Upon hearing Elara Don's words, the faces of the three members of the Don Family changed in unison.
"What child? Wasn't your child pronounced dead at birth?"
Troy Don was the first to regain his composure and spoke.
"Yes, indeed! Elly, we were so heartbroken when we heard of your difficult labor and subsequent death back then. Your dad didn't want to see your miserable state, so he directly had the hospital cremate you. Please, tell us, what really happened back then? You're still alive—why didn't you tell us?"
Isabella Wolf also regained her composure, feigning gentility.
Victoria Don, standing by, was silent but kept her gaze fixed on Elara, waiting for her to continue.
Elara Don looked at the three of them from the Don Family, her fingers slightly curling.
"Because I needed to save my life! My child was taken away as soon as it was born. The doctor told me I was unlucky, that my relatives were plotting against me. Wouldn't my relatives be you? You bribed the doctor to harm me, didn't you?"
The second half of the doctor's words, of course, was her own addition.
Because she really couldn't figure out who was trying to harm her!
Better to probe them first.
"You, you're talking rubbish! How could the doctor possibly..."
Victoria Don couldn't control her excitement, blurting out what was on her mind.
"Elly, you can't make such reckless accusations! How could we possibly harm you?"
Isabella Wolf immediately interjected, pulling Victoria Don back, interrupting her next words.
Victoria Don was startled, immediately falling silent.
Just a bit more, and she'd have been provoked into revealing the truth by Elara Don.
Seeing the flash of guilt in Victoria Don's eyes, Elara's lips tightened.
What was Victoria trying to say?
Could it truly be the family was trying to harm her?
But why?
Why would they take her child away and try to kill her?
"Enough! Elly, you must have been indiscreet yourself, getting pregnant with a bastard. Whether the child is alive or not, it shouldn't be kept!"
Troy Don slammed the table with force, sternly reprimanding.
Elara Don clutched her bag strap tightly, looking at Troy with a look of a senior lecturing a junior, taking a deep breath.
"Mr. Thorne, since none of you know where the child is, I have no reason to remain here."
She hadn't come here to reminisce.
She had tested enough.
The Don Family seemed suspicious!
"Hey hey, isn't it just about finding the child? Elly, I'm well-connected. I'll help you find them!"
Riveras Hayes blocked Elara Don's path, forcibly guiding her back to the dining table to sit.
"Oh, Mr. Avery is truly kind."
Victoria Don chimed sweetly, "Sister, look at Mr. Avery, wealthy and all, not minding that you've had a child. As long as you're with him, he'll agree to whatever you want to do. Isn't that right, Mr. Avery?"
"Yes, yes, Vivi is absolutely right."
Riveras Hayes smiled, seated beside Elara, admiring her refined profile, eager to get his way.
Elara Don was filled with disgust, looking at their ugly faces, her fingers clenching tightly.
"Mr. Thorne, thank you for your kindness, but I recall that I severed ties with you long ago, so my future affairs shouldn't trouble you."
Is she only suited for a widowed middle-aged man like Riveras Hayes because she's given birth?
Should she thank them for introducing such a wealthy prospect?
"Elly, I mean well for you. Though you're not my biological daughter, I raised you. Naturally, I hope you live the rest of your life in comfort and security."
Troy Don poured Elara Don a glass of wine, "Mr. Avery is genuinely kind, though he's older than you, older men know how to take care of people! If you're with him, you'll surely enjoy endless honors and wealth! So come, raise a toast to Mr. Avery."
"Mr. Thorne, since Mr. Avery is so good, why not introduce him earlier to your biological daughter? Sorry, I have matters to attend to, I'm leaving!"
Elara Don was unwilling to indulge them further, standing to leave.
"Elara Don, don't be ungrateful! I have a fiancé, as you've seen!"
Victoria Don sneered, "What, are you trying to seduce my fiancé? Let me tell you, Damon Hawke wouldn't want a lowly woman like you! So, hurry and get married, stop flaunting yourself in my presence!"
Turns out this was their ultimate goal for this elaborate dinner?
Afraid she'd steal Damon Hawke?
Elara Don found it quite amusing.
"Victoria Don, how insecure can you be? So afraid of other women? But indeed, you should keep a tight leash on a hypocrite like Damon Hawke."
"You!"
"Enough, enough, Vivi, say no more."
Troy Don signaled to Victoria Don, advising her to quiet down.
Victoria Don glared at Elara, her lips forming a cold curve.
Sharp-tongued wench, she'll get what's coming!
"Mr. Avery, Elly is young, prone to tantrums. Please be lenient with her. I have company matters to attend, won't intrude on your meal."
Troy Don stood, exchanging a glance with Riveras Hayes.
Riveras Hayes nodded, eagerly anticipating their departure.
"Elly, make sure you entertain Mr. Avery well, don't embarrass your father."
Troy Don admonished, leaving with his wife and daughter.
Elara Don found it utterly ridiculous.
Does the Don Family have to be so presumptuous?
Did she agree to join the meal?
"Mr. Avery, enjoy your meal, I'm unwell, need to leave."
Elara Don's face was tense from being ogled by Riveras Hayes.
"What's wrong? Elly, dear, Avery will help you feel better!"
Riveras Hayes placed his hand on Elara's shoulder, intent on taking advantage.
"Mr. Avery, please have some decency."
Elara Don shoved him away, quickly heading toward the door.
But as she tried to open the door, she discovered it was locked.
What were the Don Family planning?
Elara Don was shocked, pounding on the door, "Open up, open up."
"Hey, babe, no use shouting. Your dad's doing business with me, and you're his gift to me."
Riveras Hayes grinned, slowly closing in on her, eyes filled with desire.
Elara Don felt utterly chilled.
Troy Don, by what right is he doing this!
"Mr. Avery..."
Just as she tried to speak, a feeling of heat surged within her.
A strange sensation spread throughout her body, even her voice sounded seductively alluring!
What was happening!
"Sweetheart, feeling hot? Come let Avery hold you."
Riveras Hayes grabbed Elara Don, eyes reflecting inappropriate desires.
"Let go, what did you do to me?"
Elara Don pinched herself hard, attempting to maintain composure.
"Nothing much, just added some fun substances to the fragrance lamp, so we can have a wild time."
Riveras Hayes chuckled, lunging to kiss Elara Don.
"Let go!"
Elara Don struggled fiercely, quickly pulling out a spray from her bag and spritzing it onto his face.
Luckily, she came prepared!
Afraid Troy Don would do her harm!