Chapter 428 Partiality
"Where's Giselle?" Lara asked, glancing around the dinner table and noticing her absence.
Elsa and Jonathan, not the chatty types, kept quiet about the argument between Elsa and Giselle the night before.
"Ms. Montague said she's feeling a bit under the weather and won't be joining us for dinner," the maid replied.
Lara frowned. "She's already not in great health. Skipping meals isn't good for her. Go ask Giselle to come over, and have the cook prepare something special."
The maid nodded and left.
Elsa and Jonathan continued eating, neither of them looking up.
Elsa's mind was still on last night's events.
She used to think Giselle was just a bit fake, always trying to seem gentle and considerate. Maybe it was because Giselle grew up in someone else's home, always trying to please. It made sense she'd be more emotionally savvy. Elsa didn't think Giselle was a bad person.
But last night, Elsa caught Giselle badmouthing her to Jonathan. That changed everything. If Giselle was this two-faced, who knew if those diamond earrings were really lost at the family reunion?
The maid returned, looking troubled. "Ms. Montague said her stomach is really bothering her, so she won't be joining us for dinner."
"That's odd. Giselle's the type who'd sit with us even if she didn't feel like eating. She must be feeling really unwell today. I'll go check on her. You all continue eating," Lara said, standing up and heading to Giselle's room.
Once Lara was out of earshot, Jonathan suddenly looked up and said, "Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. Giselle rarely speaks ill of others."
Elsa raised an eyebrow.
What did he mean by that? Was he saying Giselle was so tolerant and rarely spoke badly of others, so if she did say something negative about Elsa, it must have been really bad? How had Elsa not noticed that Jonathan was this blind to the truth?
Seeing the mocking look in Elsa's eyes, Jonathan sighed and reached out to pat her head. "You're overthinking it. I meant Giselle's had a tough time, always living cautiously, afraid she wouldn't have a place in this family. Now that you're here and outshining her, she naturally feels insecure. She thinks you have something against her, which is just a reflection of her own anxiety."
Elsa smirked. She and Chloe combined couldn't match Giselle's manipulative skills. Jonathan had seen Giselle badmouthing her and still made excuses for her. It showed how much goodwill Giselle had built up in the King family over the years.
She was just a niece who came into the family later. Blood ties didn't mean much.
"Giselle's not insecure. I can take care of myself. Even if I couldn't, my ex-husband Luke treats me well enough to make sure I have food to eat. I don't need a penny from the King family. If Grandma and you love me, and she doesn't allow it, that's just too controlling."
Being Luke's woman gave her credibility. If she said she wouldn't spend the King family's money, everyone would believe her.
If she weren't Luke's woman, just Jonathan's business partner who suddenly discovered she was the King family's long-lost niece, no one would believe her if she said she wouldn't take Lara and Jonathan's money.
At this moment, Luke gave her confidence.
Thinking of him made Elsa's nose tingle.
"No one can stop us from loving you! Of course, the King family's money should include your share. If you don't want it, you can throw it on the street; that's your choice. Blood is thicker than water. We love you the most, silly girl," Jonathan said, seeing Elsa's sudden sadness. He gently tapped her nose, trying to cheer her up.
Elsa had received so little affection growing up. Jonathan's comforting words immediately softened her heart, bringing tears to her eyes.
Alright, alright. No matter what Giselle did, as long as Lara and Jonathan loved her while being kind to Giselle, it was fine. She felt relieved.
Lara returned from Giselle's room just as they were finishing their meal.
Her eyes were red, clearly from crying.
As soon as she sat down, Lara said to Elsa, "Elsa, Giselle's just insecure. She didn't mean to speak badly about you. Although she was wrong, you're both Grandma's beloved children. Grandma hopes you can forgive her. Giselle's really pitiful; the doctor said she doesn't have much time left."
Throughout all this, Giselle hadn't sincerely apologized. Instead, Lara and Jonathan kept asking Elsa to be forgiving. It felt like Giselle's mistakes were minor, but Elsa's lack of forgiveness was a major fault.
Elsa's heart ached, but she kept her expression neutral. "Alright."
Lara nodded tearfully. "Then let's have Giselle join us for dinner tomorrow."
So, Giselle's manipulation skills were so advanced that she could falsely claim Elsa didn't want her at the table?
Yes, she needed to "know her place." Elsa felt suffocated by the unjust accusation.
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