Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 291

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The usually stern and cold Zane softened the moment his eyes landed on Elysia. His sharp features relaxed, and

a gentle smile spread across his face. It had been a while since he'd last seen her after the reunion party.

“Not entirely,” his smooth voice replied, lingering in Elysia’s ears.

She looked into Zane’s eyes, sensing there was more to his words. Just as she was about to ask, Alice’s voice

rang out behind her. “Elysia!

Elysia turned to see Alice running toward her, her face lit up with joy. But the moment Alice noticed Zane, her

smile vanished, replaced by a scowl. She looked like a little storm cloud, clearly unhappy.

Alice stepped in front of Elysia, shielding her protectively as she glared at Zane. “Zane, this tElysia is on my

side. Don’t even think about winning her over!”

Then she turned to Elysia, her expression shifting from fierce to pitiful in an instant. Her eyes glistened with tears

as she tugged on Elysia’s hand. “Elysia, you promised me. You can’t go back on your word.”

Elysia glanced at Zane, who remained expressionless, before nodding. “Don’t worry. | keep my promises.”

At that, Alice's face brightened, and she threw her arms around Elysia. “I knew you'd take my side! You're the

best, Elysia!” she chirped, her voice dripping with satisfaction. ‘Serves Zane right for leavingout of the party.

This is his punishment,’ Alice thought.

Alice wasn't a little kid anymore. She knew Zane had feelings for Elysia, and if Elysia ignored him, it would

definitely sting. ‘Let him taste a bit of the loneliness | felt when he leftbehind, Alice thought.

That said, she didn’t actually want to ruin their relationship. But Zane had gone too far this time, and she

couldn't let it slide. A little punishment wouldn't hurt Zane.

Zane, who had been standing there with a neutral expression, suddenly darkened when he saw Alice hugging

Elysia. ‘Since when is it okay for her to hug my Elysia? | haven't even dared to do that, he thought.

His

gaze fell on Alice’s arms wrapped around Elysia, and his voice turned icy. “If you don’t let go right now, I'll send

you back to Morgania.”

Alice finally looked at Zane, her smile completely gone. Though she felt a twinge of fear, she refused to show it.

She pouted; her face full of defiance.

“Zane, if you really sendback, Auntie won't let you off the hook. And Great-Grandpa-he lovesso much. If

you sendaway, he'll definitely give you an earful,” Alice said.

Zane didn’t seem fazed. His brow furrowed slightly. “I'm not scared. So go ahead, keep hugging her. Once | send

you back to Morgania, you won't even get to see Elysia anymore.”

Alice thought, ‘He's so mean!"

When Alice still didn’t let go, Zane raised an eyebrow. “Still not letting go? Do you really wantto send you

back?”

At that, Alice immediately released Elysia, muttering under her breath. “No need to be so harsh. | was going to

let go anyway.”

Elysia watched the two of them, feeling like Zane had been acting strangely. ‘Is he really jealous of his own

niece?” she thought, her gaze lingering on Zane with a hint of curiosity.

Zane noticed her looking and met her eyes, catching the subtle shift in her expression. Something in his chest

fluttered faintly.

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Chapter 291

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“Elysia, can we go see Great-Grandpa together later?” Alice asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ‘Once we

see Great- Grandpa, I'll list out all of Zane’s wrongdoings one by one. Let's see how he acts tough then!” she

thought, feeling quite pleased with herself.

Even if Alice hadn't brought it up, Elysia had been planning to visit Vincent after returning from Jorlandia. But

before she could agree, Zane spoke up. “Grandpa's in Jorlandia for an academic conference. He'll be back

tomorrow,” he explained.

At that, Alice deflated like a balloon. Her perfect plan had just fallen apart. She pouted for about three seconds

before another idea struck her. She grabbed Elysia’s arm, her eyes wide with hope. “Elysia, can | go back with

you? Please?” she pleaded.

When Elysia didn’t respond immediately, Alice leaned in closer and whispered, “Elysia, | don’t want to go back

and face Zane’s icy glare. Please takewith you. I'm begging you!”

Elysia hesitated. “Taking Alice right under Zane’s nose? That's going to be tricky, she thought.

Seeing Elysia’s hesitation, Alice quickly cup with another plan. “If you won't takewith you, then come

back with me. Anywhere is fine as long as you're there,” she said, her voice loud enough for Zane to hear.

Zane, who had been listening quietly, chimed in. “I think Alice has a point,” he said, giving Alice an approving

look.

Alice, however, wasn’t doing this for Zane. She just couldn’t stand being around Zane’s cold demeanor. ‘Living

under the sroof as him is just too much, she thought.

To seal the deal, Alice grabbed Elysia’s hand again, her eyes welling up with tears. “Elysia, please cback

with me. I'm so pitiful.” She whimpered, letting a few tears slip down her cheeks.

Elysia knew Alice was probably exaggerating, but seeing the girl cry made her uncomfortable. She sighed and

tapped Alice's forehead lightly. “You're impossible,” she said with a soft smile.

“Does that mean you're saying yes?” Alice asked, her tears magically disappearing.

“Do | have a choice with you like this?” Elysia replied, shaking her head.

Alice's face lit up with joy. She knew Elysia wouldn't leave her hanging. She linked arms with Elysia and led her

to the Maybach. Zane watched them, a faint smile playing on his lips. ‘Finally, Alice is being useful for once,’ he

thought.

He walked around to the driver's side, got in, and started the car. As they drove off, none of them noticed the

pair of eyes watching them from a distance, filled with jealousy and resentment.

As Bianca stepped out of the school gates, her eyes landed on a familiar figure. It had been a long tsince

she'd seen Elysia around campus. ‘So the rumor from this morning was true after all. She's really back,’ she

thought.

Her mind immediately flashed to Justin, who had been seen carrying a stack of notebooks out of the classroom

earlier that day. ‘Was that for Elysia? But then why did he bring all the notebooks back untouched?’ Bianca

wondered.

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