Endless Elegance 26

Posted by ADMINHMADMIN, ? Views, Released on October 20, 2025

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Chapter 26 Cracks in the Team

+8 Pearls

Taylor held the phone, staring hard at the screen. A heavy unease sat in her chest. She didn’t want Mike digging into this, not when she had already taken off 300,000.

She leaned closer, catching sight of the account name. The truth dawned on her instantly. Of course, it was Jesse. The ID pretty much spelled out “bright days that keep on coming.” Anyone with any sense would have picked up on that–except Mike, who had never taken the time to pay attention.

Still, Jesse had already confessed to scamming her and walking away with 600,000. Taylor nodded eagerly, thinking this would win Mike over to her side.

He just went silent, lost in thought. Really? I’m chasing after the same sketchy account? Don’t tell me I’ve already run out of people who can fix the drones.

After a long silence, he finally spoke up, “I’ll take care of it. You just stick to training.”

Taylor completely misread the situation. She thought Mike had figured out it was Jesse and just let it

Resentment swelled. So that’s it. No matter what, I’ll never be the real sister.

Her eyes fell to her swollen fingers, which were numb from endless training. She had wanted to admit she was at her limit, but Mike had already walked away.

To him, her hands weren’t a big deal. Jesse’s fingers had been worse when she first learned drones, and she never once complained. Compared to that, Taylor’s struggles hardly mattered.

Frustration boiled over. She flung the controller onto the table and opened a game on her phone instead.

Under the harsh glow of the fluorescent lights, the training room seemed even chillier. Taylor sat at the console, her slim fingers shaking around the joystick. The drone moved jerkily through the air, clumsy as it tried to navigate around obstacles.

Mike stood nearby, his arms folded tight, a frown growing deeper with every mistake. His eyes seemed to pierce the drone with each falter.

“Taylor, what’s going on with you?” He’d run out of patience, his voice tinged with anger. “You think you can compete like this?”

“Sorry, I’ll do better,” Taylor apologized, biting her lip to calm her voice. Her tone was gentle and delicate, like a fawn pleading not to be hurt.

Mike rolled his eyes. “Do better? The competition is almost here, and you still can’t handle the

basics!”

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9:58 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 26 Cracks in the Team

Her head dipped lower, her fingertips pale against the controls.

“What’s happening?” Corey’s voice interrupted as he entered the training room.

+8 Pearls

Mike pointed toward Taylor, ready to call her out. Then he caught her teary eyes and faltered. The fire in his voice died down. “Just keep practicing.”

He turned and left without another word.

With tears glistening in her eyes, Taylor looked up at Corey and whispered, “Corey…”

The white lights washed the color from her face, leaving her pale and pitiful. She tried to force a smile, but it crumbled instantly.

Corey walked over and wrapped her in a hug. His hand comforted her back, his voice soothing. “Don’t cry, sweetie. You know how Mike is—he has a short fuse. Don’t let it get to you.”

She nodded against his chest, her muffled voice barely a whisper. “Mm.”

She paused, then looked up, blinking back tears as she tried to appear braver than she felt. “Corey, why are you here?”

Corey’s face fell, his eyes landing on the controller on the floor and then on her trembling hands. His sigh was more concerned than reproachful. “Your counselor contacted me. He mentioned you’ve been missing a lot of classes and asked if I knew what’s going on.”

She dropped her head and mustered a faint smile. “I’ve been training nonstop to keep up. That’s why I’m slipping behind in school.”

Her tone wavered with quiet despair. “If Jesse were here, she could cover attendance for me, maybe help me study at night. I wouldn’t be drowning like this.”

Corey’s frown deepened. It’s been weeks. She won’t admit her mistake, and she won’t even do the most minor things around the house. Guess I should face it… She’s not coming back.

A dull throb built at his temples.

His insomnia had crept back. Jesse used to brew him valerian tea, light incense, and work the tension from his shoulders. Having her around made him almost forget what it was like to lie awake all night.

Since she left, he was right back where he started–three days now with barely a wink of rest.

Taylor saw the fatigue written all over him. She spoke with concern, “Corey, is everything alright? You don’t seem too well.”

He managed a weary smile. “You’re sweet, Taylor. I’m fine. School, training–they both matter.

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9:58 Mon, Oct 20

Chapter 26 Cracks in the Team

Still, drop one for now if it’s pushing you too hard.”

* Pearls

Taylor’s eyes flashed with resentment, faint enough to miss at first glance. What she picked up on wasn’t concern, but another comparison to Jesse. The bitterness in her chest only intensified.

