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.

none other

the moment she singled her out for assistance. Worried about Lizzie, he had followed discreetly. His fears, it seemed, were not unfounded. Upon seeing the telltale bruise

Lizzie's fault. She didn't know Elijah knew calligraphy. She put in her best effort, and

protectively in front of Lizzie, shielding her from Eleanor's wrath. The

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

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

quite up to

palpable as Eleanor's

you really think I hit her because her calligraphy wasn't good enough?" Cyrus lowered his gaze, the fire of

about you? Do

what, precisely?" Eleanor pressed, her tone growing harsher with each word. Her eyes blazed furiously as if they could burn through Lizzie. "Mom,

there was no way she would dare to acknowledge any deeper fault. She could only persevere in her pleas for forgiveness. "I'm sorry. I'm

refusal to

served to enrage Eleanor further. And since Lizzie insisted on hiding behind

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

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

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

when Clover had declared

Cyrus had been

as Lizzie. He couldn't understand how something once authenticated as genuine

her defense. "Lizzie didn't know..." he

you explain yourself, or should I have

clear that

of confession