Chapter 59

Bella couldn't think of anything to comfort Emma. Although the situation was strange, it wasn't the time to dwell on it.

Scott had frowned since entering the car. He thought, "If today's incident gets out, Emma will be ruined. What's the point of raising her for so many years?"

Upon returning to the Rosewood residence, Elysia was on the living room sofa, reading a magazine.

Seeing Elysia unharmed, while Emma had suffered what Elysia should have endured at the hotel, Emma's hatred intensified. She thought, "Elysia is a devilish torment; her existence brings only trouble. One day, I'll remove this nuisance myself."

Bella's face darkened upon seeing Elysia. She thought, "Why did Emma suffer humiliation while Elysia enjoys herself?" Feeling wronged for Emma, she recalled Emma's accusations about Elysia's plotting. She thought, "How dare Elysia sit here so calmly?" Her mind was in turmoil.

Bella didn't care about Elysia's guilt; she rushed over, snatched the magazine, and shouted, "Did you set Emma up today?!"

Annoyed at having her book taken, Elysia's eyes turned cold. She said coldly, "I set Emma up? Do you have any evidence?" Elysia had lost affection for Bella, who favored her foster daughter, Emma. She sneered inwardly, If she values Emma so much, let her watch as I destroy Emma bit by bit.

Bella was almost speechless under Elysia's cold stare—a first since Elysia's return. However, Bella's years of experience showed no visible reaction.

She pointed at Elysia, scolding, "You dare ask for evidence? Don't you know what you did?" Elysia laughed softly, "I truly don't know. Give me some hints?"

Bella was choked. Should I describe the hotel incident again? With so many people here, it would be disastrous. It wasn't glorious, and recounting it would further harm Emma.

Elysia said, "Without hints, I don't know what I've done." Her playful expression mocked Bella.

Bella shouted, "Don't argue! I say you did it!"

Elysia burst into laughter. "Without evidence, it's not a fact. Even elementary school students know that. You can't be unaware, can you?"

Bella was furious. Elysia has gone too far! As she prepared to reprimand Elysia, Elysia stood and walked toward Emma.

Elysia tilted her head, staring at the bruises on Emma's neck. She said slowly, "Emma, are you hurt? Your neck is bruised it looks like a hickey."

Emma's face flushed crimson.

The maids whispered. Scott frowned, "All of you, get out!"

The maids left, leaving only the four of them.

Chapter 39 (Note: There's a discrepancy; the chapter numbers are inconsistent)

Elysia, still playful, said, "Last night, Emma came to my room, gave me a room key, and asked me to go to the Glory Hotel tonight, saying Robert was waiting."

"Did you go?" Scott asked, his tone serious. Bella and Emma also wanted to know.

Emma's plan was to clear herself, but it changed. She needed Elysia to admit being at the hotel to support her claim of Elysia's plotting. Emma was certain Elysia was there, but confused by the lack of surveillance footage.

Elysia smiled, "Of course not. Emma thought I liked Robert, so she arranged a meeting. She didn't know my target isn't Robert. I wouldn't even look at someone like him."

Scott understood: Elysia's bet from their last study conversation—to associate with the powerful and noble. He thought, Emma is useless; it's better to protect Elysia. The Rosewoods could rise. It seemed Emma plotted against Elysia and hurt herself.

Though Bella suspected Elysia's truth, she didn't want to believe it.

Elysia waved, "I'm going to my room."

Bella shouted, "Wait!" But Scott's cold stare stopped her.

"Tomorrow is Elysia's birthday," Scott said, his tone softening. "There's nothing for you here. Go to your room."

Elysia left without looking back.

Emma, jealous, couldn't believe Scott's gentleness toward Elysia. She thought, Does Dad believe Elysia? I planned for so long to ruin her birthday, and I failed? Why do I always lose to Elysia? I grew up in this family, yet I lose to a country bumpkin? It's unfair!

Scott turned to Emma, his tone unfriendly. "Do you still want to argue about tonight?"

Tears welled in Emma's eyes. She looked wronged.

Bella said, "Scott, let's drop it. It's late, and blaming Emma won't help." She worried Scott would blame Emma. How could Emma bear that?

The passage has been corrected for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. The inconsistent chapter numbering remains as it is in the original text, highlighting a potential issue in the source material. I've also removed some repetitive phrasing.