Chapter 109
The single question struck Adaline dumb.
She stared at her daughter, utterly flustered.
During Elena’s entire stay, the family had visited only once–on day one, merely to interrogate her.
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They’d ignored her since; she could have died unnoticed, yet now they scolded her for changing hospitals without
notice.
Elena smiled faintly. “Tell me, Mother, did I owe you that explanation?”
Adaline tugged awkwardly at the corner of her mouth. “Elena, I’m not abandoning you, but the family’s been overwhelmed. Your sister’s scandal and your brother’s mess have dragged our company’s reputation to rock
bottom.”
“Our products are boycotted, distributors are returning stock, and the warehouse is overflowing. If this continues, Bennett Corporation will collapse!”
At the mention of the company, Adaline looked more frantic than she had when Elena lay half–dead in a hospital
bed.
Elena blinked slowly. “Mom, who do you think caused all this?
You and Annabelle drugged me and ended up taking your own medicine. If you hadn’t tried to edge me out from the very beginning, none of this would be happening.”
Adaline’s face tightened. “Push you out? If I’d wanted that, I’d have tossed you aside the day your sister returned- why keep you in the Bennett family at all?”
Julian snapped, “Annie never succeeded in drugging you, but you still uploaded that video and destroyed her
future!”
“I’ve told you again and again, I had nothing to do with that footage. If you don’t believe me, call the police–let
them investigate!”
“Y–you…!” Julian Bennett clenched his fists so hard his knuckles cracked; a fresh urge to slug someone flared in his
chest.
Beside him, Simon Whitmore shot over a single glacial look, and Julian’s fierce momentum immediately
collapsed.
Adaline cleared her throat and steered the conversation back on track, saying, “Elena, you grew up under the
Bennett roof.
We didn’t give birth to you, but you’re still family. You wouldn’t want to watch us fall into a crisis, would you?”
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Chapter 109
Elena Bennett had already guessed why they’d come; no one ever visits without a hidden agenda.
Adaline pressed on, pleading, “From one mother to another, I’m begging you–save Bennett Corporation.
“Everyone online claims your brother abused you, so issue a letter of forgiveness. Admit he only hit you because you made a mistake, and stop the cyber–bullying.”
Elena stared at them in disbelief. “You screw up, yet I’m expected to foot the bill? Admit what? First you made me take the fall for Annie, and now you want me to cover for Julian too?”
Simon Whitmore listened in stony silence; his fists tightened until veins rose, a cold murderous aura haloing his
frame.
Adaline said, “Elena, I know this wrongs you, but we truly have nowhere else to turn–fine, I’ll kneel, I’m begging
you!”
With a dull thud, she dropped to her knees.
“Please, Elena, save your brother, save the company… do it for the years Mom and Dad have raised you,” Adaline
implored.
Elena looked down at the woman kneeling before her and remembered the mother who once treated her like
glass.
Then she saw again that same mother shoving her forward to shield Annie. Turning aside, she closed her eyes and
said icily, “Leave. I will not agree.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.