I Let Her Go, Now She's Unattainable

Chapter 1 He Would Not Give Her Even One More Night "We're ending this marriage. Thirty million is more than what a top-tier maid earns, so that should be enough for you." A stack of divorce papers landed on the table with a careless flick, stopping right in front of Elliana Reed. Elliana held a plain envelope tightly, and she kept her head lowered while the heavy text on those papers made her vision burn. After a shaky breath, she raised her face and tried to steady herself as she took in the man whose sharp features were frozen in a cold, distant stare. When she finally spoke, her voice stayed soft. "Dominic, it's our third anniversary. Let's sit down and eat together. After dinner, there's something important I want to tell you." Dominic Stanley never gave her the chance. His impatience surfaced with a stiff frown as he interrupted. "Elliana, what's the point of dragging this out? I haven't so much as touched you in three years. What you claim happened back then is only your own version of the story. Renee is back now. She managed to get an invitation to the banquet at Vista Cay, and she actually knows Caduceus. She told me she can convince Caduceus to treat my mother during the event. You could never give me anything like that." Each word hit Elliana with a cold force, and she felt her ch**t tighten. It always came back to Renee Fowler. The moment Dominic said her name, a fleeting gentleness crossed his otherwise distant eyes. Softness replaced the tight line of his lips, and a gentler look surfaced. Elliana realized, not for the first time, that she had never been on the receiving end of that expression. A bitter smile tugged at her lips, though she tried to hide it. Three years ago, Renee vanished the moment Dominic lost the use of his legs. Elliana, on the other hand, stayed by his side, night after night, administering secret treatments to help heal what was broken. Even so, her devotion was outweighed by the promise of a banquet invitation and a handful of empty words. There was something almost laughable about it all. "Did Laurie agree to all of this?" "Of course she did. Renee and my mother have always gotten along. Just today, she was at the house, chatting and helping with my mother's medication, and somehow my mother's health already seemed to improve. Honestly, Renee is the only person my mother ever thought of as her daughter-in-law." He sounded almost proud as he said it, but his eyes were sharp with disdain. A sharp ache spread through Elliana's ch**t, like invisible needles. Years of cold shoulders and cutting remarks from Laurie Stanley had taught her that nothing in this family would ever change. No matter how hard she worked or how much she sacrificed, she would never be enough for Dominic or his mother. Maybe it was time to let everything go. Without a word, she slid the envelope into her pocket, hiding away the single, gold-trimmed invitation to a banquet. "All right. I'll sign the divorce papers." Three years had passed, and that was more than enough. Staying asleep in a fading dream would not help her any longer. Deep down, she knew she should have accepted the truth ages ago. The man who once saved her disappeared after his memory loss three years ago. Whatever piece of Dominic had once belonged to her was long gone. For a split second, Dominic's eyes widened. He was clearly not expecting her to give in so easily. He did not let that show for long, though. He quickly masked his surprise with a cold, weary tone. "That's settled, then. Renee is moving in tonight, so you need to sign the documents and be gone before she arrives." Elliana could not believe how heartless he sounded. She was left speechless. Evening was closing in, but he would not give her even one more night. Her silent stare made him falter for a moment. He almost looked uneasy, as if he finally realized how harsh it was to kick her out so quickly. Still, he would not soften. "You can stay at Azure Villa in the suburbs until the divorce is finalized. I'll make sure the deed is signed over to you once everything is finalized." A house and thirty million. Dominic must have thought that someone like her--a woman with no family or money--would see it all as a windfall she could never turn down. However, Elliana did not flinch. She only returned his gaze, calm and unblinking. "You really can't wait to be rid of me, can you?" Her calm defiance made Dominic's expression sour. "That room never belonged to you. It was always Renee's from the start. You've just been taking up space these past three years. Did you think you could stay forever?" His accusation almost made her laugh. She wondered how he could twist things so easily. It never mattered to her if she owned a villa or had stacks of money. Those things could be earned or lost and it would make no difference. What really stung was how all those years she gave him her loyalty and care were being tossed aside without a second thought. It was time to let go. A part of her even felt curious about how he would react when he realized at the banquet that Renee was not the person he imagined--and