Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Henry couldn’t hide his smile, and his voice was full of joy. He’d been the butler for years, and the tension between Olliver and Elena had always worried him. Thankfully, their relationship was finally improving, giving him a glimmer of hope.

After Henry left, the cleaning staff also cleared out, leaving only a few people in the living room. The atmosphere grew tense.

Olliver clasped his hands together, looking like he wanted to say something. He opened his mouth but still didn’t speak.

Elena watched him, feeling a mix of emotions. The father she remembered was a stern man of few words, rarely showing that side of himself.

Just as she was about to say something to lighten the mood, a female voice, tinged with sobs, echoed through the living room.

“Elena!”

Everyone turned to see a tired–looking woman standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her hair was messy, her face pale, and she wore a shawl draped over her slender frame.

Elena’s eyes showed a hint of surprise when she saw Lydia, her mother. It had been a year since she last saw Lydia, who used to have a pretty and refined face. She hadn’t expected Lydia to look so much older in just one year.

A pang hit Elena, and without hesitation, she quickly moved forward to support Lydia.

Just then, a maid caught up and, seeing Elena, spoke excitedly, “Ms. Shelton, is it really you? Have you really come back?”

Tears started to fall as she spoke, “Just now, Mrs. Shelton heard you were back and rushed out without even changing her clothes. We’ve been so worried, but now that you’re here to comfort her, she’ll definitely get better soon.”

Elena focused on the last sentence and looked at the maid, asking, “Is Mom sick?”

“You didn’t know?”

As soon as the maid’s words came out, Olliver shot a warning glance, saying, “Alright, don’t talk nonsense in front of Elena. Get back to work. We don’t need you here.”

Realizing she’d spoken out of turn, the maid bowed respectfully and left.

Elena raised her eyebrows slightly, glanced at the woman she was supporting, and then looked at Olliver. But it was just a quick look before she turned away, sensing they were keeping something from her. Lydia was sick.

That sharp, stabbing pain made Elena’s eyebrows twitch. She wasn’t a good daughter, too focused on her own feelings while neglecting the loved ones around her.

Her eyes grew moist, tears falling uncontrollably onto Lydia’s hand. Feeling the warmth of those teardrops, Lydia’s heart tightened as she looked at Elena with worry in her eyes. “Elena, why are you crying?”

Elena had never shed tears before. She was so strong that it made Lydia’s heart ache. Lydia often wished Elena didn’t have to be so strong and could cry when upset, instead of always holding it in alone.

But seeing her tears now only made Lydia feel more pain. ‘How much better would it have been if she hadn’t been born into the Shelton family?‘ Lydia wondered.

She raised her hand to wipe Elena’s tears away. “Elena, don’t cry.”

With those words, Elena’s tears flowed even harder, dropping one after another. She bit her lip, trying hard to control them. But the tears seemed determined to defy her; the more she tried, the less she could control them.

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Chapter 281 6973 Elysia and Ava looked at Elena, who rarely smiled and always had a cool and distant demeanor, yet her heart was softer than anyone else’s. She was a top student, the student union president, and recognized by everyone as the goddess.

She had never shed a tear before, but now she was crying like a child. In fact, she was still too young to need to pretend to be mature.

Lydia watched as Elena’s tears flowed endlessly, feeling very anxious. She reached out to gently pat Elena’s back, wanted to comfort her, but found words to be powerless.

Olliver couldn’t understand why Elena was crying, but it made his heart ache to see her tears. He wondered, ‘If I remember correctly, this is the first time I’ve seen Elena cry.

“When she was a child, she wouldn’t shed a tear even if she got hurt or hit her head, but today...

Just as he was about to stand up, Elysia and Ava, beside him, got up and walked over to Elena.

Elysia gently patted Elena’s back, and although she hadn’t said anything, Elena looked up at her, and suddenly her tears stopped. “Elysia, do I look ridiculous right now?”

Elysia shook her head and reached out to wipe away Elena’s tears. “Who says you can’t cry? Even when you cry, Elena, you’re still beautiful.”

“Stop joking. I must look awful now.”

“Whatever. Since when do you care so much about your looks?” Elysia said as she reached out and put her arm around her. She continued, her voice gentle, “Let’s just sit down for now; Mrs. Shelton probably shouldn’t stand for too long.”

Elysia had been paying attention when she was sitting on the couch earlier. Lydia looked frail and out of breath–like she’d been in bed for a long time.

Ava stood on the other side, noticing that Elena hadn’t reacted yet, and spoke up to remind her, “Elena, Elysia is right. Let’s sit down first.”

Their eyes met, and Ava nodded firmly before Elena finally responded. Elena thought, ‘How could I forget that Elysia is the Owner of Arcanum House? She must have noticed my mother’s illness, so she said that.‘

Not wanting to delay, Elena quickly helped Lydia to the couch. Lydia held Elena’s hand tightly and turned her gaze to Elysia and Ava. “Elena, who are these two?”

Upon hearing that, Elena introduced her friends to Lydia, saying, “Mom, this is Elysia, but now she’s known as Elysia Evans.

She’s Mr. Evans’s daughter. This is Ava Brown; they’re both my friends.”

After listening to Elena’s introduction, Lydia finally had a smile on her face. “Great, Elena has friends now. That’s wonderful. And you’re called Elysia?”

“Yes, Mrs. Shelton.”

“Yesterday, Olliver mentioned you. He praised you a lot, saying that despite being young, you’re incredibly talented. He also mentioned you’re Elena’s friend and that you often look out for her. Thank you for that.”

“No need to thank me, Mrs. Shelton. Elena also looks out for me.”

With a gentle smile, Lydia turned her gaze to Ava. “And you must be Ava?”

Hearing Lydia’s voice, Ava’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I am.”

“Thank you. With wonderful friends like you and Elysia around Elena when we’re not there, we’re reassured.”

“You’re too kind, Mrs. Shelton. Isn’t that what friends are for, to look out for each other? Besides, Elena really takes care of us 2/3 Chapter 281 too, so it’s only fair we look after her.”