Chapter 4

Freya studied Elizabeth with narrowed eyes.

How on Earth is this country bumpkin so classy? What?

Even so, she will always be an imitation, not a real diamond like me. Even as she consoled herself, Freya could not stop her rising irritation.

How nice that they taught you how to use silver in that countryside. Or did you just watch TV?

Elizabeth responded calmly, all the while cutting her steak perfectly.

Etiquette isn't a lesson, Freya. It's an instinct.

Some people are born with it. Others have to buy Chanel to pretend they have it.

Half an hour passed. In that heavy silence, Elizabeth placed her silverware down. She picked up her napkin and dabbed her lips.

I'm done. Good night, family. She rose from her seat without turning back. She walked away as if none of this mattered.

And just like that, the Davenports knew she wasn't the timid girl they'd last seen.

This Elizabeth no longer feared speaking up. What was the word?

Manageable.

Evelyn moved closer to Stephen. Do we really need to keep her here? Since her return, she has been acting like an ungrateful brat.

Stephen frowned as he watched Elizabeth's retreating figure.

You know, we can't have people gossiping, not now.

Evelyn lowered her voice. Maybe Magnus, the Oracle, will have answers. He told us to bring her in. Maybe he can help us boot her out.

The next morning, Evelyn and Stephen slipped out of the house. Before anyone woke, they drove for over an hour until the city faded into a quiet backwater.

Evelyn sat stiff in her seat, her frustration evident on her face.

We have to get rid of this, this pest that Elizabeth has turned into.

The car stopped near the edge of the countryside. Evelyn stepped out and walked toward a small, worn tent. The site pulled at old memories.

This was the same fortune teller who had told them they would have their own child if they adopted an orphan with siblings in their destiny.

He had saved them once before, and she was sure he would today.

Evelyn pushed aside the tent flap and stepped inside. The air hung heavy and still. She dropped to her knees. Oh, great Oracle, you have been a support in all my decisions.

I'm facing a terrible dilemma, and I need your help.

Her hands pressed tightly together as urgency filled her chest. The Oracle sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, a faint smile forming on his lips. He kept his eyes shut and spoke.

Your daughter Freya carries the destiny of the phoenix.

It's rare, but something is holding it down.

He tilted his head slightly and continued to unlock her fate. She needs a lucky star by her side.

Evelyn lowered her head and pressed her hands together. A lucky star.

Can I find someone like that, Oracle?

Magnus opened his eyes and fixed her with a sharp gaze. You do not need to search. You already have one.

He paused for a breath, then continued. Your other daughter, the one you abandoned at birth and brought back home.

Evelyn recoiled as if struck. Her eyes widened and her breath caught. She shook her head and leaned forward.

Impossible. That girl is a jinx. Panic and anger twisted across her face.

Freya fell sick because of her. I came here to ask how to get rid of her.

Magnus ignored her as he intoned, You took her liver to save the phoenix. You thought you were stealing her life.

But you actually tethered their destinies.

If the lucky star leaves, the phoenix will wither and die.

Evelyn fell silent. Her thoughts spiraled as disbelief clashed with hope. The answer stood in front of her.

Yet she struggled to accept it. Could this be true?

Could the girl she had despised for 20 years hold the key to Freya's future?

At the Steele residence, Elliott sat in front of the TV with a console in his hands.

Connor lounged beside him on the couch. The room buzzed with the sounds of the game. Elliott tossed the console aside.

Disappointment crossed his handsome face. Won again. This is boring.

Connor shook his head. Elliott, you just took down the number one clan in Korea. You could turn this into a billion-dollar empire.

Elliott smirked. Why would I build an empire? Everyone can see it's much more fun to rule from the shadows while they call me a cripple.

Everyone called Elliott Blackwood useless, but Connor knew better. Gaming required real skill.

Connor had tried countless times and still failed to match him. Elliott dominated every server he touched and held the top rank without effort.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the room. Connor stiffened as he heard his mother call out. He pushed himself up from the couch and glanced toward the door.

Wait here. I'll be right back. Connor closed the door behind him because he knew exactly what his mother would say.

As soon as he turned around, his mother, Diana Steele, stood right there waiting. She did not give him a moment to react.

Diana smacked her son over the head. Connor jerked back and tried to pull away. Oh, Mom, what the hell?

She glared. Why can't you be more like Caleb? You keep wasting your life chasing after that good-for-nothing. If this continues, the entire family business will go to Caleb.

Caleb Steele and Connor Steele were half brothers. Their connection came from a messy past.

Caleb, the stepson, grew into a model son. Meanwhile, her own son, Connor, the rightful heir, disappointed her again and again.

Wasting his time with people like Elliott Blackwood. Losers meet losers, she grumbled, even as she glared at her son.

Connor grinned at his mother, completely unfazed. A real man forges his own path, Mom. He builds his own empire.

What kind of guy waits around for a family handout?

And Elliott may not look like much now, but I'm telling you, one day he's going to be incredible.

She crossed her arms and studied him. And what makes you think that? Connor spoke with excitement. Because he's an insane gamer.

Mom, you don't get it. He goes on crazy winning streaks. Even pro gamers can't touch him. He's the number one player on the server.

Diana raised her hand and smacked the back of his head.

Connor flinched. Hey, what was that for? He rubbed the back of his head. Mom, I'm just telling you the truth.

Diana clenched her fists as anger surged. Gaming? Is that all you think about? Can you build a life from that?

Connor, you are the eldest son of this family.

Connor held his ground. So what if I'm the eldest? Does that mean I have to take over the business? If Caleb wants it, he can have it.

Mom, please just stop pressuring me.

Diana felt defeat settle deep inside her, disappointment weighing on her chest. How do I tell this son of mine that his father has nearly given up on him, and that our futures depend on him manning up?

She let out a long breath and turned away.

Without another word, she headed downstairs.

Inside Connor's room, Elliott sat in silence and listened to everything.

A faint smirk appeared on his face as amusement flickered in his eyes.

No one knew the truth. No one even came close to the reason.

Reality stood far beyond what they believed. Even Connor had no clue what his friend was capable of.