"Well, I'm back—and I had a midnight snack," Elora said, glancing at her mother's expression. She could tell right away-her mother had seen her and Tatum hugging.

After a brief silence, she decided to speak first.

"Mom."

"Elora."

They spoke at the same time, then fell silent again.

"You go first, Mom." Elora stepped closer. "You're clearly not sleepy yet. Come to my room- we can have a mother-daughter chat."

That way, they wouldn't disturb her father and brother.

Mrs. Ormond followed her daughter into the bedroom.

She rarely entered Elora's space. Ever since Elora started junior high, she had made it a point not to go into her daughter's room without permission.

As her children grew, they needed their own privacy, and she respected that.

sit down. Do you want some water?" Elora asked, noticing her mother's hesitation. She motioned for her

got back from a business trip. Why don't you take a hot bath first? I'll sit here for a

time to

exceptional that Elora hadn't gotten tired of

daughter's private chef arrangement would only last for a short period, thinking that Tatum was simply doing his job to stay

also noticed how attentive Tatum was to Elora, but

her gentleness toward Tatum hadn't concerned her either. After all, Tatum wasn't just any chef-he was the sixth young master of the prestigious York family from

had always admired capable, successful individuals. It was only natural that her

hadn't expected sparks to fly between

to outstanding young men in the city. But none of those meetings ever led

idea what kind of man her daughter

simply say she wasn't focused on relationships. Her priority was managing the company and training her younger

family's circumstances, and the fact that Elora

thirty, Mrs. Ormond

however, particular about

power made them a target. If Elora married the wrong man— someone ambitious with

her daughter suffer in an unhappy marriage, but she could also be manipulated, leading to devastating consequences for

to inherit the business, the risk of outsiders gaining

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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