that the woman he had dismissed as an outsider was the only one who could truly help his family. A faint, mocking smile played on her lips, and that was enough to trigger Dominic's temper. Dominic started tapping his fingers on the table, clearly trying to assert control as he glared down at her. "Elliana, I'm warning you. If you try anything underhanded, you'll be left with nothing. Thirty million is the last ounce of respect you'll get from me. Refuse to sign, and my lawyers will handle the rest." Elliana pushed down the turmoil inside and reached out her hand. "Hand me the pen." A sharp chill entered her gaze, causing Dominic to falter for a split second. Without thinking, he reached into his jacket, retrieved a pen, and passed it over as if he had no choice in the matter. Elliana took it, wrote her signature in bold strokes, closed the file, and slid it across the table with finality. "That's it, Dominic. We're finished. I'll see you at the courthouse on Monday morning at eight." Chapter 2 Anyone Foolish Enough To Cross Elliana Would Soon Regret It Elliana gathered her things with quiet efficiency and stepped out of the villa district, waving down a taxi without a single look back. Tears threatened to fall as she looked at a sturdy metal box nestled deep in her suitcase. Inside, a collection of medals lay scattered, some worn and scratched, others gleaming like new. Every one of them was a reminder of her days as a top agent and one of the founders of Silver Shadow. Those small tokens were proof of her countless brushes with death, each one representing a chapter in a secret life she had tried so hard to bury. She had hoped to share her true story with Dominic one day, but only if they ever built something real together. Now she knew he would never deserve the truth. A sudden vibration from her phone snapped her back to the present. Wiping away any trace of tears, she answered the call. Leah Payne's voice filled the line before Elliana could say a word. "Boss, I did exactly as you said. Every company tied to the Stanley Group is pulling out. Did something happen? Is everything all right..." "I'm going to divorce Dominic, Leah. Get things ready. We're about to launch bigger than ever." There was a stunned pause, followed by a burst of celebration on the other end. "Are you serious? That's amazing! I told you a hundred times, Dominic never deserved you!" Leah's enthusiasm was almost palpable through the phone. "Now that you're back, the entire industry's going to lose their minds. Do you know how many clients I've had to turn away since you left Sanctorum? Each one of them was begging for a chance to meet with Caduceus. We lost a fortune while you were gone..." Hearing Leah's familiar obsession with business made Elliana's lips curve into a small smile. "Is that so?" "Of course! Oh, that reminds me--you mentioned before about running a banquet at Vista Cay and offering a healing slot to help Dominic's mother, all while keeping your identity a secret. Now that you are getting a divorce, what's the plan for the banquet?" "We proceed as originally planned. The banquet goes forward." With that, Elliana ended the call. The taxi rolled through city lights while she leaned back, her smile growing bolder with each passing block. Everything that had been stolen from her--she meant to take it all back. If Dominic's beloved Renee believed she could climb higher by pushing Elliana down, she had no idea what kind of fall awaited her. She would like to see how deep Dominic's loyalty ran once Renee's secrets began to unravel. The banquet was more than a simple event--it was the start of her comeback. An hour passed. Inside a cozy estate in Ipester, Leah, clad in playful pajamas, brought over a glass of wh**key with a cheerful grin and offered it to Elliana. Ripples of deep red danced in the wh**key, swirling through the gold li**id like a blooming rose with every tilt of the glass. "Boss, it's called Scarlet Rose. My latest creation. See what you think." Elliana took the glass and glanced at the opposite wall, where four oversized LCD screens displayed live stock market activity in Ipester. A sharp gleam flickered in her eyes. "You've already started working against the Stanley Group, haven't you?" Leah's eyes, hiding behind her thick glasses, sparkled with fierce determination, giving her the look of a stubborn prodigy. "Naturally, boss! If it weren't for you pulling the strings, the Stanley Group would never have gotten this far. Now that Dominic had the nerve to toss you aside, I'm not stopping until we see him suffer for it." Elliana offered her a sideways look. Leah was just nineteen, an orphan Elliana had rescued from a war-torn country overseas. Despite her age, she could hack systems and play the stock market with an expertise that left most seasoned professionals in the dust. Her only real weaknesses were her bad eyesight and her endless pursuit of cash. "I'll deal with the Stanley Group myself. Are you sure the man we've been tracking is actually showing up at the banquet?" Leah pushed her glasses up, her chin lifting with unmistakable pride. "Definitely. He's been