Chapter 293
Chapter 293:
It wasn’t just Cayson—it was everyone.
Bella, by contrast, felt like an afterthought, a shadow in the background.
She pursed her lips, frustration bubbling beneath her calm facade. What could she possibly say?
She wasn’t their biological daughter. She didn’t have Yelena’s claim to their affections.
Cayson’s favoritism was unmistakable, and it stung deeply.
The horseback riding trip, for instance, had come as a complete surprise to Bella—clearly planned for Yelena’s enjoyment.
No one had thought to include Bella in the planning. And now, Cayson had mentioned a special gift for Yelena, further driving the wedge.
Bella’s emotions churned, a volatile mix of resentment and curiosity. What kind of gift could it be?
Bella dared not voice her true feelings, knowing it would likely only invite judgment from her family.
They would probably see her as petty or immature, so she swallowed her jealousy and carefully maintained a facade of poise and graciousness.
Despite the jealousy simmering within her, Bella managed to maintain a carefully crafted smile.
“Yelena, isn’t our brother so thoughtful? The gift he’s chosen for you must be incredibly special. I’m dying to know what it is p>
Bella hoped to discreetly nudge Cayson into acknowledging her, maybe even hinting at something he’d prepared for her. But her efforts went unnoticed. Cayson’s attention stayed firmly on Yelena, his indifference toward Bella a sharp, familiar sting.
Yelena met Bella’s comment with a faint, composed smile, offering no deeper reaction.
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝓂:
To Bella, it felt as though her words had evaporated into the air.
What could she do?
She wasn’t related to them by blood. Bella, accustomed to this quiet exclusion, forced herself to endure the moment as she always had.
With a brief glance at Bella, Yelena broke the silence with a gentle response. “Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m really looking forward to the gift,” she said, her tone soft yet confident.
Cayson smiled warmly, affection radiating as he ruffled Yelena’s hair.
Soon after, the family prepared to leave. Callum and Donna opted for a relaxing round of golf instead of horseback riding, leaving Cayson to drive Yelena and Bella to the equestrian center.
Upon their arrival, a stableman greeted them with a respectful bow. “Mr. Harris, welcome back p>
Cayson nodded, his tone firm yet casual. “Bring out Hawk,” he said.
The equestrian center was no ordinary facility—it was part of the Harris family’s vast holdings, managed personally by Cayson as a leisure project.
“Certainly, Mr. Harris. I’ll get right on it,” the stableman said with a polite nod before heading off.
Yelena took a moment to take in the surroundings, her eyes wandering over the expanse of the facility. The sheer scale of the grounds impressed her, from the lush paddocks to the well-maintained riding trails. The weekend bustle was evident, with other riders already out, trotting and galloping across the fields.
Its sprawling countryside estate attracted affluent horse owners and riding enthusiasts, offering both a sanctuary for horses and top-tier riding facilities.
Yelena, with her prior riding experience, felt an eager thrill to join in.
Bella, standing nearby, watched with a restrained expression. She, too, was skilled at horseback riding—an essential pursuit among the elite.
It was something she had learned young, and she took quiet pride in her ability.
But today, her attention was fixated on something else entirely. What is this special gift Cayson has for Yelena? Her curiosity was quickly answered when the stableman returned, leading a horse into view.
It wasn’t the tallest horse on the estate, but it was undeniably striking. Its sleek black mane gleamed in the sunlight, and its muscular tail swished with an air of power, like a blade poised for action. Every inch of its frame exuded strength and refinement.
Yelena’s eyes widened, captivated. The horse was a thoroughbred, the pinnacle of equestrian excellence, renowned for its speed, endurance, and grace.
In the racing world, a horse like this could easily be a legend.
A champion thoroughbred could command prices in the millions—or even tens of millions.
Cayson stepped forward with a smile, clearly proud of his choice. “Yelena, what do you think? Do you like him p>
Yelena looked at her brother, astonishment lighting up her face. “This is for me p>
Cayson nodded, his smile widening. “Yes, for you. This is Hawk, a race-winning champion. I came across him during my recent business trip and couldn’t resist. He’s yours now p>
This wasn’t just a horse—it was a rare treasure, the kind of gift that spoke volumes about the thought and care behind it.