After Elara left, Mason Jacobs casually tossed the flowers he was holding onto the ground and stepped on them.
The fresh flowers quickly crumbled into dust.
Mason Jacobs stared gloomily in the direction Elara had left, muttering to himself, "I divorced for you, and yet you still won’t co back to ? Elara, since when did you beco so disobedient..."
"Is it because of that Fitzwilliam kid? Ha, you think I can’t touch him?"
"Even if Attorney White is backing him, so what? If I play things a bit sneakily, who would know that it was who acted?"
After a long pause, he let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.
Esther Carter returned to the hospital room still simring with unresolved anger, indignantly exclaiming, "What a jerk, thinking he’s so kind of prized catch. He divorces when he wants, remarries when he wants, what does he take you for!"
Elara replied, "Probably sees as his accessory."
Esther was taken aback, turned to see the thoughtful look on Elara’s face, and worried she had hit a sore spot, hurriedly said, "I didn’t an it that way, I’m just upset that he looks down on you like this."
"I know." Elara smiled casually, "When I was caught up in it before, many things weren’t clear to . Now that I’ve stepped back, things are much clearer. From beginning to end, he never put in an equal position; he wanted an obedient appendage to take care of things behind the scenes, handle all the trivial problems—a discussion of equality between spouses was never in the cards."
This realization was sothing she only recently ca to after recognizing that she had been ntally manipulated for two years in the marriage.
Esther felt touched, ca over, squatted in front of her, and said compassionately, "Thinking this way makes really happy, but I am a bit worried. He divorces and remarries on a whim, everything is up to him. I’m afraid if you keep treating him coldly, he will beco angry and do sothing to you."
What Esther said, Elara also feared.
She’s not so battle-hardened warrior, nor a spoiled princess who relies on family power, so being tangled up with soone like Mason Jacobs, who wouldn’t be afraid?
But fear solves nothing; it would only keep her restricted. It’s better to live fearlessly.
Esther sighed and said, "I wish Fitzwilliam... Zion Fitzwilliam would co back. Is there any news from him?"
"Not yet." Elara gave a bitter smile.
Zion Fitzwilliam’s return wouldn’t solve anything. He’s not so all-powerful overlord who could intimidate Mason Jacobs; at most, he could offer so security in her life, at least help call the police if Mason Jacobs were to harm her...
"Forget it, let’s not talk about this." Esther changed the subject, animatedly saying, "Do you know? The first movie I fild is going to be released early next month! I’ll get you a couple of tickets, you and Fitzwilliam... Zion Fitzwilliam can go watch!"
Elara asked in surprise, "Is it really a movie? When did you hit the big screen? You’ve been keeping it tight under wraps!"
Esther chuckled, "Not the lead role, just a minor character, I don’t have many parts."
Yes, it was an opportunity given by the great Mr. Fitzwilliam.
Even though the role was small, getting on the big screen ans a new start for actresses in the entertainnt industry, and Elara was genuinely happy for her, boldly proclaiming, "When the ti cos, I’ll book a whole theater for you!"
Booking a whole theater costs a few thousand bucks, she can afford that. Mainly, she’s truly happy for her friend!
Esther’s phone rang suddenly. She glanced at it, sneered, and hung up.
Elara asked curiously, "Who was it?"
"Just the guy chasing , the one who ca this morning," Esther said, lying without batting an eye, though the disgust on her face was genuine and didn’t require acting, "Let’s just ignore him; it’s annoying how he’s always tailing ."
Elara nodded, acknowledging that outsiders shouldn’t intervene in personal affairs, and Esther is soone who always follows her own heart.
Unexpectedly, just a few minutes later, there was a knock at the door outside. Esther ran to open the door, barely controlling her emotions, "What are you doing here again?"
The tone was a perfect blend of annoyance, impatience, disdain, and a little bit of contempt.
Owen Grayson, sowhat flustered, holding a bag of things, said, "Um, I was passing by, rembered you were here... You haven’t had dinner yet, right? I brought you so on the way."
Esther suspiciously looked at him, then checked the ti on her wrist, "It’s only four thirty."
Who eats dinner at four thirty?
