A wedding night Love Affair With The Billionaire
Chapter 63 Returning to Stone Residence

The Stone residence wasn't far from where she and Tanner stayed, but Eliza still had the chauffeur detour the city center.

She didn't dare expose any telltale signs going back to her family this time, anxious. After calming down, she got out of the car and hailed a taxi to the Stone residence.

A bad feeling kept stirring within her as if something horrible would happen. Could it have anything to do with Gracelynn? Her text was indeed worrying.

Clenching her phone in her hands, Eliza felt very disturbed, both anxious about returning to her family and concerned about Gracelynn.

A smooth ride, and she reached the residency in no time.

It was around noon when Eliza entered the main door.

Marco didn't have Tanner's taste, displaying every valuable item he got. The interior design was even lavish, as if people would look down on him if he didn't do so.

There was a backyard with some flowers and grass, but it was used for welcoming guests and holding parties. The various high-end decor there gave the area a secular feel. Marco usually never allowed anyone to go there as well.

The servants were all busy. The place was massive, and they had a lot of cleaning to do; their daily workload was rather heavy.

No one paid any attention to Eliza the entire time.

The place sure hadn't changed even a bit, as aloof as ever.

Upstairs, Raelyn stood in front of the monitor, pleased with what she was watching.

What did it feel like to be back, my dear Eliza? Because of Tanner, she must be well respected in that mansion, but so what? She was still nothing here.

It didn't feel good falling from the heavens, did it, Eliza?

Raelyn left the monitoring room and locked the door.

Only she and her father held the keys to the control room. That pair of mother and daughter were, after all, outsiders no matter how; they could never compare to her before her father. Ironic, though. It probably had to do with genetics that Eliza loved to steal other people's men like her wh*re of a mother. Who did they think they were to be a part of her family?!

For years she had borne the shame of calling that woman her mother. It wouldn't be outrageous to replace a bit of pleasure in her beloved daughter's misery, would it?

After all, that woman valued her father more than her life. No matter what she did, her so-called mother would tolerate it.

But now, it was time to greet her sweet little sister.

Raelyn came down in a long dress, looking elegant and composed.

"Eliza."

Just then, Eliza was in the hall, slowly walking toward the stairs.

The Stones had a spiral staircase with a massive crystal chandelier hanging in the middle. Coupled with the surrounding treasures, Raelyn looked even more elegant and otherworldly. "Raelyn."

Eliza's voice was still a little croaky. She didn't dare look Raelyn in the eyes as no matter how hard she tried to forget, guilt would begin surging within her the moment she saw her. In the end, her relationship with Tanner was nothing but a mistake.

Raelyn always knew what to do in front of others, holding Eliza's hands with affection and reproach in her voice as if she was sincere.

"Honestly, Eliza, you promised to come back early. Look at the time now; it's already noon!"

"How are you doing out there? Just come home if you've suffered any grievances. We're all here for you."

Her kind words were like torment to her, gradually feeling a lump in her throat. Raelyn was so sweet; she felt nothing but ashamed.

She bowed her head slightly, suppressing the urge to tell her sister everything.

"I'm doing quite well out there; you don't have to worry about me."

Raelyn sneered, seeing Eliza filled with guilt.

Eliza's unusual mood hadn't gone unnoticed to Raelyn. Yeah, how could she not be doing well when she lived with the man her sister yearned to be with?!

"Dad's not home; he's working away in the company. Mom is in the room upstairs. Do you want to go talk to her?"

Eliza nodded, smiling at her.

It was nothing more than a sensible smile, but it was an eyesore to Raelyn. Watching her go up, Raelyn wanted nothing more than to tear that phony b*tch to shreds despite the smile on her face. Eliza could have her smug little moment a while longer; she won't be able to smile soon.

Watching her disappear from the stairs, Raelyn returned to her room.

Eliza knocked on her mother's door.

"Mom."

When the door opened, the woman inside had put on heavy makeup, but it still wasn't enough to cover up the wrinkles on her face. She was dressed glamorously, but Eliza only paid attention to the gradually white head of hair.

Her mother seemed to have aged even more.

Penelope was obviously excited, sizing Eliza up with a loving gaze. She had thought her daughter was no longer willing to come back.

"Eliza, it's good that you're back."

She pulled her into the room. They hadn't seen each other for a long time; a proper chat was way overdue.

Of course, she missed her mother after not seeing her for so long. Eliza was very happy that day; she hadn't had the chance to talk to her mother before she rushed off the last time she came back. She didn't know if her mother would still love her as much after learning about her situation. She knew just how much her mother loved her husband.

