Fiona made a quick decision. She nudged her daughter again and whispered, "What are you waiting for? Apologize to Amara, and to your father."
Turning her attention back to Larry and Amara, Fiona plastered on a warm smile. "I asked Elowen to join us downstairs today not just for a family meal, but because there's something that needs to be done. I want Elowen to apologize to both of you."
"She's made a lot of mistakes recently, but deep down, she's a good girl who knows when she's wrong. She's going to do better from now on. Please don't give up on her. I hope you'll both continue to guide her so she can get back on the right path."
After delivering her little speech, Fiona looked at Elowen with feigned strictness. "Did you hear me? Apologize."
Elowen's face twisted slightly. She could stomach apologizing to her father, but why on earth did she have to grovel to Amara?
Still, under her mother's forceful glare, she had no choice. She lowered her head and murmured, "Dad, Amara... I'm sorry for everything lately. I promise I'll change and become a better, more decent person. I apologize for the mistakes I've made."
If one only listened to the words, it sounded sincere enough. But Amara caught the flash of venom in Elowen's eyes before she looked down. It was obvious she wasn't sorry at all; Fiona had practically forced her hand.
Amara's lips curled into a faint, knowing smirk, but she remained silent.
Larry set down his silverware, his expression stern. "Do you truly realize what you've done wrong?"
Inside, Elowen was seething. As far as she was concerned, she hadn't done anything wrong.
Seizing the window of opportunity, Fiona quickly chimed in. "Honey, there's one more thing. Elowen isn't getting any younger, and it's time she thought about marriage. If we can help her settle down and build a stable family, it'll keep her grounded. How about we lift her house arrest?"
Without missing a beat, Fiona continued smoothly, "Once she's ungrounded, I'll immediately start setting her up on dates. I want her to meet some mature, reliable men from good backgrounds. Once she finds the right match, she can get married. What do you think?"
Amara inwardly cursed.
Fiona was truly cunning. She knew exactly what Larry valued most: family stability.
If Fiona framed lifting the punishment around finding Elowen a husband and settling down, there was a very high chance Larry would agree.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Under the Veil I Rule (Amara)