"What are you up to?" Esther glared at him aggressively, "I warned you this morning, if it involves my friend, and you pull any stunts, I’m switching out the male lead!"
Owen quickly raised his hands in surrender, "Please, sis, I didn’t an anything by it. I just... just think your friend has it tough, and you too... have it tough, ca to see you both."
Esther looked at him oddly, "We’re doing quite well, thank you."
Owen handed the bag to her, insisted, "Stop being stubborn, I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. I’ll cover your als, all three als a day."
Esther: ???
After giving the food to Esther, Owen seed to have completed a task, waved at her, and left.
That departing figure stood straight, every movent saying: I’m a good man! An exceptionally good man!
Esther was bewildered, turned around with the bag of food and ca back.
Elara asked, "What did he want with you?"
"Who knows," Esther placed the bag on the table, "Anyway, it’s free food, might as well eat it."
Upon seeing the packaging inside, her eyes widened, "Six Ceremonies Private Kitchen? This place is really expensive!"
Expensive to the degree of over six thousand per person.
This large bag must have cost ten or eighteen thousand, easily?
Esther suddenly beca vigilant, that dog man, could he be interested in Elara?
Damn, he’s too bold, the great Mr. Fitzwilliam would flay him alive, wouldn’t he?
"Soone gives you food this expensive, you shouldn’t have accepted it." Elara couldn’t help saying to Esther, "If you’re not interested in him, accepting gifts of this caliber... even if it’s just a al, isn’t quite right."
Esther quickly replied, "I know, I’ll never let him do it again."
She was also worried that if Owen ca back a few more tis, and the great Mr. Fitzwilliam encountered them, he’d crush Owen in an instant.
Not that she was particularly protective of Owen, mainly because his acting skills were okay, if he were really taken out by the great Mr. Fitzwilliam, the crew would have to find a new male actor, which would be a hassle.
After eating, she promptly went to the side to call Owen.
anwhile, Elara received the first reply from Zion Fitzwilliam in three days.
"I’m back, just landed. Will tell you more when we et."
Elara held her phone, involuntarily smiling.
anwhile, at Northgarde Airport.
A private jet landed in its designated spot, the cabin door opened, and a line of bodyguards in black suits ran out in a disciplined manner. Following them was a man wearing a suit vest, carrying a suit jacket draped over his arm.
The special passage was already surrounded by bodyguards. He walked down this unimpeded path as if no one else existed, forming a stark contrast with the adjacent crowded boarding queue.
He didn’t cast a single glance at the crowd because his path was far removed from theirs. The expression on his face was indifferent, as if already accustod to the disparity brought about by money and power.
The bodyguards escorted him all the way to the outside of the airport. At his gesture, they dispersed. He was about to hail a taxi by the roadside when one suddenly stopped in front of him, and a petite figure got out and ran inside.
The woman wasn’t watching her way, catching Zion Fitzwilliam off guard as she bumped into his shoulder.
Rosalind Jacobs, holding her head, stopped impatiently. Seeing Zion Fitzwilliam, she imdiately snapped, "What the hell! Crash into people, will you? Get lost!"
A broken salesman dared to block her path.
She looked down on Elara Hale from the bottom of her heart and even more on this new man Elara found, so she spoke without any courtesy.
After cursing, she was about to leave.
Zion Fitzwilliam paused, raised his hand to stop her, and said expressionlessly, "You bumped into , apologize."
Rosalind Jacobs looked at him disdainfully, "Who the hell do you think you are? You dare ask to apologize? A small-ti salesman, if it weren’t for my gracious condescension, you wouldn’t even have a chance to see . Not feeling grateful is one thing, but you dare provoke ?"
Zion Fitzwilliam ignored her words and coldly said, "Apologize."
He had just returned after being away for six days and had encountered an accident in between, so his mood was not the best. He was desperately missing soone and couldn’t wait to go back and see how she had been in the past few days.
Yet, at this mont, Rosalind Jacobs dared to provoke him.
Rosalind glared at him, "Want to apologize? No way! Move aside; if you delay my business, I won’t let you off!"
She struggled hard, unable to free herself from Zion Fitzwilliam’s grip, becoming a little angry, "Let go!"
Zion Fitzwilliam looked at her coldly, "I’m saying it one more ti, apologize."
