Episode 62
“Mm.” Beside Billie, Kailee sat, dressed in a gown that complemented Billie’s. From a distance, they resembled mother and daughter more than aunt and niece.
Kailee crossed her arms, a smug grin spreading across her face. “So, where’s Elijah? Off chasing after Sandra again, leaving you behind?”
Unperturbed, Elizabeth found a chair and settled in comfortably. “It doesn’t bother me,” she replied nonchalantly. “Elijah can spend time with whomever he pleases. Much like his buddy Albin, who’s always seen with a lady on each arm. Who’s to manage that, right?”
Kailee’s expression shifted dramatically, revealing a storm of emotions beneath her poised facade. Her infatuation with Albin was no secret, a source of amusement for their elite peers for years. Often teased mercilessly, Kailee seethed with pent-up frustration.
Unable to refute the unspoken truths, Kailee abruptly changed the subject. “Elizabeth, what on earth are you wearing?” she declared, scrutinizing Elizabeth’s attire with disdain. “The Norris family holds a name for elegance, yet here you are, dressed so plainly. How is it that living with Elijah hasn’t refined your tastes even slightly? You still exude that air of a commoner.”
Elizabeth was simply dressed in a brown knit sweater from a popular retail brand, paired with beige wide-leg pants—a trendy yet minimalist ensemble. Her modest attire, costing less than a thousand dollars, stood in stark contrast to the opulence of the Norris residence.
A memory of Elijah’s earlier advice, a premonition of this very moment, flashed through Elizabeth’s mind. As regret began to creep in, Elijah entered the room.
“Kailee, show some decency. She’s your cousin-in-law,” he interjected dismissively, not even glancing at Kailee but addressing Billie. “Mom.”
Kailee’s demeanor instantly crumbled into alarm at the sound of Elijah’s voice. Of all the family, he was the one she dreaded most.
Undeterred, Elijah pressed on, his voice firm. “Did you hear me?” he demanded.
“Yes,” Kailee mumbled, her head bowed in reluctant submission.
Only then did Elijah’s tone soften, his gaze shifting to admire Elizabeth’s poise. He smiled. “It’s only those lacking in self-assurance who hide behind expensive clothes.”