Chapter 188

Chapter 188 Chapter 188 <29%2 When Elysia agreed, Holden couldn’t help but smile, a wave of joy bubbling up inside him. He knew she wouldn’t just throw away their friendship like that.

After hanging up, his confidence soared, and even his glances at Fabian and Javier had a tinge of bragging in them.

“You better bring Elysia back,” Fabian said in a low voice.

Holden waved him off. “Don’t worry! I’ve got this handled.”

The door to Arcanum House swung open again, this time wide open. A familiar face appeared–Mike stood at the entrance, bowing slightly. “Mr. Holden, the boss wants to see you.”

Proudly, Holden strolled inside.

Javier watched his back, looking skeptical. “You really think this guy can pull it off? He seems so unreliable.

“Can’t say for sure,” Mike replied, stepping back and giving a polite nod to the two waiting outside before shutting the door.

Leading him down the path, Mike took Holden to Elysia’s small courtyard. But when Holden caught sight of Elysia sitting by the stone table, he paused mid–step.

Seeing her this time felt different than before. They weren’t just friends anymore–they were family. Elysia was his sister now.

“Elysia, it’s been a while,” Holden said, a gentle smile crossing his face.

Instead of the warm welcome he hoped for, Elysia looked at him with a flat expression. “Yes, it has. Please, have a seat, Mr.

Evans.”

“Elysia, are you really going to be this distant?” he pressed.

“We’re nothing more than ordinary friends. You helped me once, but I’ve repaid that favor. We’re even now,” she replied coolly, her eyes not wavering.

Holden’s expression faltered for a moment. “What do you mean we’re even? Elysia, we should never feel that way about each other. You’re my sister...”

Before he could finish, Elysia interrupted, “Mr. Evans, if you’re here to discuss this, you can leave now.”

Holden realized then that Elysia was clearly rejecting the Evans family. If being tough wasn’t working, he’d need to switch tactics.

He let a soft smile float to his lips, shifting his approach. “Alright, we won’t talk about it then.”

He stepped forward, taking a seat on the stone bench. Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he gulped it down and said, “You don’t understand, I rushed all the way from Jorlandia without a single sip of water, and I was stuck waiting outside for so long–I’m parched.”

“You seriously can’t be this heartless. Just because my last name is Evans, you won’t even let me have a sip of water? Good thing I’m cheeky, or I’d have died of thirst by now.”

Elysia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She looked at him with wide eyes, while everyone in the courtyard was equally shocked.

Everyone thought, ‘Whoa, I think he is about to be kicked out, but now he’s just chilling here sipping tea? What’s up with that?‘

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Elysia couldn’t help but admire Holden’s transformation. For someone nicknamed ‘the actor,‘ switching roles should probably be his side gig.

+13 “Elysia, you have no idea. Those two out there? Totally not my vibe. If they say anything rude to you, just brush it off. It’s fine if you want to dislike them–just don’t involve me.”

Holden wasn’t going to miss the chance to win some brownie points with his sister. As for those two guys outside, well, they always picked on him.

He was about to say more when Elysia cut him off, raising her hand. “Mr. Evans, if you don’t have anything important to discuss, please leave!”

Hearing that his sister wanted him gone made Holden pout. “Elysia, I came all the way from Jorlandia just to see you! You really want to rush me out?”

Before she could reply, he continued, “I already pushed back my other commitments, so I’m sticking with you. Where you go, I go.”

Elysia was at a loss for words.

Elena, watching Holden, raised an eyebrow. From the rumors, he seemed like a different person than what she’d expected.

Guess not everything you hear is true.

Elysia had planned to have a couple of people physically drag Holden out of Arcanum House, but ultimately, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Despite all that past tension, there was still some bond there.

Lastly, realizing she was out of options, she reluctantly let him stay.

Outside, the brothers–Fabian and Javier–had been waiting a while, and the door to Arcanum House didn’t budge. They guessed that Holden must have been stuck inside, which was better than being thrown out.

“Are we still waiting?” Zane asked, eyeing the brick–red door.

“No need. Waiting here won’t help anything, and we’ve got stuff to do back home,” Holden replied, his gaze serious. With that, he pulled open the car door.

Javier smirked and hopped into the passenger seat. “So, where are we headed?”

“Rosewood residence.”

“Interesting. So the Rosewood couple thinks they can just pretend to be my sister’s real parents? They’ll definitely have to pay for this!”

“Not just that. I suspect my sister might’ve been switched at birth and that this couple is behind it all. I had my assistant look into it before...”

Fabian’s voice trailed off, his gaze darkening as he spoke. There was a hint of pain in his tone. “Elysia hasn’t had it easy with the Rosewoods. No matter what, they can’t escape this!”

When he said that last part, his voice turned icy. The Rosewood family had the audacity to mess with them, and they should be ready to face the consequences.

Hearing this, Javier’s expression darkened, a cloud of unease crossing his face. He couldn’t grasp the real meaning behind Fabian’s words about how Elysia had suffered with the Rosewoods.

“It’s easy to say they treat her badly, but no one knows how deep that hurt really goes.”

He had caught bits and pieces of Elysia’s story from Fabian over the years. For eighteen long years, she’d endured a tough life.

2/3 16:05 Tue, 18 Feb MMO Chapter 188 ས . 29%_ +13 The girl who should’ve been the pearl of the family had spent her childhood far away in the countryside. Despite those conditions, she had grown up to be the person she was today–strong and remarkable.

Javier nodded, his eyes glinting with determination. “Then it’s settled. Let’s go pay that family a visit.”

When their car pulled up to the Rosewood residence, Paul stepped outside. His expression turned from surprise to respectful recognition. “Mr. Fabian, Mr. Javier, please wait a moment. I’ll let them know you’re here.”

With that, he hurried to the study, lightly knocking on the door.

“Come in!” The deep voice of Scott Rosewood responded from inside.

Paul pushed the door open and quickly said, “Sir, Mr. Fabian and Mr. Javier have arrived.”

Scott paused, pen hovering over the paper he was signing. He thought, ‘Fabian Evans? Javier Evans? What could they want?

Their arrival at this hour could only mean trouble!

Uneasiness washed over him, and he waved dismissively. “Tell them I’m not available.”

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