Rosalind glanced at the ti and began to feel anxious.
She had spent significant effort to find out that Mr. Sarvian would return by plane today, at this ti. She pestered and extended her ti with her brother by three days. This was her only chance.
She had to et Mr. Sarvian and express her feelings to him.
If Mr. Sarvian accepted her, she wouldn’t have to marry into the Grayson Family of Seacliff.
She didn’t have the ti or energy to waste on irrelevant people, so reluctantly she said, "Sorry, alright, let go!"
Zion Fitzwilliam released her, and Rosalind Jacobs hurriedly ran into the airport.
She had to secure Mr. Sarvian, find a way out for herself!
She was sure she could do it, as long as she persisted, Mr. Sarvian would definitely like her.
She firmly believed in this.
However, she waited at the airport all morning, without seeing that transcendent figure.
Not willing to accept this result, she waited another hour, almost certain that Mr. Sarvian wouldn’t be coming.
So, did she have no other choice?
Rosalind Jacobs looked ashen, wondering if she had to marry that dandy from the Grayson Family of Seacliff.
Feeling dejected, she walked out and just got into a taxi when she received a call from her mother, "Your brother said that young master from the Grayson Family is also in Northgarde. The two families have arranged to have dinner together tonight, so co back and dress up."
Rosalind didn’t know what thod her brother used to change her mother’s attitude. Weakly, she replied, "I know, I’ll head back now."
She knew she had no other choice.
anwhile, at the hospital.
Elara Hale was amazed looking at the man in front of her. Before her joy at seeing him had even subsided, she heard him drop a shocking piece of news.
"You were nearly shot in the Netherlands?"
Her heartbeat sped up uncontrollably. She knew international situations could be chaotic, but never imagined such a thing could happen to soone close to her.
Zion Fitzwilliam nodded with a fearful expression and sighed, "Yes, it was a targeted shooting against the Chinese. Another colleague and I were their targets, and they acted in a busy city. I almost got shot. Later, to evade them, I stayed in the suburbs for two days, so I couldn’t ssage you."
Elara quickly said, "Who cares about ssages at a ti like this, as long as you’re safe. Hearing that nearly scared to death."
Zion Fitzwilliam felt a warmth in his heart, saying, "But I’m okay now, aren’t I?"
Seeing the lingering worry in her eyes, he sowhat regretted exaggerating the story. Although he really experienced an assassination attempt, his bodyguard had imdiately taken out the attackers. His phone got lost during that ti, and afterward, the bodyguard got arrested by local police, and he was busy pulling strings to get him out and didn’t get around to getting a new phone to contact her.
His exaggeration was intentional, out of a selfish desire to see if she cared about him. Yet seeing her worried face, he felt a touch of despicableness on his part.
Zion Fitzwilliam subtly changed the topic, "How’s Joanne Carter these days? Behaving well?"
Elara quickly replied, "She is very well-behaved. The first thing she does every day after coming ho is her howork, followed by review and preparation. I’ve never seen such a diligent child."
Zion Fitzwilliam nodded, "She cherishes the study opportunity you’ve given her."
As he spoke, he opened his black briefcase, taking out two small pink boxes.
Elara was curious, asking, "What’s this?"
Zion Fitzwilliam handed them to her, smiling, "Gifts from mom and grandma for you."
Mom and grandma...
Elara suddenly realized he never made a distinction between his relatives in front of her.
His mom, his grandma, he shared them openly with her.
In contrast, every ti she ntioned her father to him, it was always "my dad," never feeling her family was also his family.
This stirred a subtle unease in Elara’s heart, which she deliberately ignored, curiously asking Zion Fitzwilliam, "You went to the Netherlands and brought back the gifts they gave ? Aren’t they in the country?"
Zion Fitzwilliam’s expression turned a bit subtle.
He got caught off guard and blew his cover.
How could he explain? Tell her his grandma was at the farm there guarding a mother cow about to give birth, just to get the colostrum first hand to bring back and nourish her? Or tell her his mom felt uneasy after she had a car accident and bought a ticket to the Netherlands to seek comfort from grandma once she was out of danger?
Revealing these things would an nothing could be hidden anymore, which was absolutely unacceptable.
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