Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 278

(+23)

When Elena spoke, Ava finally got it. She’d been so focused on keeping Elysia around that she'd forgotten Elysia

had already graduated from high school three years ago-and from a top school, too.

Harfard University was the kind of place most people only dreamed of, but Elysia had already graduated from

there. There was no way she needed to go back to high school.

Ava had acted impulsively just now, not thinking things through. Thank goodness Elena had stopped her in time.

If those words had slipped out, Elysia would've been in a tough spot. As her friend, Ava couldn't force Elysia’s

decisions, especially at a tlike this.

But the thought of them drifting apart made Ava feel a pang of sadness. She watched the fish darting around in

the water, her eyes starting to mist up.

She thought to herself, ‘If only we could be like the fish, free from worries and separations.

When Elysia found them, they were both leaning over the railing with gloomy expressions. Even Elena, who

rarely showed much emotion, looked a bit down.

Elysia walked over slowly, and they looked up after they'd heard her footsteps, trying to hide their sadness.

“Elysia, what's up?” Ava asked.

“I just took Jack back to his room. | heard you guys were here, so | cto check on you. What's going on? You

don’t seem too happy,” Elysia said.

Ava forced a smile and linked her arm with Elysia’s. “What

do

you

mean? We're fine. You must be mistaken.”

“Really?” Elysia raised an eyebrow, and Ava nodded quickly. But before Ava could say more, Elena chimed in,

“Elysia, | want to go hfor a visit. Will you two cwith me?”

Elysia’s eyes softened as she met Elena’s gaze. If Elena wanted to go home, they'd all go together. She nodded.

“Sure, but first, | have someone | want you to meet.”

Ava perked up. “Elysia, who is it?”

“A friend of mine. Con,” Elysia said, leading the way. She'd planned to introduce them last night, but Phoebe

had to leave early, so they'd waited until today.

Seeing Elysia leave, Ava and Elena hurried after her. Ava wore a smile, curiosity written all over her face. ‘Could

Elysia’s friend be as good-looking as Holden?’ she thought and couldn't help but grin. She had a thing for

attractive people.

But when they reached the gazebo and Ava saw the girl waiting there, she was taken aback. She wondered,

‘Where is the handsperson I've been imagining? Could this really be Elysia’s friend? She’s pretty, sure, but

I'm more into guys.’

Ava was checking out Phoebe, and Phoebe was checking them out, too. Her gaze barely changed when she

looked at Elena, but when she saw Ava, her brow furrowed immediately. ‘What's her problem?‘ Phoebe thought

to herself.

Their eyes locked in a silent showdown, and the air grew tense. Elysia glanced at Ava, then back at Phoebe.

“Hey, what's going on here?”

At her words, both girls snapped back to reality, turning away from each other and avoiding eye contact. Elysia

was puzzled, thinking, ‘Have they met before? It doesn’t make sense. Phoebe had never left Silverstream, so

how could she have crossed paths with Ava?’

Elysia asked, “Have you two met before?”

Without thinking, they both replied in unison, “No.”

1/2

11:49 Wed, 12 Mar

Chapter 278

Their quick, thoughtless response only made Elysia more confused. If they hadn’t met, why the ?

82%

Noticing Elysia’s confusion, Phoebe crossed her arms and pouted, “Why was she looking atlike that? Do |

look bad or something?”

423

Ava quickly explained, “No, no, you're really beautiful. It's just that I thought Elysia’s friend would be someone as

attractive as Holden.”

“So you're saying I'm not good-looking enough?”

“No, that’s not it. | just... I'm more into guys,” Ava said, trying to clarify.

Phoebe’s interest was piqued. She pulled Ava into a chair and leaned closer. “I totally get where you're coming

from. | also like attractive people, especially guys. Elysia’s brothers are all super handsome.”

As Phoebe mentioned the Evans brothers, her smile practically glowed. Ava watched her, thinking she’d finally

met someone who was even more obsessed with good-looking guys than she was.

Ava muttered in her mind, ‘I always thought | was too obsessed with pretty faces, but compared to Elysia’s

friend, I'm only normal. But Ava didn’t want to upset Phoebe, so she nodded in agreement.

Elysia watched the two in front of her. Just a second ago, they'd looked like they were about to tear each other

apart, but now they were chatting like long-lost sisters.

Their mood shift was so fast that it caught Elysia off guard. She hadn't even had tto think of a strategy, and

they were already on the sside.

Elysia and Elena sat down on nearby chairs and listened as the two talked about the Evans brothers. The

conversation was getting pretty intense-and definitely not kid-friendly.

Ava’s cheeks turned a little red. Elysia quickly cut in, “Alright, that’s enough. If you keep going, the thank-you

gift you want might not happen.”

Phoebe’s smile dropped. She grabbed Elysia’s arm and pouted, “Elysia, you always keep your promises. You

wouldn't denya thank-you gift over something so small, would you?”

Phoebe gestured with her fingers, and Elysia gave her a sideways look but didn’t reply. Instead, she said, “Elena,

Ava, this is Phoebe, my childhood friend.”

Phoebe quickly extended her hand with a gentle, innocent smile. But everyone knew it was an act. Her she

talked about handsguys earlier, and that image was still fresh in their minds.

eyes

had lit up

when

After shaking hands, Phoebe leaned against Elysia’s shoulder and continued in a sweet voice, “Elysia, what

thank-you gift did you get for me?”

“I was thinking of lending you my brothers for a day, but after seeing how you acted earlier, I'm afraid they'd

never come. back. Let's drop it,” Elysia said with a smirk.

2/2

AD

Comment

Send gift

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLHI0RAO&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIiI0fiflO&1