Chapter 156 Buried Truths and Burned Ties
Hearing Henry’s words, Eliza realized that was the worst news she’d heard all day.
No matter how far the Holt family had fallen, Zayden had still managed to get into a good university.
It wasn’t surprising–but it still left her with a tightness in her chest.
She even wanted to snap back at Henry. What made you think I was sad about Zayden?
After the vacation with Henry and the others, Eliza finally received her official admission letter from Claire University, just as expected.
Meanwhile, in the cramped apartment of the Holt family…
Grace and Zayden were now squeezed into a fifty–square–meter rental unit.
Eliza had bought out the large hundred–square–meter downtown apartment Grace once owned. And rather than spend money on a new place, Grace decided to save it for Zayden’s college expenses. So, they settled for renting.
The apartment was a mess–luxury handbags and their boxes were scattered everywhere.
They’d already been living there for over ten days, and still hadn’t properly unpacked.
Grace had considered hiring help, but knowing how tight their finances were now, she decided to do it all herself.
Walking into Zayden’s room, Grace frowned. “This kid… look at this mess.”
As she cleaned up his desk, something caught her eye: a few photographs partially hidden beneath a stack of books.
Curious, she shifted the books aside and picked them up.
They were all pictures of Eliza–working at a warehouse in the suburbs, exiting a real estate office, holding something red in her hands…
Grace’s eyes narrowed.
Property deeds.
Five of them.
Five property deeds in Eliza’s hands?
Grace immediately thought back to the phone call where Eliza offered to buy her apartment.
Two million in one shot.
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Chapter 156 Buried Truths and Burned Ties
At the time, she’d wondered how a high schooler could have that kind of money.
Could it be… she’s secretly running a factory or something?
A chill ran through her.
Just what kind of secrets is Eliza hiding?
“Mom, I’m home.”
Zayden’s voice came from the hallway as he stepped into the apartment.
He frowned when he saw his bedroom door open.
“Mom?”
He walked in and found Grace making his bed.
“Why are you in my room?” he asked, stepping forward and taking the blanket from her.
“I just saw how messy it was and figured I’d help clean up.”
“I can do it myself.”
He bent down, straightening the sheets.
Finished
Grace looked at her son’s tired face and couldn’t help but speak. “It’s so hot lately, and your part–time job is exhausting. I’ve saved money for you–you don’t have to work so hard.”
“I’m just bored. There’s nothing else to do at home. It’s fine, Mom.”
“We may not be able to send you abroad, but at least you got into a top domestic school. Westbrook University is still an excellent university.”
She tried to comfort him.
If the Holt family hadn’t gone bankrupt so early, Zayden probably could’ve made it into Claire University with his grades.
But now…
“Mom, I want to rest for a bit. Could you leave me alone?”
“…Alright.”
Grace quietly stepped out and gently closed the door behind her.
Once she was gone, Zayden sat down at his desk and pulled out the hidden photographs.
He stared at the images of Eliza for a long moment, then pulled out a lighter and burned every last one of
them.
Outside the door, Grace stood in silence, troubled.
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This son of mine… so foolish.
Eliza was clearly rich now.
He should be doing everything he could to get back in her good graces.
Resolving herself, Grace pulled out her phone and dialed Eliza’s number.
Finished
Eliza was at home reviewing for her language placement test when her phone rang.
She glanced at the unfamiliar number and, thinking it might be from Claire University, answered.
“Who is this?”
“Elizze, it’s me.”
The moment she heard Grace’s voice, Eliza’s finger moved to hang up.
But then Grace said softly, “I know your secret. Let’s talk in person.”
Eliza froze.
Her secret?
Could that cryptic message–the one saying she wasn’t the real daughter of the Rivers family–have come from Grace?
“I don’t want to make things hard for you,” Grace added. “Let’s meet at the café near Westbrook High. Seven o’clock tonight.”
And then she hung up.
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