Elaine's body trembled faintly, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, barely holding her composure.

Tatiana sipped her coffee calmly and smiled. "Miss Willis, let's be frank. I know about your relationship with the Andrews heir. If you leave him voluntarily and promise never to interfere with him and Alina again, I'll give you three million."

She slid a prepared check across the table with a dismissive flourish.

Her condescending demeanor and patronizing tone merged with memories of that alluring woman from years ago.

Eight years of suppressed hatred, humiliation, and resentment erupted, shattering Elaine's restraint and facade.

She ignored the check, locking eyes with Tatiana, her voice sharp. "Three million? Ms. Russell, you took three hundred million from my family back then. Is three million supposed to settle that debt?"

Tatiana's smile froze, a flash of shock crossing her face.

Elaine leaned forward, her gaze cutting like a blade, each word deliberate. "All these years, spending money stained with my mother's tears—don't you ever have nightmares? Doesn't your conscience ever stir?"

"You… you're talking nonsense!" Tatiana slammed the table and stood.

"Nonsense? Back then, I couldn't touch you because I had no leverage. But things are different now…"

Elaine's laugh was bleak, her eyes filled with resolve. "Your daughter, Alina, is a celebrated star. What if I expose her background? Tell everyone how her elegant, refined mother was a mistress who stole a fortune from the original wife, indirectly driving her to death… Would Alina's pure image hold up? Would the Andrews family accept a daughter-in-law with such a family?"

Tatiana panicked, pointing at Elaine, her voice shrill. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Why wouldn't I?" Elaine stood, towering over her. "I've got nothing left to lose. Tatiana, this is what you owe my mother and me!"

Without another glance at Tatiana's vile face, Elaine turned and left.

She took a cab straight to the old Willis house, frantically searching through her mother's belongings.

At last, she found it.

A kraft envelope containing faded photos, clear evidence of her father's affair with Tatiana.

Staring at her father's infatuated expression and Tatiana's youthful allure in the images, Elaine's tears spilled over.

She pulled out her phone and opened her social media account.

She would go live. She would tear off the polished mask of Tatiana and her daughter in front of everyone.

But just as she was about to hit the live button, a strong hand reached from behind and snatched her phone.

Elaine spun around in shock, meeting Dylan's fathomless eyes.

Two bodyguards trailed Dylan, seizing all the photos from Elaine's hands.

"Give them back! Dylan! Give me back my things!"

Elaine lunged to reclaim them, but Dylan gripped her wrist.

He saw her tear-streaked face, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

He quickly masked it, turning to the bodyguard. "Take these photos. Not a single one gets out."

"Yes, Mr. Andrews," the bodyguard replied respectfully, retreating swiftly.

"Why?" Elaine struggled hysterically, tears streaming. "Do you know what Tatiana…"

"I know," Dylan said, his voice calm. "But I can't let you ruin Alina."

Elaine froze, as if all strength had been drained from her.

After a long pause, she let out a low, desolate laugh.

She should have known.

He loved Alina so deeply he could overlook anything.

What was she to him?

"Burn the photos if you want," she said, her red-rimmed eyes piercing. "As long as I'm alive, I'll never let that mother and daughter off."

Dylan's gaze darkened. He dragged her out, took her to the suburban villa, and locked her in the attic.

"Stay here and think it over. I'll let you out when you're ready." He stood in the doorway, his tall figure cold and unyielding against the light.

"Dylan! Let me out! You have no right to lock me up!" Elaine pounded the heavy wooden door, but only fading footsteps answered.

She didn't know how long she endured in the darkness before the lock clicked again.

A young maid entered timidly, carrying a tray of food.

Faint strains of lively music drifted from downstairs.

Elaine's voice was hoarse. "What's… happening downstairs?"

"It's Mr. Andrews' birthday. They're throwing a party at the villa."

She hesitated, then added, "Miss Russell is here too. I heard her birthday gift tonight is accepting Mr. Andrews' proposal… and they're going public with their relationship."

The maid hurried out.

A cold glint flashed in Elaine's eyes. She grabbed the maid from behind, clamping a napkin over her mouth.

