Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 356

Elysia pouted and hopped off the dining table, getting angrier the more she thought about it. She decided it was time to change clothes and go have a word with him.

But just before she could leave, something caught her eye—the painting hanging on the easel. It was the piece she’d done for the preliminary round of the national painting competition.

At first, Vincent had told her to pick any of her previous works, but after going through them, she just wasn’t happy with any of them. So, she started fresh and painted something new.

By sheer luck, she had finished it today. It was the perfect time to take it to him. She planned to have Zane drive her to Iskoria Villa to give it to Vincent.

Feeling determined, she carefully took the painting off the easel, rolled it up, and placed it in a tube. Then she walked out the door.

Just as she arrived at his place, Zane had just finished his third shower. He was heading out of his room when the doorbell rang. Wrapping a bathrobe around himself, he opened the door, surprised to see Elysia standing there.

Seeing him in a bathrobe, Elysia blinked, her eyes wide. “Zane, it’s noon. Why did you…”

Hearing that, Zane quickly looked aw

not meeting her eyes. “It’s hot. Just trying to cool off.”

‘Hot?‘ Elysia thought, tilting her head and glancing outside. ‘But it’s clearly overcast

“Zane, you wouldn’t be…” Elysia started to say, eyeing him with curiosity. Zane’s eyes flickered for a second, his heart skipping a beat. ‘Does she know what’s happening with me?‘ he thought.

Before he could explain, Elysia’s face suddenly lit up, and she grinned. “You’re sick, aren’t you?”

Zane blinked, thinking, ‘How is Elysia so sharp, yet so clueless about these things? I guess I’ll have to tell her about something like this sometime.

He gently tapped her forehead with his finger, said nothing, and turned to head back inside.

Elysia followed him in, confused. ‘Did I say something wrong? Someone who can’t tell the difference between hot and overcast must be sick, right?‘ she wondered.

She was lost in thought, so she didn’t realize Zane had stopped in his tracks until she bumped into his solid back.

Rubbing her forehead where she’d hit him, she looked up, and Zane turned around, gently cupping her face in his hands.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, his voice soft.

Elysia frowned, still feeling the sting. “What did you do to your back? It’s so hard!”

his eyes. “I work out every night. What do you think?”

him working out. Without thinking, she reached out and poked his abdomen. But the thick bathrobe was in the way,

it off so you can get a better look?” Zane’s lips curled into a playful

immediately turned bright red. She quickly pulled her hand

that, she turned to

1/3

19 Mar

Chapter 356

that Zane was still holding her face.

light. Elysia could have easily pulled away, but before she could take mone than two steps, he tugged her back toward

fell right into his

shoulders. He gently pulled back just enough to give

stayed this close, he’d probably have to go back to the bathroom to

to calm down. She looked up at him, trying to sound steady.

smiled, knowing this wasn’t like her usual self.

her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze. His eyes softened as they dropped to her forehead, where the had bumped it earlier. His touch lingered there with a gentle

he leaned in slightly and blew on her forehead, and his soft

beat, and her face

and couldn’t help but smile. He reached out and playfully rubbed the bridge of her nose.

to change. Wait here

he finally turned

on the couch. She fanned her face with both

came back,

go,” Zane said.

blinked, caught off

going to Iskoria Villa? I’ll

Elysia froze. She had planned on going to Iskoria Villa, but she

confusion in her eyes, Zane casually took her wrist and helped her up. “I saw the art

go of her hand. He held it firmly until they got into the passenger

*****

Villa, Faelan spotted them immediately and broke into a warm smile. “Mr. Hartley, Elysia,

come on in!”

stepped aside to let them in.

stopped by. Vincent’s been talking about you nonstop. I was about to

Wed,