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    In the East Garden, a woman sat elegantly on a wooden bench, ding sophistication in a tailored Chanel style and high heels as a housekeeper quietly poured coffee into her porcin cup.


    Cyrus'' assistant had mentioned her name, Leni Markos.


    Known as the daughter of a Mysonna real estate mogul, Leni had recently made waves with calcted efforts to win over


    Demetrius.


    Leni''s eyes followed Alice, who flitted around the garden chasing butterflies. A faint sneer appeared on Leni''s wless face, her thoughts dripping with contempt.


    If only Mr. Becker didn''t dote on his simple-minded sister so much, I wouldn''t have wasted my time pleasing her and enduring this charade. Trapped in this garden day after day, entertaining her foolish games and tending to flowers? I''m going to lose my mind, she mused.


    Leni groaned as she turned to her housekeeper, Amanda. "Heavens, how much longer do I have to put up with that idiot? I''m at my breaking point!" she whined.


    Amanda cast a wary nce around, ensuring the guards were out of earshot before leaning in, whispering, "Ms. Markos, please hold on a bit longer. "Once Mr. Becker agrees to the engagement, you''ll secure your ce as the next Markos heir. Alice is just a small obstacle. Tolerate the girl for now," she added.


    Leni''s irritation softened slightly as Demetrius'' name was mentioned.


    Her expression gave way to a shy, lovesick glow as she envisioned his chiseled looks.


    "Well, if it weren''t for Demetrius, I''d never waste my time like this with a fool," she said. "Anyway, you certain he''s returning to the mansion this afternoon?"


    The Markos family had sent Amanda with a clear mission-to keep Leni''s fiery temper in check and ensure she sessfully married into the presidential pce, which would cement the Markos family''s status in MysonnaBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Despite Demetrius'' physical disability, his immense wealth and standing as the cherished nephew of President Cyrus made him the most sought- after bachelor of Mysonna.


    With his reclusive lifestyle, only a few knew his true identity. The Markos family had meticulously plotted and used every tactic in their arsenal to draw her closer to Demetrius.


    Thus, Leni was granted permission for daily visits to the presidential residence.


    Amanda informed, "Mr. Becker will return this afternoon, Ms. Markos, You must focus on showing concern for Ms. Becker. She''s the only person who matters to him. Gain her trust, and he''ll begin to see you differently."


    Leni nodded begrudgingly, her heels clicking against the stone path as she made her way toward Alice, who was engrossed ying in the garden. ''She''s just a fool. All it takes is a bit of ttery, and she''ll listen to me in no time. Once I be Mrs. Becker, I''ll make sure this bothersome girl is sent far away,'' Leni thought, clicking across the garden path in her heels, preparing to speak.


    Alice, still pursuing the butterfly, turned suddenly and barreled straight into her.


    Though Alice''s mind was childlike, her physical strength was great; meanwhile, Leni, pampered and delicate, found herselfpletely unprepared.


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    Alice stood unscathed after the bump, but Leni crumpled to the ground. Her twisted ankle robbed her ofposure, and her face contorted painfully.


    “Are you blind?” she snapped, ring at Alice with a venomous expression.


    Alice shrank back and stammered, "I-I''m sorry."


    Amanda hurried to the scene, her voice edged with urgency as she intervened, "Ms. Markos, please. Ms. Becker didn''t mean


    it."


    While supporting Leni, Amanda gazed at Alice, standing at a loss with tears glistening in her wide eyes. Amanda turned to Leni, who continued to mutterints and spoke tentatively.


    "Ms. Markos, apologize to Ms. Becker-now. You''re in the presidential pce. Reckless words could cost you dearly here," she cautioned.


    Leni, spoiled and unustomed to restraint, nced around the garden. Seeing no one else present, she felt emboldened, certain that Alice would not dare speak of the incident.


    Across from her, Alice clutched at her dress, her tears falling silently, one after another, looking like a fragile and utterly defenseless little rabbit. Ignoring Amanda''s request, Leni felt her irritation boiled over. "What''s with the tears? I only said one thing!" she snapped. "You''re nothing but a burden to Mr. Becker."


    Alice stared at her nkly, biting her lip as though she could not quite grasp the meaning of Leni''s words. Her hollow expression only fueled Leni''s sense of superiority.


    ''How can such a fool be so lucky? A brother like Demetrius and an uncle who''s the president-that''s ridiculous!'' Leni mused bitterly. Beside her, Amanda fidgeted nervously. ''Ms. Markos is crossing the line, she thought, her heart racing. ''In any other setting, her words might be brushed off, but here in the presidential pce? If anyone hears...


    Just then, Yvette arrived at the garden entrance with Emmett. From their vantage point, they saw Alice''s back facing them, and in front of her stood Leni with a smug expression, and Amanda in obvious distress.


    The sight of Alice''s fragile silhouette made Yvette''s expression hardened. A cold, predatory gleam entered her eyes; a faint crimson hue darkened her gaze, like a predator ready to strike.


    Emmett stiffened, feeling the sharp shift in her energy. He thought, ''Someone''s about to get unlucky today!''


    While Alice, facing away, was entirely unaware of Yvette''s arrival, Leni and Amanda froze when they caught sight of Yvette standing in the doorway.


    Even in her time at the presidential pce, Leni had never encountered such an exquisite beauty, especially one with Clusian roots. For the first time, unease gripped her a sudden sense ofpetition she had not anticipated.


    Her eyes darted to Amanda, and Amanda understood instantly. No matter how brash Leni could be, she would not dare mistreat Alice in front of someone else.


    Without hesitation, Leni stepped forward, her demeanor transforming in an instant. Grabbing Alice''s hand, her eyes brimmed with tears, and her voice cracked as sobs broke through.


    "Alice, please don''t feel bad. I know you didn''t mean to hurt me. I''m not angry, so don''t cry, okay?" she soothed, and even lifted her skirt to reveal a slightly scratched calf, exaggerating her difort to elicit sympathy.


    Amanda, ever quick to back her up, spoke loudly, "Ms. Markos, it''s not your fault that Ms. Becker is crying, so don''t me yourself. Ms. Becker didn''t mean to make you fall."


    12:23 Sun, Dec 29 G.


    Alice, horrified and shaking, tried to retract her hand, but Leni''s grip tightened painfully, digging her nails into Alice''s tender palm. Alice cried out in pain, her sobs intensifying..


    As they exchanged quick words, Leni and Amanda reshaped the story, twisting it so that Alice appeared the aggressor when, in reality, it had been Alice''s fear that caused the incident.


    Yvette''s gaze shifted as she strode into the garden, a chilling coldness in her eyes. Emmett followed a few steps behind her. ''Something about this situation doesn''t add up,'' he mused, his eyes narrowing. "These high-society games are never simple!


    He had seen enough of these schemes in the past, having been tasked with dealing with such situations on behalf of Jeremiah.


    If Jeremiah had not been so adamant about shutting down any advances, Emmett suspected he might have been utterly exhausted by the endless maniption.


    ''These two are definitely trouble,'' he thought.


    O


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