Chapter 19. The Masks We WearTaylor stormed out of the bathroom, slamming the door in rage, startling Elizabeth, who pulled away from Richard, interrupting the kiss."Good heavens! What am I doing?" she muttered, embarrassed, unable to look at him, while he stifled a laugh."Nothing out of the ordinary," he murmured indifferently as she leaned against the sink, arms crossed."Let's just pretend that didn't happen!" she requested, embarrassed.He sighed impatiently, looking at her. "It's time to go," he advised, ignoring her words.He held her hand and led her out of the bathroom."What are you doing?" she asked, trying to release her hand."If you want to survive here without me expelli
chapter 20Jayden headed back to Richard's mansion after taking care of everything Richard had requested."Where's Richard?" he asked as soon as he entered, crossing the room."He's in his private room," Ailda informed. Jayden quickly made his way there, finding Richard positioned facing the vast landscape of his estate."Any news?" Richard inquired before Jayden could utter a word."The person responsible for pushing your wife has received the deserved punishment.""Depends… was he expelled?""Yes, and... those who set up and attacked her in the corridor... I don't think we need to do anything; her friend handled that problem."Richard turned, facing Jayden skeptically. "What cou
Chapter 21. Taylor's First Move.Emma was also present, enjoying herself as she watched the row of confused girls while they waited for Taylor to speak."I had access to some information," he began, maintaining the mystery as he picked up the folder that once belonged to Richard."What's this?" one of the girls asked, briefly recognizing the folder."It was me," murmured one of the girls, holding back laughter. "It's the folder with all the data about each one of us." Her voice cooled as she remembered."Let's get straight to the point. As you know, my uncle was in search of a wife.""Yes, and I was one of the chosen ones," announced another proudly."Any of you is better than that woman," declared Emma, showing indignation."True, that nobody ended up getting lucky twice.""Anyway, I know that each of you is dissatisfied with my uncle's choice, so I'm here to announce to you that..." He gave a subtle smile, looking casual. "Don't give up yet. This marriage won't last long. You can do
Chapter 22 Meeting Richard"Gaby! I'm heading home!" she announced, showing anxiety as she took off her apron and left it on the counter."Alright..." Gaby murmured, holding back laughter as she watched Elizabeth's desperation.Elizabeth had no idea that Gaby had told Richard about Taylor's visit. As soon as she left, Gaby called Richard./ She's on her way home./ Alright, I'm five minutes away./ Look... " She sighed, insecure. "Nothing happened, okay? They argued a bit, and then he left," she recounted as Richard clenched the steering wheel, looking annoyed./ I don't know what to think about this, not until I talk to her.Upon arrival, he was greeted by her parents during his unexpected visit."Sorry for coming unannounced, but... if you don't mind, I'd like to see my wife.""She's not at home right now, but we can have afternoon tea together," Eliza invited."I'll pass just this time, but I promise we can sit down and talk next time.""How's it going?" Zeus asked Richard. "Have y
Chapter 23: Dark SecretsElizabeth stared at him presumptuously and annoyed that he had stayed."How dare you?" she asked, continuing to dry her hair with the towel."You ask the same questions so irritatingly. Why not tell me why you need that data? I'm curious. What have you been up to?" he asked."It's nothing much. Have you heard of Miss Zany Bay?" she asked, raising her eyebrows."Every self-respecting businessman knows that woman. She's becoming well-known without even showing her face.""She's above you as well," she commented mockingly. "She's one of the main benefactors of the college. You're second, destined to be second.""Are you trying to provoke me? Because the Leblanc family is fifth as a benefactor of that university, so you shouldn't mock me."He coughed and changed the subject."True, shall we go out?""I didn't wait for you here to go out; sit down."He invited her to sit next to him, but she resisted."That kiss yesterday was a misunderstanding. Besides, you kissed
Chapter 24: Suspects and AssassinsElizabeth arrived home anxious, locked herself in her room, and began reviewing each document and its authenticity. There were all sorts of files, including money laundering. There was also a charity institution in Richard's name, which was a sham, used even for illicit activities."It can't be…" she murmured, her voice trembling. "But if my family gets involved with this man, it will be the end of everything we've built," she grumbled, getting up from bed determined to take the documents to her father. However, suddenly, she stopped to think.Taylor and Richard, despite being relatives, had a rivalry that was noticeable to everyone, and Elizabeth didn't know Taylor that well. Connecting the dots, she thought he couldn't be trusted since, unlike her and Richard, they had married transparently. However, Taylor was deceiving Emma
Chapter 25: At Richard's MansionRichard ordered Jayden to fetch Elizabeth, who wasn't expecting him to send someone to pick her up."Why did he send you?" she asked unenthusiastically."The location is a bit far; he thought it would be more suitable for us to take you there."She just shrugged and got into the car, sitting in the back seat, and they set off on a half-hour journey. When they arrived, she was speechless. Richard's house seemed like a palace; the enormous gates, the unique garden, but she could hardly imagine that the walls of plants a few meters beyond the garden were part of a maze where Richard loved to spend time. He was the only one who knew his way around there, as it had a single path and destination but could lead to many dead ends without an exit, making it impossible for anyone to leave. Even trying to climb over was futile because the top of the wall had plants with red m
Chapter 26: Drink and Embraces"What do I do with you..." he grumbled, observing her sleep in a relaxed manner."Sir?" Jayden called, tapping gently on the door without entering."Don't come in, I found her," he warned, a bit jealous because of the outfit she wore. "How could you be so reckless, Miss Leblanc..." he grumbled irritably."Please, leave me alone!" her voice quivered as she mumbled."Request denied!" he growled, displaying annoyance, and carried her.He knew there was no one else in the hallway. Jayden understood that he wanted some privacy, so he safely escorted her to her room while she continued to display uneasiness."You have to behave!" he grumbled as she pushed his face, although he wasn't even trying to