March 31st.
A single highway stretches from Orkset to Elizabeth’s hometown, Esterhall, which is notorious for its traffic jams during holiday seasons.
Fortunately, with Asher scheduled for an award ceremony, the film crew granted an early leave. To avoid the traffic, Elizabeth proposed they set out a day sooner.
After she finished packing, she stashed some bread in her suitcase.
“No need for that. Esterhall has seen rapid development this year, faster than other counties. They have even got a new hot springs hotel with a good restaurant, Elijah said.”
“I’m not planning on staying at a hotel. I’ll be at my grandmother’s apartment,” Elizabeth retorted as she retrieved the bread from him, placed it back in her suitcase, and secured it closed.
Elijah, caught off guard, questioned, “You hadn’t mentioned that before.”
Elizabeth gave a slight frown. “Why should I have to tell you? Traveling together was all I agreed to, not sharing the same roof.”
Elijah then said to Oliver, “Get a box of snacks ready.”
Elizabeth was frustrated by Elijah’s tendency to make unilateral decisions without consultation.
Rising to her feet, visibly annoyed, she replied, “I never invited you to stay with me.”
Anticipating her frustration, Elijah responded in a composed manner, “It’s not a good idea for you to stay alone. The resort area might be developed, but the residential parts are much the same as during your childhood, hardly more advanced than Foxfire County. If anything were to happen, I wouldn’t be immediately aware. It’s safer if we stick together.”
Elizabeth was momentarily speechless.
With a pleased look, Elijah instructed Oliver to prepare provisions as if they were heading out for a leisurely spring trip.
Settling herself on the sofa, Elizabeth watched them get ready, her thoughts interrupted by the ring of her phone.
It was Camille on the line. “Sweetheart, what’s on your agenda for the holiday?”
“I’m off to Esterhall to visit my mom’s grave,” Elizabeth replied.
Without hesitation, Camille responded, “I’ll accompany you!”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “It’s quite dull there—nothing much to do or eat. You might end up bored.”
But Camille, ever enthusiastic, quickly responded, “Oh, that sounds lovely! I cherish the quiet. I’ll grab my things and meet you at your place so we can leave together.”
“We’re all packed in the car already.” Elijah’s voice unexpectedly chimed in behind her, causing Elizabeth to start.
Camille, undeterred by a potential setback, quickly adapted. “No issue! I’ll arrange my own ride and meet you at the highway entry.”
Before Elizabeth could object, Camille had already ended the call.
Looking at the array of luggage Oliver was handling, Elizabeth dryly said, “Well, it looks like we’re turning this into a convoy.”
Elijah selected a luxury car for their trip.
Throughout the drive, Elijah was absorbed in calls for work, discussing large financial figures, while Elizabeth was busy with her laptop.
Listening to him casually mention figures like “800 million” or “90 million,” Elizabeth found herself reflecting on her more modest earnings and the significant financial disparity between them.
Yet, she reassured herself, focusing on her career lately had boosted her confidence and assertiveness in interactions with Elijah.
Hard work, she realized, wasn’t just about rivaling the elite but about fostering her independence—moving away from relying on relationships or romantic aspirations for fulfillment.
As they pulled up to a florist, Oliver stepped out of the car.
Noticing Elizabeth’s intrigued look through the rearview mirror, he explained, “Mr. Norris wanted me to pick up some perfume roses.
These roses, highly favored by Danna two decades earlier, had become rare, seldom found in local florist shops. Elizabeth typically purchased them in Orkset for such occasions.
She was initially planning to visit a florist before hitting the highway but discovered that Elijah had preemptively made the arrangements.
Oliver came back with the roses arranged in a nostalgic, classic style, placing the bouquet of 99 roses and baby’s breath in the front seat, filling the car with their scent.
Elijah had evidently given more attention to this gesture than usual.
Moved, Elizabeth murmured a soft “Thank you.”
Engrossed in his video call, Elijah remained unresponsive.
His intense focus, the deep lines of concentration on his brow, and the stern look in his eyes only accentuated the distinguished attractiveness of his profile.