careful about his movements, but I managed to trace him. Right now, he's in Ipester and has already scored a spot at the banquet. Still, Boss, I have to ask--what's got you so focused on him? He's always been a thorn in our side. Some say he's devastatingly handsome. If you want, I can put in extra effort, maybe hijack his ride or slip something into his drink and bring him right here for you." Elliana tapped Leah's head with a hint of exasperation. "Don't fill your head with ridiculous ideas." Her true interest in this man was much simpler--she was after a rare Pisces Jade. It had surfaced in an illicit overseas auction and somehow ended up with him. That jade pendant was the only clue she'd managed to uncover about her birth mother. She needed to track him down, recover the jade, and finally learn who sold it. Annoyance bubbled up just thinking about the search, and she tossed back a large gulp of Leah's drink. A wild mix of flavors hit her tongue, and she nearly choked, coughing it back out at once. "For the love of sanity, keep the experiments for someone else. Next time, just pour me a proper wh**key." She rose from the couch and pulled her damp top over her head. Light caught on her smooth, elegant form, every line sculpted to perfection. Black li**erie hugged her frame, drawing attention to a waist so delicate it could be wrapped in someone's hands and legs that stretched long and lean, not a trace of softness to be found. Every gesture was smooth and mesmerizing, a subtle confidence in the way she moved--almost like a wildcat at rest. Leah could hardly tear her eyes away, swallowing her drink a bit too quickly. Old war wounds had robbed Leah of her sense of taste, but after years of Elliana's careful treatments, she could finally savor sweetness again. To Leah, Elliana was her everything. Her attention shifted back to the giant screens, eyes narrowing with a mischievous glint as she watched the Stanley Group's stock flicker down. The game had only just begun. Anyone foolish enough to cross Elliana would soon regret it. If Renee wanted to play the devoted daughter-in-law and dazzle everyone by promising a miracle cure for her future mother-in-law, then so be it. The banquet was the ideal stage for their next move. Chapter 3 Admiration Vista Cay did not belong to any restaurant. Instead, people flocked there to admire the beauty of an island that was entirely shaped by human hands. Right at the center of this oasis stood the most coveted c**b in all of Ipester. Nobody ever truly knew who ran the c**b, which only made people talk about it more. If you managed to score an invitation to a banquet at Vista Cay, everyone in Ipester's upper crust took notice. Getting invited was almost impossible, and that made it all the more coveted. The following night, twilight painted the horizon as the broad bridge across the river burst into life, its lights shimmering in vibrant colors that gave the whole place an otherworldly glow. Dressed in a soft lavender designer dress, Renee moved gracefully at Dominic's side. Dominic swirled red w**e in his glass, his expression triumphant and self-assured. "Renee, it's only because of you that we're at this banquet. As soon as my mother's well again, I'll definitely marry you." Renee answered with a teasing look, her smile polished and graceful, "Your mother has always treated me well, so helping her was only right. Before this night is over, I have a feeling we'll both be recognized as Caduceus's favored guests." Dominic's face betrayed a flicker of doubt as he listened. "Everyone here tonight is hoping Caduceus will notice them. Caduceus's famous for her obsession with antique jewels. Our present..." Renee was brimming with confidence. She had told Dominic that she had met Caduceus, though the truth was she had only glimpsed a woman from afar. Still, that tiny edge was more than enough to give her confidence. None of the men in the hall could hope to outshine her choice of gift. "Relax. I've got it covered." Suddenly, noise erupted near the entrance. Both of them turned to see what caused the stir. Camera flashes caught Elliana as she swept into the hall, her crimson dress impossible to ignore. Waves of dark hair tumbled down her back, and the green gems at her neck made her skin glow with a new kind of beauty. Her looks, stripped of their youthful simplicity, had become so striking they almost seemed unreal, though her presence was cool and regal as ever. The crowd could not help but g**p in admiration. Every pair of eyes seemed to follow Elliana's every move. Dominic found himself caught off guard, unable to look away. "Elliana?" he said, shock slipping through his voice. Renee snapped out of her daze, irritation sharpening her features. She couldn't understand how that girl from the countryside carried herself with such striking presence. Her stare dropped to the diamond‑lined emerald necklace, a piece far grander than anything she owned, and she wondered where Elliana could have possibly gotten it. Dominic certainly hadn't given it to her. She opened her mouth to complain, then caught the dazed fascination on Dominic's face, which