Elliana, wearing a mask of curiosity, remarked, “Miss Craig, something puzzles me. Why does your family keep sending its daughters off to other houses? Is it a money issue, or is there some secret strategy I’m missing? Oh, wait—I just remembered something.”

Pretending a sudden epiphany, Elliana added, “Your grandmother packed you off to the Evanses, hoping you’d snag one of their sons. Was your sister delivered to the Campbells for a similar purpose?”

Without pausing for a reply, Elliana continued, “But that doesn’t quite add up. If matchmaking was the plan, your sister should be marrying a Campbell, not tying herself to the Evans family. Are you both fighting for the same prize now?”

Elliana glanced at Trinity, whose face had gone red with embarrassment, and offered a sly smile. “Or perhaps your sister was collectively rejected by the Campbells, and that’s why she’s competing with you for the Evans men? If that’s the case, you should see her as a rival, not someone to boast about! I can’t help but wonder—why does the Craig family enjoy sending daughters off to be picked over by other families?”

Each pointed question from Elliana struck Trinity like a barrage of slaps, stripping away her composure and pride.

The poise Trinity carried when she first swept in had vanished, and all that remained was a red-faced mixture of fury and humiliation.

“You…” Trinity jabbed a finger at Elliana, but no other words came. Elliana only cocked her head and offered a sweet smile, shoulders lifted in an innocent shrug as if baffled by Trinity’s rage.

From the sidelines, Adah and the Four Guardians could barely contain themselves, biting back laughter as the scene unfolded. In a battle of words, Trinity was hopelessly outclassed. It took so little for Elliana to leave her speechless. Any more, and Trinity might faint from fury right there in Regal Grove.

A quiet thrill ran through Elliana—her mood, lately heavy with gloom, brightened at the sight of Trinity’s unraveling composure.

For years, Trinity worked hard to keep up her persona as the Evans family’s golden girl, a paragon of grace and intellect. In just minutes, Elliana had stripped away that polished veneer, exposing every flaw. The elegant facade had shattered, and what stood in its place looked nothing like a cultured scholar—only someone desperately clinging to a lost argument.

Calm and collected, Elliana watched while Trinity simmered, the contrast between their reactions almost comical.

At that moment, a clear and confident voice rang out from the entryway. “Ms. Marsh, such eloquence and wit!”

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Elliana’s gaze shifted, landing on a striking woman in a sharply tailored suit, flanked by an entourage of bodyguards. A cascade of dark hair draped elegantly…

across the woman’s shoulders, her perfectly applied makeup radiating a sense of power and privilege.

Elliana quickly picked up on the subtle similarities between the newcomer and Trinity, immediately suspecting this must be Wanda.

Her suspicions were confirmed a heartbeat later as Trinity rushed over, grabbing the woman’s arm with childlike eagerness. “Wanda, you’re finally here! That wretched Elliana has been acting high and mighty—she even had the nerve to insult you. You have to put her in her place!” Trinity’s display was eager, almost fawning.

However, Wanda, unimpressed, shook Trinity off with a sharp tug and sent her a withering glare. “You idiot! You’ve embarrassed yourself enough already. Stay away from me!”

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