Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 281

Henry couldn’t hide his smile, and his voice was full of joy. He’d been the butler for years, and the tension between Olliver and Elena had always worried him. Thankfully, their relationship was finally improving, giving him a glimmer of hope.

After Henry left, the cleaning staff also cleared out, leaving only a few people in the living room. The atmosphere grew

tense.

Olliver clasped his hands together, looking like he wanted to say something. He opened his mouth but still didn’t speak.

Elena watched him, feeling a mix of emotions. The father she remembered was a stern man of few words, rarely showing that side of himself.

Just as she was about to say something to lighten the mood, a female voice, tinged with sobs, echoed through the living room. “Elena!”

Everyone turned to see a tired–looking woman standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her hair was messy, her face pale, and she wore a shawl draped over her slender frame.

Elena’s eyes showed a hint of surprise when she saw Lydia, her mother. It had been a year since she last saw Lydia, who used to have a pretty and refined face. She hadn’t expected Lydia to look so much older in just one year.

A pang hit Elena, and without hesitation, she quickly moved forward to support Lydia.

Just then, a maid caught up and, seeing Elena, spoke excitedly, “Ms. Shelton, is it really you? Have you really come back?”

Tears started to fall as she spoke, “Just now, Mrs. Shelton heard you were back and rushed out without even changing her clothes. We’ve been so worried, but now that you’re here to comfort her, she’ll definitely get better soon.”

Elena focused on the last sentence and looked at the maid, asking, “Is Mom sick?”

“You didn’t know?”

glance, saying, “Alright, don’t talk nonsense in front of Elena. Get back to work. We

spoken out of turn, the maid

it was just a quick look before she turned away, sensing they were keeping

daughter, too focused

eyes grew moist, tears falling uncontrollably onto Lydia’s hand. Feeling the warmth of those teardrops, Lydia’s heart tightened as she looked at Elena with worry

strong that it made Lydia’s heart ache. Lydia often wished Elena didn’t have to be so strong and could cry when upset, instead

now only made Lydia feel more pain. ‘How much better would it have been if she hadn’t been

to wipe Elena’s tears away. “Elena, don’t

lip, trying hard to control them. But the tears seemed determined to defy

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Elena, who rarely smiled and always had a cool and distant demeanor, yet her heart was softer than anyone else’s. She was a top student, the student union president,

shed a tear before, but now she was crying like a child. In fact,

mature.

very anxious. She reached out to gently pat Elena’s back, wanted to comfort her, but found words

her tears. He wondered, ‘If I remember correctly, this is the first time I’ve seen Elena cry.

she wouldn’t shed a tear even if she got hurt or hit her

was about to stand up, Elysia and Ava,

and although she hadn’t said anything, Elena looked up at her, and suddenly her tears stopped. “Elysia, do I

her head and reached out to wipe away Elena’s tears. “Who says you can’t cry? Even when you cry, Elena, you’re still

I must look awful

and put her arm around her. She continued, her voice gentle, “Let’s

Lydia looked frail and out of