Chapter 39
Expressionless, Elena kept rating she wanted to see exactly what they were up t
After breakfast, the two of them drove in the mall.
Adaline headed straight for the priciest couture boutique and chose an outfit for Elena. Once Elena had changed in the fitting even glancing at the mirror,
Adaline paid without
With a perfunctory smile, Adaline praised, “My daughter is still so beautiful–anything looks good on you. Don’t bother changing back, keep the new clothes on.”
She seemed in a hurry, locking arms with Elena as they strode out of the mall.
In the car, Adaline glanced at her watch again and again, as though racing the clock
Elena knew this sudden kindness had strings attached, yet she said nothing, turning her face to the window.
Soon the car stopped in front of a commercial high–rise.
Adaline smiled. “Elena, your brother and father are upstairs. Let’s have lunch together after this
Adaline’s hand remained wrapped around Elena’s, her gaze soft and motherly.
They wound through several corridors after leaving the elevator, and Adaline pushed open a door,
The door swung wide, and a barrage of flashbulbs ignited, rows of reporters filled the room.
Onstage, Lawrence Bennett sat flanked by his son and daughter.
Elena whipped her head toward Adaline in shock.
Adaline drew a deep breath, squeezed Elena’s hand, and murmured, “Elena, I’m sorry I brought you here without warning Rumors are everywhere, so we have to clear the air–and Victor’s engagement to Annabelle should be clarified too.”
Achill spread through Elena’s chest. So that dazzling new outfit was for today’s press conference–a prop to show the world how cherished the Bennetts foster daughter supposedly was.
Adaline kept hold of her hand as they took their seats.
Adaline whispered, “Let us do the talking–you just need to cooperate”
Elena let out a soft laugh. “You really went to great lengths to get me here. For a moment I almost thought we’d gone back to the old days
Adaline forced a small, embarrassed smile.
The press conference began, and Elena Bennett finally witnessed the Bennett family’s Oscar–worthy acting firsthand.
Facing the rows of cameras, tears brimmed in Adaline’s eyes almost at once
Adaline began, her voice quivering “Friends from the press, with rumors spreading online, we’ve called this condevance to set the record straight
“As you can see, my daughter Elena has indeed endured inhuman treatment, yet to claim that anyone in the Bennett family is responsible is sheer nonsense a malicious attempt to drive a wedge between us!”
Adaline clasped Elena’s hand and continued warmly. “Elena has been the apple of our eye for more than twenty years. Whoever hurt her will face the full
Chapter 39
fury of the Bennett family we will neve Them walk www
Annabelle Bennett seized the microphone and announced, “I know everyone cares about my sister flack then, we sent her is the prison she’d made mistakes, hoping the program would polish her into a gracious Larly
“Who could have imagined that, due to a private grudge, one of the instructors would beat her like this We’ve already completed our identified the person who abused my sister”
E
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.