Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Through the VR headsets , a venomous voice reached everyone’s cars .

“ How is he still alive ? Maybe I should finish him off now- —let him join that girl at the bottom .

”

e days earlier .

Reaching the mountain foot , Elysia felt her blood run cold .

She recognized that voice – the same girl who’d pushed her down the slope days The thought of someone plotting against their own brother struck her like a physical blow

Meanwhile , search party calls echoed from the adjacent peak .

Time crystallized as Elysia weighed her choices : find the police or save the boy in the

cave .

“ He’s critically ill .

Another fall would kill him , she thought , but Odessa – what if Lyra returns ?

Her indecision shattered as Howena’s words sliced through the air : “ You won’t steal Mom’s love from me .

I’m the cherished Drayton child .

She won’t send me away ”

Elysia sprinted up the slope as the livestream’s chat erupted .

[ That’s Rowena speaking ! Jealous much ! Caellan’s her own brother ! ]

[ Half – brother .

From her mom and stepdail

[ If neither sister is blood – related , why does he hate Elysia ? Elysia saved him while Rowena tried to kill him .

Obviously Elysia’s worse : ]

[ Or maybe Cellan’s just blind ? ]

In the studio , Carllan had somehow freed himself but made no move to remove the VR headset .

His face was a mix of doubt and shock – those words couldn’t have come from the sister he’d admired for years .

He wondered if he really had been so wrong about Elysia .

No , his conviction remained unshaken .

‘ Elysia may act kind now , but she turned vicious later .

Spread rumors I was illegitimate , poisoned my food , and had gangs attack me at school .

They nearly drowned me .

Rowena saved me .

The thought hardened his resolve .

“ I’ll never forgive Elysia , ” he declared to the audience in the studio .

“ One rescue doesn’t make her my y sister .

Only Rowers deserves that title .

At least

she cared for me later .

Fenwick nodded .

“ Sure , Rowena had her spoiled moments , her possessive streaks as a kid .

But she grew out of it .

Unlike Elysia , who keeps piling evil on evil ”

The memory projection shifted to the mountaintop , where Elysia faced an elegantly dressed Rowena , the contrast between their appearances stark -one in pristine clothes , the other torn and muddy

“ Sill breathing ?” Rowena’s sneer cut like glass .

“ The police are right there .

What are you planning ? ” Elysia frowned at Rowena , who was dragging Caellan’s unconscious form

Rowena released her grip with a cold laughs .

“ Police ? Oh , you poor thing .

Those aren’t cops – they’re our security team .

Nothing happens here without my say – so .

No one calls the real police unless I allow it ”

The revelation hit Elysia like a blow , her breath catching in her throat .

She had only heard from Lyra that the police were in the village today , but she never expected Lyra to be so wrong .

Every plan she had shattered in an instant .

As the shouts grew closer , Rowena’s lips curved into a predatory simille .

“ Stay put , I’m not done with you yet

“ Please ” Elysia stepped between them .

“ Don’t hurt him .

”

“ Who do you think you are ? Rowena’s laughter turned razor – sharp , “ What right do you have to make demands ? Why should I listen to some nobody ? ”

Color drained from Elysia’s face .

She hesitated , then whispered , “ He looks like my brothers .

”

The soft admission rippled through the livestream , touching every viewer’s heart .

[ Poor thing sees her brothers in Caellan .

)

[ The Drayton genes run strong in all three ]

[ Remember when she wasn’t the villain ? Those were the days .

]

In the studio , Fenwick noticed Carllan studying his features and exhaled sharply .

He turned to address the audience , his voice dripping with

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Chapter 14

contempt .

“ What , she’d let Caellan die if he didn’t look like me ! Why celebrate basic human decency ? It cost her nothing !

For once , Caellan fell silent .

But Fenwick’s supporters rushed in the chat

[ Fenwick’s right ! Bare minimum humanity .

]

[ Not like she risked her life .

You can’t just watch someone die .

]

[ Forgot the part where she nearly got violated for helping ? Easy to judge from safery : ]

The harsh reminder struck Carllan like arrows , making him flinch in his seat .

Before he could form a response , the memory projection continued , showing the confrontation between the two girls

Despite Rowena’s height advantage , she couldn’t match Elysia’s hard – earned strength .

Meanwhile , Callan lay oblivious on the ground .

“ Let go of me ! You’re filthy – don’t touch me Rowena shouted .

Elysia , pinning Rowena’s hands down , yelled back , “ No ! Not until your security gets here .

”

Speak of the devil , a uniformed man appeared about thirty feet away .

Spotting the people on the ground , he excitedly shouted .

“ Quick ! Mr.

Coellan Drayton has been found ! ”

Rowena missed her chance , her face twisting with hate .

“ I was going to push him down and blame you , but Her voice dropped to something darker .

“ I can still tell security you’re working with the traffickers , trying to steal my brother ”

She savored each word like poison .

“ Wholl they believer My family owns them .

No police involvement needed – we have other ways to make people suffer

Elysia stood stunned , unable to believe these words came from someone her own age .

“ Why ? ” Her voice cracked .

“ He’s your own brother .

I’ve never wronged you , yet you tried to kill me by pushing me off that slope .

A woman in a floral dress appeared alongside the giant gripping a seven – year – old boy’s hand .

“ There she is ! Elysia , my deart You have no idea how desperately I’ve searched for you ! Lyra’s performance as a concerned mother was perfect .

.

She rushed over , pulling Elysia into what looked like an embrace .

But her fingers dug into Elysia’s ann like talons as she hissed through her false smile .

“ One word , you like whore , and I’ll butcher Odessa .

Try me .

”

Elysia stood frozen , watching them leave .

Rowena turned back , her smile dripping contempt .

She whispered , thinking herself unheard , “ Because I’m taking your place becoming the one true Drayton daughter , becoming …… ”

The world tilted sharply .

Elysia swayed once , then collapsed into darkness .

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