Chapter 96


    Chapter 96 A Grudge Against Elm


    Before Eileen could retract her foot, he had already seized her ankle.


    “Can’t you see I’m applying medicine for you?” Elm raised his head, his tone still defiant, causing


    Eileen to doubt if she had heard him correctly.


    He’s applying medicine on me?


    Anyway, she didn’t believe it; she never did. How could I trust someone who almost choked me to


    death at school and is now generously applying medicine for me? Who knows if the medicine is even


    clean?


    Some lessons were learned only once; otherwise, she risked appearing truly foolish, embracing it with


    an open heart upon detecting even a hint of kindness.


    Elm had already dispensed the medicine onto his palm, poised to apply it to her swollen ankle. At that


    moment, Eileen hastily withdrew her foot. “I’m fine; there’s no need for the medicine.”


    Eileen harbored uncertainty about Elm’s potential ulterior motives. As she prepared to rise, hand on the


    recliner, Elm arched an eyebrow, rose from his crouched position, and casually grabbed a tissue from


    the side to wipe his hands as he observed the girl.


    She had just taken a step when a sharp pain shot through Eileen’s ankle, causing her to stumble back


    down.


    “I’ve encountered stubbornness before, but never to this extent. If you don’t appreciate my kindness, so


    be it!” Elm discarded the crumpled tissue in his hand, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.


    Just then, a clear voice echoed from nearby, “Elm? What are you doing here!”


    Eileen turned toward the sound to find Yvette, adorned in an elegant gown, approaching swiftly.


    She couldn’t help but notice the disdainful and contemptuous look Yvette directed at Elm, akin to the


    disdain she had once experienced from her ssmates in ss Six.


    She never expected to see that same expression directed at Elm one day, considering hist proud and


    unruly nature.


    Yvette, expressing concern in her voice, inquired of Eileen, “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”


    Eileen shook her head. “It’s nothing…”


    1/4


    Before the words fully left her lips, Yvette assumed the demeanor of thedy of the house. arms


    crossed, staring down Elm. “Elm, I’ve told you before, you’re not wee in our home. Please leave


    immediately!”


    Upon witnessing the unfolding scene, Albert promptly halted his conversation with a few friends, set


    down his wine ss, and approached to pull Yvette away. “Mrs. Friedman was the one who invited Elm


    to the banquet,” he rified.


    “How could my mom possibly invite such a person to my birthday dinner?”


    Elm, wearing a teasing smile that belied a frosty undertone in his narrow, almond-shaped eyes,


    responded, “Why are you looking at me like that?”


    “But I just love it when you’re annoyed with me, unable to do anything, and you’re all flustered and


    frustrated,” Elm continued, his voice slowly pouring out.


    “That’s right! I can’t stand the sight of you. In fact, seeing you makes me sick! Where did you get the


    audacity to show up here, huh? Get out of here right now!”


    Meanwhile, Jacqueline had just descended from the upstairs study. The butler was poised to intervene,


    mindful of the potential embarrassment in front of the guests.


    Jacqueline, however, dismissed the need for mediation. “It’s just some kids messing around, no need


    to intervene. Go ahead with your work!”


    “Very well, Mrs. Friedman.”


    Remaining in ce, she observed the unfolding drama, her gaze indifferent as it fell on Elm. The


    resemnce in those eyebrows and eyes was unmistakable.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Albert frowned. “Yvette, enough is enough!”


    “Release me!” Yue Yao fought to extricate her hand from his firm grasp. “What’s the matter? Did I say


    something wrong? If my words weren’t clear, I’ll repeat them for you. Pay attention! Our family does not


    ept the son of a homewrecker and burlesque performer! You’re just as contemptible as your unwell


    mother! All you do is shamelessly cling to others and refuse to leave! Get out of my sight!”


    The final sentence reverberated in the tense air.


    A hush settled in, apanied by a chilling aura emanating from Elm.


    Every onlooker held their breath, refraining from even the slightest heavy exhale.


    Time inched forward gradually-one second, two seconds…


    The sole individual bold enough to voice such sentiments was Yvette, and everyone awaited.


    2/4


    Elm’s potentially explosive response.


    Surprisingly, he defied expectations by releasing a low, eerieugh, his eyes gleaming a malevolent


    red. Witnessing this, Yvette couldn’t help but shiver in fear.


    With an unconcernedugh, Elm retorted, “She’s no better than the rest! Do you really think. your


    mother is some kind of treasure?”


    “What do you mean!” Yvette countered.


    Leaving behind a thought-provoking remark, Elm turned around and departed without a backward


    nce.


    Eileen seemed like an invisible presence, head bowed, lost in her own thoughts.


    “Stop! Stop right there, you damned bastard!”


    As Yvette continued yelling at Elm’s departing figure, Albert observed thetter’s departure with a hint


    of unease in his gaze.


    Not far away, Jacqueline stood for a moment, letting the breeze clear her thoughts. Soon, she regained


    herposure. Every word from the recent exchange had reached her ears without. missing a beat.


    Could it be… he knows something?


    Jacqueline’s eyebrows furrowed deeply. Descending the stairs in her high heels, she addressed Yvette,


    “Yvie! Why are you making a scene in front of your ssmates?”


    Recognizing the familiar voice, Yvette immediately quieted down, lowering her head in fo of reprimand.


    Jacqueline had enrolled her in numerous etiquette and socialite courses, but the knowled seemed lost


    on her. The money spent on those courses appeared to be in vain.


    Yvette, sounding like a child who had erred, spoke softly. “It’s nothing, Mom.” She downyed the


    incident with a few casual words.


    Following this, Jacqueline turned her attention to the person seated on the chair beside her daughter.


    “Who is this?”


    Sensing the gaze upon her, Eileen began to respond, “I…”


    Before she could continue, Yvette quickly took control of the conversation. “Mom, I’m going to my room


    to open the gifts. You guys have fun…”


    She was eager to discover the contents of the gift from the old man.


    Jacqueline chuckled, shaking her head. Her words carried a gentle reprimand. “When will


    34


    you ever change your ways? You don’t even know how to greet your ssmates properly when they


    arrive,”


    Just then, the butler approached, whispered something in Jacqueline’s ear, and was promptly


    dismissed.


    The spectators, initially captivated by the scene, gradually dispersed as if the entire incident had never


    happened.


    Albert’s soft voice echoed from above, “Are you alright?”


    Eileen shook her head. “I’m fine.”


    “Are you still holding a grudge against Elm?” he asked, already aware of the answer.


    Eileen remained silent.


    “Getting involved with anyone from the Swan family is truly frustrating. Eileen, don’t deceive yourself


    into thinking you’re innocent. Reflect on what you… and your family have done. Elm is simply


    responding in kind; you are not meless.” Albert reached into his pocket, hist fingertips lightly


    brushing against the bottle of safflower oil. “You’ve hurt your foot; remember to have the housekeeper


    apply the medicine.