The sound of laughter reverberated in the living room even before Ella reached the stairs.
But her thoughts were occupied with Adrian. The butler inford her that he had important business to attend to so he left for the King Empires while she was asleep. Ella hoped that Adrian would not co back with a ’100 million followers’ account in his hand.
When Ella descended the first stair, her gaze accidentally landed on the people who were seated downstairs.
And her footsteps halted. Her body froze.
Seated on the long couch was a beautiful figure, her legs were crossed elegantly and the soft smile on her face never wavered.
Lilith Quinn. The heiress of the prestigious Quinn Family of Country A.
Another nightmare from her previous life.
She was Adrian’s perfect bride according to everyone.
Except, Ella’s existence beca an obstacle.
And soon, Ella beca a thorn in Lilith’s eyes—
"Ella, dear, why are you standing there? Co here!"
At Old Madam’s words, all the heads turned in the direction of the stairs.
Ronan and Kade looked up.
Lilith’s phoenix eyes locked onto hers, a gentle smile touching her face as she spoke, ’’This is...?"
Ella’s palm was coated in cold sweat. Voices from the past mingled in her head.
’Is it painful?’
’Just a little more. Increase the power!’
’She will die.’
"...Ella... Ella..."
Ella gasped a little.
"Miss Yu, is everything alright?" The old butler spoke up behind her.
Ella’s forehead was damp with cold sweat. What was that just now...?
"Grandma," Ella finally responded to the Old Madam, "I am still muddle headed because of my nap."
Old Madam King smiled, "It’s good that you are well rested. I heard that you worked really hard for your exams. Quickly, co over..."
As Ella descended the stairs, Lilith turned to the people surrounding her, "Is this soone from the branch family?" She smiled as she whispered.
Ronan and Kade exchanged glances and remained silent.
Sensing their awkwardness, Lilith sighed, tucking a few strands of her hair behind her ear, "Ah, I am afraid I have a terrible mory. How can I not recognize..."
’’Don’t bla yourself, Lil, you are eting her for the first ti," Old Madam looked up when Ella reached her side, "This is Ella, Adrian’s girlfriend."
The gentle smile on Lilith’s face slowly disappeared.
The living room sunk into silence until Old Madam King spoke again.
’’This is Lilith, Adrian’s childhood friend. They went to the sa school."
"It’s a pleasure eting you," Lilith approached Ella with her hand extended.
Ella took her hand and returned the smile, "The pleasure is all mine."
’Woof woof’
A fluffball suddenly bumped into Ella’s ankle, startling Lilith.
"Are they back from the walk already?"
One servant led Lala inside while Riri had already escaped from their grip and rushed to Ella.
Ella squatted down and picked Riri in her arms, a hint of comfort settling in her chaotic work as she stroked his fur.
Lilith’s expressions changed slightly when she saw Riri, "This puppy..."
’’Ella and Ian have taken these two little ones in. And they are raising them together," As Old Madam spoke, her voice held a tinge of happiness. Her grandson had already given her two animal great grandchildren, and in no ti, she hoped for human great-grandkids.
"What about the cat?" Both Ronan and Kade spoke at the sa ti.
"We took her in recently," Ella ntioned, picking the cat in her other arm.
At this mont, the butler approached the Old Lady and whispered sothing in her ears.
The Old Lady stood up, "You young people can catch up with each other. I have so things to attend to."
If Lilith’s expressions ever wavered, they were not visible now. With perfect poise, she took a seat next to Ronan, "Since when did Ace start adoring little animals?"
Ronan sighed, and shook his head, indicating that he was clueless. Even he was shocked the last ti he was summoned to treat Riri and now a little cat also ca into picture.
When Lilith turned to Kade, the latter scratched the back of his head, "You know my brother, Lily. It’s hard to tell what he is thinking..."
Both Ronan and Kade were aware that these changes more or less had sothing to do with Ella.
But Ella’s relationship with Adrian was not the kind that could be comprehended by anyone easily. Even they were clueless about Adrian’s unhealthy obsession with Ella and now that Ella seed to reciprocate to his traits with the sa intensity, things seed more dangerous to them.
"I still rember how Ace was after that incident," Lilith leaned back on the couch and looked at a distant wall, "Back then, I never thought he would take in a pet..."
Her words encased the place in silence.
Kade’s face turned slightly pale.
While Ronan sighed, "We thought the sa."
Ella sat on the single couch, stroking both Riri and Lala who laid on her lap. Lala shook her tail and jumped off her lap before nestling against her foot. Riri peeked at Lala and occupied her whole lap to himself.
She knew Adrian hated small animals yet she never knew what caused his hatred.
"I heard you were quite busy, Ronan?"
"Don’t ask about it! Good for us I was still in the Main Mansion. When I heard you were here, I wrapped the things and rushed here as soon as I could."
’’And you..." Lilith turned to Kade, ’’Young man... I heard you are diligently going to university, appearing for your exams?"
Kade sighed, "Please, no, Lily. At least, you can’t make fun of ."
Lilith smiled, "I have gifts for you both."
’’Oh? I get one too?" Ronan pointed at himself.
"Only if you update on Ace’s health. Ah, I heard he was here. Why don’t I see him anywhere?"
’’Ace has been busy working on those projects....’’
The conversations went on and on.
None of them involved her.
Except for the slight flicker in her expression, Lilith never lost her composure. Like a matriarch, she dealt with things. Even the servants received gifts from her.
Ella was treated like a part of the backdrop, or a replacent. Nobody looked at her, talked to her.
Usually, she would have been relieved, but as the mories of her past life overlapped the present, Ella did not feel any relief. Instead—
Months after her rebirth, for the first ti, she felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her.
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