know what's gotten into Helena. She just started yelling at me

nce, allowed a flash of annoyance to

to her that Helena h

a masked her true emotions and ado

ally back! Your father and I

, "If you were truly worried, woul

ff-guard. "I... I thought you

had misled Marcel into think

"Where have you been all this time? If you're so in

ession remain

pecting any genuine paterna

house. I belong here.

n swing, casually crossing her legs and fi

flamed Marcel's

s success was deeply tied to the legacy of Helena's mother and

advanced towards Helena with his

y struck Helena's face

eyes reflecting a deep sadness that mi

lt seized Mar

a's shoulder. "Your mother is gone. With Linda and your

ss you as Dad out of respect. But mark my words, if yo

, channeling her anger into each match. She had become so formi

uld stand no chance

r transformation, fou

Helena had chan

ecoiled at the dangerous glint in Hel

daughter's hand, was

anger flaring. "I've provided for you for over twenty

"You squandered my mother's inheritance on your failed investments. D

n Marcel, her commanding p

to respond, his glare impotent ag

he villa, intent only on retrieving some per

chaos-Eunice had converted it into an overstuffed storag

els and retrieved a small box from a desk drawer. Inside, she f

nd the room, her eyes gleamed sharp

a walked downstairs, hu

, the family sat i

ke through, tense with worr

m, panic stricken. "Miss

prang up, alarmed. "My

ed in fury. "Call the

thed, silently cursing Helena,

a cool detachment in her gaze as she wat

er gone, this place w

hardly weighed o

elena was accustomed to her solitud

check on the earlier rescue operation. "How did

"There's trouble! One of our gu