Chapter 24
The grand hall was a stark contrast to its usual lively atmosphere, now shrouded in an eérie silence.
After twenty minutes, Jerry rushed back, standing a few yards away from Franklin, hesitant to get too close. He managed to explain to Franklin with a short sentence. “They’re gone.”
Just a few moments earlier, Elizabeth threw on Lawson’s jacket and lit a cigarette. She smoked it down to the filter, her eyes watering from the harsh smoke, yet she held on tight, walking out of Shiny Estate without a backward glance. Her departure was a testament to her resolve.
“Did Lawson say anything?” Franklin asked casually, showing no signs of frustration.
Jerry shook his head. “He was about to hit Ms. Taylor as soon as they stepped out, but he held back. They went back to the Taylor residence together. And Ms. Taylor said…”
“What did she say?” Franklin asked.
“That she was celebrating her newfound freedom,” Jerry replied, his voice trailing off.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically. Displeasure crept into Franklin’s expression. In a sudden outburst, he slammed the glass of water he was holding, shattering it violently. The sound pierced Jerry’s ears and caused his heart to pound wildly.
The last time Franklin had been this furious was on his wedding night.
“Jerry.” Franklin’s voice sounded a bit low, muddled with a hint of reluctance and frustration. His eyes, dim and heavy, were cast downward as he reached up to touch the bite mark on his neck–a parting gift from Elizabeth.
“It feels like I’ve been tricked by them again.” He maintained his posture, peering at Jerry. “What do you think?”
Jerry quickly lowered his head, unable to utter a word.
Shiny Estate, located south of Yaville, was a bustling area with prime real estate. In stark contrast, the Taylor family’s house was situated to the north, a journey that could take up to an hour and a half by car, even longer if traffic was a nightmare. Elizabeth had dozed off shortly after setting off, exhausted.
She was roused from her daze by a light tap on her head. Lawson said to her impatiently, “We’re here. Get out.”
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Chapter 24
Elizabeth obediently followed behind Lawson, sticking close to his every step.
When she was little, she only had the chance to come back to the Taylor residence on New Year’s Day.
Her memories were filled with tall buildings and well–ventilated rooms adorned with lace curtains and dolls. The festival’s feast was a cornucopia of dishes, yet she was always seated in a corner, only daring to eat the cold dish placed before her.
Returning now, everything felt oddly outdated. The rundown house, covered in ivy, appeared spooky in the misty fall dusk, almost like a haunted mansion.
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“After living in a place like Shiny Estate for three years, you might find it hard to adjust. back here,” Lawson warned in a hushed tone.
Elizabeth refocused, replying, “This is fine.”
“Remember, when you see Mom later, stay sharp. Don’t put me into a dilemma,” Lawson said.
“Got it.” Elizabeth looked obedient.
As they entered, the chatter and laughter from the living room hit their ears, not too loud or soft.
Helen Taylor and Martha, the housekeeper, were playing with the cat affectionately, saying, “Our Sunshine is the sweetest, never scratches, even behaves during baths.”
Noticing their shadows, Helen and Martha took a quick look, and their smiles turned frozen, not too warm or too distant.
In a heartbeat, Helen shifted her gaze back, lightly stroking the cat’s fur. Her words drifted smoothly but sharp. “After you got married, you’re not a part of the Taylor family anymore. Are you embarrassing me by coming back all of a sudden?”
Elizabeth tilted her head and greeted, “Mom.”
With no response, Elizabeth stood like a forsaken statue, with no shelter from the elements.
The tense atmosphere was broken by the dry laughter of Martha. She came over, wrapping her arm around Elizabeth’s in a friendly manner. “Betty, you know that it’s Mrs. Taylor’s birthday in a couple of days, so you came back especially for it, right? That’s quite thoughtful.” As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Lawson.
Lawson caught on quickly and rushed over to cling to Helen, putting in a good word for
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Chapter 24
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Elizabeth. “Mom, Elizabeth hasn’t been back in ages. Don’t give her a hard time.”
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“Who’s giving her a hard time?” Helen shrugged off Lawson’s hand, “After getting married, she hasn’t even made a single phone call home. Came back for my birthday? I don’t think so. She probably got kicked out by the Jones family, right?” Helen was half right.
Elizabeth’s bottled–up bitterness surged rapidly. Without hesitation, she said, “I’m planning to divorce Franklin.”
The room fell into an abrupt silence. She blinked her clear eyes and prepared to be driven out.
After all, without Franklin, Elizabeth had no value to them. But the expected eviction didn’t come. Helen shooed the cat away from her leg and her tone softened. Her emotions were inscrutable as she calmly instructed, “Martha, get Betty’s room ready.”
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