Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 365
Zane watched Elysia dash away, his thoughts quiet. He knew his niece very well.
If he let anything slip, everyone would know.
He had promised Elysia that he would keep the secret for now.
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The next morning, as the sun began to rise, Elysia jogged back from her run. After a hot shower, she slipped on a white lace
sleep dress, feeling refreshed. Just as she adjusted the straps, the doorbell rang.
With a towel in hand, she dried her damp hair before opening the door. To her surprise, Zane stood there holding breakfast.
“Did you just get out of the shower?” Zane asked.
“Yeah, just finished my morning run,” Elysia replied, leaning against the doorway. She glanced at the breakfast in his hands and
teased, “Looks like being a girlfriend has its perks. I don’t remember you ever bringing me breakfast before, Zane.”
“Are you saying I’ve treated you poorly before?” His eyes sparkled mischievously, making Elysia’s heart race.
She felt he really knew how to draw her in.
“You know how you treated me,” she said playfully, stepping a bit closer to him and reducing the space between them.
Inhaling the fresh scent of her body wash, Zane tightened his grip on the breakfast, clearly trying to keep his feelings in check.
“Elysia, are you testing my self–control?” he asked, his voice deep and a little raspy.
Elysia realized she might have pushed it too far. In a hurried motion, she reached for the breakfast. “Zane, thanks for the food.
You can head back now,” she said, trying to dismiss him.
As she started to close the door, Zane wasn’t about to let that happen. He blocked the doorframe with his hand, his eyes locked
onto hers. “Elysia, are you playing with fire and not planning to put it out?”
“What are you talking about?” Elysia shot back, confused.

“Talking nonsense?” he said, his tone light. “You heartless girl. I wake up early just to bring you breakfast, and you won’t even let
me in?”
Even though his words sounded like complaints, the affection in his voice was undeniable.
Elysia shrugged it off, thinking he wouldn’t really do anything. She pulled her hand back from the door, but just as she was about
to turn away, Zane suddenly grabbed her wrist. Before she could react, she found herself tumbling against his warm, broad
chest.
“Zane, what are you doing?” she gasped, her eyes wide.
“Just relax,” Zane replied lightly.

That one simple command caught Elysia off guard, leaving her speechless. She allowed him to hold her, breathing in the cool,
minty scent that lingered around him. That smell felt strangely familiar.
With care, Zane set her down on a sturdy white wooden chair by the dining table. His movements were gentle as if afraid that he
might hurt her.
Elysia looked up at him with big, shimmering eyes, which resembled an adorable little hamster.
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Zane couldn’t help but grin at her cuteness. He reached up and lightly tapped her nose, his tone teasing, “What do you think I’m
going to do to you?”
Her cheeks flushed a bright red as she turned her head away, not wanting to talk to him.
Zane’s smile broadened. He thought his girl was simply irresistible.
Zane laid out breakfast on the table, and the mouthwatering smell of pancakes wafted through the air. Elysia swallowed hard,
doing her best to stay strong and not look back.

A playful smile danced on Zane’s lips as he gently cupped her face in his hands, tilting it up. “Elysia, even if you’re upset with
me, you can’t ignore good food like this.”
He let go of her face and picked up a pancake, bringing it close to his nose to take a deep whiff. “This smells amazing! Aren’t you
gonna try it?”
Elysia couldn’t help but be drawn to the pancake’s golden color and the sweet aroma teasing her senses. Before she knew it,
she instinctively grasped Zane’s wrist and shoved the pancake into her mouth.
As the flavor burst in her mouth, a wave of satisfaction washed over her. She didn’t even realize a few crumbs were stuck on her
lips.
Zane chuckled softly and reached up to wipe the crumbs away, his eyes sparkling with delight.
His warm touch brought Elysia back to reality. Gazing at his gentle expression made her question the rumors she had heard.
‘Isn’t he supposed to be some ruthless guy? He doesn’t seem like that at all. Those eyes are so soft and kind. Where’s that
tough guy everyone talks about?‘ she thought.
“What’s wrong?” Zane asked, noticing her lost stare. Concern edged his voice, as he worried he might have hurt her feelings.
“Zane, what would people say if they knew you were this soft?” Elysia asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.
“I’m only like this with you, and they’ll never know,” Zane said, playfully poking her nose. “But hurry up and eat, or your breakfast
is gonna get cold. And believe me, cold pancakes? They just don’t taste good.”

At his words, Elysia pushed aside all her other thoughts. Now, eating was the most important thing.
Now, this pancake was definitely the best one she had ever tasted.
As she happily munched away, Elysia glanced up and noticed Zane just watching her. He hadn’t taken a bite himself. Confused,
she paused and asked, “Zane, why aren’t you eating?”
“Because I want to watch you eat, Elysia,” Zane replied, his smile widening.
Seeing that playful grin made Elysia a bit suspicious. Last time at the restaurant, her brothers had done the same thing–just sat
back and watched her eat without touching their own forks.

Now, with Zane, it seemed like she was just meant to be the one eating while he looked on.
‘Are they really satisfied just from watching me?‘ she thought, shaking her head a little in disbelief.
“No way! You have to eat with me,” she insisted, lifting the pancake and holding it out toward Zane’s mouth.
With a big smile, Zane leaned forward and took a bite. He wasn’t about to turn down Elysia’s offer.
“Zane, why would you want to buy pancakes?” Elysia asked, a puzzled look on her face.
She thought that a guy like him, always at the top, wouldn’t be into pancakes.
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Her gaze shifted to the other food on the table–sandwiches, pasta, and burgers. None of those really seemed to go with
pancakes.
“This pancake place is the best in Sivro, Zane explained, still grinning. I thought you’d enjoy it, so I picked some up for you.
“It does taste pretty good, Elysia admitted, taking another bite. Then something clicked in her mind. “Zane, you came over here.
What about Alice? Why didn’t you bring her along?
“I saved some breakfast for her. No need to stress about it,” Zane replied, flashing her a reassuring smile.
Elysia nodded, then turned her focus back to her meal, content to enjoy the food in front of her.
Meanwhile, in the other villa, Alice’s heart brightened when she saw the breakfast Zane had left on the table.
Is Zane finally realizing he messed up and trying to win me over with breakfast? Alice thought, her smile spreading wider.
With that in mind, she felt Zane might actually have a decent side. So, she decided to forgive him, at least somewhat.

But the moment she spotted Zane stepping out of the neighboring villa, her happiness vanished. Just as she thought she was
ready to forgive him, that decision suddenly seemed a little hasty.
She had assumed Zane bought her breakfast to cheer her up, but it looked like it was just a side thought. He didn’t want her to
interrupt whatever was happening between him and Elysia.
With her sharp instinct, she could tell something was definitely going on between those two.
Alice kept her eyes glued to Zane until he stood right in front of her, not even pretending to hide her curiosity.
Noticing her furrowed brows, Zane asked quietly, “What’s wrong?”
“Zane, am I really your niece?” Alice asked, her voice serious and steady.