Chapter 31

A skeptical look crossed Elissa's face. "Can you actually prove it? Arabella and Daisy are twins,after all-same faces, matching DNA!"

Grudging acceptance colored Khloe's reply."Never mind."

"I'm going to make a call." Without another word,Elissa rose from her seat and headed out to the balcony, pulling out her phone to call Joyce.

"Elissa." Joyce's greeting came heavy with exhaustion,her voice lacking its usual spark.

Concern flickered in Elissa's eyes. "What's happened?"

Tears shimmered in Joyce's gaze. "It's my mom.She's not well."

Alarm replaced concern as Elissa pressed for

answers. "How did that happen?"

A memory flashed through Joyce's mind-the men in black bursting through the door, their identities still a mystery, though they almost certainly had it out for the Lambert family.

She couldn't bring herself to tell Elissa the truth,so she kept it vague. "Just an accident. Nothing you need to worry about."

Shifting gears,Elissa lowered her voice. "I need you to know something important." She explained how Arabella had shown up at school,passing herself off as Daisy and seeking revenge. "She's at our school because of Daisy."

Realization lit up Joyce's expression. "So that explains the change in her. She's acting like someone else entirely."

Anger sharpened her tone. "Both those women -leeching off your family and still daring to cause trouble? I promise, Elissa, I won't let her

set foot in school again."

Hatred burned fiercely within Joyce, her anger toward Arabella reaching its height.

Elissa spoke in a gentle tone. "Alright, Joyce.Just don't go too far."

With a theatrical sigh, Joyce replied, "Honestly,you're too soft. What would you ever do without someone like me?"

A quiet smile lingered on Elissa's lips after the call ended.

Handling situations would have been far more complicated without someone as reckless as Joyce around.

Meanwhile, rain kept tapping steadily against the windowpanes.

Returning to the villa, Arabella headed straight for a steaming shower, letting the warmth chase away the lingering chill.

Before long, a gentle knock sounded at her

door.

Answering, Arabella found the butler waiting with a glass in hand. "Miss Stanley, I saw how soaked you were. Please have some warm milk so you don't catch a cold."

A grateful nod accompanied her response."Thank you. Tell me, how many bodyguards do you have available?"

Reassurance came swiftly from the butler."However many you require, Miss Stanley. And if that isn't enough, Mr. Gordon can authorize the elite security unit."

Those so-called elite guards-death warriors-demanded enormous investment to prepare for duty.

Bodyguards weren't needed for the moment, so Arabella left instructions for the butler to keep watch over the villa while she went to Daisy's room.

A steady presence at her side, the butler

accompanied her on the walk. "The doctor made his rounds today. Your sister's condition keeps improving. There's little cause for concern. Security here is top-notch. It's impossible for outsiders to cross."

Glancing around, Arabella nodded thoughtfully."The setting is truly first-rate. But tell me-where does Asher stay?"

A quiet explanation followed. "This was once Mr. Gordon's residence," the butler replied."Most likely, he's staying at his office these days."

This information caught Arabella off guard.

Yet, as she looked over the tasteful furnishings and subtle elegance, she had to admit the space reflected Asher's personal style.

A knowing smile spread across the butler's face. "He thinks the world of you, Miss Stanley."

The words left Arabella quiet, unable to argue.

Following her time with Daisy, Arabella retreated to her room and dialed Asher's number.

A rich, compelling voice answered on the other end."Hello?"

The deep timbre was unmistakable-Asher himself.

With a boldness she didn't entirely intend,Arabella asked, "Are you coming back to stay with me tonight?"

A heavy pause filled the space between them,thick with unspoken words.

Catching herself, Arabella realized how her question might have sounded and opened her mouth to clarify, but Asher spoke first, his voice quiet and steady. "You know I'm only doing this because my father wanted me to watch over you."

After a slow, steadying breath, Arabella explained, "What I meant is, you could use this place too. Once Daisy's better, we'll move out.

Sleeping at your office can't be good for you."

Brushing off her offer, Asher kept his tone distant. "That's not necessary. Make yourself comfortable there. I'll drop by if I need to."

"Alright," Arabella answered, then ended the call.

There was a nagging suspicion in Arabella's mind that Asher had chosen his words on purpose.

Annoyance simmered within her; he had a knack for getting under her skin lately.

Still, a small voice inside wondered if she was reading too much into every interaction.

At that very moment, far across town, Asher lounged in his spacious office, his posture one of lazy confidence.

Facing him, Dominick caught a fleeting hint of a smile breaking through Asher's typically stoic features,and for a second, questioned whether

his imagination was running wild.

Dominick asked, "Was that Miss Stanley on the line,Mr.Gordon?"

Without much interest, Asher gave a simple nod in response."Mm-hmm."

No words followed from Dominick's end; he kept his thoughts to himself.

Everything about Asher lately hinted at a shift-he wasn't quite the same as before.

Dominick's curiosity bubbled to the surface."Does this mean we need to keep closer tabs on her?"

With a look of practiced detachment, Asher replied, "Like I said-just watch for anything significant."

Dominick knew he didn't mean what he said,but he still played along. "Understood. I was about to show you something regarding her at school, but it wasn't urgent. Don't worry. I'

handle it from now on."

A flash of intensity appeared in Asher's eyes.

"Let me see it."