Chapter 293

Chapter 293 86%

+23 Cora was the housekeeper Zane had hired to take care of the Rosewood residence. Her main job was to keep the villa clean, and occasionally, when Zane was too busy, she would also cook meals.

When Alice mentioned Zane cooking, Elysia couldn’t help but glance toward the kitchen, her mind wandering. I never thought Zane could cook. That’s surprising. Elysia thought, her gaze lingering on his figure as he moved around the kitchen.

As if sensing her stare, Zane looked up, his eyes meeting hers. Caught off guard, Elysia quickly averted her gaze, pretending to focus on the textbook in front of Alice. She pointed at a problem and started explaining, her voice a little too hurried.

Zane’s lips curved into a faint smile as he watched her flustered reaction. He shook his head slightly and went back to chopping vegetables.

Meanwhile, Alice blinked in confusion. ‘Wait, didn’t Elysia just explain this problem to me like five minutes ago?‘ she thought, glancing between Elysia and Zane. ‘Zane’s just cooking. Nothing unusual there. So why is Elysia acting so weird?‘ “Elysia,” Alice interrupted softly, her voice tinged with confusion, “you already explained this problem to me earlier.

Elysia paused, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Oh, did I?” she asked, forcing a smile.

Alice nodded vigorously. “Yeah, you did.”

“Alright, let’s see which other problems you’re stuck on,” Elysia said, leaning over the textbook. “I’ll help you with them.”

Alice sighed dramatically. “Honestly, aside from the one you just explained, I don’t get any of them.” Alice sighed dramaticlly.

“Honestly, aside from the one yo Elysia chuckled softly. “No problem. Let’s start with this one. This problem requires you to substitute this equation into...”

As Elysia continued explaining, Alice’s expression shifted from confusion to understanding, her brow furrowing and then smoothing out as she followed along. Neither of them noticed Zane approaching until his voice broke the silence.

“Do you understand this problem now?” Elysia asked, her tone gentle.

Alice nodded at first, then quickly shook her head. She pointed to a specific step in the solution, her face scrunched in confusion.

“Elysia, how did you get this part? I don’t get it.”

Just as Elysia was about to explain, Zane’s voice cut in from behind them. “Enough studying for now. Let’s eat dinner.”

The sudden interruption made both girls jump. They turned around to see Zane standing there, his arms crossed and a faint smirk on his face.

Alice glared at him, her hands flying to her chest in mock horror. “Zane! Can you, like, warn a person before you sneak up like that? You scared me to death!” she exclaimed, dramatically patting her chest as if to calm her racing heart.

Zane reached over and lightly flicked her forehead. “You’re so dramatic,” he said, his tone dripping with mock annoyance. Then he turned to Elysia, his voice softening. “Next time, I’ll make some noise before I come over. I don’t want to scare you again.”

Elysia froze, her cheeks heating up at the gentle tone in his voice. Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, trying to hide her flustered expression. ‘Why does his voice sound so tender?‘ she thought.

When she didn’t respond, Zane reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose. “Hey, stop spacing out. Let’s eat,” he said, his voice warm.

Elysia’s breath hitched at the contact, the lingering sensation on her nose sending a shiver through her.

She managed to nod and stand up, heading toward the dining table with as much composure as she could muster.

1/3 Mar 86%

Chapter 293 Meanwhile, Alice remained seated on the couch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looked like a grumpy lite kangaroo, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed in irritation. She rolled her eyes dramatically, her mind replaying Zane’s carlier comments.

Alice couldn’t stop thinking about Zane’s earlier comment. “Next time, I’ll make some noise before I come over, so I don’t scare Elysia.” But when it came to her, he’d just brushed her off like she was being dramatic.

Is he even my real uncle?‘ she thought, her frustration simmering. He’s so annoying! How can he just sit there eating like nothing’s wrong? Doesn’t he notice I’m still sitting here? Ugh, he’s such a hypocrite! A total jerk!

She mentally cursed Zane over and over, her cheeks puffing out in irritation. Just as she was about to start her third round of internal ranting. Elysia’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Alice, come here,” Elysia called, her tone warm and inviting Instantly, Alice’s pout softened. She looked at Elysia, her lips still slightly pursed, her eyes watery, as if she were on the verge of tears. ‘Elysia’s so nice to me, Unlike Zane, who’s just a big jerk!‘ she thought, her heart swelling with gratitude.

After one last mental jab at Zane, Alice reluctantly got up and shuffled over to the dining table, her shoulders slumped in exaggerated defeat.

Zane, meanwhile, was calmly eating his food, completely unfazed. Alice shot him a glare, her lips curling into an even deeper pout.

I’m not sitting next to him,’ she decided, stomping over to the other side of the table and plopping down in the chair next to Elysia. ‘Ice–cold face! Who wants to sit by him anyway?‘ she thought.

Zane raised an eyebrow, his gaze flickering to Alice with a hint of annoyance. ‘She’s always clinging to Elysia, he thought, a twinge of irritation creeping in. ‘It’s like she’s trying to steal her away from me.’

He picked up a piece of steak from the plate and placed it gently on Elysia’s plate. Then, as he was about to serve himself, he caught sight of Alice’s sulky expression.

‘Ugh, fine,‘ he thought with a sigh. ‘She’s still my niece, after all. He redirected the piece of steak to Alice’s plate, adding a sarcastic comment, “Eat up. I don’t expect much from you–just try not to be too dumb.”

Alice’s face darkened instantly. ‘Who does he think he is? I don’t need his stupid steak!‘ she fumed, her hands gripping the edge of the table as if she were about to flip it over.

Seeing her reaction, Zane finally relented, his tone softening slightly. “Alright. Even if you are a little slow, I’ll still take care of you.

You’re family, after all.”

Alice’s anger subsided a little at that. ‘Well, at least he’s not completely heartless,‘ she thought, picking up her forks and grudgingly eating the steak Zane had given her.

Just as she finished the first piece, another one landed on her plate. She looked up to see Elysia smiling at her, her eyes filled with warmth.

“Don’t worry,” Elysia said gently, her hand resting on Alice’s head in a comforting gesture. “If Zane won’t take care of you, I will. It shouldn’t be too hard to look after someone as sweet as you.”

Alice’s heart melted at Elysia’s words. ‘Elysia’s so kind,‘ she thought, her earlier frustration fading away. ‘Her voice is so soft, and her eyes are so warm. She’s nothing like Zane, who’s just a big meanie!”

Zane, meanwhile, watched the interaction with a faint smile. ‘Elysia said she’d take care of Alice,‘ he mused, his gaze lingering on her. ‘But in what capacity?‘ The thought amused him, and he couldn’t help but chuckle softly. ‘She’s just too adorable.