Hearing this, Elaine's jaw dropped and her gaze lowered in obvious disappointment.
Hilbert and Franklin looked at each other, and the latter said, "Elaine, you have had enough fun in City
N this time. | think it's time you put an end to it.”
Elaine turned sideways, clasped her fingers, and pouted, "| didn't go to City N just for fun. | have done
a lot of things over there. | bought the gifts for you with the money | made myself, I'm only back for a
visit this time. When Archer goes to City N in a few days, | still want to..."
"That's enough. Do you really think you belong in City N? Relax at home for a few days and pack your
bags to go study in Switzerland." Franklin said.
Elaine suddenly widened her eyes. "Why?"
Hilbert held his walking stick and said in a kind voice, "Elaine, haven't you always wanted to travel the
world? This is your opportunity. Go and enjoy
Switzerland, it's very beautiful, especially in the winter, you'd love it.”
"But... But doesn't the family have a rule that we can't leave Riverside City?"
Franklin said, "Tell me, how many times have you run off to City N? If that was a real rule, you think
you'd still be sitting here like this?"
Hilbert also said, "Elaine, that's all in the past. The current family no longer needs to be bound by the
rules of the past. You can do what you want to do, and you can also go where you want to go.”
"| don't want to go to Switzerland. It's so far away. I'll go to City N with Stella and Sherry. I'll come back
occasionally to visit you.”
Franklin took a deep breath. "How many times have | told you? You have to call her auntie.”
Elaine pouted, not responding.
Hilbert added, "It's always good for young people to broaden their horizons. Maybe after you go to
Switzerland, you will also fall in love with that place and not want to come back."
"No, L..."
Franklin said, "Alright, this matter has already been settled. The procedures for you to study abroad
have already been completed. There is no room for negotiation.
It is very late. Even if you don't want to sleep yet, your great-grandfather and I are tired. Hurry up and
go back to your room."
Elaine stood up, her eyes red, and she said with a choked voice, "You're forcing me again! When you
forced me to marry
Darnell, I had no say in the matter either! And now the engagement is canceled, you're forcing me to
go study abroad?
Great-grandfather was just saying I could do whatever I want! I'm not going! I just don't want to go to
Switzerland! No matter what you say, I won't go!"
After choking with sobs, Elaine wiped her tears and ran upstairs.
It was obvious she was very sad and angry about the situation.
Hilbert gripped his walking stick and sighed silently.
When Franklin heard the sound of the door slamming on the second floor, he frowned and said to the
old man, "You don't have to worry about her. She just has a childish temper. She will be fine in two
days."
Hilbert said, “Although Darnell promised that as long as I was alive, he would not attack us. He has
removed so many forces from the family, and still, he has not hurt us at all. This will inevitably make us
a thorn in the eyes of others, a thorn in their sides."
Franklin said, "I know that your arrangements are all for the sake of Elaine. She will understand one
day."
Hilbert stood up. "Go talk to Elaine. She's a good child and will listen to you."
Franklin nodded slightly.
Sure enough, just as he promised, Daniel found Joseph's hiding place in just two days. He also found a
USB drive that belonged to Amanda when she was alive, and a medical box, which was full of
miscellaneous medicine bottles.
After contacting Clarence, he arranged to send these things to Riverside City. In the laboratory, Archer
led all the doctors in an overnight effort to determine what was in the medicine bottles.
At the same time, Elaine was also protesting at home, expressing her determination not to go to
Switzerland.
Franklin had tried everything, from coaxing to threatening, nothing was working.
Elaine had been his little princess for her whole life.
In the end, he could only let her do as she pleased. He figured when the time came, he'd just force her
directly onto the plane.
Elaine collapsed on her bed and slept deeply.
She did not understand why her father and great-grandfather would send her to Switzerland to study.
She did not want to go to such a faraway place alone.
She had no relatives or friends there.
Thinking of this, Elaine sat up again. After hugging her knees for a while, she took out her phone in the
darkness and dialed that familiar number she had dialed before countless times.
This time, a low and gentle male voice came from the other side of the line. "What's the matter?"
Elaine's half-narrowed eyes immediately opened. She was much more energetic. She sat up slightly
and held the phone with both hands. She whispered, “Um... I'm locked up at home by my father. Can
you get me out?"
"I'm not in Riverside City."
The hope in Elaine's eyes dimmed, and she immediately said, "It's fine, it's fine. Then can you tell my
dad not to force me to go...
“Elaine. This is your family business. I can't control it, and I won't." Darnell interrupted her lightly.
Elaine gently bit her lower lip and did not speak.
A moment later, Darnell's voice continued, "All your father's decisions are for your own good. What you
should do is listen to them. There's no point being stubborn."
Elaine drooped her head. "Have you always thought that I was very stubborn?"
Darnell said, “It's late, go to sleep."
Elaine suddenly mustered up her courage and said, “You saw that news, didn't you?"
The call was not hung up, but she could only hear silence.
Elaine continued, "You saw it, but you didn't contact me. Do you hate me?"
“No. You shouldn't have wasted your time on me." Darnell's voice was a little indifferent.
Elaine's voice was very soft. "A waste? I do what I like and send messages to the people I like. How
am I wasting my time?"
Darnell said, "Elaine, you should call me uncle."
"I don't need you to remind me. I know that fact better than anyone." Elaine took a deep breath and
laughed, “In reality, we just belong to the same large family, and are very distantly related. If we can get
engaged, then why can't I like you?"
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