?<strong>Chapter 672:</strong>


    Elyse chuckled. “I know you’ve been kind to me, Pearce. I’ll remember it.”


    After leaving the Bensons’ estate, Elyse felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her.


    She had a low opinion of the Benson family, except for Pearce, and she didn’t feel any sense of belonging with the Benson household. Her willingness to visit the Bensons’ estate was born out of sheer curiosity, not a desire to rekindle old ties or reim a ce in their midst.


    She was acutely aware of herck of a true home. Relying on others for security had only ever led to heartbreak and abandonment. She understood, with resolute rity, that she was her own sanctuary.


    Seeking distraction, Elyse instructed the driver to take her to the mall.


    As the car veered towards the bustling shopping center, her mind wandered to more mundane concerns. Once inside the mall, Elyse began to shop.


    She passed by a high-end clothing store. Reminded of her uingpetitions, she entered, curiosity piqued by the elegant disys.


    As she perused the racks for suitable outfits, she sensed someone approaching from behind. Swiftly turning, she found herself face-to-face with a stranger.


    With a raised eyebrow and a hint of confusion, Elyse asked, “Do you know me?”


    The woman looked her up and down, rolling her eyes with disdain. “It really is you, the girl who recently returned to the Benson family.”


    Elyse, puzzled by the recognition from this unfamiliar face, replied, “Who are you? I don’t think we’ve met before.”


    “Of course, you don’t know me,” the woman said with a sneer. “I’m ire Lipson, a good friend of Thea.” ire crossed her arms and stared at Elyse with a mix of arrogance and suspicion. “What are your intentions for reuniting with the Benson family?”


    Elyse was baffled. “Intentions? What do you mean?”


    ire rolled her eyes, exasperated. “Stop acting clueless. Everyone knows you aim to fight for shares and inheritance. You even want to take Thea’s ce, don’t you?”


    Elyse remained silent. She had heard rumors that Felicia nned to distribute her shares among the younger generation, stirring up internal conflict in the otherwise harmonious Benson family. But what did that have to do with her? She didn’t want anything from them.


    The idea of recing Thea was even more absurd. She hadn’t even nned to live with them.


    Taking a deep breath, Elyse replied, “Who told you I wanted to rece Thea? That’s a funny assumption. Tell them I don’t care. I’m just here to pay a visit and will leave soon.”


    ire’s tone grew sharp and sarcastic. “What a huge lie. You im you don’t want anything, but who would believe that? You’re ying the game well, pretending to want nothing while actually aiming for everything.”


    Elyse realized ire was unyielding. No matter what she said, ire wouldn’t believe her, so there was no point in arguing further.


    Her expression darkened. “Move aside, or don’t me me for being rude.”


    Noticing Elyse’s shift in demeanor, ire quickly retorted, “I knew you were pretending. I’m warning you, Thea is Felicia’s favorite granddaughter. Don’t think you can rece her.”


    Elyse, growing impatient, said, “Tell Thea I won’t take what rightfully belongs to her. You all should stop bothering me.”


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