Chapter 689 The News That Broke Elsie

Elsie turned to run, but with her massive belly, it was like carrying an extra forty pounds; she couldn’t move fast at all.

The mop handle slammed across her back.

She cried out, dropping the phone.

The shopkeeper pinched the phone between alcohol wipes in disgust, then swung the mop at her again. “I’ll beat you to death!”

Elsie had no choice but to stagger away.

She kept going until she was dizzy from hunger and exhaustion, finally collapsing under a tree.

Someone mistook her for a homeless woman and tossed her half of a leftover apple.

Elsie didn’t care; she grabbed it and ate.

Three months of captivity had given her nothing but slop and rotting scraps—she’d almost forgotten what fresh fruit tasted like.

“Mom, that lady must really be a beggar. She’s eating garbage like it’s delicious.”

The child’s mother clamped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t say things like that.”

Still chewing, Elsie glanced over at the mother and son waiting at the bus stop.

After quieting her child, the woman went back to her phone. “Huh, the Powell Corporation just got bought out by Cooper Corp.”

Elsie froze mid-bite, her eyes locking on the phone in the woman’s hand.

The Powell Corporation? Bought by Cooper Corp?

Impossible.

The Powell Corporation was a giant—one of Silverburgh’s pillars.

She lunged forward and snatched the woman’s phone.

The stench hit, and the woman screamed, tossing the phone aside before grabbing her child and running.

“The Powell Corporation, bought by Cooper Corp? No… that’s impossible, impossible…” Elsie muttered, scrolling quickly.

But there it was, splashed across the trending headlines.

Paul had embezzled company funds and was under arrest for economic crimes.

While on the run, the companies he controlled collapsed under massive debt. The Powell Corporation had declared bankruptcy and been bought by Cooper Corp, the proceeds to be used to pay off its debts.

Elsie’s stomach dropped. She kept scrolling into the comment section:

“I always thought Cooper Corp was under Powell’s heel. Didn’t expect them to have the teeth to swallow Powell whole!”

“Good thing Cooper stepped in. Otherwise some foreign company would’ve scooped up Powell for cheap, and the locals they cheated would be left crying.”

“With a move like this, Cooper’s winning hearts. The chamber of commerce president’s seat might just land in Wyatt’s lap this year.”

“People have been whispering about this for a while. Word is, Wyatt’s already cleaning up his image. Soon he might be celebrated as some model businessman.”

“Ha, classic. These rich types make their money, then launder their reputations.”

“Well, that’s what money gets you—you decide what the public says.”

By the time she finished reading, Elsie was shaking with rage.

“Why?! Why is it Cooper Corp buying Powell?! Why does that cripple Wyatt get everything?! Why is every man Yunice chooses a success, and every man I choose turns out worthless?!”

Her hand trembled as she lifted the phone to smash it, but she stopped halfway.

“Paul’s finished, but that’s fine—we’re done anyway. His downfall… maybe it’s for the best. I still have my mother, I still have Owen… yes, the Saunders family still has money. I’m still the young lady of the house…”

Muttering to herself, she dialed Owen’s number.

Out of service.

He changed his number?

She tried Lily’s. This time it rang, but no one answered.

Frowning, Elsie made one last attempt—calling the Saunders family’s landline.

Someone had to be there.

It rang so long she nearly hung up—then clicked as the line connected.

Elsie’s face lit up, her voice rising. “Owen! It’s me, Elsie! I’m alive! Come get me, I’ve missed you so much!"

“Owen? Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you recognize my voice?”

There was a pause. Then a stranger’s light laugh came through. “Elsie. You’re alive? That’s wonderful news. Owen and your mother will be… thrilled.”

At the unfamiliar voice, Elsie went rigid. “Who are you?! What are you doing in the Saunders house?"

“Oh… I’m the new housekeeper. That’s why you don’t recognize my voice.” The voice was slow, deliberate. “You’re looking for Owen? He’s not home. He and his wife are at the hospital. I can give you the address..."

“Hospital?” Elsie accepted the story about a new housekeeper without question.

Something else occurred to her. “Is anyone else at home? Is that annoying Peggy there?”

The voice on the other end smiled audibly. “Peggy? I’ve worked at the Saunders house for quite some time, and I’ve never heard of anyone named Peggy.”