Blindfold 47

Posted by Admink, ? Views, Released on September 3, 2024

Chapter 47

Elizabeth had pulled a disappearing act again

This time, she’d really dropped off the map. There was no sign of her at the music hall, and nor did she go back to the Taylor residence. Her own mom was also in the dark about her whereabouts.

Everyone he was confused, and only Franklin knew she was avoiding him on purpose.

There was a dinner that night, an engagement banquet, which Franklin showed up to solo. Right after he stepped from his ride, he bumped into Lawson, chilling by the parking lot. They swapped looks but kept the chatter to themselves, just stepping into the elevator, quiet as mice.

It was a two–man show in there.

The vibes were tense but not frosty, and as they climbed toward the forty–second floor, Lawson arched an eyebrow, stealing a peek at Franklin in the shiny elevator mirror. Franklin always gave off this distant vibe, the kind that said. “Stay away from me”

Tas Elizabeth reached out?” Lawson cut to the chase with no small talk.

Franklin casually tweaked his cull. “Nope, she’s getting wilder. Your folks just letting her roll like the

“You’re aware that Gilbert’s in Yaville. With him here, even my mom can’t lay a finger on Elizabeth,” Lawson said.

“What’s that got to do with anything? Franklin said.

Franklin’s comeback dropped Lawson’s excuse like a hot potato. Lawson bit his tongue and changed the topic quickly. “Haven’t seen Jerry by your side for a bit.”

*Running errands, Franklin responded.

The elevator doors opened, and Franklin stepped out slowly alongside Lawson, who questioned, “What’s the issue? Talking about the division of assets with Elizabeth?”

Just up ahead was their usual private room, where the high society of Yaville threw their soirees. Even from where they were standing, they could hear the clink of glasses and the roar of laughter.

Franklin didn’t care who might be listening. He got right in Lawson’s face. “If she’s set on divorce, she won’t see a dime from me,” he said, his voice heavy with threat.

“Crael, aren’t you?” Lawson replied, his tone cutting.

“You guys should have thought about that when you decided to fool me, Franklin snapped, his words deliberate

The gloves had officially come off

Lawson’s face went stony, too. This was one of these messy he said, she said” deals. “But you’ve been using her blood for three years. Isn’t that payment enough?

“Not even close” Franklin said, standing firm, his eyes drilling into Lawson’s and his look as hard as steel. “No one pulls a fast one on me and gets away with it She’s the first, and it’s not enough to drain her dry.”

“Franklin!” Lawson’s voice was tight with warning

The situation was so tense when a group came out of the private room. They spotted the standoff and ambled over with wide grins, one latching onto Franklin, the other onto Lawson, with all fake cheerfulness. “What’s the hold–upt You’re here having a private conversation?” one of them asked.

These were folks they had known since they were kids. Their families were all cut from the same cloth, their social status keeping them in the same circle for year.

They knew each other well. Those folks were good at smoothing out rough patches or stirring the pot.

Lawson wasn’t known for his patience. With a shrug, he shook off the arm of the person next to him. “Tm not in the mood for whispers with him.

He’s stubborn as a mule

This hash was for Leon’s o

à engagement to Julia, a girl from their childhood. It was kind of an arranged and advantageous marriage for both families

Among them, only Franklin had chosen the girl he wanted and married outside of their social circle.

He sat there, still lurking grumpy. Lawson, on the of

other side, wasn’t too happy, either. But after a few drinks and the party vibe picking up, their bad moods didn’t last long.

Chapter 47

Soon, Leon and Julia came over for a toast. The table erupted in laughter, compliments, and teasing. Julia’s cheeks went rosy as she playfully slapped away the comments, her inock anger sweet.

Turning to Franklin, who was keeping quiet, Julia said sweetly, her words pleasant, “Frank, why did you come alone? Didn’t you say you’d bring your

Being mentioned, Franklin had to reply.

sure how to answer, so he slowly said. “She didn’t come

It was a party. No need for a frown. He wasn’t su

Franklin was the first to get hitched. People thought his distant vibe meant that not many women could get to him and that he would settle down after twenty–five at the earliest.

Bui, surprisingly, he got married at twenty–four, and his wife was Elizabeth, a woman who was known for her background and past:

Before they got married, some folks didn’t get it and tried to talk Franklin out of it, but he was stubborn. He brought Elizabeth to their hangouts more than once. At first, there were snickers and taunts, but Elizabeth just smiled and turned them away with soft words.

For a bit. Elizabeth was so good to Franklin that she tricked even the sharpest minds.

Later, the word was they had a fight on their wedding night, and things got cold, never thawing our

Elizabeth didn’t come to parties much anymore. Only when Franklin got wasted would she show up to take him home.

Today, luckily, the gang was all here, including Lawson. Leon, acting every bit the future groom, remarked, “Haven’t spotted Frank’s wife in ages. not even at Zach’s birthday bash when we said to bring the wives. Where’s Elizabeth!”

These guys were all about nitpicking and gossiping.

Lawson sneered with a look at Franklin, which was far from friendly. “You’d have to get that from Frank, Elizabeth’s married off. Will her heart still be with her folks!”

“Frank” Leon turned to Franklin.

For a bear, the chatter at the table died down as everyone waited for his reply.

Why hadn’t they seen his wife? He wasn’t sure

At the last few birthday parties, he had told Elizabeth. She hadn’t talked about divorce. She just quietly said she didn’t fancy these kinds of affairs. So he didn’t push her. Over the years, he had ever pushed her into things she didn’t fancy.

He’d coddled her at home, and still, it seemed to have fed an ambitious heart.

Franklin’s voice went icy, his tone flat with no warmth in it. “She thinks she’s too good for our low–class get–togethers. Is that what you want to hear?”

The room fell silent. The heat of the party was doused in an instant, our low–class get–togethers hanging in the air like a slap they couldn’t see, but it sure felt stinging and raw

This was an engage

was an engagement party, which was supposed to be all fancy and proper,

Truth was, though, most of these folks weren’t all that upstanding. Even if they came from the big families in Yavale, there was a clear pecking order. They could tell who was here to rub shoulders and who was just waiting for their next drink by the look in their

eyes.

Franklin, sitting calmly with his highborn air, couldn’t hide his temperament.

Franklin had the right to say so indeed. Elizabeth, married to him, really didn’t need to mingle with some low–class men, watching them smoke and listening to their vulgar jokes at the drinking table.

Everyone was aware of this fact. But no one had ever dared to say it so bluntly,

Their aces stung from the invisible slap. Even Leon’s expression turned sour

Leon and Franklin were sworn brothers, and this incident also upset him. The mood gradually sank until Lawson stepped in to smooth things over. “Alright, alright, what’s the big deal about some girl? Let’s just drink. What’s the point of having a bunch of women around?”