Episode 61
"Instead, she's off trying to be an actress, turning us into the butt of jokes among our peers!" The room contained Elijah's cousin, Kailee Myers, and her father, Cory Myers. Elijah's mother, Billie Norris, sat on the sofa, her expression unreadable.
Once a thriving enterprise, the Myers family business had declined sharply, a stark contrast to its former prosperity. As a daughter of the Myers family, Billie felt obligated to help. However, the Norris family had always kept their personal and business lives strictly separate. Cory, with his limited education, proved an unreliable business partner. Neither Elijah's grandfather, Shawn Norris, nor Elijah himself, wished to involve Cory in their ventures. Billie, unfamiliar with the complexities of business, could only offer occasional help with her family's daily needs.
Over time, Cory's intentions shifted. Years ago, he began actively introducing potential partners to Elijah, hoping to secure a marriage advantageous to the Myers family. Then, as if by a cruel twist of fate, shortly after Sandra's departure, Elizabeth appeared. This year had been particularly difficult; the Myers family's investments had failed, resulting in significant losses. Unable to blame Elijah for not helping, Cory and Kailee redirected their frustration toward Elizabeth.
As Elizabeth entered, she noticed the absence of Shawn and Melany. Approaching Cory and the others with a bright smile, her greeting was laced with irony. "Cory, Kailee, how thoughtful of you to concern yourselves with my affairs amidst the turmoil of your impending bankruptcy." Previously meek around Elijah's relatives, giving the impression of being easily dominated, Elizabeth's sharp retort caught them all off guard. Silence followed.
Cory chuckled dryly after a moment. "Elizabeth, you haven't even made it big yet, and you're already so full of yourself." "Thanks for the encouragement, Cory. I'm definitely aiming for fame," Elizabeth replied with a forced smile. Turning to Billie, her smile softened slightly. "Billie." Billie, in an elegant silk gown from the latest collection, was nearing fifty but maintained a youthful appearance, looking no older than thirty. Billie offered Elizabeth a brief, cool nod.