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?”

came out, Olliver shot a warning glance, saying, “Alright, don’t talk nonsense

spoken out of turn, the maid bowed respectfully

But it was just a quick look

too focused

uncontrollably onto Lydia’s hand. Feeling the warmth of those teardrops, Lydia’s heart tightened as she looked at Elena with worry in her eyes. “Elena, why are

so 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 of always holding it in alone.

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

wipe Elena’s tears away. “Elena,

even harder, dropping one after another. She bit her lip, trying hard to control them. But the tears seemed determined to defy her; the

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at 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, and recognized by everyone

had never shed a tear before, but now she was crying like a child. In fact, she was

mature.

flowed endlessly, feeling very anxious. She reached out to gently pat Elena’s back, wanted to comfort

to see her tears. He wondered,

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

up, Elysia and Ava, beside him, got up and

said anything, Elena looked up at her, and suddenly her tears stopped. “Elysia, do I look

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

joking. I must look awful now.”

her arm around her. She

when she was sitting on the couch earlier. Lydia looked frail and out of breath–like she’d