Built His Empire Then Watched It Burn When He Cheated novel Chapter 742

Anneliese could not tell whether Elizabeth had lost her grip on reason—or if she herself had stepped into madness.

She gave a brief nod and turned to leave.

Elizabeth's expression hardened instantly. She was just about to erupt when her phone chimed.

The device rested on the table. A notification lit up the screen. Elizabeth glanced down without thinking. The moment she read it, her eyes widened, rage and disbelief crashing together.

Her voice snapped, sharp enough to cut. "Anneliese! What exactly is your relationship with that child?"

The accusation landed behind Anneliese's back. She did not slow her pace. Honestly, she had no idea what Elizabeth was even shouting about.

"Stop right there!"

When Anneliese ignored her, Elizabeth's face went completely cold. She strode forward and grabbed Anneliese's arm.

"Oh? Not saying anything now? Feeling ashamed?"

Anneliese turned, genuinely stunned. "Ashamed of what? You're being absurd. You're frightening her—let go."

Ellie was trembling against her, her small body shaking. The child's cheek pressed to Anneliese's neck, icy and tense, fear written into every breath.

Anneliese only wanted to leave this private room. Coming here had already been a mistake.

But the more urgently Anneliese tried to go, the more tightly she held the child, the more Elizabeth convinced herself that the message she had just read was true.

Elizabeth's breathing grew uneven. Instead of releasing her grip, she tightened it.

"You're not leaving until you explain yourself."

The tension between them crackled, sharp and unstable.

Martha felt a headache bloom. Regret flooded her—she never should have involved herself.

She hurried over, forcing herself between them, voice raised just enough to cut through the moment. "Enough. Both of you, calm down. Let go first. The child is about to cry."

She turned to Anneliese, tone measured but firm. "Anneliese, your mother-in-law only wants to ask something. Answer properly, and this will pass. And as your elder, she deserves at least basic patience."

Anneliese's irritation crested. She was about to respond when Martha's phone rang.

Elizabeth's recent attempts to pressure her and Derek into intervening in Jonathan's handling of the Holf family were still fresh in her mind. The two elders had refused outright.

Now, hearing this, Penelope understood immediately.

Her voice cooled. "Hand the phone—"

She intended to speak directly to Anneliese and confirm whether she had been wronged.

Before the sentence finished, Elizabeth reached over and snatched the phone from Martha's hand.

"Mom, there's something serious about Anneliese I need to tell you and Dad," Elizabeth said sharply. "Can we come over right now?"

As she spoke, her gaze locked onto Anneliese, mockery and hostility sharpening in her eyes.

On the other end, Penelope felt a familiar pressure rise at her temples. She pressed her fingers to her brow. "Give the phone to Anneliese."

At the sound of Penelope's controlled, authoritative tone, Elizabeth's face darkened further.