Breaking Free to Stardom

Elaine lowered her lashes, her voice docile. "I'm not upset, Mr. Andrews. I know my place and wouldn't dare dream beyond it."

A flicker of light in Dylan's eyes dimmed instantly.

As if losing all interest in the toy in his hands, he abruptly released her waist.

The force made her stumble.

He avoided her gaze, pacing her small apartment as if to shake off some inner restlessness.

On the coffee table lay an open passport, its fresh Eldoria visa glaring.

Dylan's steps halted. He reached out and picked it up. "Eldoria? What are you doing in Eldoria?"

Elaine answered without thinking. "Traveling."

"Traveling?" He dangled the passport, a mocking curve to his lips. "Tell me, Elaine, what kind of trip requires a work visa?"

Elaine froze, her mind racing so hard it nearly sparked.

Should she tell him the truth? What would he do if she admitted she was leaving? If he refused to let her go…

A thousand questions exploded in her head, leaving her speechless, pale, and rooted to the spot.

Just then, Dylan's phone rang from his pocket.

It was Alina's exclusive ringtone.

His attention shifted instantly. He answered, his voice softening. "Alina? … What? You're not feeling well? Don't worry, I'm coming right now."

He hung up, tossed the passport back on the table, and strode out, his tall figure vanishing through the door.

Elaine slumped against the wall, exhaling shakily.

Before she could catch her breath, her own phone buzzed.

An unfamiliar number.

She took a deep breath to steady her racing heart and answered. "Hello, who's this?"

A commanding middle-aged woman's voice came through. "Is this Miss Willis? I'm Alina's mother. Tomorrow at three in the afternoon, meet me at Hopkins' Bistro."

The call ended abruptly, leaving no room for questions or refusal.

Elaine clutched the beeping phone, her brows knitting tightly.

Alina's mother? Why would she want to meet? Was it about Alina?

The next afternoon, Elaine arrived at the bistro, her mind heavy with doubts.

A waiter led her through a quiet corridor to a secluded private room.

Pushing open the carved wooden door, she saw a middle-aged woman in a dark green dress, calmly pouring coffee, her movements graceful.

At the sound of the door, the woman turned unhurriedly.

Time seemed to freeze.

Elaine's blood rushed to her head, a dizzying wave nearly knocking her off balance.

That face! She'd recognize it even in ashes!

Tatiana Russell!

This was the woman who had torn apart her parents' marriage.

When the Willis family went bankrupt, her father transferred three hundred million in shared assets—meant for Elaine and her mother—to this woman.

While Elaine and her mother scraped by in poverty, hounded by debts, this mistress and her daughter lived lavishly abroad, spending freely.

Elaine never imagined that the woman who ruined her family and stole their fortune was… Alina's mother!