Chapter 12

When Donna saw Elizabeth in tears, she dropped her fork on the table with a sharp "clack." "Victoria, what kind of attitude is that? Your sister was just trying to serve you some food. Even if it fell on you, it wasn't on purpose. Is that really how you talk to her?"

Victoria stared at Elizabeth, biting back the frustration boiling inside her. How had she never noticed Elizabeth was such a good actress? That faux-innocent look—classic move to win sympathy.

Albert's eyes lingered on Victoria but he stayed quiet.

"Victoria, why don't you head upstairs and change your clothes?" Adam spoke up calmly.

Victoria glanced around, then pulled back her chair and left the table.

An awkward silence settled over everyone at the dining table.

"Don't take it to heart, Liz," Adam said softly.

Elizabeth sat back down, her gaze flickering to the second floor. At the landing, Victoria was glaring down at her, and that flash of hatred in her eyes... couldn't be more obvious.

Victoria didn't come back downstairs for the rest of lunch.

Elizabeth stared at her phone. It'd been hours and there was still nothing from Alexander—not even a text or a missed call. She almost started doubting whether her phone was broken.

As she zoned out, Donna walked over. "Liz, can we have a talk?"

They went to the bedroom.

As soon as the door closed, Donna got straight to the point. "Is Alexander treating you badly?"

Elizabeth didn't answer right away. "Mom, Alex treats me well. I used to resent him for pressuring Grandpa into our marriage, but after we got married, I saw all the things he's done for me."

"I honestly want to make it work between us. I mean it."

Donna looked at her daughter, half-suspecting but unwilling to argue. The determination in Elizabeth's eyes didn't seem fake.

"If you say so, I'll take your word for it. But about you and Victoria..."

Before she could finish, Elizabeth cut in, "Mom, sisters don't hold grudges overnight. I only brought it up today in front of everyone because I hope she can drop the nonsense while we can still talk about it."

Donna softened, a slight smile forming. "So long as you think that way, I can relax a bit. You've always loved her like a real sister. No way something as small as a man would drive a wedge between you two."

"Mom, from the day she joined this family, you and Dad both saw how much I cared about her. After being sisters for so many years, there's no way I'd seriously fight with her."

Donna smiled and held her daughter's hand. "I'm glad you're thinking like this."

"I'm married now, Mom. I'll come visit often. You and Dad just focus on staying healthy."

"We will. As long as you're happy, that's all we care about."

"Thanks, Mom."

Elizabeth's lips curled into a subtle smile, one her mother didn't see.

Today's goal had been met. As long as she'd planted the seed of doubt, eventually, the truth about Victoria would come to light.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Elizabeth turned toward the door and walked over. When she opened it, a maid said, "Miss, Mr. Reed is here."

Before she could say anything, from the side of her eye, Elizabeth saw Michael walking toward her—calm, as if everything was normal.

But in her head, memories from her past life came flooding back.It was him and Victoria who schemed together, tearing her and Alexander apart, and in the end, they even used her to get him killed.

But what did Victoria's last words before death even mean? And why was Michael gunning for the Blake family in the first place?

She had to get to the bottom of it—for Alex's sake.

While Elizabeth was caught up in thought, Michael walked up to her. That familiar scent hit her nose, and she felt a wave of nausea rise.

Seriously, what kind of grown man doused himself in perfume every day? She must've been blind in her past life to fall for this kind of guy.

"Eliza."

That calm, cool voice yanked her thoughts back to the present. She lifted her gaze and gave him a faint smile, her tone polite but distant. "Hey, Michael. Didn't expect you."

"Yeah, I heard you came back from the Blake place. Alex didn't give you a hard time, did he? How've you been this past month?"

She almost laughed. How did she never see through his fake concern before?

So damn naive.

"I've been good. Alex treats me really well."

The words "treats me really well" made Michael's face twitch slightly, but he quickly masked it.

Still, Elizabeth noticed.

"How'd you find out I was back?"

He seemed caught off guard. "Victoria told me. She said you came back all banged up. I figured maybe we could talk for a bit?"

...

Blake Corporation.

It was already 2pm by the time Alexander returned to his office after the meeting.

Andrew followed behind him. "Alex, about that land in the West End—we've pretty much locked it in. Shouldn't be any competition."

Alex sank into his chair, rubbing his temples as he gave a tired "Mm." "Where's my phone?"

"Don't you have it on you?"

He frowned. "I meant your phone."

Andrew quickly handed it over. "Oh right—someone from Sunbath Garden called. That drama queen ran off again."

Alex suddenly clenched the phone hard. "What did you say?"

"She ran off again. Honestly, Alex, maybe we should just—"

Before he could finish, Alex was already on his feet and heading for the door.

His parting words: "If anything happens to her, I'll hold you responsible."

Andrew stared at the slammed door, baffled.

"Seriously, what does he even see in her? Gonna get hung up on one person forever?"

But the door was long shut.

Alex stepped into the elevator and started dialing. Whatever the person on the other end said only made his expression darker.

When the call ended, he immediately tried calling Elizabeth.

Then he reached the parking garage, jumped into the car, and checked his phone on the back seat.

Seeing the message, he finally let out a breath.

He started the engine and headed straight for the Harper estate.

Harper Villa.

The moment Alex parked, he was already striding into the house.

"Mr. Blake! You're here," said Susan Lane, clearly surprised.

"Where's Eliza?" he asked, face expressionless, emotion unreadable.

"She's upstairs with—"

Before she could finish, Alex had already walked past her into the house.

Inside, Victoria stepped out first. "Alex, what brings you here?"

His gaze turned cold as he glanced at her. Noticing how she kept sneaking glances up the stairs, a shadow settled in his eyes.

"I'm here for my wife."

With that, he walked toward the staircase—only to be blocked by Victoria. "Wait, Alex—"