Alicia was clearly trying to provoke me, thinking he’d struck a nerve.
I let out a cold laugh, no longer bothering to hide my anger. “Yeah, Jonathan didn’t hesitate to save you. That must mean you’re the one who matters most to him, right? Great. I’ll step aside. You two can finally become the siblings–turned–lovers you were destined to be.”
Alicia’s face flushed red in embarrassment and rage. Edward was furious. His hand shot up, ready to slap me.
“Elise! Watch your mouth!”
“What, he saved her, so I should just accept being second best? You think I should keep dreaming I could ever outrank her?” I sneered. “Even if she’s basically like his sister, she always comes first, huh?”
I had no idea how he managed to say something so revolting like it was perfectly reasonable.
Just before his palm could land, I turned my head and stepped away. His swing missed completely, and he stumbled forward a step from the force of it.
I didn’t help him up. I just stood there, watching coldly.
“If she’s the one you’ve always wanted as a granddaughter–in–law, why didn’t you just have place? He listens to everything you say. Even now, if you tell
Jonathan marry her in the 1st di
him to divorce me and marry her, it’s not too late.‘
“I
“You think I won’t do it?” he roared, his cloudy eyes full of fury and dominance.
But I wasn’t afraid of him anymore.
I didn’t know how the old me had grovelled to please this man, but the person I was now? I met his gaze head–on. No fear. No flattery. Just cold disgust.
“Go ahead. I hope you succeed,” I said flatly. “If you really manage to convince Jonathan to marry Alicia, let me know. I’ll show up at the wedding with a big fat gift.”
Without another word, I turned and walked away!
Behind me, I heard Grandpa draw a deep, ragged breath, like something was stuck in his chest.
Then Alicia’s panicked voice rang out, “Mr. Ford Senior!”
I crouched slightly and glanced back, just to make sure he wasn’t about to drop dead on the spot. Once I saw he was still breathing, I left without hesitation.
Not because I cared, but because I didn’t want trouble.
If Alicia decided to twist the story and claim I had pushed him too far, I’d be stuck carrying the
blame. I wasn’t about to give her that chance
on the Guzmans‘ side it seemed even her own family had given up on Aria. Only Frederick was still running himself ragged trying to help her.
“don’t know what they’re doing to her over there,” he muttered, “I’ve been trying to dig up whatever I can, but none of it sounds good…”
I had underestimated just how filthy these elite families could get.
Turns out, they all had their own twisted little ways of dealing with betrayal. Business was war. Betrayal was a crime. And every powerful family had its own methods for punishment.
Frederick hadn’t slept in days. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and a scruff of stubble shadowed his jaw.
He pressed his fingers hard against his forehead. “The Zimmers are ruthless. I’m afraid they’ll really go after her…
They probably wouldn’t kill her–that much I was sure of. But Aria was just a young lady. And if they wanted to make an example out of her…
Frederick suddenly clenched his fists and slammed one into the wall beside him. The drywall cracked, and blood ran freely from his knuckles, trailing down his hand.
I flinched slightly, then said, “I know where they re keeping her. What if we just break her out?
11
“No way,” Frederick said, shaking his head. “The Zimmers have tight security. All the guards were sent by the Fords. They’re sharp. On constant alert.”
I cursed under my breath, my hatred for Jonathan boiling over.
I didn’t even need to ask to know–it had to be him pulling the strings behind the scenes.
With the Ford family shielding them, the Zimmers could act like they were above the law. Even Mr. Guzman had to tread carefully.
