Chapter 8 Abandon Her
- "Mr. Morris will be having a birthday banquet in ten days. What you should do is find a way to attend it as Gareth's date."
- Linda seemed troubled. "But… He would only bring Elisa to such events. It is to create the impression that they are a loving couple and gain benefits for his company. So, why would he want to bring me?"
- Rose smirked. "It is different now."
- "Huh?"
- Rose pulled Linda to sit down. "Do you remember Elisa's status in the past? Your father has snatched her family's fortune, so she is nothing now. You are the real heiress to the Benett family's fortune!"
- "Doesn't that mean Gareth can't bring me to the birthday banquet? Wouldn't it seem heartless for him to abandon Elisa the moment her father loses his fortune?"
- "Hah, society sees money as king. Although your father might not be as powerful as the Wickam family in Bayswe, he is still quite influential. Didn't old Mr. Wickam agree to let Elisa marry Gareth due to the Benett family's influence? Only by collaborating with the powerful can one bring in more profit. Now that her family has fallen, what do you think will happen?"
- Seeing Linda in deep thoughts, Rose continued, "Previously, Gareth had always come to see you in secret. Now, he is meeting you openly, but I never heard any complaints from old Mr. Wickam. Doesn't that mean he approves of your relationship with Gareth?"
- Previously, old Mr. Wickam had indicated that they should watch their reputation.
- Linda considered for a moment and said, "Mom, you're right. I will talk to Garry."
- While things seemed peaceful in the Benett Residence, it was the opposite elsewhere.
- In the grand, imposing CEO office of Wickam Group, the tension was so thick one could cut it with a knife.
- Darren, Gareth’s grandfather, and Julia, his grandmother, were locked in a heated argument over Gareth’s divorce from Elisa.
- Darren’s tone was firm, leaving no room for debate. “Divorcing her was the right choice. Elisa isn’t her family’s prized eldest heiress anymore. The real heiress is Linda.”
- Julia’s face darkened with anger, her voice rising as she practically shot out of her chair. “Are you out of your damn mind? Linda’s nothing but a conniving little snake. Have you all gone blind to her tricks?”
- Darren didn’t miss a beat. “Tricks or not, she saved Gareth’s life. That’s reason enough for us to take her in. And let’s not forget—the Benett family might not be Bayswe’s elite, but their timber business is top-notch. Partnering with them will do us good.”
- Julia’s chest tightened as her thoughts turned to Elisa—kind, poised, and everything she’d hoped for in a granddaughter-in-law. The idea of Gareth and Darren casting her aside made her blood boil.
- Slamming her hand on the desk, she barked, “Screw your business deals! I’m not letting my grandson throw away a woman as good as her, not over this nonsense!”
- Gareth, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. His expression was hard, his voice calm but resolute. “Grandma, I’ve made up my mind. This isn’t up for discussion.”
- Julia’s hands trembled as she glared at him, her voice breaking with fury and despair. “You—you’re gonna drive me to my grave, aren’t you?!”
- Her anger overwhelmed her, and for a moment, she looked like she might collapse. Darren stepped in immediately, steadying her as he gently led her toward the door. “Honey, let it go. The kids can handle their own problems.”
- Soon, Gareth was alone in his office. He looked down and saw the ring on his finger. In order to create the impression that he and Elisa were a loving couple, he had never taken off that ring. It annoyed him whenever he looked at it.
- Thus, he frowned and pulled off the ring on an impulse before throwing it in the trash can.
- However, his finger suddenly felt empty. Gareth wriggled his fingers and believed it was because he had just taken off the ring. Soon, he focused on his work again.
- Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
- Elisa stayed at home for the past few days. She would sometimes chat with Rachel Markee and discuss work with Charli.
- Will and Elisa had not contacted each other ever since lunch that day.
- Today, Will invited Elisa to dinner. When she got the address and time, she shot back a quick “Got it” and set her phone down without giving it much thought.
- At the Morris family’s banquet earlier, everyone had been playing their own games, masks firmly in place.
- Elisa couldn’t help but wonder what Will was scheming this time—and more importantly, how she was supposed to fit into his plan. A small voice in her head whispered that tonight might just be her chance to make something happen for herself.
- She arrived by taxi, and as she stood waiting for the elevator, a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Gareth—and Linda on his arm.
- His expression was as cold as ever, while Linda, clinging to him like glue, gave her a smug little smile before cooing in an overly sweet voice, “Elisa!”
- Elisa’s heart clenched at the sight of them, but her face stayed calm, her tone cool and detached. “What a coincidence.”
- Linda, however, wasn’t about to let it slide. She noticed Morris’s gaze lingering on Elisa, and though her chest tightened with unease, she quickly composed herself, putting on her most elegant, fake smile. “Elisa, are you here to see Garry? We’re about to have dinner—why don’t you join us?”
- Then, as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, she added, “The other day, when you were having coffee with your senior, Gareth got a little upset. This could be the perfect chance to clear the air.”
- Elisa almost rolled her eyes. Linda’s faux-innocence made her stomach turn. The last thing she wanted was to spend another second with these two. Her voice turned icy as she replied, “There’s nothing to clear up. I wouldn’t dream of crashing your candlelit dinner.”
- “Not crashing?” Gareth scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Don’t tell me this wasn’t a setup. You’re clearly here on purpose.”
- Elisa almost laughed at his arrogance. She gave him a faint, dismissive smile, choosing not to engage. He wasn’t worth her breath. Just as Gareth opened his mouth, likely to bring up the divorce, a smooth, confident voice interrupted.
- Linda’s eyes widened slightly as she turned to the newcomer. The man walking toward them was effortlessly handsome, his presence commanding.
- For a moment, Linda was struck, though she quickly reassured herself that Gareth was still the better choice.
- Elisa turned to see Will striding over, a warm smile on his face. “Why are you still down here?” he asked, his tone casual but intimate. “Were you waiting for me?”
- Linda’s smug expression faltered as the realization hit—Elisa wasn’t here for Gareth.
- Meanwhile, Gareth’s face turned to stone, cold and furious. He hadn’t just been ignored—Elisa had actually aligned herself with him, Will, his rival.