Chapter 429 Awkward
No one liked being falsely accused, and Giselle's "I'm weak, so I'm right" attitude, combined with Lara and Jonathan's stance of "she's a dying woman, Elsa shouldn't mind," made it seem like Giselle's wrongdoings were excusable, but Elsa's grievances were not.
The next day, Elsa used overtime as an excuse to skip dinner at the King Villa.
Luke, always perceptive, noticed her absence at dinner and quickly deduced that something unpleasant had happened at the King Villa.
But since she didn't bring it up, he didn't ask. Instead, he instructed Lisa to prepare more of Elsa's favorite dishes and held her close to comfort her when she couldn't sleep.
Comparisons could be revealing, and Luke's attentiveness only highlighted Lara's neglect.
Elsa finally nestled in Luke's arms and sighed, "You're the one who truly cares for me. You really do favor me."
"Favoritism" was such a precious thing. People often felt emboldened by being favored, yet deeply saddened when they were not the ones favored.
A typical man might take this opportunity to seek praise, but Luke simply lifted her face, kissed her, and said, "Your mother is gone. You should honor her by showing more love and patience to your grandmother. How she treats you is her business. Isn't my love and support enough for you?"
This was a perspective Elsa hadn't considered, and she was momentarily stunned.
She had been fixated on whether Lara loved her, believing that as long as she didn't want Lara's inheritance, just her love, she should be satisfied. But Luke was telling her to honor her mother and be less concerned with grievances.
"No wonder you're the youngest man on the Forbes list. You really have a broad perspective," she said, feeling her mood lift as she nuzzled into his neck.
Luke, pleased by her sweet words, leaned in to kiss her cheek.
"No, my identity is Elsa's husband."
Though they hadn't remarried and were technically just dating, if Elsa introduced Luke as her boyfriend, he would be upset. He insisted on being called her husband, and she didn't bother to argue.
Respecting her grandmother was one thing, but feeling wronged was another.
Elsa had dinner at Luke's place for several days in a row before she started to calm down.
Lara hadn't realized what was going on at first. It wasn't until Elsa had "worked late" for three consecutive days that she sensed something was wrong.
One evening, when Elsa returned to Luke's place, she saw some Southern dishes sent from the King Villa. Luke mentioned, "Grandma said it's going to snow in the next few days. She doesn't want you driving yourself."
Elsa didn't comment, eating the food from the King Villa, and suddenly laughed bitterly, "It takes five minutes to notice Giselle's mood, but three days to realize I'm upset. The difference is clear."
"After living with Giselle for so many years, Grandma knows her better. It's only natural," Luke tried to comfort her.
She remained silent. On the fourth day, when she returned to Luke's place, she found the living room filled with flowers.
"Grandma said a friend air-shipped these flowers from the South. She thought you might like them."
She didn't comment, letting Lisa arrange a bouquet in a vase in the bedroom.
On the fifth day, it snowed, and Lara sent over a mink coat, with a message to dress warmly and not catch a cold.
There was a hint of cautious appeasement in the gesture.
Luke chuckled, "A precious granddaughter who came into her life halfway through, she can't scold you, only pamper you. Looks like Grandma is really afraid you'll stay mad and not come back."
Elsa sighed.
Lara had done all she could. What more could Elsa say?
That evening, she brought Luke back to the King Villa for dinner, putting the matter to rest.
Lara, who had been uneasy about upsetting Elsa, finally relaxed when she saw her return, her eyes lingering on Elsa's face as if she couldn't get enough.
Seeing Lara like this, Elsa couldn't hold onto any resentment.
Giselle, on the other hand, remained as meek and attentive as ever, just like before.
But Elsa didn't even want to spare her a glance.
Outwardly obedient and sweet, but inwardly greedy and manipulative, such a person wasn't worth getting close to.
If Giselle had only been causing trouble for her, Elsa wouldn't be worried about her tactics.
But who knew, Giselle would later stir up trouble between Chloe and Jonathan!
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