Chapter 9: Dash On, Brothers

Elizabeth Black was very curious.

What exactly had Rupert Washington done that could be considered so heinous, to the point where Will Tennyson would use words like "indifferent" or even "cruel" to describe him?

"Do you remember his goddess, Nydia Leighton?" Will Tennyson suddenly asked.

Elizabeth Black froze.

Nydia Leighton had become a shadow in her mind. Despite being someone far away, she seemed to appear in Elizabeth Black's life every day.

"Rupert Washington only loves Nydia Leighton; all other women are beneath his notice," Will Tennyson continued. "Once, when Nydia Leighton came to our school for a film shoot, Rupert Washington happened to be the student council president. Nydia Leighton needed a stand-in for a water scene, and Rupert Washington pulled a girl who had confessed to him to do it. It was freezing cold, and the girl, who loved Rupert Washington, became Nydia Leighton's stand-in, repeatedly plunging into the icy lake. Her lips turned blue, and her body grew colder, as did her heart. But Rupert Washington didn't even spare her a glance. Later, the girl was hospitalized and completely gave up on him. After that, no one at the school dared to approach him anymore."

Elizabeth Black listened, transfixed, feeling a chill down her spine, as if she were the stand-in in that water scene. Her face visibly paled.

"Are you scared now?" Will Tennyson stared at her. "I just told you, Rupert Washington has no heart. Women who get close to him are nothing but jokes to him. You have good conditions, but you're still a world apart from Rupert Washington. Don't think about him, understand?"

Elizabeth Black didn't answer, turning to leave with a cold sweat on her back.

She didn't want to hear any more.

"Wait a moment." Seeing her expression, Will Tennyson thought his words had taken effect, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Doctor, is there something else?" Elizabeth Black turned back.

Will Tennyson: "Remember what I said last time, about you picking up my mother from the airport?"

Elizabeth Black, suppressing her discomfort, replied, "Mm."

Will Tennyson: "She'll arrive at 10 AM tomorrow. Make sure to go early. It's her first time flying, and I have three surgeries tomorrow. Take her directly to your place, and I'll come pick her up after my surgeries."

Will Tennyson spoke with authority, without a hint of asking for a favor, as if giving an order.

But this was something Elizabeth Black had already agreed to. She nodded, "I know."

Will Tennyson: "I'll give her your phone number, so you can contact each other."

Elizabeth Black: "Mm."

After Elizabeth Black left, Will Tennyson called his mother.

"Mom? Have you packed yet?"

"Don't bring too many clothes. If you stay longer, I'll buy you more. I've earned quite a bit over the years."

"Yes, Elizabeth will pick you up tomorrow. She's the girl who listens to me."

"Marriage? Not so fast. She's still an intern. Let's wait until she gets a permanent position."

...

Elizabeth Black left Will Tennyson's office, still thinking about the incident where Rupert Washington had found a stand-in for Nydia Leighton during college.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket.

She took it out and saw, ironically, that it was Rupert Washington.

"Hello," she answered, her tone inexplicably cold.

Rupert Washington paused, "Why are you angry again?"

Elizabeth Black realized her emotions were too obvious. She composed herself, "I'm not angry. What's up?"

"There's a gathering tonight. I'll take you along," Rupert Washington said.

Elizabeth Black was slightly surprised.

In over a year of marriage, she hadn't met any of Rupert Washington's family or friends.

This was the first time he was introducing her to his social circle.

"Elizabeth?" Rupert Washington called out, not hearing a response.

Elizabeth Black snapped back, "Oh... okay, what time?"

"I'll pick you up at six."

They hung up after agreeing.

Elizabeth Black used the break to borrow Stacey Charley's makeup and put on some cosmetics.

Even Stacey Charley couldn't help but stare at her.

Elizabeth Black was naturally pretty, and even without makeup, she was a sight to behold. The department head often joked that she was their section's lily. Now, with makeup, she looked like a blooming lily.

She was stunning, not inferior to a rose in any way.

Elegant, beautiful, and even more striking than a vivid rose!

"Oh my God, if I were a man, I'd fall in love with you right now!" Stacey Charley exclaimed, staring at Elizabeth Black.

Elizabeth Black usually only wore light makeup, so this was the first time Stacey Charley had seen her fully made up.

God was being too unfair!

"Be serious," Elizabeth Black pinched Stacey Charley.

It was her first time meeting Rupert Washington's friends, and she was a bit nervous.

"With such heavy makeup, are you going on a date?" Stacey Charley asked.

Elizabeth Black: "Yeah, to meet my husband."

After the Maserati incident, Stacey Charley had assumed that Phoebe Boyle was the "husband" Elizabeth Black referred to.

It was common for girls to call each other "husband" when they were close.

"She's so rich, you need to look your best to fit into her circle," Stacey Charley agreed.

Elizabeth Black knew Stacey Charley had misunderstood, but she didn't bother explaining.

Because even if she did, Stacey Charley wouldn't believe her.

Explain again that Rupert Washington was her real husband?

Stacey Charley would say she was bragging.

At 5:50 PM, Elizabeth Black received a message from Rupert Washington, saying he was waiting for her in the garage.

Elizabeth Black got up to pack her things and leave.

As she passed by Will Tennyson's office, he called her in.

"Remember to wake up early tomorrow to pick up my mother," Will Tennyson reminded her.

Elizabeth Black, expressionless, replied, "I know."

Will Tennyson stared at her face for a few seconds, first impressed, then disappointed.

"Don't wear such heavy makeup tomorrow. My mother doesn't like girls who wear makeup."

Elizabeth Black frowned, almost at the breaking point.

But thinking about getting a permanent position, she took a deep breath.

Slowly, she forced a smile, "Sure, Doctor."

Satisfied, Will Tennyson let her go.

——

Rupert Washington had a group chat with his friends called "Brothers, Charge On."

He wasn't sure when he was added to it.

Someone was tagging him in the group.

Vincent Judd: @Rupert Washington, bringing your wife today?

Larry Agnes: ??? When did Bro get married? How come I didn't know? What the heck???

Calvin Hobson: Did Bro finally get Nydia Leighton?

Gary Peg: ??? Isn't Bro gay?

Rupert Washington didn't want to engage in idle chatter, but after reading the messages, he rolled his eyes at each of them.

He replied.

Rupert Washington: @Calvin Hobson, are you sick?

Rupert Washington: @Gary Peg, get lost.

Finally, he tagged @Vincent Judd: On my way with her.

Just as he finished replying, he saw Elizabeth Black walking towards his car.

Rupert Washington put down his phone and chivalrously got out to open the door for her.

His gaze lingered on her face, with a rare expression of admiration.

Feeling self-conscious under his gaze, Elizabeth Black touched her face, "What... what are you looking at..."

Her voice was soft, like a feather gently brushing against the ear.

Rupert Washington reached out, cupped her chin, and examined her for a few seconds, "Your makeup looks really nice today."