made her anger flare even hotter. Digging her nails into her palm, she worked to soften her tone, adding a note of vulnerability. "Dominic, I didn't realize Elliana would be here tonight. Maybe I should excuse myself. I wouldn't want to put the Stanley family in an uncomfortable position." Her actions matched her words, as she took a step back, pretending to be considerate. Dominic's focus returned to her immediately. "Renee, I didn't invite her." Renee blinked, as though the news stunned her. "You didn't? Then how did she get inside? The banquet doesn't hand out invitations easily. Unless... she came in with another man?" Disdain flickered in her eyes, sharpening her accusation. She tried to twist the situation against Elliana. "She still shows up at events tied to the Stanley family, even after everything that happened. That's just sad." The tension grew between them, and Dominic's mood soured. Elliana, meanwhile, swept her gaze over the room. She had heard countless claims that Karson Bailey, her archnemesis, rarely appeared in public, and nobody knew what he looked like. To draw him out, she had instructed Leah to spread rumors about Caduceus's fascination with antique jewels. The more ancient the better. That rumor was designed to point straight toward the Pisces Jade. Anyone bold enough to bring that jade would almost certainly be Karson. This evening, she hoped her plan would pay off. Lost in thought, she didn't notice someone move directly in front of her until her view was blocked completely. Chapter 4 Aren't You Planning To Present Your Gift, Elliana Dominic stepped closer, his stare sharp enough to cut. "Who told you you could barge in here and stir up trouble? Leave right now, or you can k**s Azure Villa and that thirty million goodbye," said Dominic, his voice cold. Renee tightened her grip on his arm as she added her own performance, her tone dipped in false sympathy. "Ms. Reed, I understand you're angry, but this isn't the kind of place you belong in. If your feelings for Dominic were real, you wouldn't show up and ruin a night this important to him. Since everything between you two has ended, the dignified thing would be to step aside." Elliana knew exactly who she was looking at. Renee had always been the fantasy Dominic clung to. A faint, cold smile formed at Elliana's lips. This wasn't the moment to deliver the blow they deserved, but that moment would come. "Step aside," said Elliana, her tone flat. Her indifference hit Dominic like a s**p. His eyes drifted to the graceful cut of her dress as she moved past him. He suddenly grabbed her wrist, his words dropping to a harsh whisper. "Elliana, stop this. Are you really so desperate for my attention? You schemed your way in here just to see Caduceus, didn't you? You can't take Renee's success, so you're trying to copy her. All you'll do is embarrass yourself." Elliana could hardly believe the nonsense spilling out of him. His ego always knew no bounds. With a swift turn, she tore her wrist from his grasp, her expression carved with cold restraint. The suddenness of her movement caused Dominic to falter. "Mr. Stanley, we're getting a divorce. You're wrapped up in your so-called perfect love, yet you're grabbing me and creating a spectacle. So tell me, who is truly embarrassing themselves tonight?" said Elliana. Her voice rang out crisp and firm, like beads scattering onto polished floors, and every nearby guest turned toward the unfolding scene. Among the elite, nothing was valued more than maintaining a spotless family image. Leaving the woman who supported him and parading around with someone new was already shameful. Doing it so openly made it worse. As judgmental eyes fell on them from every direction, Dominic's and Renee's expressions darkened with shame. Elliana, however, had already turned away. She walked with quiet grace, her posture calm, untouched by the role of a discarded wife. Her unruffled elegance only deepened the shadow on Dominic's face. Still, he couldn't shake the unsettling thought that something about her had changed. A sharply dressed man in his middle years strode onto the main platform, catching the attention of everyone in the hall. Trevor Saunders, the one running Vista C**b, had arrived. His eyes swept across the gathering, pausing on Elliana just for a moment, then he raised his voice so all could hear. "Welcome, distinguished guests. Your arrival graces Vista Cay tonight. Thanks to the healer Caduceus, I have the privilege of leading the gift ceremony. If you have something to present, please step forward now!" Excitement replaced the bitterness in Renee's expression as she tugged Dominic along behind her. So what if Elliana had just humiliated her? With this rare chance in hand, she knew she would become the talk of the night, the envy of every guest. Surely, nobody would bother glancing Elliana's way after this. The parade of gifts had already begun. A guest unveiled a flawless white jade figurine, its price easily running into the millions, and awed whispers swept through the hall. More people followed, each unveiling gifts that seemed more dazzling and precious