Bea strolled over to Elodie, gently patting the back of her hand. "My dear niece has always been such a well-mannered and sensible child, unlike you. I won''t let you corrupt my precious grandniece." It was clear to everyone that Bea favored Elodie immensely.


    However, Elodie and Sophie both knew that Bea''s affection was merely for show.


    After all, Elodie and Bea were rtives only in the most distant sense, with no real interaction over the years.


    It wasn''t as if Bea had fallen in love with Elodie at first sight.


    It was all about interests at y.


    Elodie gently withdrew her hand from Bea''s grasp, then smiled at her. "Bea, I was merely exchanging a few words with Mrs. Costello. It''s nothing significant."


    "How could it be insignificant? You are the heir to the Reeves estate, my guest from the Burke household. Sophie is a sly one, hell-bent on seizing our Burke assets. I can''t let her brainwash you!" Bea shot Sophie a cold nce. "Mrs. Costello, I suggest you leave the Burke household at once. Don''t make me have you thrown out!"


    "Bea, you''vepletely misunderstood me."


    While saying this, Sophie made herselffortable on a nearby sofa, not at all acting like a stranger. "I''m here to see Ms. Elodie, not you. Why prevent us young people from making friends?"


    Sophie began to sip her tea, her rxed demeanor infuriating Bea. "Sophie! Who gave you the right to act so freely in our home?"


    "A guest once they''ve entered the house, Bea. As someone so big on rules, surely you''re familiar with the concept?" Sophie said with a slight smile. "I would suggest, Bea, that the next time you visit the beauty clinic, you pay a little attention to facial treatments. Getting angry like this only brings out the wrinkles, which is not a good look."


    Sophie''s barbed words always hit Bea where it hurt.


    Seeing this, Elodie said, "Mrs. Costello, I know a reputable beauty clinic. How about we go together?"


    "Sure."


    Sophie stood up, dusting off her hands. "My car''s just outside. Shall I drive?"


    "No need, I''ll drive. I don''t like sitting in the passenger seat; it always makes me feel a bit controlled."? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Elodie and Sophie exchanged words, leaving no room for Bea to interject.


    By the time Bea wanted to speak, the two were already heading out of the Burke family''s grand entrance. Bea fumed. "What is Sophie even here for?"


    And Elodie!


    She had thought Elodie would be easy to manipte, but it turned out she had quite the backbone.


    "Bea... Mrs. Costello was just having a casual chat with Ms. Elodie. It''s probably nothing."


    "What do you know?" Bea snapped back coldly. "Having Elodie, an outsider, take charge of the Burke estate was already a concern for me Sophie manages to strike some deal with Elodie..."


    Choosing Elodie was merely due to ack of other capable individuals to temporarily manage the Burke estate.


    If it weren''t for the disgraceful


    n''t have had to resort to gl


    rtive.


    Bea was aware of Elodie''s capabilities, but no matter how skilled, she was still an outsider.


    Once they were done leveraging


    Elodie''s a


    Once tilities, and this period over the Burke International wet


    return to James''s hands.