Chapter 993:

Louise’s face briefly flickered with emotion, but she quickly composed herself, bowing her head slightly. “I understand, Chesney,” she replied, her voice low.

Chesney scowled, setting his pen down with a huff. “Elyse is unbearable these days. She’s become a thorn in my side. Edward dotes on her so much; she’s a hindrance.” He paused, his frown deepening. “Sometimes, I wish she’d just vanish—like be kidnapped or something. Maybe then Edward would finally cut her loose.”

Louise remained silent, her face an unreadable mask.

Irritated by her silence, Chesney waved his hand dismissively. “Alright, enough standing around. Go on! Handle what you need to.”

“Okay.” Louise turned and left without another word. But once in the privacy of her bedroom, she collapsed onto her bed, covering her face with her hand, her lips pressed into a thin line. An unsettling mix of emotions churned inside her—a quiet, unplaceable frustration.

Four hours later, Louise and Elyse arrived at the concert hall. Elyse, noticing the tightness in Louise’s face, asked softly, “Didn’t sleep well, did you?”

Louise glanced at her, catching the concern in Elyse’s eyes. She shook her head. “No, I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

Elyse nodded, sensing there was more but choosing not to press further.

At the concert hall entrance, Elyse balanced her violin case in one hand and lugged a large bag of clothes in the other, while Louise followed beside her. Neither noticed Mabel standing by the roadside, waiting quietly.

Mabel, with a cigarette dangling between her slender fingers, lazily replied to a message on her phone before taking a deep drag. She had never been one for smoking, but ever since Elyse had torn her family apart, stress clung to her like a shadow. Nicotine was now her way of dulling the edges. Her mind drifted back to her high school days—when everyone around her was obsessed with clubbing, drinking, and smoking. Giving in to peer pressure, she had bought her first cigarette, intending to try it at home. However, Elyse had discovered the cigarette, snatched it from Mabel’s hand, and tossed it aside, scolding her fiercely and forbidding her from smoking ever again. Back then, Mabel had hated being told what to do. Defiant, she bought another pack, only for Glenda to catch her this time. She had always suspected Elyse had ratted her out. Mabel took another puff, staring at the glowing tip of her cigarette, lost in the haze of memory. . . .