than the last. Nerves began to show on Dominic, but Renee only grew more self-assured as she stepped to the front. "This is a gift from the Stanley Group," said Renee as she lifted the lid on a polished wooden box, revealing a delicate jade hairpin with intricate designs. The audience exchanged skeptical looks and a few even scoffed quietly. A gift valued at less than a million felt out of place among such grandeur. Still, Renee's satisfaction deepened. "You might look down on it, but Caduceus isn't like the rest of you." For a woman, a present should not only come with a high price tag, but also highlight her beauty. Certain that she was the only gift giver here aware that Caduceus was a woman, she believed her feminine gift would win her favor. She could already taste the win. Elliana watched from her seat, a look of pure disdain flickering in her eyes. Renee's tactics were certainly unexpected. What a shame it would all be wasted. As Elliana started to rise, Renee's taunting voice rang out from the stage. "Elliana, aren't you planning to present your gift? Why not show everyone what you've brought now?" Chapter 5 Who Gave You The Right To Lay Hands On Caduceus's Present Every head in the room turned toward Elliana. Though her beauty easily drew attention, the air buzzed more with doubt than admiration. Renee's gaze landed on Elliana's empty hands, and a mocking smirk played at her lips. "You really crashed the banquet just to get close to Caduceus, didn't you? I bet you spent everything renting that dress just to get through the door. Couldn't manage even a token for the healer? Unless you thought dressing up like this would make you the gift?" Her words sent a ripple of laughter through the crowd, especially from the men, whose stares became even more shameless. Dominic's jaw tightened as his mood soured. Disgust twisted through him as he watched what he thought was Elliana's shameless bid for attention. All he could see was a woman from nowhere, desperately trying to play a part that did not suit her, making a fool of him in front of everyone. His glare grew sharp, as he silently wished she would get the message and leave quietly. Elliana, unfazed, sat back in her chair and lazily swirled her w**e. Her eyes lifted, mesmerizing and calm, drifting past Dominic to rest on the jade hairpin Renee clutched. Not once did she spare Dominic a single glance. A cool, barely-there smile curved her lips. When she finally spoke, her words rang out, edged with cold sarcasm. "So tell me, Miss Fowler, are you speaking on behalf of the Stanley Group?" Renee lifted her chin with pride. "Naturally." Elliana let the w**e touch her lips, the deep color drawing every eye for a moment. A colder sharpness settled in her gaze. "Then I'm curious. Has the Stanley Group fallen so low that they've resorted to presenting counterfeits?" A collective g**p swept through the room. This was a gift meant for Caduceus. Everyone knew that even the healthiest people strained their wallets and imaginations to offer something meaningful, because a healer of that caliber was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime lifeline. Even if one didn't need a miracle now, securing Caduceus's favor meant future protection. To present a fake was not just foolish. It was a public disgrace. Renee felt the weight of those implications immediately. But she barely flinched, her smirk only growing bolder. "Elliana, if you do not know what you are talking about, it's best to stay quiet. You are only putting your ignorance on display. Playing dress-up does not make you one of us." She lifted the jade hairpin higher, displaying it for the crowd to see. "This is a one-of-a-kind piece by the master carver, Rocco Wallace! There is not another like it anywhere. The design, inspired by the art of healing, has earned the National Museum Collection Gold Award. Every detail can be verified. The Stanley Group's regard for Caduceus is sincere and unwavering." Her impassioned defense had Dominic watching her with new admiration, feeling a rush of pride just for being in her orbit. This was the kind of woman he believed should stand by his side. Meanwhile, Elliana calmly placed her glass down and crossed the floor with steady grace. "Real jade should feel cool and silky, with a clarity and glow that runs deep. Bright color alone does not mean quality. The person who forged this piece used clever techniques, hiding traces of dye with intricate carving and playing with the light to mask inferior stone. The thing is, even the best tricks fall apart under proper inspection. All you need is a standard appraisal flashlight." Without missing a beat, Trevor arranged for someone to fetch a flashlight and handed it straight to Elliana himself. Elliana extended her hand toward Renee, her stare cold and unflinching. "Are you brave enough to let everyone see the truth?" Clad in a vibrant red dress, she looked both fearless and utterly composed, her presence lighting up the room. She radiated confidence--never flustered, never backing down. From a quiet corner in the VIP lounge, a man leaned forward, fingers drumming lightly on his