"I'm sorry…" Elaine whispered, binding the maid with rope found in the attic.

She stripped off the maid's uniform and put it on herself.

Head down, she slipped out of the attic, hurrying downstairs, avoiding the main hall and sneaking into the backyard.

The back door was within reach. Her hand grazed the handle when a low voice sounded behind her. "Stop."

It was Dylan.

Elaine froze.

"Who are you? Turn around." His tone held a trace of suspicion.

Her heart pounded so hard it might burst, her mind racing but finding no escape.

At that moment, a soft feminine voice cut in. "Dylan! What are you doing out here? Everyone's waiting for you to cut the cake!"

Alina approached, looping her arm through Dylan's with familiar ease.

She shot a jealous glance at the maid's beautiful figure. "Just a servant. What's so interesting? Let's go back!"

Dylan stared at the familiar silhouette, hesitating briefly before Alina pulled him away.

As their footsteps faded, Elaine shoved open the back door and fled into the dark night.

She ran until she reached a convenience store, borrowed a phone, and dialed a number. "Charlie, it's Elaine. Please, help me get out of here now… If I don't leave, I'm done for…"

A brief silence, then, "Don't worry. I'm sending a helicopter for you."

An hour later, Elaine, clutching Sunny, boarded a plane to Eldoria.

Through the window, she glanced back at the glowing lights of the Andrews estate.

Alina had finally said yes. Dylan got his wish. He must be thrilled.

Her life was about to start anew, in a world without Dylan.

She felt no lingering attachment, only a numb sense of release.

It felt right.

Perhaps she and Dylan were never meant to cross paths at all.

As the midnight bell chimed, the guests raised their glasses to Dylan.

Amid the opulence, Alina, in a gown shimmering with rhinestones, approached him.

"Dylan, this year's birthday gift—" she paused for effect, smiling radiantly as the crowd held its breath, "is me. Let's be together."

Before her words settled, she rose on her toes and kissed his lips.

Dylan stood stunned, accepting the kiss, but his mind drifted to a late night when Elaine, untying his tie, carried the faint scent of gardenias in her hair.

He found the thought absurd, even disorienting.

Before he could respond to Alina, the old caretaker pushed through the crowd, whispering urgently in his ear, "Sir, trouble! Miss Willis tied up the maid bringing her food and escaped from the attic!"

"What?" Dylan's face darkened.

He pushed Alina, who was practically clinging to him, away.

"Dylan?" Alina's smile froze, her eyes wide with shock.

He didn't see her. His sharp gaze swept to the caretaker and nearby bodyguards, his voice icy. "When did this happen? Which way did she go? Find her! Seal all exits, check the cameras! Bring her back!"

Ignoring the guests' stunned looks and Alina's pale face, he stormed out of the lively banquet.

The cameras showed Elaine returning to her apartment, retrieving her dog, and then vanishing.

He sent people to search every place she might go, but they found nothing.

Only then did he realize how little he knew about her.

He had no idea who her friends or family were, or what she enjoyed doing.

Dylan returned to the villa, his expression grim, intending to retreat to his study for solitude. But as he passed the garden, he overheard Alina's voice. "…Mom! I did exactly what you said, in front of everyone! And he pushed me away to chase that wretch!"

Whatever Tatiana said on the phone made Alina's tone turn venomous. "I told you years ago you should've been ruthless! Let those debt collectors sell her to traffickers! Done and done! Then she wouldn't be haunting me and Dylan now!"

Dylan's steps halted, a chill creeping up his spine.

He had retrieved and destroyed those photos for Alina because she tearfully claimed her mother was deceived by Elaine's father, unaware he was married.

She said Elaine was using old photos to slander them, aiming to ruin their reputation.

But her words now suggested a different story.

In the garden, Alina continued complaining, her voice clear. "Mom, this is your fault, pushing me to break into Eldoria. Years later, I've made no splash. The investors you found just took advantage of me, offering no real opportunities. Even Director Charlie wouldn't give me an audition. If I'd stayed here, I'd be Mrs. Andrews by now, and Elaine wouldn't have a chance to stir trouble!"