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

about Lizzie, he had followed discreetly. His fears, it seemed, were not unfounded. Upon seeing the telltale bruise forming on Lizzie's arm, Cyrus'

Eleanor, "Mom, it's not Lizzie's fault. She didn't know Elijah knew calligraphy. She put in her best effort,

from Eleanor's wrath. The latter's

mocking smile crept onto her face. "You think I hit her because her calligraphy

the reason?" Cyrus thought, remaining silent. However, his expression conveyed everything

once the head of the Finch family. I used to think that, while you weren't quite up

his frustration palpable as Eleanor's words effectively belittled

by a woman this easily, so what are you if not incompetent?" Eleanor snapped, her anger rising again. She repeated, "Do you really

you? Do you

harsher with each word. Her eyes blazed furiously as if they

way she would dare to acknowledge any deeper fault. She could only persevere in her pleas for forgiveness. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." However, what Eleanor wanted to

persistent refusal to

on hiding

as she stated, "Then how do you explain the Lindisfarne Gospels? You attempted to deceive me with a counterfeit. "Were

as she tried to explain, "I... I had no idea. I didn't know it

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 authenticating the artwork at the time, confirming its

Clover had

earlier, Cyrus had been

genuine

Cyrus instinctively sprang to her defense. "Lizzie didn't know..."

will you explain yourself, or

a predator's, making it clear that she wasn't asking for an excuse.

prospect of confession