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Endless Elegance

Status: Ongoing

1) The Awakening

Jesse Spencer wakes to a sharp, icy voice—her brother Corey shouting. Her head spins, fever burning through her skull. Instinct takes over: the reflex of someone broken by years in prison. She drops to her knees and apologizes automatically. But the floor beneath her isn’t concrete. It’s soft—carpeted. Panic flares. She’s not in her cell. She’s back in her room, surrounded by familiar furniture she thought she’d never see again. She’s been reborn—twelve years into the past.

2) The Day That Ruined Her

Memories rush back in fragments. It’s that day—the day Taylor Holman accused her of ruining her contest project, locked her in the bathroom, and made her freeze through the night as punishment. Back then, Jesse refused to take the blame. That same night, Corey drenched her in ice water and turned off the heat, forcing her to “reflect.” Her fever had nearly killed her. While she suffered, Taylor basked in sympathy. Corey, blind with guilt, lashed out at Jesse just to see Taylor smile.

3) A Family Turned Against Her

Each brother had chosen Taylor over Jesse. Andrew, the doctor, brought medicine and comforted her gently, convinced she was in the wrong. Mike hovered over Taylor, offering warm water and towels. Kaleb, the youngest, even gave away Jesse’s hard-won spot in an international design competition—handing Taylor her future as if it meant nothing. Jesse had been branded a villain in her own home, a sinner forced to repay a debt she never owed.

4) The Debt That Wasn’t Hers

“Do you think Philip would forgive you? He died saving you!” Corey’s voice echoes again. The name pierces her chest. Philip Holman, Taylor’s brother, had died in a fire rescuing Jesse—or so everyone believed. The guilt consumed the Spencers, and they took Taylor in as family. Every day after that, they reminded Jesse: You owe her your brother. You owe her his life. Her brothers, her chances, her future—all handed to Taylor, the eternal victim.

5) The Truth Behind the Flames

But now, with her memories restored, Jesse finally knows the truth. Philip hadn’t died heroically—he had started the fire himself. He wanted to play savior, to make himself look noble in Taylor’s eyes, and Jesse was the collateral damage. Worse, Taylor had locked the door after them, intending to let the flames take them both. When the Spencers arrived, Taylor wept for the cameras, mourning her “only family,” while Jesse stumbled from the blaze branded a murderer.

6) The Accusation Reborn

Jesse’s fists tighten. Rage surges. But Corey mistakes it for defiance. “Still stubborn, huh? No apology, no school. You’ll stay grounded until you learn!” He glares, confident she’ll cave like before—especially with the design competition only three days away. Fevered and weak, Jesse still meets his eyes. “Fine,” she rasps. “I’ll apologize later. Now get out. I need to change.” Her tone chills him—cold, unfamiliar, unyielding. He leaves, thinking she’s finally obeying.

7) The Price of Survival

As soon as the door shuts, Jesse collapses. Pain sears through every bone. Her fever burns hotter; her limbs feel like lead. Somehow, she drags herself to the closet, pulling on dry clothes before sinking into bed. The warmth of the blanket breaks her. Three years in prison—three years of starvation, torture, and despair—flash through her mind. Her brothers had even paid guards to punish her for Taylor’s sake. Starved. Beaten. Forgotten. Cancer had finished what they started.

8) The Promise of Vengeance

Not this time. She won’t die quietly again. Curling into the blanket, Jesse whispers to herself, “I’ve got time. I’ll rest now. Then I’ll plan.” The warmth feels foreign, almost sinful after years of cold concrete. Her eyes close slowly. For the first time in forever, she lets herself sleep—safe, for the moment. This rebirth isn’t mercy. It’s a second chance to make them pay.

9) The Wake-Up Call

“Jesse!” The roar yanks her awake. Harsh light floods the room as someone rips away the blanket. Cold air slaps her burning skin. Rough hands drag her upright—it’s Mike, furious. “You told Corey you’d apologize, and you’re sleeping? Taylor’s been defending you, and this is how you repay her? Get up!” Jesse’s stomach churns; her body convulses. She doubles over, gagging—but there’s nothing in her stomach to give. Mike sneers. “Still pretending? Think playing sick will save you?”

10) The Beginning of Payback

Her voice comes out hoarse and broken. “Let go. I can stand myself.” He does, grudgingly. His frown deepens—she’s burning up—but he dismisses it. After all, Taylor’s the one “who’s really been through hell.” He orders coldly, “Quit wasting time. Taylor’s waiting.”
Jesse steadies herself, eyes icy despite the fever. Once, she begged for their understanding. Now, she only needs their ignorance. Let them believe she’s weak. Soon enough, they’ll learn what true strength looks like. Rebirth has given her purpose—and this time, she won’t bow to anyone.