"Now that you're back, don't leave in a fit of pique anymore. Your father won't be angry anymore if you apologize to him sincerely. Be good, okay?" Penelope wanted to keep Eliza by her side. Now that Raelyn was back as well, they could still protect Eliza if anything happened to her.

But her mother's wish was definitely impossible; Tanner would never agree. He had only allowed her to come out for a day. Eliza shook her head, refusing.

"No, Mom. I... I'm not staying at Gracelynn's anymore. I got myself a place. It's quite lovely."

They hadn't seen each other for a long time, and Eliza looked excited, so Penelope didn't notice her ears were flushed.

She only thought Eliza was still sad about what happened back then.

"Eliza, my baby, you've suffered so much. It's my fault; it's all my fault. Don't blame your father."

"Okay..." Eliza nodded, somewhat self-deprecating. What right did she have to do so? Besides, he had supported her and her mother for so many years.

The servants had invited them down for lunch not long after they started chatting.

The meals in the Stone residence were different from the ones in Tanner's mansion.

The ingredients used in Tanner's

mansion were simple but

sophisticated and refreshing; it was

clearly made with a lot of effort.

However, the Stone family's dishes were luxurious; delicacies

were

typical on the table, always a feast, always having leftovers.

She used to think it was like this in all affluent families until she moved in with Tanner that she was beginning to realize.

Because of how influential the Deleons were, no one dared to nitpick no matter what they ate, while someone like Marco, who was eager to show off to the public, aimed for extravagance in whatever. The difference between them could indeed be seen everywhere.

After the three took their seats, the servants served fresh fruit juice in no time.

"Your father is not here today, so just relax; no need to restrict yourselves. Alright, let's eat."

Penelope was the matriarch of this house anyhow, so it made sense for her to lead the meal. Raelyn turned to Eliza.

"Eliza, you haven't been home for such a long time. Nothing beats home; make sure you eat up."

Despite her words, Raelyn didn't think so.

Relax? No need to restrict herself? Her upbringing and class reflected in her daily life; they weren't just for show. Penelope's words must actually only be for Eliza.

Everything Raelyn did was slow and graceful, sitting only on one-third of her chair with her back straight. Every spoonful she took was steady, and she wouldn't stuff her mouth.

Raelyn's every move reflected her manners.

But looking to her side, Eliza was the complete opposite. She never watched her dining etiquette, taking whatever she liked, eating however much she wanted.

She knew it was improper, but she

was never taught as a child, nor did she know what to do. Realizing she was a nobody in this home when she grew older, she never thought too much about becoming a socialite.

If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have been so frustrated with her cutleries that morning. Come to think of it, Tanner must have secretly despised her table manners many times. Shocked that her mind drifted to him, she immediately sat straight, focused on eating, no longer daring to let her mind wander for fear of revealing anything.

Fearful, Raelyn was right next to her!

The head seat was for Marco, so it was vacant; Penelope sat next to it. She was cautious with her table

manners as she had put in a great deal of effort back when she wanted

to become a part of this family.

Look at Raelyn and Eliza; they were worlds apart. Marco groomed Raelyn's temperament and manners, even providing her with various lessons since she was a child.

As for Eliza, she knew Marco never bothered himself with this daughter, so she never brought it up with him. She was also so busy pleasing him that she neglected to teach Eliza any etiquette and manners.

Alas, it was all her fault, but Eliza still hadn't made any progress despite being an adult now. Penelope was a little disappointed in her failure.

"Eliza, eat slowly. Be like your sister; that is what a lady should do."

The girls were too different; she had to bring it up.

Complacent flashed across Raelyn's gaze before it returned to normal.

Stumped, Eliza had just stuffed a mouthful of mashed potato.

Hadn't her mother just said not to restrict herself... But no matter, she was long used to it. She'd be compared to Raelyn every meal.

"Mom, Eliza is still young. Now that she's finally back, let her enjoy her meal."

"You really spoil her."

Despite Penelope's reproach at Raelyn's kind words, she was all smiling.

She had watched Raelyn grow up, and she had grown up considerate. That was probably why Tanner fell in love with her. Looking back at her own child, she began to worry again. She would definitely have to thank heavens if Eliza could marry into a good family. Eliza just ate away as she pleased, long used to all this. She was then more worried about Gracelyn, wondering how she had been doing lately.

And precisely because she had other things in mind, she was much more natural in front of Raelyn, no longer as panicked as when she last returned. Finishing her meal in no time, she got ready to head out.

"Mom, Raelyn, I'm meeting with Gracelynn in the afternoon. It's almost time; I should get going."☐☐☐☐☐☐