Honey, You're a Billionaire by Chandler Solar

Chapter 585 Breaking Through Her Stubbornness

Eleanor's carefully maintained composure was slipping fast, but she still managed a strained smile as she apologized.

"Mr. Xanth, I'm sorry. I don't understand how this happened. My age seems to have caught up with me, and my eyes aren't as sharp as they once were..."

Ever the gentleman, Elijah responded with grace and tact. "There's no need to blame yourself, Mrs. Finch Senior. Considering the Finch family's reputation and your discerning nature, it appears you were misled. "Nevertheless, your thoughtfulness in choosing the Lindisfarne Gospels is greatly appreciated as I genuinely admire the work."

His carefully chosen words, particularly the phrase "misled", masterfully preserved the dignity of both the Finch family and Eleanor.

Eleanor felt a wave of relief and gratitude, yet the word "misled" echoed in her mind, even as she kept her composure.

After offering more apologies and exchanging a few more pleasantries with Elijah, she excused herself, pleading fatigue, and retired to her room.

Before leaving, she called out to Lizzie, "Lizz, help me upstairs, would you?"

Although Eleanor smiled as she addressed Lizzie, the latter couldn't help but sense an impending storm. Sure enough, as soon as they entered the room, Eleanor's smile vanished entirely. Without warning, she raised her cane and struck Lizzie sharply.

"Ah!" Lizzie cried out in pain, startled by the unexpected blow. She looked up, meeting Eleanor's frigid gaze, and instinctively dropped to her knees.

"Mom, I'm sorry. It was my fault. I didn't handle things well earlier, I..."

Lizzie's voice cracked, and her tears threatened to spill. Her vulnerable demeanor might have elicited sympathy from others, but her "sincere" apology only served to fuel Eleanor's anger. Instead of calming down, Eleanor's expression grew harsher still. "Spare me the act. Stop playing the victim. Your husband isn't here to shield you-"

"Lizz!"

Eleanor's words were cut short by the sound of the door opening.

was none other

it seemed, were not unfounded. Upon seeing the telltale bruise forming on Lizzie's arm, Cyrus' heart ached.

immediately pleaded with Eleanor, "Mom, it's not Lizzie's fault. She didn't know Elijah

shielding her from Eleanor's

face. "You think I hit her because

silent. However,

quite up to your father's level, you were at least competent. "But now... it seems the only reason the family

palpable as Eleanor's words effectively

incompetent?" Eleanor snapped, her anger rising again. She repeated, "Do you really think I hit her because her calligraphy wasn't good enough?" Cyrus lowered his gaze, the fire of

who remained partially concealed behind Cyrus. "And what about you? Do you think it's

with each word. Her eyes blazed furiously as if they could burn through Lizzie. "Mom, I..." Lizzie bit her lip, knowing she couldn't admit to anything beyond her calligraphy

deeper fault. She could only persevere in her pleas for

refusal to

enrage Eleanor further. And since Lizzie insisted on hiding behind Cyrus, Eleanor decided that she would dismantle Lizzie's obstinate resolve right before his

stated, "Then how do you explain the Lindisfarne Gospels? You attempted to deceive me with a counterfeit. "Were it not

as she tried to explain, "I... I had no idea. I didn't know it was a fake. It's..."

that he had acquired at an exorbitant price. It seemed inconceivable that an artifact procured by the Finch family could be a forgery. Moreover, Cyrus had taken the additional step of

Clover had declared it

earlier, Cyrus had

how something once authenticated as genuine would suddenly transform into a forgery. The situation defied

Cyrus instinctively sprang to her defense. "Lizzie didn't know..." he began, only to be silenced by Eleanor's

know? Then who does? Lizzie, will you explain yourself, or should I

it clear that she wasn't asking for an

of confession