Chapter 284 Legendary


    Performer


    Inside the office of a military districtmander.


    Elsa walked in with purpose and gave a sharp salute. "Reporting as ordered, sir."


    Themander, a broad-shouldered man, rose from his chair at once. "Our lead aircraft designer is being publicly embarrassed at a social gathering. You are to provide support to her. Go and give a performance at the Russell family matriarch''s birthday celebration."


    Elsa looked younger than her age. Though she was in her fifties, her smooth skin and upright posture gave her the appearance of someone in her thirties.


    "Understood. When should I go?" she said without hesitation.


    "Immediate deployment. The performance troupe is already mobilized. You''ll get


    the briefing in the helicopter," he said, his voice firm and final.


    "Yes, sir!" Elsa was about to step out but paused at the door. "What''s the designer''s name, sir?"


    *Brenna Harper," themander answered.


    Elsa stiffened. The woman Ethan had brought home was the country''s top aerospace engineer? That was impressive.


    But performing for her future daughter-inw? That didn''t sit right with Elsa.


    Elsa''s face darkened. The order struck her as ridiculous. Had Brenna asked for her by name, or had thise down from seniormand?


    If Brenna had asked for her to go, then it was nothing short of insolent and a direct challenge to the hierarchy. That kind of disrespect had no ce in her home. Her son would not be allowed to marry someone so ill-mannered.


    "Sir," Elsa said, trying to keep her voice level. "Could we assign someone else? Brenna is my son''s girlfriend. It would be inappropriate for me to go."


    Themander''s razor-sharp gaze sliced through her protest. "You have your orders already."


    Elsa clenched her jaw, gave a final salute, and turned on her heel to leave.


    In the Russell family''s living room, the younger generation gathered around Amy while Jayceon''s father led the celebration, carefully slicing the cake for her.


    Just then, a roar outside broke through the chatter. Heads turned at once. They could tell that a helicopter was


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    approaching just by hearing it.


    The butler rushed in, panting. "A military helicopter justnded in our yard!"


    The guests poured outside in a wave of curiosity and excitement. At the front were Brenna and Ethan, their eyes locked on the aircraft.


    The door swung open, and the first to step down was none other than Elsa Mitchell, the legendary performer


    herself.


    She was followed by seven individuals, each carrying a musical instrument. Clearly, they were a performance


    troupe.


    "Wait, is that Elsa? She''s in the military?"


    "She''s wearing insignia. Looks like a colonel''s rank."


    "I thought she retired from public shows."


    "She''s in her fifties? How does she still look younger than me?"


    Gasps rippled through the crowd as their eyesnded on the high-ranking insignias. This wasn''t some ordinary


    band. They were looking at a high-ranking unit.


    Everyone was shocked. Jayceon''s father turned to his sons, grinning from ear to ear. "Did you arrange this for


    Grandma?"


    He stood a little taller, chest swelling with pride. This was a grand show of respect. The kind that brought


    honor to the whole family. "You''ve really outdone yourself. I am proud of you."


    But Jayceon and his brother Davin exchanged a baffled look and shook their heads. "Dad, it wasn''t us. We


    wouldn''t even know how to contact the military. Only Ethan could pull something like this off."


    Jayceon turned to Ethan with grateful eyes. "You did this? After that incident earlier, I thought you''d sabotage


    the celebration."


    Ethan didn''t answer right away. His eyes flicked between Elsa and Brenna, and


    his jaw clenched. Was Brenna


    the one behind this?


    This was going to be a problem.


    "It wasn''t me," Ethan said through his teeth. He was already thinking through how


    to keep Elsa from


    confronting Brennater.


    Jayceon blinked in confusion. "It wasn''t you?"


    Brenna''s face darkened. She hadn''t expected Braeden to call in her future mother-inw. Though Elsa more than met the standard, this brought her trouble.


    Murmurs swept through the crowd. Elsa strode up to Brenna and gave a sharp, regtion salute. "Ms. Harper. Orders received to attend Mrs. Russell''s birthday. Please advise us on performance details."


    Ethan opened his mouth, but the word "Mom" caught in his throat. Elsa''s re shut him down before he could speak.


    The Mitchells, despite their immense wealth, had always kept a low profile. Elsa''s military career had ced


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