Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 79

Elias realized his slip of the tongue a second too late.

He quickly scrambled to cover it up. "I was just thinking that Willow might use this competition to make a name for herself. If she decides to enter..."

Tessa clenched her fists, a sharp wave of jealousy piercing through her as she fought to maintain her composure.

She forced a tight smile. "You sound really worried about her."

"I'm not," Elias denied immediately. "I'm worried about you. If you don't win this competition and secure Caspian Skye as your mentor, the PR nightmare online is going to be almost impossible to clean up."

Tessa brushed off his concern. She already knew the Landon family had leverage over Caspian. If the Landons pushed hard enough, there was no way Caspian could refuse her.

Besides, the internet was already in an uproar. Under the immense pressure of public opinion, Caspian would have no choice but to take her in.

Tessa felt invincible. Moreover, who said she was going to lose?

If Willow actually entered the competition, it would be a blessing in disguise. Tessa would publicly humiliate her on stage and prove her superiority to the world!

Elias shot her a brief glance but didn't push the issue. Instead, he stared off into the distance, lost in his own thoughts.

He remembered a time when things weren't so toxic between him and Willow.

Their families had been close. Growing up, Willow had been a radiant, captivating presence, effortlessly stealing the attention of everyone around her. Elias had been deeply infatuated with her, which was why he hadn't hesitated to agree when their parents arranged the engagement.

Even after the tragic accident that took Willow's parents, Elias never once considered breaking it off.

So, when did it all go wrong?

When Tessa first arrived at the Shaw Estate, Elias had firmly taken Willow's side. But slowly, Tessa began appearing everywhere he went, always playing the fragile victim, feeding him twisted narratives about Willow's cruelty.

Over time, Elias's heart had shifted.

It had shifted so far that he eventually stood by and did nothing while her brothers drugged her.

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