Chapter 487 - 221: False Heaven (Part 2)

If this was some brilliant idea Sean had cooked up in a moment of crisis, then why hadn’t he sent her a message?

He could have at least given her a heads-up so they could get their stories straight!

With Sean "absent," Elvire now believed that they had separated after arriving in the New World, each going off to handle their own affairs. Elise had no choice but to go along with this and spin a yarn, claiming that she and Sean had first gone to the Blake Underground City in Vernadu, accepted two missions, and then split up after discovering members of the Bright King’s Court along the way.

Sean went to complete the missions while she was tasked with investigating Fan Ke’er. She had followed the trail all the way here, meeting Howard on the ship. Figuring that the Grev Family were the administrators of the Golden Coast, she had accepted Howard’s invitation to be a guest at Grev Castle, which led to the scene that had just unfolded.

A story that’s half-truth and half-lie is always the most convincing. Elise felt it would be enough to fool Elvire, and indeed, Elvire believed her. But the story still had a gaping hole: the Howard family knew Sean’s alias. If they didn’t call him "Mr. Blake" and instead let "Mr. Sean" slip out, the whole charade would instantly fall apart.

To make matters worse, Elise had no idea when the Cognitive Magic on Sean’s face would wear off, a detail that would directly affect the "story’s" trajectory.

The chances of the lie being exposed were far too high, and Sean had no idea what explanation she had given Elvire. This forced Elise to spend the entire evening on pins and needles. Though she was all smiles, chatting with her dear friend, she was panicking internally.

And this was precisely the effect Daeli wanted.

Her panic was part of the plan.

Anyone who dared to steal her man had to be prepared to pay the price.

Tonight’s psychological torment was just the beginning; there was plenty more suffering in store for Elise.

Daeli had, of course, considered that Elise might let something slip, causing Sean’s cover to be blown on the spot. But what did that have to do with her?

It was her own secret affair; she could explain it herself.

If she couldn’t, then she’d just have to face the consequences.

Sean’s feelings for Elvire and his ambiguous relationship with Elise were two separate matters. Daeli felt no sympathy for Sean. If Elvire really did beat him up, not only would she not help, she’d cheer her on. Who told him to be so insatiably greedy?

Serves him right.

Fortunately, Elise was clever enough.

She used the most ambiguous terms possible to tell her "story," firmly sticking to a policy of feigning ignorance.

For example, when Elvire asked her, "So when is Sean coming to meet up with you?"

"I don’t know," Elise said vaguely. "I guess it depends on when he finishes his missions in Blake City."

Elvire frowned. "Are the missions that hard?"

"Not hard, just a bit far away." Elise winked at her. "What, miss him already?"

"Aren’t you two supposed to be giving each other the cold shoulder?"

"Who’d miss that guy?" Elvire huffed. "I just think the New World is dangerous and was worried you might run into trouble you couldn’t handle. I just came to check on you, that’s all."

Elise gave her a knowing smile. "And you think I believe that?"

"I don’t care what you believe." Elvire couldn’t be bothered to argue. She stood up, stretched languidly, and said, "I’m going to take a shower and go to bed... Oh, right. Send a message to that guy. Tell him to hurry up, finish his missions, and get over here. My sister happens to be here, so he can meet her."

The corner of Elise’s mouth twitched. "Alright," she managed.

’More than just meet?’ she thought. ’Sean and your sister were separated for so many years, and tonight they finally reunited. This isn’t the kind of thing a simple "meeting" is going to resolve...’

Elise stared up at the ceiling.

’Sean and Daeli... what are they doing right now?’

Deep down, she already knew the answer.

What else could they be doing this late at night?

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t jealous, but Elise knew she had no right to be. She was lucky to even get a taste; she couldn’t be greedy and ask for more.

Elvire went into the bathroom.

She was happy for her sister that her brother-in-law was back, so she had also had a fair bit to drink tonight. Reeking of alcohol, she needed a good long shower.

When Elise saw the door close and heard the water start running, she finally dropped her act and quickly sent a message to Sean to get their stories straight.

But Sean didn’t reply.

He was rather preoccupied.

It wasn’t until five in the morning that Sean finally got a chance to catch his breath.

But he didn’t check his phone.

Daeli had utterly wrecked him. Feeling completely drained, he didn’t even have the strength to take a shower. He simply pulled the fragrant, supple body in his arms closer and fell fast asleep.

「The next day at noon.」

When Sean woke up, Daeli had already changed into an elegant long dress and was sitting at a desk, reading a book.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a beautiful pattern of light and shadow across her form.

Hearing movement from the bed, Daeli glanced over.

"You’re awake?"

"Mmh."

Sean rubbed his eyes and started to get up, but a wave of soreness washed over him, and he fell back onto the bed with a THUMP.

Sean: "..."

Daeli: "..."

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she turned her head, avoiding his gaze.

’It’s not my fault.’

It had been this body’s first time, too. In theory, she should have been even less able to handle their activities than Sean. Yet, she was up and about while he couldn’t even get out of bed. Clearly, his constitution was just too weak. She couldn’t be blamed.

"If you’re tired, just stay in bed a while longer," Daeli said. "I’ve had Viscount Mockray send lunch over. You can eat on your own in a bit."

Sean gave her a wounded look. "Don’t you think you sound a bit like a heartless player right now?"

’What does she mean, "eat on your own"?’

Daeli’s expression was flat. "I learned it from you."

Sean: "..."

Daeli added, "Besides, no matter how much of a player I am, could I ever compare to you?"

She only played with one man’s heart—Sean’s. But what about him?