Free

Shaun's eyes flashed with a hint of a smile, and then he said, "If you were indeed framed, the person who set you up should naturally go to jail."

"Alright then, Mr. Hayes, please help me call the police," Elena said without hesitation.

"No way!" Richard shouted in shock and anger.

At this, the expressions of the Miller Family members became subtly different.

Wasn't Elena accused of stealing something? Why was she the one asking to call the police? And the Miller Family...

For a moment, everyone had their own thoughts.

Tsk, tsk, tsk, not only did they want to get rid of their adopted daughter, but they also did something so low.

This Miller Family, truly nouveau riche, can't show their faces in public.

Noticing the change in everyone's thoughts, Rosalie's face turned even paler. She knew their behavior was now highly suspicious. But calling the police was absolutely out of the question.

"Rosalie, what exactly is going on?" Williams asked, glancing hesitantly at her.

"I..." Rosalie suddenly clutched her head. "Brother Williams, I feel so dizzy..."

She rolled her eyes and fainted on the spot.

"Rosalie, Rosalie," Williams called out anxiously, holding her tightly.

Richard glared furiously at Elena. "I should have kicked you out sooner! Why do you always have to upset your sister? Now you've made her faint!"

Elena lowered her eyes, feeling surprisingly calm inside.

With a look of astonishment, she said, "I upset her? I willingly called the police and am ready to accept any punishment. Does that mean I upset her? Could it be... that I've been falsely accused?"

"You... you..." Richard was trembling with anger while pointing at her.

He had always thought of Elena as a meek little rabbit, but now, this little rabbit dared to show her claws at him!

"Elena," Veronica quickly stepped in, taking her hand with a gentle look in her eyes. "This whole bracelet thing is just a misunderstanding. We're family. Calling the police only creates more tension, doesn't it?"

Veronica looked at Elena with a hint of pleading in her eyes.

Elena's heart trembled.

This was the mother who had loved her dearly for three whole years.

Elena's eyes felt a bit sore as she let go of Veronica's hand.

Veronica was taken aback.

Elena bowed to her and said, "Mother, thank you for funding the orphanage, thank you for adopting me three years ago, and thank you for taking care of me these past three years."

Veronica was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

Elena's heart trembled.

This was the mother who had loved her dearly for three whole years.

Elena's eyes felt a bit sore as she let go of Veronica's hand.

Veronica was taken aback.

Elena bowed to her and said, "Mother, thank you for funding the orphanage, thank you for adopting me three years ago, and thank you for taking care of me these past three years."

Veronica was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

Then, Elena turned to Richard and bowed again. "Father, thank you as well."

He snorted, his face showing displeasure.

Elena didn't mind. She straightened up and said clearly, "Fairness is in the hearts of people. Today's matter ends here. Tomorrow, we will go to the civil affairs office together to terminate the adoption. Send me the bill for the upbringing expenses from the Miller Family, and I will pay it all back. Beyond that... we have nothing more to do with each other."

Richard raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

Elena was actually willing to end it here? And even willing to cooperate in terminating the relationship?

No matter what she was thinking, this was already the best outcome for the Miller Family. Richard's expression softened a bit.

"Goodbye," Elena said softly, then turned and calmly walked out of the Miller Family's house.

When she left, she was alone, but her back was straight. Proud, like a warrior.

She thought, maybe breaking free from this fake relationship was actually a good thing for her.

At least...

She could finally be the proud Elena she was three years ago.

No longer forcing herself to be someone else's shadow.

She was free!

Shaun watched her back, a mysterious glint flashing in his eyes.

This Elena was quite interesting.

"Uncle," Williams said nervously, "I think there might be a misunderstanding about this..."

Shaun gave him a cold glance.

That single look, as cold as a thousand-year-old glacier, seemed to lack any trace of human emotion.

Williams felt a chill in his heart and didn't dare to speak further.

"I'm tired," Shaun said indifferently, then turned and walked away.

Williams watched his back, anxious to follow him.

"Brother Williams," at that moment, Rosalie woke up just in time. She tugged at his sleeve, her eyes slightly red. "Mr. Hayes, does he hate me? I'm... I'm scared..."

He looked at her, and his heart softened.

Even if Elena was framed today, the ones who framed her were Mr. and Mrs. Miller. What did it have to do with Rosalie?

