Chapter 296

Chapter 296 When family was mentioned, Zoe stood in the dark room, staring through the door frame at Phoebe’s silhouette sitting outside, lost in thought.

She had been with Ryan ever since she was born and had never seen her biological parents. If she had to think of family, Ryan would be the closest thing to it.

Phoebe began to speak, “I used to have family. I had parents, but when I was five, they died in an accident.

“After that, I was often bullied by other kids in the village. Elysia was the only one who protected me; she was different from everyone else.”

As Phoebe talked, a small smile appeared on her lips. “From that time on, I swore to myself that no matter what happened, I would never betray her and would never allow anyone to hurt her Zoe’s mind conjured up the image of Elysia’s beautiful yet somewhat distant face. She could imagine Elysia stubbornly standing in front of Phoebe, protecting her with a slight frown and a cold expression.

Unfortunately, Zoe had no friends and had never experienced the feeling of being protected by one. Her world had always consisted of just her and Ryan.

Her eyes lowered slightly as she thought, ‘What does it feel like to have a friend? Maybe I’ll never know in this lifetime.

Phoebe continued, “Elysia is incredibly smart and has been gifted since she was a child. Don’t let her cold demeanor fool you; her heart is softer than anyone’s.

“Once she considers you a friend, you’ll realize just how wonderful she is. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how someone so sweet could exist in this world.”

Zoe didn’t fully grasp the meaning behind her words but didn’t ask for clarification either.

Suddenly, Phoebe sighed, her voice turning a bit colder. “So, Zoe, how did you manage to go through with killing her?”

She followed that up with a self–deprecating laugh. “I must be going crazy talking to you about this. You’ve been in the shadows, treated as a tool for murder by your boss since you were young. How could you possibly tell right from wrong?”

Zoe’s expression darkened. She thought, ‘She’s right. I’m just a tool for killing. No, not even a tool–I’m more like a puppet on strings.

‘For all these years, I’ve never had my own thoughts or soul. I’m just like a puppet; I do whatever Ryan commands. If Ryan is unhappy, I get beaten. If I’m no longer needed, I’m just tossed aside, as good as dead!

“Do you want revenge? For her?” Zoe stepped out of the shadows, her mood a bit grim as she looked at Phoebe’s back. “Just kill me; I won’t fight back.”

Phoebe laughed at this. “If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t have made it to today. Besides, Elysia hasn’t said anything about killing you, and I wouldn’t do anything to upset her.”

“Just wait. If the day ever comes when I really have to take your life, I won’t hold back.” Phoebe’s gaze was as calm as a still lake, her tone casual, as if taking a life was as trivial as pulling a weed.

Zoe felt no surprise at Phoebe’s words, nor did she show any fear. She had killed before and knew that one day someone would come for her life too.

Truthfully, she didn’t even know why she was clinging to life. It seemed like there was nothing in this world worth holding onto. No one wanted her to live, and she couldn’t understand why she should want to live either.

“Honestly, you’re quite pitiful. You’ve been controlled since you were a child, and you don’t even know who your biological 1/3 09:37 Thu, 13 Mar Chapter 296 parents are.

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“But that won’t earn you my sympathy. I’m not that generous. Even if you weren’t the one pulling the strings, you’re still tied to all of this.” Phoebe said, her voice carrying a cold edge.

Zoe just stared at her, silent.

At that moment, a figure appeared not far away. Hearing the footsteps, Phoebe looked up and her expression brightened instantly when she saw Elysia.

“Elysia, why are you just now coming back?” she exclaimed, rushing to Elysia’s side and linking arms with her.

Elysia replied, “I went to Royal Bay. Phoebe, we’re moving to a new place tomorrow.”

Phoebe’s attention was fully on the mention of Royal Bay.

Before she could ask more, Elysia suddenly stopped, her gaze landing on Zoe. “You let her out?”

Phoebe answered, “I brought her out to have a little spar with me.”

Elysia fell silent.

Phoebe continued, “But she’s just too weak right now. She’s afraid to fight me, scared that I might accidentally kill her. “So, I had her keep me company and chat. Don’t blame me, Elysia. You came back so late, and I was bored out of my mind.” Elysia didn’t seem to mind. Zoe was powerful; if she could bring her over to their side, that would be perfect. That was why she’d kept her around all this time.

But Zoe was just too loyal. Convincing her to switch sides wouldn’t be easy. With someone like her, winning her heart was the best strategy.

Elysia said, “It’s fine. Letting her out for some fresh air isn’t a bad idea.”

But Zoe ignored her. She turned back into the house, grabbed a rope, and held out her hands, ready for Elysia to tie her back up.

After being tied to the post for so long, her wrists were covered in bruises and rope marks. Phoebe saw this and took the rope from Zoe, tying her back up herself.

Elysia felt that something was off about Zoe today. She wondered, ‘Did Phoebe say something to her?”

After sending Zoe back to the storage room, Phoebe skipped out, linking her arm with Elysia’s.

Elysia asked, “Phoebe, did you say anything special to Zoe today?”

Phoebe’s eyes flashed. She thought, ‘Did Elysia really notice? I can’t tell her that I told Zoe to wait, that one day I’ll take her life.

Forget it, let’s just keep that between Zoe and me.‘

Phoebe said, “Nothing, just some small talk.”

at Sta Elysia pressed, “Really?”

“Of course! I was planning to fight her, but she’s so weak. She kept saying she was afraid I’d kill her if we fough budge. So I had no choice but to chat with her.”

“She’s not weak. She’s afraid she’ll die from a nosebleed before she even gets a chance to move.”

Phoebe’s face twisted in confusion. “Elysia, what are you talking about? Did you drug her or something?”

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Chapter 296 Elysia didn’t say anything, just gave a faint smile. Phoebe immediately realized Zoe had been drugged.

She looked troubled. “I thought she was afraid I’d beat her to a pulp. Guess I was wrong all along?”

Elysia looked at her and comforted, “Maybe, but your fighting skills are still pretty strong. Even if she hadn’t been drugged, she probably wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”

Hearing this. Phoebe’s eyes lit up. “Elysia, you’re right. I’m still super strong.”

“Yeah, definitely strong.” Elysia agreed.

Phoebe’s confidence grew even more. She seemed to remember something and looked curious. “Elysia, what did you mean earlier when you mentioned Royal Bay?”