We sat around the dining table, the atmosphere warm and tranquil. Elena picked up a piece of meat and placed it in my bowl, her gaze filled with both care and anticipation.

During the meal, Elena suddenly spoke, "Ryan, why don't you come work at my dad's company? It has to be better than staying at Vanguard Industries. At least my dad wouldn't shortchange you."

I paused for a moment, unease stirring within me, but I replied calmly, "There's no need. Sophie transferred 30% of Eldoria Vanguard Industries' shares to me and entrusted me with managing the company here."

Elena's expression changed instantly. A slight frown creased her brow, and though she seemed to want to say something, a glance at my mother kept her silent. The once harmonious atmosphere at the table became tense in an instant. Her face, once radiant, now seemed shadowed, her warm smile vanishing without a trace.

After the meal, Elena pulled me out to the balcony. The cold wind brushed against us, and her gaze turned sharp and resolute. "Why did you accept her things? What can she give you that I can't?"

I regretted mentioning the shares earlier; it had clearly stirred up trouble. "Elena, we're not married yet. I don't want to take anything from you."

"So it's acceptable for you to take from her?" Elena retorted, her voice tinged with anger. Her words were like a blade, piercing straight to my core.

I sighed helplessly, "Elena, what's gotten into you? You weren't like this before."

"That was before. Back then, you weren't mine. Now you're my man. How could I tolerate my man accepting things from another woman?" Her voice carried a mix of grievance and defiance, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, silently accusing me of betrayal.

I couldn't bring myself to explain the full extent of my past with Sophie to Elena, so I chose to downplay it. "She only values my abilities and wants me to help her manage the company for convenience."

Elena let out a cold laugh, her lips curling into a faint, skeptical smile. "Managing a company warrants 30% of the shares?"

I shook my head with a bitter smile, inwardly lamenting her persistence. "Elena, you have to trust me. There's truly nothing between Sophie and me."

"Nothing? Then why would she give you shares?" Her voice brimmed with suspicion, her piercing gaze as if seeing through every word I said.

I explained helplessly, "She trusts my capabilities and wants me to oversee the company so she can have peace of mind."

Elena's skeptical gaze remained unyielding. Arms crossed, she seemed to wait for any crack in my explanation. "Do you really think I'd believe that excuse?"

I sighed, softening my tone in an attempt to diffuse the tension. "Elena, you need to trust me. Besides, she's already returned to Virelia."

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"Really?" Her gaze flickered with doubt, though her tone seemed to waver slightly.

"Really," I nodded, silently hoping she would believe me.

Elena's expression softened slightly, though traces of unease lingered. "Ryan, don't blame me for being suspicious. It's just that I see her as my rival, and that's why I act this way. You know, it was she who told me about Celeste. That's how I found Celeste. I thought she was helping me, but I guess she wasn't, was she?"

A jolt ran through me as realization dawned—Sophie had been involved with Celeste all along. No wonder the timing of my business trip had been so coincidental, no wonder Elena had found Celeste, and no wonder Celeste had so readily agreed to break up. They must have conspired, uncovering every last detail about Celeste before orchestrating our separation. Sophie had done all of this behind my back, all for the sole purpose of ending my relationship with Celeste.

I took a deep breath, striving to maintain composure. "Elena, she's returned to Virelia. She won't interfere with our lives anymore."

Elena nodded thoughtfully. "Since we're already family, I was thinking we should discuss something. I'd like to bring my mom to live at my house."

I frowned slightly. "It might not be a good idea for now, considering we're not married yet."

Elena arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Does not being married mean we're not family?"

I studied her closely, and she met my gaze unwaveringly, her bright eyes seeming to peer into the depths of my thoughts. For a moment, I felt disoriented, unsure of how to respond. Perhaps there was a part of me that remained reluctant—if my mother went to live with her, it would truly leave me with no way out.

Sensing my silence, Elena gently patted my shoulder. "Say something. Tell me when we should move her over. Honestly, there's not much to bring—I've already bought a lot for her and moved it there. Right now, she's the one hesitating because she doesn't want to disrupt our lives."

"I…" Words faltered on my tongue. How could I refuse her kindness? My mother was alone now, her situation more precarious than ever. I clenched my fists tightly. "I just think us living together right now might not be good for your reputation."

Elena pursed her lips, crossing her arms. "Ryan, are you still unwilling to be with me? I want to hear the truth."

I avoided her gaze, unease swirling within me like paper scattered by the wind. "It's not that. My family's troubles—everything we've overcome—is all thanks to you and your family. I'm truly grateful."

Her eyes, sharp as blades, seemed intent on dissecting my thoughts. "So, you only think about repaying me, not about genuinely liking me. Is that it?"

"Elena," I began, striving for an even tone but failing miserably, "don't you think all of this is happening too suddenly, too quickly? I'll try to make myself fall for you."

Disappointment flickered in her eyes as she sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "Ryan, everything my family and I have done for you wasn't so you'd feel grateful. It was because I wanted us to spend our lives together, to truly be happy. Yes, I've pursued you shamelessly from the start, but that doesn't mean I'm begging for scraps of affection. Look at us now—do we even seem like a couple? You never call me on your own, never say anything sweet to me. You've never even held my hand, let alone noticed if I'm unwell."

I froze, stunned by her bluntness. She continued, her voice trembling slightly, "Did you know I had a fever while organizing your father's funeral? My mom told me to rest, but I forced myself to get up so you wouldn't feel so devastated. And everything I've done, you haven't seen. All you think about is how to repay me, how to settle some imagined debt."

With that, Elena stormed out, leaving me standing there like a forsaken scarecrow. I went to the balcony, watching her descend the stairs. She turned back to glance at the house—at me—but I didn't go after her.

What was wrong with me? Was it as Elena said? Or was it something else entirely?