Chapter 53

Scott’s expression was far from pleasant. He didn't know what to say about Elysia. She was always causing trouble, yet she could also surprise him with unexpected delights.

In his opinion, Elysia was difficult to control, especially compared to Emma, who was always sensible. There was a world of difference between them. He decided to work on "taming" Elysia in the future. He wanted her under his control.

Scott said, “The fact is right in front of us. How do you plan to argue your way out of this?”

Elysia sneered inwardly. ‘Fact? What kind of fact is this? As a party involved, I haven’t even been given a chance to defend myself, yet the blame is inexplicably placed on me. And he says I’m arguing? Is defending myself and telling the truth considered arguing? If that’s the case, then I can only admit that I do intend to argue.”

Elysia looked at Scott, her eyes showing no sign of fear. With a slight smile, she said, “I wonder what facts you’re referring to, Dad.”

“Are you really that clueless? And you have the nerve to ask me?” Scott frowned. “I’m telling you, the Smith family demanded you apologize, and during this time, you’re also responsible for taking care of Mia’s daily needs until she’s fully recovered.”

Hearing Scott’s words, Elysia frowned. She suddenly regretted not kicking Mia harder. She should have given Mia a good enough kick to keep her in bed for ten to fifteen days. Otherwise, Mia’s wish would probably never come true.

Meanwhile, Emma was secretly delighted. She thought, If Elysia really has to take care of Mia’s daily needs, wouldn’t that be just like being a maid? Mia’s move is brilliant!

Elysia glanced at Scott and then fixed her gaze on Emma, her eyes carrying a hint of coldness. She said, “I wonder if the person who told you this ‘fact’ mentioned how Mia humiliated me first?”

After saying this, she looked back at Scott. “I can agree to the Smith family’s demands, but if this makes a laughingstock of our family in the business world, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Scott was puzzled. He didn’t understand why agreeing to the Smith family’s demands would make them a laughingstock. Wouldn’t it be the opposite? Wouldn’t refusing their demands be considered rude and laughable?

“Elysia, don’t try to confuse the issue,” Bella said, her tone carrying a hint of resentment. She didn’t like Elysia. Perhaps it was because Elysia hadn’t been raised by her, making it hard for her to feel close to her. Moreover, Elysia always had a bit of a rascal vibe, far from the ideal daughter Bella had in mind. Her ideal daughter should be like Emma—gentle, graceful, and well-mannered. But Elysia was different. On the first day they met, Elysia had left Bella with a terrible impression, making it impossible for her to feel any affection for her.

“I’m not confusing the issue; I’m just stating the facts,” Elysia said, her tone still playful.

Scott said impatiently, “So, tell me, what really happened?” He hadn’t planned on giving Elysia a chance to explain, but her words had piqued his interest. If this really did turn the Rosewood family into a joke, it would be a loss.

Emma’s eyes flickered with surprise. She didn’t know what Elysia was about to say, but in the past, Scott would have calmed down after hearing Elysia out. She didn’t know if that would be the case this time. She shook her head. Impossible. This time, the Smith family is so adamant. Dad wouldn’t offend them for Elysia. That’s exactly why she had chosen to side with Mia. With the Smith family backing them up and their testimonies, no matter how capable Elysia was, she wouldn’t be able to turn the situation around.

Elysia said, “The truth is, Mia insulted me first and even tried to teach me a lesson. Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t a match for me and got kicked.”

After saying this, Elysia looked at Emma. With a faint smile, she said, “Emma witnessed the whole thing.”

Scott asked, “Is what she’s saying true?”

Hearing Scott’s question, Emma’s body stiffened slightly, showing a bit of panic. She would never confirm that Elysia was telling the truth. Her panicked act was simply to make her false accusations against Elysia more convincing. The more flustered she appeared, the more it suggested something fishy was going on.

Scott said, “I’m asking you a question!” He raised his voice, his tone filled with anger.

Only then did Emma stammer, “Elysia, if you’ve done something wrong, just admit it. Everyone will forgive you.” She looked a bit scared, as if she had been intimidated by Scott.

Seeing this, Bella quickly embraced Emma, gently patting her back.

Scott glanced sideways at Emma, having made up his mind. He thought, Logically, if Emma is this scared, she shouldn’t dare to lie, so her words are likely true!

He turned to Elysia and angrily shouted, “What do you have to say for yourself now!”

Elysia raised an eyebrow and asked, “Dad, do you choose to believe Emma?” She thought, Emma is really good at scheming. With just a few simple moves, she could deceive everyone around her. Are they just that naive, or do they trust Emma too much? What about me? What do I mean to them? A dispensable existence? They didn’t want me eighteen years ago, leaving me in the wilderness. Now they want me back, they brought me home.

Elysia sneered. She had thought that from then on, she would be a child who could receive her parents’ love, but she didn’t expect reality to always be so cruel. She wondered if they had ever thought about whether a child so young could freeze or starve to death, or be taken away by wolves.

Although they had told her she had been stolen and then abandoned, she had doubted this story from the first day she arrived at the Rosewood residence. If she was a stolen child, and had been wandering outside for eighteen long years before being found, wouldn’t her parents try their best to make up for the eighteen years of missing parental love? Even if they didn’t, they should at least act like parents. But they all had their own selfish motives. Elysia would rather believe she was abandoned, because that seemed the most reasonable explanation.

Finally, Emma’s expression improved, and Bella had the chance to scold Elysia. “How could you lie? It’s a shame that Emma even wanted to cover for you, and is this the attitude you show?”

Elysia sneered. “Emma covering for me? Would she be that kind-hearted? I didn’t do anything wrong in the first place, but after Emma’s so-called ‘cover-up,’ I become guilty. After that, if I said anything against Emma, the situation would be just like this, with everyone turning around to blame me. If I happened to be some naive, saintly person who couldn’t see through this, I might even thank Emma for speaking up for me. What a cunning plan! Unfortunately, I am neither naive nor saintly. Emma’s schemes will ultimately come to nothing.”

“Emma, you really don’t consider the consequences of your lies,” Elysia said, looking at Emma, a hint of amusement in her eyes.