Ellinor had it nailed. Theo must be under Patriciaâs thumb Because of Patricia, he decided to play the waiting game instead of pulling the plug on the Knotts family immediately. It made sense, and it was something she saw coming. Ellinor thought momentarily, then told Collin, âAll right, Iâll tag along. But hold your horses.â
Collin was a tad puzzled, âWhat are you waiting for?â
Ellinor replied, âJust need to clear the air with Haillie Collin was even more bewildered. He smelled a rat and was about to probe further, but Ellinor was already making her way to Haillie, who was bedridden As soon as Ellinor got close, Byran stood up like a watchdog, barring her from approaching Haillie. He asked, âWhat are you up to?â
Ellinor calmly answered, âI canât completely wash my hands of Haillieâs fall, I do bear some responsibility. Because I didnât want to help her fly a kite, she fell and got hurt. So, I should own up to itâ
Hearing Ellinorâs admission, Byranâs strained expression eased a bit He said, âYou shouldnât beat yourself up, I know this isnât really your fault.â
He noticed it then. When Haillie fell, Ellinor and Belinda were flying their kite in the distance; they had nothing to do with it.
And Haillie did do a number on Ellinor before, so it was understandable that Ellinor didnât want to help her fly a kite.
However, Haillie, hearing Byran say this, was secretly scoffing at him.
She knew Ellinorâs actions werenât all above board, there was another agenda.
So, Haillie played up her pain and said, âEllinor, donât bother, I donât need you to own up. Itâs your prerogative not to help me fly a kite. I wonât hold it against you. I can only blame my rotten luck.â
Ellinor smoothly sidestepped Byran, walked up to the bed, and looked at Haillieâs pained face. She firmly said, âNo, I must own up.â
Haillie scrunched up her eyebrows, watching Ellinor warily, and put on a helpless face, âIâve said you donât need to. Why insist? Ellinor, what do you want from me?â
Ellinor seemed sincere, smiling and saying âRelax, Haillie. I just want to make it up to you. Will you accept my offer?â
Haillieâs eyes were full of disdain, but she feigned a look of despair and said bitterly, âMake it up to me? What can you possibly make up for now? Can you make my foot good as new? If not, any form of compensation is meaningless! Forget it!â
âI can.â
Ellinor said these words as light as a feather, pulling all eyes on her.
Everyone was surprised, intrigued, and filled with doubt and ridicule.
She said she could.
The stables doctor also looked at Ellinor with a puzzled face.
Hearing this, Haillie felt like she was being played for a fool. It was like a joke that wasnât funny in the slightest. She grieved, âThe doctor said my ligament is torn. Even after surgery, it wonât be the same!
Ellinor, you say you can make my foot good as new? How can you do that? Youâre just rubbing salt in my wound!â