Chapter 3 She Has Changed!
- Charli covered her mouth in shock. "Are… Are you going to take revenge because of your hatred for Gareth?"
- Elisa's smile did not reach her eyes. "It is only business. I happen to like this case."
- However, Charli remained stunned and asked in confusion, "But… Why are you helping Will? Aren't you Mrs. Wickam? You loved him so much in the past and would do anything for him…"
- "Don't worry. I can deal with it."
- Charli nodded when she saw how confident Elisa was. "Sure, I will help you deal with other matters. Also, his head of legal affairs is Corey. He is your senior from school, so I think communications will be easy."
- Charli realized Elisa seemed different from the past and sincerely felt happy for her. Thus, she held her arm and said, "Elisa, let's go to my house. I will cook dinner to celebrate your freedom from that b*stard!"
- Gareth hid in a nearby car and watched Elisa and Charli chatting happily as they left the café. His expression turned cold and intimidating.
- Elisa Benett, what are you up to?
- After finishing dinner at Charli's home, Elisa stayed for a while to chat and discuss the case before heading home.
- When she reached the villa, a servant came to her and said, "Miss, we checked the surveillance cameras and noticed someone has followed you here."
- Elisa nodded but did not seem to care.
- "Don't bother about him. He is only following and doesn't seem to have ill intentions."
- After a busy day, Elisa slept well that night.
- That morning, she received a call from Charli saying the person in charge of Darcey Group's legal department was eager to meet her. Thus, Charli helped Elisa arrange a place to meet.
- Elisa finished breakfast and went out.
- At the same time, in a car outside the villa, a man dressed in black secretly called someone on the phone. "Boss, she has left the house."
- "Follow her."
- Gareth's expression darkened. He never knew Elisa had her own villa. She even urged him to divorce her. This woman… She suddenly behaves like a different person.
- …
- Elisa reached the meeting place and found Corey Wilson seated by the window. She went to him and greeted him with a smile, "Corey, you're here early."
- Corey looked up in surprise and was shocked to see Elisa. "Elisa?"
- Elisa smiled as she replied, "You should call me Iris."
- Her answer made him even more astounded. "Elisa, you…"
- Corey had always admired how academically gifted she was at school. He didn't expect to find out that she was Iris.
- Thus, he was unable to hide the excitement in his heart.
- Soon, both of them got into the main purpose of this meeting and talked about the case.
- Elisa was totally caught up in the moment, lifting her drink for a slow sip. She didn’t even notice the little bit of foam clinging to the corner of her mouth.
- Corey saw it, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “Uh, you’ve got something—right there,” he said, pointing with a quick tilt of his head.
- Elisa blinked, startled, and scrambled to wipe it off, but her fingers seemed to miss the spot no matter how much she tried.
- With a casual ease, Corey leaned in, closing the space between them. “Here, let me.” His voice was soft, his hand steady as he reached out and gently wiped the froth away with his thumb.
- “There,” he said with a slight grin, leaning back like it was the most natural thing in the world.
- Elisa flushed, her lips curving into a shy smile. “Thanks,” she murmured, her eyes flicking up to meet his. But Corey didn’t look away. His gaze locked on hers, intense and unrelenting, like he was memorizing every inch of her face.
- From across the room, Gareth watched the whole thing, his jaw tightening with every second. He couldn’t make out the guy’s face, but he didn’t need to. The sight of Elisa smiling like that—so open, so happy—was enough to drive a knife straight through his chest.
- His eyes narrowed, sharp and dangerous. Jealousy flared hot and violent inside him, coiling in his gut and leaving him restless, his knee bouncing as he fought the urge to move.
- She used to be mine. Every laugh, every glance, every goddamn thought—they were mine.
- And now she’s sitting there, smiling like that at some asshole she probably just met. Like I never fucking existed. Like we never happened.
- Was any of it real? Or was it all just bullshit?
- His hands balled into fists, nails digging into his palms so hard it stung. He wanted to cross the room, grab her by the arm, and drag her away from him.
- Elisa did not suspect anything amiss. After finishing the discussion, she had lunch with Corey before leaving.
- Then, she remembered she had not went shopping for a long time. Thus, she went shopping and bought many things for herself.
- The sky was almost dark by the time she returned to her villa.
- The servants spent a couple of days tidying the things she brought back. They saw that she had returned and gave her a list of the items.
- Elisa noticed something missing from the list. She touched her neck instinctively and widened her eyes.
- Where is the necklace? I can't lose that necklace!
- Did I forget to wear it when I packed in a hurry that day?
- She considered and decided to return to Wickam Residence to search for it.
- However, she did not expect to walk into the bedroom and find Gareth standing before her dressing table, looking dazedly at a watch in his hand.
- Elisa was astonished. In their three years of marriage, Gareth had never stepped foot into their bedroom. Now, he seemed absentminded as he looked at the watch she had gifted him and did not notice her entering the room.
- He hated the watch when she gave it to him and smashed it on the floor. Elisa used glue to reassemble it piece by piece.
- Although the watch became defective, Elisa still could not bear to throw it.
- Meanwhile, Gareth suddenly realized that he was being watched and turned to see Elisa looking at him indifferently. He snorted and tossed the watch onto the dressing table.
- "How dare you display a broken thing here? Is my villa a thrift store?"
- Elisa's mouth twitched. "You should toss it then." After saying that, she walked past him to search for her necklace.
- Gareth's pupil constricted.
- Back then, she cared so much about this watch. Now, she tells me to throw it out like it is nothing.
- Yes, she has changed!
- Otherwise, why would she meet up with another man and look so happy chatting with him?
- Veins popped up on Gareth's forehead as his expression darkened. "Elisa! Have you found another man? Is that why you agreed so quickly to the divorce?"
- Elisa chuckled. "You can think of it that way if you want."
- After saying that, she headed straight to the dressing table and took a box containing a necklace from a drawer. Although they stood closely, Elisa did not spare him a glance and turned around to head out.
- Gareth's face blanched, and he grabbed her wrist.