Chapter 214 Michael! Come and take me home!
At the Thomas family villa, Michael led Eloise into the living room.
Mary got up from the sofa, her smile warm and welcoming.
"Michael, Eloise, you're back," she said.
Eloise quickly hid behind Michael, clutching his arm and peeking out at Mary.
Michael shielded her with his hand, frowning. "Why are you here, Mom?"
Mary's face fell a bit. "The chef made a beautiful cake, so I brought it over for you. Calla is here too, so we can all cut it and have a taste together."
Susan, worried Michael might blame her, chimed in, "Mr. Michael Thomas, Mrs. Mary Thomas has been waiting outside for quite a while. It's freezing out there, and the cold could be harmful to an elderly person, especially one with cardiovascular issues. Besides, Mrs. Mary Thomas came to celebrate your birthday. So, I let her in to wait."
Michael looked at Eloise. "Eloise, go upstairs."
Eloise nodded and headed back to her room upstairs.
Mary watched her go with a longing look.
Michael coughed lightly into his fist. "Mom, you've seen Eloise. It's late, you should go back."
Mary reluctantly tore her gaze away and said, "Michael, then I wish you... a happy birthday!"
"Thanks," Michael said, stepping aside. "Mom, take the cake with you. Eloise and I already had cake at school."
Mary didn't look back. "Since I brought it, there's no reason to take it back. You can eat it or throw it away, do whatever you want with it."
Eloise was still so distant from her. The hope that had risen in Mary's heart shattered again.
Year after year, Eloise remained distant from her, leaving Mary feeling helpless. The servant accompanied Mary as she left.
Calla, who had been sitting quietly, stood up and walked over after Mary left.
"Michael, happy birthday!" she said.
"Thank you," Michael replied.
Calla continued, "You seem a bit tired today. I won't disturb you. Get some rest."
She had come today because ever since the incident at the club, Michael had been very cold to her, always finding excuses to avoid meeting her.
Calla wanted to try to ease the tension between them.
She had dressed up carefully at home today and then called Mary, inviting her to celebrate Michael's birthday together.
Calla didn't expect that as soon as Michael entered the house, he would ask Mary to leave, showing no respect for her—let alone for Calla, his girlfriend.
Calla knew how to read the situation. She didn't particularly like him anyway, and there was no need to annoy him when he was unhappy.
As long as he agreed to marry her, that was enough.
And this matter couldn't be rushed.
Calla left the villa.
The driver took her back to Moonlit Grove.
She sat in the car, recalling the look in Mary's eyes when she gazed at Eloise.
That was definitely not the look one would give to their son's beloved.
That look was full of love, even a bit of humility.
Could it be that Mary had done something to wrong Eloise? Felt guilty towards her?
Could Eloise's intellectual disability be her doing?
Was that why Michael always stayed by Eloise's side, to make up for his mother's mistake?
Today was clearly Michael's birthday, and Mary went to the Thomas family villa to celebrate his birthday.
But why did Calla feel that Mary went there for Eloise?
Calla couldn't figure it out, so she sent a message to Anthony: [Your grandmother seems to care a lot about Eloise.]
Anthony: [Yeah, she always has. But Eloise is scared of her.]
Calla: [Did she do something bad to Eloise?]
Anthony: [I don't think so. Eloise isn't a threat to her. Why would my grandma target her?]
Calla: [That's what I'm trying to figure out.]
Anthony: [Sorry, Calla. I really don't know.]
Calla: [Eloise seems to have known your uncle for a long time. What's their deal?]
Anthony: [Honestly, I'm not sure. Our family is super secretive about Eloise. Everyone avoids talking about her.]
Calla: [Didn't you say you'd help me? That you'd do anything I asked?]
Anthony: [Yeah, I did.]
Calla: [Then find out who Eloise really is, and what her relationship is with Michael and your grandma.]
Anthony: [Can I get a different task? This one's really tough!]
Calla: [Nope.]
Anthony: [If I bring up Eloise in the Thomas family, my dad will kill me.]
Calla: [Not my problem. Figure it out.]
At Whispering Pines Estates, Elizabeth had just finished washing up and was about to turn off the lights and go to bed.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up, and a smile spread across her face.
It was a call from a private detective, informing her that Kieran was about to be caught.
Hearing this good news, Elizabeth was wide awake. She was eager to share it with someone.
Not wanting to disturb Nancy and the kids, she sent a message to Dean: [Dean, are you still up?]
Dean replied instantly: [Yeah, it's still early.]
Elizabeth: [Get dressed and come out for a drink with me.]
Dean, surprised, replied: [Elizabeth, what's going on? Why do you want to drink in the middle of the night? This isn't like you.]
Elizabeth: [Stop talking, I'll explain outside.]
They got dressed, didn't turn on the lights, used the flashlight on their phones, and quietly left the house.
Since they were going to drink, they didn't drive. Instead, they hailed a cab on the street and went to the nearest bar.
Once seated, Dean raised his glass and asked Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, can you tell me now? Do you have some good news?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Is it that obvious?"
Dean said, "Your smile is from ear to ear. Isn't that obvious enough?"
Elizabeth chuckled.
She leaned closer to Dean and whispered, "Kieran is about to be caught. Of course I'm happy."
Dean's mouth dropped open. "Who told you that? Is the news reliable?"
Elizabeth winked at him. "I have my sources. It's absolutely reliable."
She raised her glass to Dean. "For this, do you think it's worth a toast?"
Dean clinked his glass with hers. "Absolutely worth it! Cheers!"
They drank glass after glass, both getting slightly tipsy.
Dean slurred, "Elizabeth, I think I'm drunk. How are we getting home?"
Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, her cheeks flushed. "Home? Let Michael come pick me up!"
Dean said, "Then I'll have Daniel come get me!"
Elizabeth waved her hand. "Alright! Call him!"
Dean said, "Let's call together!"
Elizabeth agreed. "Alright! Let's call!"
She dialed Michael's number. "Hey! Michael! Come pick me up!"
In the main bedroom on the second floor of the Thomas family villa, Michael was already lying down.
Hearing Elizabeth's drunken voice, he frowned. "Elizabeth? Are you drunk? Where are you?"
Elizabeth pouted. "I'm not drunk! I'm happy! I'm at the Last Drop. Do you want to come have a drink?"
Hearing she was at a bar, Michael's frown deepened.
He turned on the speakerphone, got out of bed, and started getting dressed.
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