretending to be all calm and collected, only to cry in a corner when no

one’s looking,” Elysia said, her tone teasing.

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Chapter 288

“Uh, that ‘someone’ you're talking about isn't me, is it?” Phoebe asked, narrowing her eyes.

“What do you think?” Elysia replied, her gaze playful.

4.86%

Phoebe squirmed under Elysia’s teasing look. “That doesn’t sound likeat all. Am | really that fragile?” Phoebe

said. Even as she said it, she began to doubt herself.

‘Am | fragile? Well, maybe, perhaps, not really? Elysia always liked to tease me, but | am not fragile at all. When

have | ever lost a fight? | am a total tough girl, Phoebe thought.

Seeing Phoebe’s face scrunch up in frustration, Elysia couldn't help but laugh. “That night, someone hugged me

and spilled all sorts of old stories, including how she'd secretly cry in the dark, too afraid to let anyone see.”

Phoebe’s face turned red. “Okay, | did say a lot that night, but I definitely didn’t say anything that pathetic.”

“Are you sure about that?” Elysia raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with amusement.

Phoebe was momentarily dazed. She remembered saying a lot that night, but the specifics were fuzzy. ‘Did |

really say something like that? she wondered.

Seeing Elysia’s confident expression, she began to doubt herself. ‘Could | have actually let that slip? The more

she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. ‘How could | have said something so embarrassing?”

In truth, Phoebe hadn't said anything of the sort. Elysia had made it up. But seeing Phoebe’s reaction, Elysia

beceven more certain that Phoebe had definitely shed her fair share of tears-always in secret, of course.

Elysia’s playful smile faded as she looked at Phoebe perched on the tree branch. Her tone turned serious.

“Phoebe, do you want to cto Sivro with me?”

Phoebe blinked, caught off guard. “To Sivro?”

“Yeah. That way, we won't have to be apart. You can stay at Arcanum House, or go to Scented Garden and hang

out with Nicole. Or, if you want, | can arrange for you to cto school with me.”

Phoebe’s heart skipped a beat. ‘If | go to Sivro, Elysia and | won't have to separate,’ she thought. Without

hesitation, she jumped down from the tree and nodded with a bright smile.

“Alright, I'll go to Sivro with you. But I'm not interested in school stuff. I'll stay at Arcanum House. | can even help

you out when I'm free.”

“Deal,” Elysia said, a soft smile spreading across her lips. The promise we couldn't keep before-it starts now.

From here on out, we won't be apart,’ she thought.

sok

The next morning, Yuna arrived early, waiting by the gate in her car. When Elysia cout, Yuna quickly stepped

forward to take her luggage. Then she went to the cabin to retrieve Zoe from the storage room.

Zoe's clothes were tattered, her face pale, and her entire appearance was haggard. A faint, unpleasant odor

clung to her. “Boss, should we clean her up first?” Yuna asked. Elysia nodded, and Yuna took Zoe inside to wash

and change. When they emerged, Zoe was dressed in simple, clean clothes. Though her face was still pale, she

looked much better than before.

Yuna tied Zoe's hands and feet with rope again and shoved her into the car. Only then did Elysia speak, her to by

the way, | forgot to tell you.

sual, “Oh,

The pill | gave you yesterday-if you engage in any intense physical activity or use force, you'll bleed from all

seven orifices

and die.”

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Chapter 288

Zoe froze for a moment, then sneered. “Are you that afraid I'll kill you?”

“Do | seem afraid to you?” Elysia replied coolly. “I gave you that pill because | don’t consider you worthy of being

my opponent. I'm telling you this so you don’t die too gruesomely.”

Elysia’s words were blunt, and a flicker of disappointment crossed Zoe's eyes. ‘Not worthy of being her

opponent?’ Zoe thought bitterly. ‘Someday, I'll prove her wrong!

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