knee as he watched the exchange unfold. There was something about Elliana that kept his attention locked. He gestured for his attendant to hold back the gift presentation. "Hold on. Let's see how this plays out." ... On stage, a ripple of unease passed over Renee's face. She remembered how the black-market dealer promised her it was an authentic Rocco Wallace, though he could never fully guarantee its origin. She had attended enough auctions abroad to know the basics of judging jade, but doubt was starting to creep in. Snagging a piece by Rocco Wallace for half a million felt like a bargain too good to pass up. Renee had given the hairpin a quick inspection herself before handing over the money, then told Dominic it cost her two million. There hadn't been time for a proper appraisal by an expert. Now, Elliana's accusations made her stomach twist with doubt. Her hand snapped the lid shut on the box. "You can't just go poking at something this rare. Testing jade isn't a game. Who gave you the right to lay hands on Caduceus's present? If you damage it, who's going to answer for that?" Dominic's frown grew stormy. He climbed onto the stage, took Elliana by the arm, and pulled her aside. "That's enough. You're an orphan without even a college degree. What makes you think you can judge something like this? Step down--now." Chapter 6 Greyson Spencer Elliana stood her ground. With a quick twist of her wrist, she broke free from Dominic's hold without any effort. Dominic, completely thrown off balance, stumbled into Renee. The box slipped from Renee's grasp, hitting the floor with a sharp crack, and the jade hairpin snapped clean in two. Tears sprang to Renee's eyes as she desperately reached for the shattered pieces. "Look at what you've done! Dominic and I spent so much time choosing that gift. Are you satisfied now, Elliana?" Her voice rang out in a wail. She hurt her finger on purpose, then pressed herself dramatically against Dominic's ch**t, feigning heartbreak. Fury drained all the color from Dominic's face. He wrapped his arms around Renee, whispering soothing words while shooting Elliana a look full of venom. Elliana appeared unfazed. She knelt, picked up half the broken hairpin, and switched on the flashlight. A vivid, unnatural purple glow lit up under the beam--a telltale sign of fluorescent dye, proof that the jade was fake. "It's a fake!" "Rocco would never use imitation jade for his work!" "This proves the Stanley Group tried to pass off a fake as a gift!" As the crowd whispered and cast accusatory glances, Dominic's and Renee's faces grew darker by the second. Elliana took in the chaos with a quiet sense of triumph. Right then, Trevor made his way onto the stage, his presence commanding attention. He raised his voice for all to hear. "By presenting a counterfeit, the Stanley Group has insulted both Sanctorum and Caduceus. Effective immediately, the Stanley Group is blacklisted. They will never receive our services." Dominic stood frozen in disbelief. He shoved past Renee, desperate to defend himself. "Mr. Saunders, we meant no disrespect! The Stanley Group was genuinely seeking treatment. We had no idea the hairpin wasn't authentic! How can you treat this as a deliberate insult? If Caduceus is willing to help my mother, we will pay double the usual fee!" Trevor's gaze was cold as he regarded Dominic. "Do you honestly believe Sanctorum cares about your money?" Dominic faltered, words failing him. Humiliation washed over him as the weight of Trevor's dismissal sank in. The whispers and sideways glances from everyone around made Dominic's embarrassment even sharper. How had it all gone so wrong? Renee had sworn she could win Caduceus's favor, but now they were not just rejected--they were blacklisted for good. His eyes flashed with anger as he turned on Renee. "Tell me the truth. Where did you really get that hairpin?" Renee had no way to answer, not when she had skimmed a hefty sum off the top for herself. Her big scheme to show off had completely blown up in her face. Consumed by frustration, she lashed out at Elliana, hand raised for a s**p. "You ruin everything, you miserable bi**h!" Elliana only gave her a mocking smile. Was this the best Renee could do--throw a tantrum when the game was lost? Did Renee really think she would just stand there and take it? Someone needed to teach Renee a lesson. Elliana sidestepped the blow with ease, ready to counter, when a new presence slipped smoothly between them. A refined musk, clean and cool like a breath of winter, drifted on the air. "Did the Stanley family forget their manners?" A man's voice rang out, deep and commanding, every word laced with effortless authority. Elliana stilled. That voice was oddly familiar, stirring an old, half-buried memory. She lifted her gaze, startled. Soft light crowned the man's profile, throwing his sharp, rugged features into relief--a face both handsome and magnetic. "You..." Renee tried to let out another in**lt, but Dominic cut her off, his arm steadying her as he blurted out, wide-eyed with recognition, "Uncle Greyson?" ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &2&