Episode 117
“Aunt Sophia, there she is—chatting up that guy from the Rodgers family again!”
Billie’s expression curdled like milk left in the sun. Her voice sliced through the air with sharp disapproval. “Why don’t you keep a tighter leash on your wife? What sort of spectacle is she making, cozying up to another man at such a formal event?”
Kailee, always eager to fan the flames, added with mock concern, “Exactly, Aunt Sophia! Imagine what people might say if they saw this. The whispers alone could tarnish the Norris name!”
Elijah pressed his fingers against his temple, the beginnings of a headache knocking insistently. His patience frayed, he replied curtly, “Soren and Elizabeth are collaborating professionally. This is a business event—social mingling comes with the territory. There’s no scandal in networking at a party.”
Billie’s frown deepened, her displeasure bubbling into open disdain. “So that’s it? You’d rather play the peacekeeper than hold her accountable? Fine, if you don’t want to be the bad guy, I’ll do it for you.” She turned sharply toward Kailee, her tone decisive. “Go get Elizabeth.”
Kailee’s eyes lit up with a zeal she reserved for stirring trouble. Like a soldier given marching orders, she strutted toward Elizabeth and grabbed her hand. “Aunt Sophia says you’re coming home with us now.”
Elizabeth, aware of the growing attention around them, allowed herself to be led to a quieter corner. Once there, she shook off Kailee’s grasp with an air of quiet defiance. “Kailee, let’s get one thing clear—I’m your cousin’s wife, a Norris daughter-in-law, not some errand girl for the Myers family. You’d do well to remember that.”
Kailee smirked, her smugness barely contained. “Oh, please. Are you about to lecture me about overstepping? Save it—I’m just the messenger here. Aunt Sophia thinks it’s best if you stop making a spectacle of yourself, chatting with every man in sight. The Norris family doesn’t need a daughter-in-law with loose boundaries.”
Elizabeth let out a laugh, brittle and cold. “How convenient. I don’t want to be a Norris daughter-in-law anymore, anyway. I’ve already handed Elijah the divorce papers. If Sophia is so concerned, why doesn’t she help her precious son sign them so we can both move on?”
Kailee’s smugness faltered, replaced by a flicker of disbelief. “You’re joking. No way. You’ve worked so hard to claw your way into this family. Why would you throw it all away—this wealth, this status?”
