Chapter 9
I went to find Rylee again.[]
“I can’t find the key,” She said dismissively, waving me off.
I slowly closed the door, pulled out a key from my pocket, and tossed it on her bed. “I found this in Eloise’s room.“[]
Rylee’s expression stiffened for a moment before she quickly grabbed the key. “I must have mixed it up when I gave Eloise her key.”
“Really…” I dragged out my words, glancing at the photo frame on the small table.[]
The photo was of Rylee and Eloise.[]
“You have a child about my age, right? Mom said you were in the same hospital room when I was born. Why hasn’t your child come to see you?“]
“She’s staying with relatives. She’s in school now, so I didn’t want her to travel back and forth.” Rylee said nervously, rubbing her hands together as she walked over to the table and flipped the photo face down.]
I smiled and walked out.]
So that’s how it is. Luring the secret out was easier than I thought.]
At the party, I stood at the second–floor one–way glass window, watching the lively scene below.
I was still wearing the dress that Eloise had ruined the night before, holding the hem to hide the tulle that had fallen off.
Downstairs, my parents were already moving the process to invite me to make an appearance.[]
I stood at the stairway, right in the shadows.]
Eloise approached slowly, holding her dress up.]
“Go back to your room. I’ll tell dad you don’t actually want to come down.“[]
“What if I suddenly want to come down?” I stroked my chin. “Dad transferred 10% of the company shares to me. Now that I think about it, I could really use those connections.“]
“What!” Eloise gasped, then quickly lowered her voice, realizing she was at the party. “Don’t forget, your dress is ruined! I can easily make you look foolish!“]
I slowly stepped out of the shadows, standing close to the stairway.]
“Do you know why dad was in such a hurry to transfer the shares to me?“]
I paused, looking at her.]
“Don’t you think you and Rylee are a bit alike?“]
Eloise froze in place, disbelief in her eyes. “What do you mean! Are you trying to say my biological mother is a maid!“[]
The Price of Betrayal
37.5%
Chapter 9
Eloise cared most about her background. After all, she had lived a wealthy life for the first half of her life and couldn’t accept the mental shift.]
She would rather believe her biological parents were dead.]
I feigned surprise. “You didn’t know? Rylee is so good to you, I thought you already knew!“[]
Eloise’s expression changed rapidly as she clenched her fists.]
I took a step back and said, “Should I go down now?“]
“No!” Eloise suddenly grabbed my hand, her expression fierce. “You must have told mom and dad! It must have been you!“]
Seeing her like this, my smile widened.]
I leaned in close to Eloise and whispered, “Yes, I told them.“[]
Eloise screamed, trying to grab my arm and question me.
My feet left the ground, and I fell backward, Eloise’s hand catching the torn tulle.]
“Ah!”
I tumbled to the ground, curling up and trembling slightly.
My parents immediately rushed over and held me in their arms.]
“Eloise …” I struggled to lift my head, tears streaming down as I looked up at Eloise.]
“Why…”
Eloise stood at the top of the stairs, holding the pink tulle in her hand, her face full of panic.]
The guests‘ murmurs filled my ears.
“Eloise! Get down here!” My dad’s voice was filled with anger.]
I trembled and buried my face in my mom’s arms, my face barely hiding my smile.[]
