Chapter 78

Eliana tilted her head slightly, her tone calm but firm."By the way, just call me Eliana from now on. I'd rather people didn't know too much about who I am."

She wasn't living off her medical skills anymore, and the thought of strangers constantly showing up at her door was more nuisance than honor.

Jeffry's lips curved in an easy smile. "Alright. Eliana it is."

He reached back and gave Hector a light tug forward."Hector's been feeling bad ever since that day. Says he shouldn't have doubted you-let alone threatened you to treat his grandpa. He asked to come along today so he could apologize in person."

Jeffry's eyes held a quiet intent. He wanted these two to at least be on civil terms.

Sure,Hector had mentioned on the phone that Tristan had gone public, calling Eliana his fiancée. But Jeffry knew Elbert too well-profits first, always.

The Murray family was no longer what it had been now.No matter how gifted Eliana was as a healer, Elbert would never welcome a daughter-in-law from such a fallen background.

Jeffery was certain Tristan and Eliana would eventually split. But he didn't mind Eliana's background.

He hoped Hector and Eliana could work out beautifully.

Hector swallowed, his voice low but earnest. "Ms.Murray... I'm really sorry. That day, I let my panic for my grandpa's health cloud my judgment. I spoke out of line and acted even worse."

Eliana's brows lifted, a faint, unreadable smile touching her lips. "Quite a thoughtful grandson,huh?"

Her tone made Hector feel it wasn't entirely a compliment.

Still, he forced a polite smile. "Can you forgive me?Let's forget it ever happened. If you or your family ever need help, you can come to me anytime."

Eliana couldn't care less about his offer. She barely resisted the urge toroll her eyes.

She wasn't the type to hold grudges over every little thing-some people, she could forgive easily.

But there were others she knew from the first meeting she'd never trust, let alone befriend. Hector fell squarely in that second category.

If the Murray and Clarke families weren't in the middle of smoothing things over, she wouldn't even be standing here entertaining his empty words.

She fixed Hector a stare, her expression unreadable."I've got one principle-if people don't bother me,l don't bother them. But if someone crosses me,I don't let it slide. So, as long as you stay out of mmy way,I'll pretend nothing ever happened."

The words hit Hector like a sudden drop in temperature. Why was she so warm with his dad but cold towards him?

His dad had doubted her too, hadn't he?

He opened his mouth to reply, but a sharp, cutting voice sliced through the air. "Hector, what are you doing here?"

They turned towards the voice. Leyla stood at the entrance, cheeks still flushed from her competition.

She'd been buzzing with confidence, eager to find Hector and brag about her sure-win performance.

But then she'd spotted him-shoulders hunched,speaking low to Eliana, eyes carrying a strange mix of flattery and... something else. Something like admiration he didn't want to admit.

Leyla couldn't understand why he would start having a good impression about Eliana. Was he merely feeding her ego? The Clarke family was gullible enough to still believe Miguel's recovery was Eliana's doing.

Playing nice to her for the sake of the family made sense. But why that flicker of reluctance? It was almost.as if Hector wanted Eliana, knew he couldn't have her,yet couldn't bring himself to let go.

The thought clawed at Leyla's composure, making her chest tighten and her pulse spike. Before she could stop herself, she stomped toward them.

When Hector looked up and saw her, his gaze slipped away,avoiding hers without even knowing why.

He cleared his throat, masking the sudden awkwardness. "What are you doing here?"

"I finished my painting," Leyla said, her tone light,her expression carefully smoothed over. She gave Jeffry a polite nod, pretending the storm in her chest didn't exist.

But once they weren't looking, she shot Eliana a glare -sharp and cutting-loaded with unspoken warning.

Eliana blinked at her, puzzled. What was that about? Did Leyla honestly think she was into Hector? The idea almost made her laugh.

Hector wasn't her type-not even close. His presence alone irritated her, and the last thing she'd ever do was play the "other woman", especially for a man already tied to someone like Leyla.

Disgust tightened in her chest. She turned to Jeffry."I've got things to handle.I'll head out now."

Before anyone could say a word, she turned on her heel and walked away, not looking back.

Jeffry's jaw ticked, his displeasure simnmering-not at Eliana, but at Leyla.

He'd planned to smooth things over and maybe talk Eliana into reconsidering helping Miguel's friend, but Leyla's sudden entrance had chased her off.

His voice was cool when he turned to her. "Why'd you come out so quickly? I saw the others were still at it.Did you walk out of the competition?"

Leyla straightened. "No... I didn't." She softened her tone, trying to explain. "An hour's plenty for me.I already finished."

Copying an image lodged in her mind was second nature to her-it didn't require much thinking. That was why she was always the first to wrap up.

Jeffry's expression eased a fraction. "Alright then.We'll just wait for the results."

The results would be posted within an hour after the competition ended. There was nothing to do now but wait.

Leyla's confidence returned in full force. "Don't worry.This one's mine-no contest." Her certainty was enough to push Jeffry's irritation to the side.

Hector,too, momentarily forgot his complex feelings for Eliana.

Jeffry drifted off to greet a few of the big shots present,leaving Hector and Leyla alone.

"Hungry?" Hector asked. "Want me to grab you something sweet?"

But Leyla wasn't thinking about food. She was thinking about the look she'd caught in his eyes earlier. That flicker of reluctance.

The question burned in her throat until she couldn't hold it back. "What exactly were you talking about with that bumpkin?"

Hector's brows knit. His voice was quiet but firm. "Don't call her that. She's talented."

Leyla's face went pale, eyes wide with disbelief."Hector... are you scolding me for her?"

The question seemed to snap him back. He shook his head quickly. "No. I'm saying, if my dad hears you talk like that, he's going to be mad at you again."

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Okay," she murmured.But she wasn't letting it go. "You still haven't answered me. What were you talking about?"

Hector kept his tone even. "Nothing much. My grandpa's friend needs her help with a health problem.My dad and I were trying to get her to assist him."

Leyla's brows pulled together. "Weren't you skeptical about her being the miracle healer? Why the sudden "

"She's proved it," Hector cut in. "My grandpa's health has gotten much better."

The words hit her likea slap. Heat flared under her skin, and her hands curled into fists so tight her nails bit into her palms.

The sharp sting was the only thing keeping her anger in check.

Not here. Not now.She would wait Once the results were announced and she claimed her victory, no one-not Jeffry, not Hector, or anyone else-would have any reason to look down on her again.