Left for Dead Came Back for Everything novel Chapter 49

Gwen grew more pumped by the second. "You'll be running your own empire! It'll be the ultimate middle finger to Zander, and you'll completely bulldoze that pathetic bitch, Yvonne!"

"Wait, no, scrap that. I totally forgot about your leg—"

"I'm in! Let's do it," Eliza interrupted with a bright laugh.

Eliza had to admit, the business model made total sense.

She desperately needed cash flow, and she needed a concrete career path that she could control.

"I'll follow your lead. And don't panic about my leg. Like you said, it'll just be occasional routines. I can handle that."

Gwen looked hesitant, but Eliza had already made up her mind.

"Gwen, you know me. If it means building a nest egg, I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Gwen sighed in defeat. "Fine. But I am strictly monitoring your physical health! I'll get your accounts set up right now."

Watching her best friend dive enthusiastically into the planning, Eliza leaned back against the couch with an exhausted but genuine smile.

Maybe this really was the fresh start she needed.

With the career-ending crisis officially averted, a massive weight was lifted off Eliza's shoulders.

The next day, after wrapping up her duties at the academy, she rushed straight to the hospital right at clock-out.

She hadn't spoken to her family since the explosive phone call.

All she knew was that her father's condition had temporarily stabilized.

She braced herself for an inevitable screaming match.

With that thought looming, she reached the door to her father's room. Just as she was about to push it open, a hauntingly familiar voice drifted into the hallway.

Followed immediately by her mother's cloying, overly flattering giggles.

"Oh, Zander, you're entirely too thoughtful. You run a massive company, yet you find time to visit us every single day."

"Gerald's right, Zander. Look at you, peeling fruit for us again. Put the knife down and get some rest."

"Gerald, Miriam, please. Don't worry about it. It's the least I can do," Zander's smooth, cultured voice replied.

"Eliza has been swamped with work lately, so it's only right that I step up and check on you."

Eliza stood frozen outside the door, her expression darkening into a storm.

What an absolute psychopath.

Unable to stomach the performance for another second, she violently shoved the door open.

Instantly shattering the sickeningly sweet atmosphere inside.

All three heads snapped toward the entrance.

The moment Zander laid eyes on her, a soft, incredibly tender smile spread across his face.

"Eliza. You're here."

Eliza completely ignored the warmth in his voice, staring at him with eyes like absolute zero.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Her hostile tone instantly wiped the smile off Miriam's face. "Eliza Shaw, watch your tone! Zander took time out of his day to check on us. What kind of attitude is that?" Miriam barked.

She glared fiercely at her daughter before pivoting back to Zander, her face immediately melting back into an obsequious grin. "Please ignore her, Zander. We spoiled her rotten growing up."

Turning back to Eliza, her voice dripped with blatant disdain. "Take a look at yourself. Zander has been bringing us premium food and taking care of us every spare second he gets. He's been a far better child to us than you ever were!"