Chapter 380 Beaten
Twelve-year-old Elizabeth's cheek swelled instantly from the slap, five distinct fingermarks clearly visible on her face.
She was too frightened even to cry.
Her terrified eyes could only stare at Kismet's parents.
Elizabeth never wanted to come to this wealthy household.
Every day after school, she had to take care of Nico, help Quiana fetch water, and complete piles of homework.
But they had chosen her, and if she refused this home-stay experience, she wouldn't be able to submit her assignment. Worse still, Nico would lose his monthly thirty-dollar medical subsidy for underprivileged families.
At Quiana's urging, Elizabeth had agreed.
She never imagined the family would be so harsh. Elizabeth didn't dare tell her parents, not wanting to worry them.
After slapping her, Xanthe tried to console her, "Elizabeth, I'm only doing this for your own good. You're just a country girl who doesn't understand anything. The reporter simply wants to document your story, to help improve your situation. It's quite rude of you to be uncooperative. This is how strict I am with Kismet too. I lost my temper for a moment—please don't hold it against me, okay?"
Elizabeth nodded. "It's fine, I don't blame you. I'll be very good, I promise. I may not know how to cook, but I can wash clothes, clean rooms, and make beds. I can do all of that."
Elizabeth was a clever child.
To survive the week in this household without further punishment, she employed every household skill she possessed.
She would mop the living room first thing in the morning, fill all the kettles with water, and heat up her own breakfast without waiting for Xanthe to wake up, before heading off to school with her backpack.
After school, she would wash all the clothes and socks that Kismet's parents had discarded.
Her efforts earned praise from Xanthe.
Elizabeth was secretly delighted.
Seeing how obedient Elizabeth was, Xanthe's expression softened. She smiled at Elizabeth and said, "Elizabeth, we're having guests today. Don't worry about the housework—come with me and learn how to entertain visitors. This is something you country children never get to experience. It will broaden your horizons."
Elizabeth nodded. "I'll be on my best behavior."
Though her family lived in the countryside and was poor, Quiana had always taught her proper etiquette.
Quiana often told her not to eat too roughly, not to make noise while eating, not to touch her utensils before adults did, to sit properly at the table, and to finish all her food.
By the sixth day of Elizabeth's stay at Kismet's home, which happened to be a weekend, several guests came to visit. To Elizabeth, they all seemed like important dignitaries. For appearance's sake, Xanthe dressed Elizabeth in one of Kismet's less attractive dresses that she rarely wore, and brought her out to meet the guests.
Among these visitors was a young man recently transferred from another district.
When he saw Elizabeth, he couldn't help but compliment her, "Mr. Hill, I had no idea your daughter was so beautiful! Why haven't you sent her to an arts academy in the city? She could pursue an artistic career—she might even become a star someday."
"Her skin doesn't look like that of children from our town at all. The climate here is terrible, with all the dust and wind. Local children usually have rough skin. But your daughter is different—she would be considered exceptionally pretty even in the big city," he continued.
The young man had intended to flatter Kismet's father, Tate Hill.
He had no idea that Elizabeth wasn't Tate's daughter, and at this crucial moment, nobody dared correct him.
Given the crowd and their dignity at stake, Tate and Xanthe could only maintain strained smiles.
Xanthe even added, "Elizabeth is very well-behaved and quite self-sufficient."
"What a wonderful child. Tell me, do you have any special talents?" the young man asked Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was sharp.
She first looked back at Xanthe.
Xanthe spoke gently, "Elizabeth, be confident. Tell him about any talents you have."
Xanthe assumed that a poor country girl would have no talents beyond studying and household chores.
To her surprise, Elizabeth said, "I play the piano."
Piano playing was something Quiana had taught her.
In their rural community, where their family of three endured ridicule and bullying, nobody knew Elizabeth could play the piano.
Playing the piano was Elizabeth's greatest joy.
They couldn't afford a piano at home.
But Quiana could read music, so she drew piano keys on paper for Elizabeth to practice with.
Elizabeth was bright—even with this makeshift practice method, she learned enthusiastically.
On weekends, Quiana would dress Elizabeth in her good clothes, which she only wore once a week, and take her into town to the only church. Quiana would plead with the staff until they allowed Elizabeth and her to practice on the piano in the afternoons when the church was empty.
All the piano pieces Elizabeth knew were taught by Quiana.
Quiana had instructed her never to tell anyone.
And Elizabeth never had.
On her sixth day at Kismet's home, facing those guests, Elizabeth revealed for the first time that she could play the piano.
At twelve years old, Elizabeth genuinely craved recognition.
She was unaware of the malice and fierce jealousy that could lurk in adult hearts.
All Elizabeth knew was that Kismet's family owned a piano, and she thought she could play it.
Perhaps Tate and Xanthe would like her more if she did.
As soon as Elizabeth mentioned this, many guests expressed interest in hearing her play.
Xanthe's face betrayed displeasure, but she smiled and said, "Wonderful, let's all hear what you can play."
She opened the piano.
Elizabeth was overjoyed at the sight of it.
She couldn't help but press her lips together, take a deep breath, and sit down at the piano.
In that moment, not just the young man but everyone present could see that Elizabeth, sitting at the piano, truly resembled a noble princess. Her back was perfectly straight, her neck swan-like in its elegance, her simple dress suddenly seeming refined.
Especially when Elizabeth played, her slender fingers created the most beautiful dance imaginable.
Elizabeth performed three pieces in succession.
When she finished, the room was stunned.
Then came thunderous applause and endless praise.
In that moment, Tate and Xanthe's faces betrayed barely concealed embarrassment and anger.
But they couldn't express it openly. Only after the guests had left and Tate and Xanthe closed the door did Elizabeth realize she wouldn't be receiving any praise.
Instead, Tate viciously kicked her, causing Elizabeth to immediately cough up blood.
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