Chapter 9
Chapter 9
In a flash, everyone’s faces in the room changed.
“Elgin, you’re the ultimate disappointment!” Hawley was shaking with anger, “Her father killed your dad, and you, you
still…”
Phedra quickly tried to calm things down. “Hawley, cool your jets. Take care. Gosh. I spilled the beans to you right after | heard about it to brainstorm what to do about this mess.”
“Divorce! It’s gotta happen ASAP!
“Elgin, don’t get me wrong. Phedra said with mock sincerity, “you getting hitched is a big deal, but you didn’t even tell us. How could you bring the enemy’s daughter into the family?”
Elgin had cut off Phedra’s three years’ worth of living expenses. How could she swallow that pill?
Since she couldn’t get to Elgin, she took it out on Letitia by hiring a gumshoe to dig up dirt.
Unexpectedly, they had dug up a bombshell about Letitia’s secret identity!
Without hesitation, Phedra ratted out to Hawley, piling on the pressure on Elgin.
She wanted to lay it on thicker, but Elgin’s fierce glare shut her up, though her face screamed ‘not fair’.
“Yep. She’s Dr. Sanders’ daughter,” Elgin replied, “But how can we punish the next generation for the sins of their forebears?”
Letitia gave him a surprised look. This guy was such a smooth talker, but he had got a bone to pick with her!
Hawley banged his cane hard. “You must be out of your mind! Elgin, don’t forget you’re engaged, and it was your dad’s arrangement!”
“I’ll only marry the one I like.”
“You… Hawley clutched his heart, nearly gasping for air.
Letitia stood by Elgin from start to finish. She was nothing but a prop who could not speak unless Elgin signaled her to.
She was also clueless about why Elgin wanted to marry her. That was what Letitia thought, and before she knew it, she had blurted out, “Why don’t you marry Raizel?”
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she regretted it.
Wasn’t this asking for trouble?
“Did you suddenly go deaf? I said, I’ll marry who I like.”
“Oh, you… you like me?” Could she take it that way? After tormenting her for two years, did he have feelings for her? Elgin’s lips curled coldly. “Letitia, you think too highly of yourself!”
“I’m afraid you’ll fall for me.” Letitia looked down, fiddling with her fingers. “Two people might fall for each other after spending much time together…”
“Huh, Elgin lifted his chin. “You think I’d want you? Dream on!” Even if she were the last woman on Earth and stripped down before him, he wouldn’t give her a second glance!
Letitia’s head dropped even lower. She seemed to be dying of shame, but a sly twinkle flashed in her eyes.
Letitia had deliberately provoked Elgin to ensure he wouldn’t want to touch her in the future!
She would be safe that way.
Going head-to-head with Elgin meant certain doom, and she had to play it smart.
“Grandpa Elgin’s voice was low and forceful Tcan handle my business, and you just enjoy your golden years. Be it the. Ramirez family or the Ramirez Group, they’ll thave in my hands”
“So you’re paying you won’t divorce?”
“Whether I divorce or not, I call the shots!”
“You are the Siren!” Seeing Elgin’s resolve, Hawley took out his frustration on Letitia. “You killed my son, and now you’ve cast a spell on my grandson. What debt did the Ramirez family owe you in a past life!”
Phedra fanned the flames. “Hawley, take it easy. Let’s talk it out. No need to get physical…”
“I’ll kill this seductress’ Hawley raised his cane, swinging at Letitial
If that hit, she’d be bruised for days. Quick as a flash, Letitia screamed and ducked behind Elgin. “Ah! Honey, save mel
Elgin was at a loss for words, thinking she was a good actress.
“Honey, I’m so scared. Her cheek pressed against his back. “If I get hurt, you’d be upset.”
Hawley kept swinging his cane. “Look, this is how she always bewitches Elgin!”
Letitia kept using Elgin as a shield, and Hawley couldn’t land a hit after several tries.
Finally, he just whacked Elgin on the back with the cane. You’re so blinded by beauty! Utterly useless!”
Elgin got hit, which was something Letitia didn’t expect.
She paled, feeling like she’d gone too far. What now? She was screwed!
Elgin gave her a cool look. “You really went there, Letitia!”
His cell phone suddenly rang and cut through the tension.
Elgin glanced at the caller ID and answered, “What’s up?”
“Mr. Ramirez, we found the woman who broke into your room that night!”
“Where?”
AquaCity Psychiatric Institute!”
Why there? It was the place where Letitia had spent two years.
Elgin gripped the phone, turning his gaze towards Letitia. His look was too sharp and fierce. Letitia turned her head, avoiding his scorching gaze
Without further thought, Elgin strode outside, not forgetting to grab Letitia’s wrist. “Let’s go!”
Behind them, a cacophony of crashes and Hawley’s curses echoed.
Elgin jumped in the car, and as Letitia was about to get in, he floored the accelerator and zoomed off.
Alright then. Letitia knew she wasn’t worthy of a ride. She would have to walk again.
The Ramirez Mansion was near the outskirts. There were not many cars around, especially when it was late at night. Letitia felt jittery. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
But soon, she spotted a “business opportunity”, which was scavenging for scrap.
It was a fancy neighborhood with garbage bins full of empty water bottles and cardboard boxes. Letitia thought she could collect the bottles and boxes to sell them at a recycling center for a decent sum!
Letitia rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
She kept picking up trash as she walked. When she approached Ivory Towers, she found a small recycling shop and made thirty-five bucks.
She went home happy as a clam, firiding Elgin still out.
It was strange. Where could Elgin be?
The roar of a sports car cut through the night, finally halting at the AquaCity Psychiatric Institute.
“Mr. Ramirez!”
Elgin took long strides, hurrying along. “Where’s the guy?”
“In the director’s office.”
He kicked the door open and peered inside, eyes blazing.
A chubby guy in his fifties knelt on the floor, beaten black and blue.
The director, Mark Ward, stood by, scared out of his wits, with a young woman beside him, dolled up to the nines and reeking of tacky vibes
“Her?” Elgin asked coolly, “You sure?”
The woman from that night was soft and delicate, looking pretty and demure, and it was her first time. But the woman before him didn’t quite match the one in his memory.
Could there be a mix-up?
It almost seemed Letitia’s vibe was a better fit than this woman’s.
His subordinate replied, “Yeah, Mr. Ramirez. She’s the director’s daughter, Shela Ward.”