**Chapter 96** At ten o’clock sharp, a gleaming Rolls-Royce glided to a halt before the wrought-iron gates of a weathered community house. The door swung open with an air of authority, revealing a tall figure who stepped out with a mix of purpose and weariness. Elliot, clad in a long navy-blue quilted coat that billowed slightly in the crisp morning air, wrapped a gray scarf snugly around his neck and adjusted his brand-new leather boots, a testament to his affluent taste. Despite his elegant attire, pale skin and haggard features betrayed the turmoil simmering beneath the surface—a chilling contrast to the mundane surroundings enveloping him. Behind him, the driver and bodyguard—both impeccably dressed—exited the vehicle, struggling slightly under the weight of several extravagant gift boxes, their contents obscured but undoubtedly lavish. Inside, the shuffling sounds from the kitchen prompted Laura to hurry to the door, her heart quickening at the unexpected visitor. As she swung the door open, a mixture of surprise and concern flooded her expression upon seeing Elliot. “What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, frozen momentarily before ushering him in. “Come inside! I heard you were unwell. Are you alright?” Though early winter had settled in, the midday sun barely warmed the air. Elliot took a moment, taking in the pristine floor of the home, his brows furrowing slightly. “Do we need to take off our shoes?” “Not at all! Please, come in!” Laura insisted, her urgency breaking the ice of any formality. As Elliot stepped inside, his gaze drifted to the stack of opulent gifts cradled by his companions. “Why bring so many presents?” she asked, a note of confusion lacing her words. Last night, Avery had taken all her belongings with her, leaving Laura in a haze of speculation. She sensed her daughter’s heart had been stomped on, leading to a finality she dared not question. To see Elliot here was unexpected; the air between them heavy with unresolved emotions. “I came to pay you a visit,” Elliot stated plainly before retreating to the plush sofa, his presence commanding even in a state of fatigue. The driver and bodyguard placed the gifts carefully before excusing themselves, leaving an almost palpable tension in the room. Laura fumbled for the remote and began to turn on the heating, a futile attempt to dispel the chill settling around them. “So… you and Avery… last night…” Laura’s voice was hesitant, the weight of her thoughts creating a delicate barrier between them. Elliot leaned forward, his expression earnest. “I didn’t see her last night. There’s been a misunderstanding between us.” “Oh… she doesn’t tell me much about you. I’m not quite sure what to say.” Laura filled a cup with steaming water, offering it to him in a gentle gesture. “You don’t look well. Really, you should be resting at home.” “I’m fine,” he replied, accepting the glass, his fingers warming around the ceramic. Sitting at the edge of the sofa, Laura scrutinized him closely. This man—previously exuding confidence and rigor—was now subdued, almost as if he had shed his own skin in this moment of vulnerability. After a long moment of contemplation, Laura finally voiced the question that had been gnawing at her heart. “Elliot, what do you truly feel for Avery? I divorced her father when she was very young. She never experienced a full family life… You can imagine how that has shaped her; the love she’s known has often been fractured. If you feel you cannot love her, please—set her free.” “This is not the time to discuss divorce,” Elliot said, taking a sip of his water, his eyes darkening with concern. “Recently, she’s been getting closer to a man named Charlie Tierney. I trust you don’t know him, but I do.” Realization swept across Laura’s face, clarity striking like a bolt of lightning. “So, you believe Charlie is no good?” Elliot nodded gravely. “I urge you to convince her to distance herself from him.” Laura, her mind racing, began nodding emphatically. “Absolutely! I’ll talk to her as soon as she gets up.” Elliot’s brow furrowed as he glanced at his watch—a sense of urgency creeping in. Half-past ten already, and Avery was still asleep? “She went to bed late last night,” Laura explained, her voice tinged with a hint of guilt for her daughter's late night escapades. Just then, the sound of a creaking door signaled Avery’s emergence. Dressed in rumpled pajamas and with her hair cascading untamed around her shoulders, she stood at the threshold, still half-dreaming. Yet, the moment her sleepy eyes fell upon Elliot, a spark ignited within her, illuminating her face with warmth. “Avery, Elliot is here for you. I need to step out and grab some food. You two have a good talk,” Laura said, an excuse readily formed as she retreated, leaving them in a suffocating silence, heavy with unspoken words and buried emotions. Avery’s gaze flickered to the heating unit, then back to Elliot, her heart fluttering at the sight of him, still wrapped in his heavy coat—a reminder that he was very much unwell. She bit her lip, unsure of how their words would weave together in the tapestry of their complicated relationship. The air between them crackled with tension, hinting at a complicated dialogue yet to unfold.