Chapter 8 Zayden’s Clean Freak Tendencies.

+8 Pearls

bAs /bthe dismissal bell rang that evening. Naomi had already tidied her desk. She turned to Zayden with a sweet voice. “Zayden, can you walk me homeb!/b”

“No, I’ve got something tonight”

Zayden stood up. His cold tone caught Naomi off guard.

He used to always walk her home first before heading back himself.

lihat changed today?

She watched as Zayden walked straight over to Eliza’s desk.

Eliza bhadn’t /beven finished packing up before Zayden grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up.

“I’m not done packing. What’s the rush” she bsaid/b, annoyed.

Zayden frowned at her tone.

In the past, if Eliza knew she was going to meet his mother, she would’ve had everything packed before the bell even rang

Not far away, Naomi’s expression briefly soured at the sight, but she bquickly /badjusted it and walked toward them with a smile.

????

“Eliza, are you going on a bdate /bwith Zaydenter! Can I tag along?” Naomi blinked up at them with wide, innocent eyes. “Mom and Dad are still at work. It’s boring going home alone.”

Zayden looked at her, intending to decline, but before he could. Eliza replied cheerfully, “Sounds bgood/b. Let’s go together.”

“Thanks!” Naomi happily linked arms with Eliza.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing, she reached out and grabbed Zayden’s hand too. “Zayden, you wouldn’t really forget me just because you’re with my sister, right? You wouldn’t even bwalk /bme home earlier,”

Her tone wasn’t sisterly at all–it was more like a girlfriend pouting at her boyfriend.

Zayden was silent for a moment before saying. “My mom wants to see Eliza. It’s not really a good time for you toe.

“Why not! I haven’t seen Aunt Grace in ages.

Eliza’s expression remained neutral.

Site new Grace actually preferred Naomi. But because Eliza was the eldest daughter, their two families had arranged her engagement to Zayden early on.

Naomi was too impressive. Grace had always feared that marrying her into the Holt family would be a waste of her potential

In their eyes, Naomi deserved a more dazzling future–not a life spent ying housewife to the Holt family heir

On the ride over, Eliza didn’t say a word.

This was the first time Zayden had ever used the Holt family’s car to take her to see Grace.

Zayden had always been a clean freak–he never let outsiders in the family car. Naomi had balways /bbeen the one exception

He probably let Eliza ride today because Naomi was with them.

I was already 7:00 pm when they arrived.

The Holt family garage was huge, but Naomi confidently led the way to the elevator, clearly familiar with the ce

She’d been here many times.

By contrast, in her past life. Eliza had only been to the Holt residence twice–and only because Grace had specifically asked for her.

Chapter 8 Zayden’s Clean Freak Tendencies

Thinking of the difference made Eliza want tough.

She’d spent so long groveling, belicans that being humble and obedient would earn love

But she’d learned the hard way: the more obedient you are, the easier you are to manipte–and to hurt.

“This way, Eliza,” Naomi called out with a flourish, like she was showing off.

She acted like Eliza had never been here before–as if she were Zayden’s fiancée, and bEliza /bwas just a guest.

Eliza didn’t care. She followed her onto the elevator without a word.

The Holt estate bwas /bmuchrger than the Rivers:

+8 Pearls

Even though Zayden’s father had passed away, his mother still had enough business sense to keep the family afloat–for now.

Outsiders still thought the Holts were thriving.

But Eliza knew better. Within a year, they’d bepletely bankrupt.

This polished image wouldn’t bst /blong.

“Eliza, bthis /bbway/b.”

to unt how familiar she was with the ce,

Naomi kept pointing out directions like she was afraid Eliza would get lost, just

Zayden, clueless to this kind of girl–on–girl sparring, didn’t notice anything strange.

In the living room, Grace had already had the maidy out an borate dinner spread.

But just one blook /btold Eliza these were all Naomi’s favorite dishes

“Naomi’s here too? bCome/b, have a seat, Grace greeted warmly.

She was dressed in luxurious clothes and wore expensive jewelry.

Naomi sat down naturally across from her, shing a charming smile, “Your ne is gorgeous. It’s even prettier than my

mom’s.”

“Oh really? You’ve got quite the eye for someone so young. This is top–grade jadeite.”

Grace lovedpliments babout /bher jewelry, and Naomi had her absolutely glowing

Meanwhile, Eliza bstood /bquietly off to the side, clearly uninvited.

After a while, Grace finally looked her way. Her smile faded ba /blittle. “Eliza, you’ve been here a few times bnow/b. Treat it like your home. Come sit

“Thank you, Madam Grace,

Naomi had already taken the seat next bto /bZayden, so Eliza bsat /ba little farther baway/b.

“I bheard /bthere was some bdrama /bduring Zayden’s birthday byesterday/b,” Grace said, cutting straight to the point.

Eliza wasn’t surprised–Zayden had already told her Grace wanted to talk aboutst night.

“There’s nothing to it, muam. We were just ying around. It was all a misunderstanding”

Naomi jumped in before she could say more. b“/bbIt’s /btrue! bJust /bsome silly teasing. Everything’s fine now.”

Grace chuckled. “bZayden /bwas in the wrong. bYour /bparents already called bme/b. You’re still young–no need to be so dramatic. bWhat /bmatters most bis /bthat you two stay close”

She nced at Eliza with a hint of approval. “I heard your grades haven’t been bgreat /btely. If you can’t get into college, that’s fine. Juste marry into our family instead. I’ve watched you grow up, and if byou /bbe Zayden’s wife, he wouldn’t dare

mistreat you.

Chapter 8 Zayden’s Clean Freak Tendencies

Eliza smiled binwardly/bb. /b

Grace couldn’t wait for her to give up school and marry into the Holt family.

One reason was to bind the Rivers family closer, hoping they’d help the Holts out of their financial mess.

+8 Pearls

The other reason was that Grace was certain Eliza wanted to marry Zayden–and would make the perfect, dutiful daughter-

inb–/bw

Eliza remembered how, in her past life, her parents begged her not to marry into the copsing Holt family. But she’d insisted, standing by Zayden through the hardest times.

In the end, after she’d given up her identity as the Rivers heiress and was no longer of use, Grace turned on her–ming her for ruining Zayden and Naomi’s perfect future.