Daxton guided Elijah to a quiet corner and then stopped.
Elijah flicked open a pack of cigarettes, lighting one with ease, taking a long drag before speaking in a frosty tone. “Keep your distance from Elizabeth.”
“She’s an individual. You can’t control her, nor can you dictate who she can be friends with.” Daxton’s usual warmth faded, replaced by an icy detachment that mirrored Elijah’s own demeanor.
“Friends?” Elijah blew out a cloud of smoke, his voice dry. “She’s just a distant relative of yours.”
Daxton, propped against the tree, smirked. “Mr. Norris, have you forgotten? The moment you took over the Norris Group, you were eager to cut ties with my family.”
Elijah’s voice remained steady, but there was an edge of gravity now. “You’ve made choices that have taken your life out of your control. Hers is simple. If you really care about her—even a little—you’d stay out of it.”
“I would give my life to keep her safe. And at least I don’t have some manipulative dream girl. The emotional scars she’s carrying because of you could take away half of her life.”
Daxton pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, his lips curling into a half-smile as he glanced at Elijah, his eyelids heavy.
Their gazes met, both of them standing their ground.
The mountain air was still, broken only by the rustling of the wind through the trees.
After a long, tense silence, Elijah looked away first, flicking his cigarette aside as it burned out. “Stop entertaining those thoughts.”
Daxton raised an eyebrow. “Is that a reminder or a threat?”
“Take it however you want,” Elijah replied and walked away without looking back.
When Elijah made his way back to the small courtyard, planning to suggest they leave, he found Elizabeth and Camille, both wrapped in bathrobes, playfully splashing water with their feet in the hot spring.
He bit back the words on the tip of his tongue and entered without a sound.
Elizabeth glanced up at him, her curiosity evident. “What did you talk about with Daxton?” she asked.
“Not much, just some business talk,” Elijah responded nonchalantly.
Elizabeth, assuming Elijah was simply discussing a deal with Daxton, didn’t press the issue. Instead, she asked, “How do you know him?”
Inside, she was surprised. Elijah had known Daxton for years, which only further confirmed that Daxton was indeed wealthy and well-connected.
Yet, she realized there didn’t seem to be anyone from the Norris family with the last name Garcia.
Elijah’s usual aloof tone now carried a trace of impatience. “I’ve known him for a while, but we’re not exactly friends.”
Why did she care so much about Daxton? She even called him by his first name so casually, like they were old friends.
There was a trace of jealousy in his voice, though he was unaware of it himself.
Albin, sensing the growing tension, shot Elijah a playful wink. “What’s the matter, Elijah? Are you jealous?”
Camille gave him a sharp look before replying, “What reason does he have to be jealous? They’re about to split up.”
Albin’s eyes widened in surprise, and he discreetly tugged at Camille’s sleeve.
Camille yanked her sleeve away, giving him a scornful glare. “What’s the matter? Are you trying to stop me from speaking? Huh?”
Elijah ignored Camille and cast a frosty sideways glance at Albin.
If stares were lethal, Albin would have been pierced with a thousand daggers by now.
Albin let out a nervous laugh. “It’s just a lover’s spat. They wouldn’t actually divorce, alright?”
With her hands on her hips, Camille scoffed. “His dream girl seems more like the real wife than Elizabeth. If they don’t divorce, are the three of them really going to be together in peace?”
The air thickened with discomfort, Elizabeth, not wanting to drag Camille deeper into her personal affairs, was ready to steer the conversation elsewhere.
At that moment, a waiter approached them with a polite bow, “Mr. Venkins has requested that the area be cleared, and all other guests have already left. So you can enjoy this resort in privacy.”
Camille pursed her lips thoughtfully. “In case any staff pass by, let’s head back inside and relax in the smaller pool. Watching a movie while relaxing in the water sounds perfect.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, liking the idea.
Elsewhere, Mr. Jenkins sat anxiously in the living room of his villa, worry etched on his face.
The waiter, who had just delivered the message, returned and asked, “Mr. Jenkins, what’s troubling you?”
He was Mr. Jenkins’s trusted assistant, known for his sharp mind and valuable insights.
Mr. Jenkins sighed deeply. “I’ve upset the wrong people today. Mr. García might send me packing. I used to be like an errand boy in Orkset, but this job was a promotion of sorts. The pay was far better. I really misjudged today.”
The waiter tried to reassure him. “You’ve cleared the area, and the families you sent away have considerable influence in Esterhall… Mr. Garcia is unlikely to hold this against you for long.”
Mr. Jenkins shook his head in disbelief. “It’s the first time I’ve seen Mr. Garcia care so much about a woman. I asked a few friends, and they said Mr. Garcia walked away from a billion-dollar deal for her. Just like that.”
The waiter’s eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. “Mr. Jenkins, maybe this is an opportunity?”
“What kind of opportunity?” Mr. Jenkins asked, his hope renewed.
The waiter leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Since Mr. Garcia is so taken with this woman, why not just send her to his bed? You could turn this mistake into a chance for redemption and even earn a huge favor in return.”
