Chapter 174

Chapter 174
Elena's POV

Richard sat with casual elegance, his long legs crossed at the ankles, those piercing eyes deliberately avoiding mine. The air between us crackled with tension.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Whatever. Let's get to the point—why did you want to see me today? You're not planning to ask me for Elena's medical expenses, are you?"

My breathing quickened involuntarily. Medical expenses? Who would dare?

"Of course not. I'm here to discuss the matter of the two children," Mason said, his voice carrying the authority of an elder family member. His spine was straighter than I'd ever seen it.

"Winter family may have fallen from grace, but that doesn't mean my niece has no backing," Mason declared, his tone firm yet measured.

Is this... really my uncle? A lump formed in my throat as I watched him. Warmth flooded my chest, and I felt my eyes growing damp.

"My children. Why would there be anything to resolve?" Richard responded, his voice deceptively calm. But I caught that dangerous flash in his eyes.

Mason leaned forward slightly. "The children are Elena's too. Don't you want to avoid damaging your family's reputation by fighting over them?"

I watched my uncle with newfound admiration.

The temperature in our corner seemed to drop several degrees as Richard's expression darkened. Yet despite everything, I felt a surge of hope. My eyes brightened as I straightened in my chair, suddenly feeling more confident.

"Do you think I would abandon my children over such matters?" Richard's gaze was knife-sharp, his words precise and cold.

I couldn't contain myself any longer. "You're lying," I snapped, my posture shifting forward aggressively. "You clearly don't want them anymore."

The accusation hung in the air between us. Mason shifted uncomfortably beside me, but I was too angry to stop.

"You let Emma abuse Lily," I continued, my voice rising with each word. "You got engaged and are moving to a new home with her. And you abandoned the children at Highland Estate without a second thought!"

I didn't care that we were in public – Richard needed to hear these truths.

Richard stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "Who told you Lily was being abused?" he asked.

"She had bruises all over her face and a missing front tooth!" I shot back, my eyes burning with protective fury.

Mason nodded beside me. "The children told me themselves."

Something flashed across Richard's face – anger mixed with helplessness.

"Lily fell down the stairs by herself. You can ask Anna," Richard stated flatly. "And Emma and I are engaged, not married. As for that house, it's Wells family property, not mine."

His words hit me like a bucket of ice water. Had I been completely wrong? Had Lily lied to me?

Then Richard looked directly at me, his gaze pinning me in place.

I froze, my face burning with embarrassment as my eyes darted away from his.

The humiliation was overwhelming. I'd not only made false accusations but had been caught eavesdropping like some common spy. I'd made a complete fool of myself, embarrassing Mason in the process.

Mason cleared his throat, clearly trying to salvage what dignity remained. "Well, since we've clarified there's no such issue, we can rest easy as family members." He straightened his tie nervously. "Our actions were motivated solely by concern for the children's wellbeing and safety."

Richard's expression softened slightly as he nodded, his earlier anger gradually subsiding.

"No one will care for my children better than I will," he declared with quiet intensity.

"What about when you have new children?" I blurted out, unable to stop myself. The question had been haunting me for days.

Mason jumped in to clarify. "Given your engagement to Emma and the future heirs that might produce—"

"I won't have more children," Richard interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Mason and I stared at him with wide eyes. The statement was so unexpected, so absolute, that neither of us knew how to respond.

But his words gave me an inexplicable sense of peace.

---

"Elena Winter, look what you've done!" Mason scolded the moment we returned to his house. His earlier protective demeanor had vanished, replaced by the stern uncle I was more familiar with.

I stood before him without arguing, showing proper deference to my elder. But internally, I was defiant. He was the one who called me back in the first place! And those photos of Lily being "abused" came from him!

I bit my tongue. Not saying it. Not even if they kill me. Otherwise, I'll never be welcome in this house again.

"Since this was all a misunderstanding, you should stop fighting for the children," Mason advised, his tone softening slightly.

I nodded, showing the respect due to a family elder.

He studied me for a moment. "What are your plans now?"

"I've purchased the Winter family's old home," I explained. "I was supposed to sign the papers days ago but couldn't due to... circumstances. I'm planning to go there now and complete the transaction." I hesitated before adding, "I was also thinking... maybe I could buy your family a new house?"

The words had barely left my mouth when Mason's wife Cinda appeared in the doorway. "Buy us a new house? Do you think I want your money?" she spat, her eyes flashing with dissatisfaction.

She turned to Mason, pointing a trembling finger at him. "This ends now. If you get involved with her again, don't blame me for divorcing you!"

The door slammed behind her, leaving a heavy silence between Mason and me.

I could see the conflict in Mason's eyes. I understood Cinda's pain – losing a daughter was the most devastating blow a family could suffer.

For Cinda, being close to me – someone she indirectly associated with her daughter's death – was simply unacceptable.

Mason watched me bow my head as tears formed in my eyes. I could see the struggle in him.

"Don't say these things again," he finally said, his voice hard. "Go now, and don't disturb us for a while."

---

Tears blurred my vision as I watched him walk away. The weight on my chest made it difficult to breathe. This won't be easily forgiven.

I wiped my eyes, determination hardening within me. I must find the person who really killed Mandy!

Several questions troubled me: Why was Mandy killed at that particular time? Mandy liked Richard, so why would she help Victoria?

These questions continued to haunt me.

---

That afternoon, I directed the driver to the old district of the city. This area had fallen into decline after Moonhaven's expansion, once the territory of the Winter family.

"Ma'am, are you sure this is where you want to go?" the driver asked skeptically. "Hardly anyone lives here anymore."

"Yes, I have business here," I replied simply.

A thin, nervous-looking man was waiting when we arrived. "Uh... are you Ms. Winter?"

"Mr. Owens?" I asked.

He nodded. "You're a few days later than I expected."

"I'm sorry, I was delayed by some issues," I apologized.

"That's fine. If you've made your decision, let's sign the contract," he said, producing the property deed for the estate.

I nodded, my eyes glancing toward the house that held so many of my childhood memories.