Chapter 10
Their expressions faltered. Zachary was the first to break the silence.
“With your family’s power, who would dare be the one to call it off? That’d be like slapping your father in the face.”
Liam, acting all noble, said, “I’m willing to go through with the engagement. Just don’t make things harder for Zach and Ryan.”
The two of them looked genuinely moved. “You’re such a loyal friend, man!”
All I felt was disgust. What did Liam really take me for?
Before I could retort, Jessica appeared, wearing her flower shop uniform and carrying a large bouquet.
The moment she saw me, it was like she’d seen a ghost–she trembled, looking like she
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Liam rushed to catch her and snapped at me, “Eleanor, can’t you stop targeting Jess? This has nothing to do with her!”
I hadn’t even said a word since I got here. How exactly was I “targeting” her?
Five years ago, my father had kindly sponsored Jessica through school. Since we were the same age, he suggested she tutor me on weekends. Truthfully, he just wanted me to have someone to keep me company.
One day, while we were playing in the garden, Jessica accidentally fell into the fountain.
As I tried to pull her out, I cut my hand. By the time I’d finished bandaging the wound, Liam stormed in, furious.
“Why did you push Jess into the water?” he demanded.I frowned. “What nonsense are you spouting? She slipped.”
Jessica looked at me with trembling eves.
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her voice quivering.“Please… don’t blame Miss Eleanor. It was my fault–I wasn’t careful.“She even had someone bring me clean clothes. She’s… always been so kind to me.”
Tears welled in her eyes, making her look like the picture of injustice. And just like that, all three of them turned on me like guard dogs.
“Eleanor, you’ve always been spoiled, but bullying someone? Have you learned nothing in school?”
“You think giving her clean clothes hides what you did?”
“You’re horrible. I’m ordering you–apologize to Jessica now!”
I was shaking with fury.I pointed at Jessica. “Tell them–did I push you?”
She recoiled in fear, collapsing onto the ground.
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Her tears flowed freely as she desperately shook her head. “Please… don’t blame Miss Eleanor. It really was my fault…”
Liam helped her up, then gave me a look colder than death.“This is your last chance, Eleanor. Apologize to Jess, or we’re done.”
Liam and I had grown up together. He should’ve been my most natural match.I never imagined he’d believe a stranger over
- me.
I had loved him deeply back then. When he said those words, I gave up all my pride.l apologized to Jessica–an apology that would haunt me for five long years.
Ever since then, Jessica has acted like a terrified victim whenever I’m near–trembling, crying, as if I’d done something monstrous to her.
I finally lost my patience.
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“If you’re so afraid I’ll hurt her, why not carry her around in your arms like a newborn?”
Liam missed the sarcasm entirely. “Why do you always have to make things hard for Jess?”
Zachary narrowed his eyes. “Is this because you found out we’re giving Fantasyland to Jessica? Are you jealous?”
Ryan scoffed. “You’ve had everything since you were a child, Eleanor. Jess, on the other hand, never had anything–not even a birthday gift. It’s just a theme park. Do you really have to compete with her for that?”
I froze.“Fantasyland?”
That theme park was something my parents had started building the year I was born. Every ride, every tree and flower- it all came from my mother’s sketches. Six months ago, the park was finally completed. My father had handed over the finishing
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touches to Liam, instructing him to personally give me the keys on my birthday.
Fantasyland meant the world to my father and me. And now… Jessica had gotten there first.
I turned to Liam.
The keys had always been with him.
Which meant: without him, no one could’ve set foot inside.
