Chapter 5 A Gift
1035 Words
Ella’s disbelief was written all over her face. Apologized to Elizabeth? Was Byron serious?
Byron said with a smile, "Mr. York, I've been meaning to address this issue with you as well. After all, our families have cooperated in the past, and we genuinely wish you well. But the woman you're with... We've dealt with her before. She's really not a good person, greedy and shallow. We're just looking out for your best interests..."
Before Byron could finish, he caught Alexander's frosty glare, leaving him puzzled.
What exactly was going on?
Elizabeth, however, stepped forward with a smile. "Mr. Dickens, it's been a while. It seems you still enjoy speaking ill of me in front of others."
Byron genuinely disliked her, his face sullen. "Elizabeth, you know damn well what you've done. Let me be clear. Mr. York is welcome here, and so is everyone else in Dickens Manor, but you are not!"
What deep-seated grudge could make Byron drop his facade on his own birthday and adamantly refuse to let a woman inside?
Alexander was about to speak, but Elizabeth gently squeezed his hand and scanned around Dickens Manor, taking in every detail.
Her lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "I never really planned to come here. I just wanted to annoy you. Since I've achieved that, I’ll take my leave."
Elizabeth suddenly paused, her tone turning serious. "But... Mr. Dickens, if I leave now, I'm never coming back, even if you and the entire Dickens family beg me. Think carefully about your decision!"
Her words were a blow to the Dickens family's pride. Ella was so enraged that she started yelling, "Elizabeth, who do you think you are? Begging you to join this family? Who..."
However, Alexander's warning glance silenced her.
Then, his face was once again a mask of indifference. "If she wants to leave, I won't stop her. Goodbye, Mr. Dickens."
As Alexander turned to leave with Elizabeth, a mischievous grin spread across her face. "No matter what, we can't just come here for nothing, right? It wouldn't be proper if the Yorks didn't bring a birthday offering, especially with so many eyes upon us. How rude would that be?"
Ella sensed something was off and shouted, "Elizabeth, what's your game?"
Suddenly, the concealed screens scattered around Dickens Manor flickered to life, displaying a single image. A familiar face was on the screens. It was Eleanor!
The Eleanor in the video was much younger, and the footage was clearly from years past. But even then, her bizarre and unusual attire still managed to stun the crowd.
Eleanor, with her hair dyed in vibrant colors and smoky makeup applied, was in the middle of a nightclub dance floor, surrounded by several men. That was not all. Numerous men were casually touching her, and instead of pushing them away, Eleanor seemed to be enjoying it.
Someone in the crowd exclaimed, "Am I seeing things, or is that the soon-to-be Mrs. Dickens?"
"What in the world is going on here?"
If this scene was spicy, what followed was downright X-rated.
It was nothing for Eleanor to be with a man, but to be involved with several at the same time was so repulsive that it made everyone who came for Byron's event want to throw up.
Eleanor panicked. "That's not me! I swear, it's not me!
But no one believed her. She felt utterly exposed, as though she were stripped bare on the street.
She grabbed William's arm and pleaded, "William, you have to believe me. I've never stooped to such lows, and I swear I don't know where this video came from. It has to be Elizabeth trying to set me up. It must be fabricated!"
William glared down at her hand. "Get your hands off me."
Eleanor wanted to hold on, but his look was too intimidating, so she reluctantly released her grip.
William's question struck a nerve. "Why would she target you, Eleanor? Don't I deserve an explanation?"
Eleanor's body tensed up instantly.
Mila, masking her inner turmoil, stepped forward. "William, you've known Eleanor for years. You know what kind of person she is, right? And haven't you forgotten what Elizabeth did to you before? How can you trust her now?"
Byron's anger flared. "Elizabeth, what the hell are you trying to pull?"
Elizabeth looked at the Dickens' hypocritical demeanor and smirked, "I'm simply returning the favor for how you all treated me back then. Consider it my birthday gift to you, Mr. Dickens. Farewell!"
Elizabeth and Alexander were ready to get into the waiting car, breezing past William as if he were invisible.
Byron wanted to stop them, but that was Alexander's car. Who would dare?
Soon, they left as quickly as they'd appeared.
In the car, Elizabeth slumped against the car window, lost in her thoughts.
Alexander asked casually, "Is it him?"
"Yes," Elizabeth murmured.
"Heh, they'll be sorry for this."
Back then, Elizabeth chosen to attend a university far from home, seeking independence despite her family's concerns.
Three years later, Elizabeth returned, battered and bruised. She spent three months recovering at home.
Alexander discreetly investigated and learned that a woman had intentionally run her down, whose actions were motivated by a man. While Alexander felt the urge to retaliate against this man, Elizabeth preferred to deal with the matter on her own, and he ultimately respected her decision.
But now, it seemed the Dickens family had caused Elizabeth more harm than he had imagined. This time, he was determined to protect her, no matter the cost.
*****
In Dickens Manor's living room, Eleanor slumped on the floor, shaking her head vehemently. "Grandpa, I swear I’m innocent. You know me. Elizabeth was doing this to me because she knows I'm going to be marry William."
William stared at her, his eyes narrowing.
Eleanor noticed it and quickly looked away, unable to meet his gaze.
Byron slammed his fist on the table. "I don't need you to tell me that. Elizabeth hurt William before, and now she's back to stir up trouble again, using Mr. York's position to do whatever she wants. I'm calling Mr. York right now. I don't believe he'd allow any woman tarnish the York family’s reputation."
- Writer
