Chapter 221 A Slip of Tongue
Calla was taken aback. "Ms. Johnson, who set up your brother?"
She was just about to ask if they needed Michael's help to find a lawyer. But when she turned to look at him, his scary expression made her freeze.
Jennifer glanced at Michael. She figured since Michael had divorced Elizabeth, he must still despise her.
So Jennifer said bitterly, "It's that relentless Elizabeth. She's always blamed my brother, saying he killed her dad. She's been scheming to frame him for years. Now she finally got what she wanted. I don't know what she did, but as soon as my brother came back to the country, the cops nabbed him."
Calla suggested, "Ms. Johnson, maybe you should get a lawyer to appeal!"
Jennifer replied, "You think I didn't? The lawyer said our chances are slim. We don't have solid proof to clear his name. The best bet is to negotiate with Elizabeth."
Calla asked, "Negotiate with Elizabeth? Will she even agree?"
Calla glanced at Michael, noticing he was barely holding it together.
Jennifer got more worked up. "Don't even mention it! That Elizabeth is so ungrateful! I was so good to her! Gave her money for fancy schools! When she heard I wanted to negotiate, she had the nerve to ask for $2 billion!"
"2 billion dollars!" Calla's eyes widened in shock.
"Ms. Johnson, do you have that kind of money?" she asked.
Jennifer felt a bit smug. "I do, but I'm not giving it to her that easily!"
Calla was even more shocked. "Ms. Johnson, I didn't know you were so loaded."
Michael couldn't take it anymore; he looked impatient.
So Calla quickly changed the subject. "Dad, why don't you sit with Ms. Johnson for a bit? I'll go check on our food."
Just then, Michael's phone rang, and he quickly answered it. He was grateful for the interruption as he stepped out of the room.
The call was from Eloise. "Michael, Christmas is coming."
Hearing Eloise's voice, Michael's mood lifted.
He said, "Yeah. What do you want for Christmas? I'll get it for you."
"Michael, if I tell you, will you be mad?"
Michael had a hunch. "Eloise, as long as it's not spending it with Nolan or his family, you can ask for anything."
"Then there's nothing." Eloise sounded disappointed.
She had expected Michael's reaction but still wanted to try.
She sighed and said, "Michael, goodbye."
Michael hung up and stood by the window, lighting a cigarette.
He needed to keep Eloise away from Nolan for now because he was worried she might spill the beans.
Calla's dad was planning to marry Jennifer.
If Michael married Calla, then Jennifer would be his mother-in-law.
And if Elizabeth found out, with her temper, she might never speak to him again.
The thought made Michael's heart ache.
He knew he and Elizabeth couldn't be together. He just wanted to be close, watching her quietly, being there for her, even if she married someone else.
He could handle not disturbing her, but he couldn't bear the thought of Elizabeth never forgiving him and ignoring him forever.
Then Michael called the private detective, urging them to quickly find Emily's last and most important disciple.
He couldn't leave Eloise's treatment entirely to Calla.
Calla's ambition was off the charts; she wanted to marry into the Thomas family.
If she treated Eloise well, maybe Michael would marry her out of gratitude.
But she was using it as leverage to force him into a relationship.
This was something Michael couldn't stand.
Especially now that Jennifer was about to become Calla's stepmom, making it even more unbearable for Michael.
The thought of becoming family with Jennifer made Michael extremely irritable.
He sent Calla a message, went to the front desk to settle the bill, and left the restaurant.
Michael: [I have something to do, so I left early. I've already paid the bill.]
Calla got Michael's message and knew he didn't want to see Jennifer.
Why didn't he want to see Jennifer? Wasn't it because of Elizabeth?
Was he avenging Elizabeth?
Calla looked at the message, angrily stabbing her steak with a fork.
She thought, 'Elizabeth! It's all because of you! Whether you show up or not, you're always haunting me!'
Michael returned to the Thomas family villa to find Eloise already waiting for him on the sofa.
As soon as she saw him enter the living room, Eloise rushed over and hugged him. "Michael, why did you come back so late today?"
Michael stopped and patted Eloise's head. "I had something to do outside. Have you eaten?"
Eloise looked up at him. "I ate a while ago. Susan made a lot of delicious food."
She asked, "Michael, are you unhappy?"
Michael looked at her and asked, "Eloise, do you want me to be with Calla?"
Eloise frowned. "Michael, why do you have to be with Dr. Griffin? Do you feel happy with her?"
Michael looked at Eloise and smiled bitterly. "Eloise, do you know what happiness is?"
Eloise answered seriously, "Of course I do. Being with you is happiness. Nolan and Elizabeth being together is also happiness."
Michael pulled Eloise to sit on the sofa.
He felt very tired, both physically and mentally. He said, "Eloise, happiness for adults isn't that simple. Being with someone doesn't necessarily mean it's because of love and happiness."
Eloise frowned, feeling puzzled. "If you don't love each other and aren't happy, why stay together? Wouldn't it be better to find someone who makes you feel love and happiness?"
Michael pulled Eloise's head close and said softly, "Eloise, I will make sure you get well. So you can see the world differently."
Eloise said, "Michael, but I don't feel anything is wrong now."
Michael said, "You and I will grow old. If one day I'm not here, I'm afraid no one will be there to protect you."
Eloise said, "Michael, why don't you be with Elizabeth? She treats me well."
Michael said helplessly, "Eloise, Calla will treat you. During this time, I will be with her. If I'm with Calla, I can't be with Elizabeth."
Eloise pouted. "Is Dr. Griffin better than Elizabeth? Elizabeth can also treat me. But Elizabeth wouldn't force you to be with her."
Michael suddenly turned around, facing Eloise.
Eloise was pulled away from his chest. "Michael, what's wrong?"
Michael grabbed Eloise's hand, his eyes full of tension and inquiry as he stared at her. "Eloise, what did you say? Elizabeth can also treat you? When did she treat you? Why have I never heard you mention it?"
Eloise looked at him with wide eyes.
She realized she had let something slip.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