Poor Rosalie, dragged into this mess by her parents.

Thinking of this, Williams's expression became determined. He said, "My uncle came all the way from Heavenly Capital City just to see me. He thinks very highly of me. I believe that as long as I persist, he will agree to my request. Rosalie, tomorrow, I'll take you to meet my uncle. I want him to know what a wonderful person you are!"

"Can I really?" Rosalie's eyes filled with tears, a mix of hope and fear.

"Of course." Without hesitation, Williams pulled Rosalie into his arms.

He thought.

The reason his uncle was willing to help Elena was because she was engaged to him. Today, due to some unexpected events, they couldn't break off the engagement.

But as long as he firmly told his uncle that the person he wanted to marry was Rosalie, his uncle would surely help him.

Without knowing what Williams was thinking, Shaun sat in the car with a blank expression.

The driver was about to start the car when he saw a girl walking towards them.

"Mr. Hayes," Elena said hesitantly, looking at Shaun. "I... I'm here to thank you and return the necklace."

Shaun glanced at the necklace in her hand and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Get in."

Elena hesitated for a moment but eventually got into the car.

"Clearview Villas," he instructed firmly.

The driver started the car.

"Mr. Hayes," Elena said, feeling uneasy. "Maybe you should let me out first. I'll return the necklace to you now. I promise I'll repay your kindness someday."

Shaun gave her a cold, piercing look. "Someday? Why not today?"

"Huh?" Elena was a bit confused.

Her bewildered expression was somewhat amusing, and a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Is there a problem? Or are you saying that your promise to repay me was just a polite gesture?"

Elena quickly shook her head. "No, no, I really want to repay you, Mr. Hayes! Whatever you need me to do, just say it. I won't refuse!"

Shaun's voice was calm. "We'll talk when we get there."

Then he closed his eyes, signaling that he didn't want to be disturbed.

Elena held the valuable necklace in her hand, her eyes filled with hesitation. She wanted to say something but decided against it.

Soon, they arrived at Clearview Villas.

This was Shaun's residence in Riverside City. It wasn't extravagant, but it had a low-key luxury.

Elena could even recognize that the vase in the living room, used for flower arrangements, seemed to be an antique from the Song Dynasty.

"Sit," Shaun said, gesturing lightly as he sat on the sofa.

With no other choice, she carefully sat down opposite him.

The necklace in her hand felt like it was burning her fingers. As soon as she sat down, she couldn't wait to say, "Mr. Hayes, this necklace is too expensive. I really can't accept it. Please, take it back."

Elena handed over the necklace.

Her hand hovered in mid-air, but he didn't take it.

He looked at her with a meaningful gaze. "This necklace is yours. Whether you keep it or sell it, it's up to you."

Richard would definitely present a hefty bill.

With this necklace, Elena could easily pay off her debt.

Elena was momentarily stunned.

She understood what Shaun meant. A hint of gratitude glinted in her eyes, but she still spoke earnestly, "Mr. Hayes, I will repay my debt myself. I can't accept the necklace."

Shaun narrowed his eyes.

The girl's face was pale, but her eyes seemed to burn with a fierce determination.

What a stubborn girl. Shaun made a mental note of her character and then took the necklace back.

He casually placed the necklace on the coffee table, as if this piece of jewelry worth millions was just some worthless ornament.

"If you don't want it, I'll keep it for you. If you change your mind, you can ask for it anytime," Shaun said.

Seeing that he had taken the necklace back, Elena let out a sigh of relief and quickly said, "I don't think that day will ever come."

Shaun raised an eyebrow. "You've got guts."

But sometimes, having too much pride could ruin your life.

Elena... she was indeed too stubborn.

After all, it was Williams who had wronged her. Shaun thought, if he could, he should give her a hand.

Elena didn't continue on that topic. Instead, she asked, "Mr. Hayes, what do you need me to do for you? As long as it's within my power, I won't refuse."

Shaun raised an eyebrow again and said calmly, "What do you think of this place?"

Without hesitation, Elena replied, "It's low-key, luxurious, and classy."

Shaun nodded. "If there's anything you don't like, let me know, and I'll have someone change it."

"Huh?" Elena was a bit confused. Why did it matter if she liked where he lived?

As if reading her thoughts, Shaun said calmly, "You'll be living here for the next year."