Chapter 85
The next day, it was no surprise that Leia fell ill again.
At breakfast, the Anderson family all cast disapproving glances at Eli. It was pretty clear that Leia’s sudden sickness was a result of the tension caused by him the night before.
“Eli, look at what you’ve done! Leia was already fragile, and you went and provoked her like that. Now she’s sick again. Are you happy now?” Kimberly scolded, her eyes full of reproach.
Vincent, though less vocal, also frowned. “Eli, what was with you yesterday?”
But surprisingly, Damon, usually the most protective of Leia, remained calm. He merely shot Eli a cold glance, saying nothing.
Eli, feeling the pressure from his family, scowled. “What’s the big deal? I just said a few words to her. I didn’t even yell at her. How is it my fault that
she’s sick?”
Kimberly was about to say more when Noelle, sensing the tension, put down her fork and spoke up, “Mom, how about I go check on Leia? I’ve learned some medical techniques, maybe I can help.”
Kimberly eyed Noelle with some doubt. “Noelle, are you sure you can handle it?”
Yesterday, Noelle had eased Vincent’s headache with just a massage, and that had left Kimberly feeling rather impressed.
But on second thought, it seemed unrealistic. Noelle was only eighteen–how much could she have possibly learned in such a short time?
Medical school took years to complete, and even a decent doctor was in their thirties or forties. Noelle could hardly compare to a professional, could she?
But Noelle, ever confident, patted her chest and reassured her mother, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got this.”
Kimberly still wasn’t completely convinced, but then Vincent, to everyone’s surprise, backed Noelle up. “Let Noelle try. After she helped me last night, I haven’t had any headaches since. She might really know something.”
“Vincent?” Kimberly raised an eyebrow, clearly a little taken aback, but she relented. “Alright, Noelle, after breakfast, you go upstairs and check on
Leia.
“Okay,” Noelle said, pleased.
However, just as Noelle agreed, Damon, who had been quietly eating, suddenly looked up and stopped her. “Noelle, maybe you shouldn’t go up to see Leia after all.”
“Why not?” Noelle turned to Damon, confused.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Damon replied coolly. He knew Noelle was eager to show off her skills, but the last thing Leia needed was someone like her barging in with half–baked solutions.
Noelle puffed out her cheeks, looking displeased. “Damon, you don’t believe I can help Leia? I’m actually really good at this!”
Damon sighed in exasperation, “It’s not about whether you can help her. It’s about you causing more trouble.”
“Trouble?!” Noelle’s mouth twisted into a pout. “I’m just trying to be helpful. Why is everything I do a problem?”
Damon shook his head, frustrated with Noelle’s stubbornness. He was trying to keep things from escalating, but she kept pushing.
“Just don’t make things worse,” Damon muttered, his tone worn.
Noelle crossed her arms and huffed, “Why am I always the one getting blamed for everything? I’m only trying to help! It’s not my fault if Leia can’t handle a little advice!”
The tension was palpable. And just then, Eli, who had been watching in silence, couldn’t hold back any longer. He let out a mocking laugh.
Damon turned his attention to Eli. “What’s so funny?”
Eli smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasant one. He took a slow sip of soup before lifting his gaze and flashing Damon a sarcastic grin. “Oh, nothing. I just think it’s all quite amusing.
Damon squinted at him. “What’s so amusing about it?”
1/3
Extra Check–in
Youchers
Exclusive Profile
Ad–Free Reading
Badge
1:05 PM
Chapter 85
Eli shrugged. “Oh, never mind. You wouldn’t get it.”
“What wouldn’t I get?” Damon pressed, growing irritated.
The air between them crackled with tension as their exchange grew more heated. Noelle, completely oblivious to the deeper undercurrents, stared at them wide–eyed, unable to understand what was happening.
“Would you two stop?” Kimberly interjected, finally noticing the brewing storm. “Can we just eat breakfast without turning it into a battlefield?”
Both Damon and Eli fell silent, though neither was happy. They continued eating, but the atmosphere had definitely soured.
After breakfast, Kimberly asked Eli to go to the garden and get some seeds for her. As he was him, calling his name.
walking toward the
entrance, Damon caught up with
“Eli.”
Eli paused and turned to face Damon, his expression cold and distant. “What?”
“Are you seriously still going to be like this? Ever since we got back yesterday, you’ve been acting all passive–aggressive.” Damon cut straight to the point.
Eli raised an eyebrow. “What’s your problem? I’m not doing anything.”
“You know exactly what’s going on,” Damon shot back. “You’ve been treating Leia like crap. What’s your deal with her? Are you upset that she got
into trouble at school?”
“Who said I was upset because of this?”
“Then why have you been targeting Leia?”
“I…” Eli had initially planned to deny it, but seeing Damon relentlessly press him, he paused and decided to be upfront. “I’m not targeting Leia because of that. I’m frustrated with you all causing trouble at the school, but that’s not why I’m upset with her.”
“Then what is the reason?” Damon shot back.
“Why do you even ask…”
Eli let out a bitter laugh, fixing his gaze on Damon with a touch of resentment. “Damon, don’t you think Leia has changed ever since Noelle came into the Anderson family?”
Damon was silent.
“I always thought Leia was this gentle, kind, and graceful girl. But after what happened yesterday, I can’t help but feel like she’s become someone
else.”
“People have been calling Noelle an illegitimate child. Do you really think Leia doesn’t know about it? It’s been all over her social circle, the whole class is excluding Noelle, and she hasn’t noticed? Do you believe that?”
“And the whole thing with you going to school–she knew what would happen, but did she really try to stop it?”
“Then there’s her attitude toward Noelle. She keeps saying Noelle is great, but when I told her Noelle has racing talent, did you see how she reacted? The jealousy in her eyes was practically overflowing.”
“And this morning–why did you stop Noelle from seeing Leia? Could it be that Leia isn’t actually sick and just wanted to play the victim?”
Eli had finally let everything out.
So much had happened in the past few days, and it had all hit him hard. He was about to burst.
After he finished speaking, there was a long pause.
Finally, Damon coldly asked, “Are you done?”
Eli glanced at Damon, furrowing his brow. “I’m done. How about you? Do you believe what I said?”
Damon was the one who cared most about Leia. His filter for her was the thickest. Even after everything Eli just said, it was likely Damon wouldn’t believe him. But to Eli’s surprise, Damon answered, “I believe you.”
2/3
Extra Check–in
Vouchers
Ad–Free Reading
Exclusive Prottle
Badge
1:05 PM C
Chapter 85
Eli froze for a moment, surprised.,
But before he could respond, Damon turned to face him fully. His
3/3
