Chapter 31 At the End of One's Rope
Elizabeth didn't say anything.
From the first time Owen approached her, she could tell that Owen saw her as a game, a rich man's pastime.
Elizabeth couldn't afford to play around, but she also couldn't afford to offend Owen.
She forced a smile at Owen and continued walking forward.
"Get in the car!" Owen casually draped an arm over the car window and said with a smile, "Don't be afraid, I won't make things difficult for you. Even if I had the intention, I wouldn't have the guts. Otherwise, Alexander would chop me into pieces."
Elizabeth glanced at Owen.
Owen parked the car, got out, and opened the door. "It's so late. If you keep walking, you might run into someone worse than me. What will you do then?" he cautioned her.
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, then got into the car.
Owen closed the door, started the car abruptly, and made a sharp turn, causing Elizabeth to fall onto Owen.
Owen raised his arm to steady her.
"Mr. Tudor, please let me out of the car!" Elizabeth tried to break free.
However, Owen just held her for a moment to steady her, then let go. His strong arms made Elizabeth blush.
He chuckled lightly. "Sit tight, don't hurt yourself, and put on your seatbelt," Owen advised.
Elizabeth bit her lip, trying to maintain her composure. She replied, "Thank you."
"You don't say much, like a quiet country girl. I didn't expect you to have such ambition, daring to attend Alexander's fiancée selection party. Do you really think you can become his wife?" Owen asked Elizabeth with interest as he drove steadily.
Elizabeth didn't answer.
She knew that no matter how she answered, it would be a useless explanation.
She wasn't familiar with Owen, and her purpose for being here had nothing to do with him.
So, she didn't bother explain to herself to him.
She just stared blankly ahead.
Owen didn't mind her indifference and asked again, "Are you thinking about Mr. Jones?"
Elizabeth glanced at Owen. It was obvious he had hit the mark; she was indeed thinking about Simon.
Would Simon lend her two thousand dollars?
They had only spoken once, why would he lend her money?
If she didn't have the money, how would she pay for the camera?
Owen remarked, "Despite your unkempt appearance, you possess keen eyes. Knowing you can't cling to Alexander, are you now trying to attach yourself to Mr. Jones? Although the Jones family isn't as powerful as the Windsor family, they adhere to strict family rules. The head of the Jones family would never allow Simon to have a mistress."
Elizabeth continued to remain silent.
Owen glanced at her through the rearview mirror. He felt a tingling and uneasiness.
He liked her ambitious yet restrained demeanor, her cold and shabby appearance.
Owen found the game increasingly interesting.
Clearing his throat, he asked, "Where should I take you?"
Elizabeth finally came to her senses. She said bluntly, "Mr. Tudor, you can drop me off where I can catch a bus."
"Aren't you hungry?" Owen asked again.
Elizabeth shook her head as she mentioned, "No."
Owen said nonchalantly, "But I am."
Elizabeth was puzzled by his odd actions.
Owen said casually, "There was plenty of food and drink at the party, but I didn't get a chance to eat. I was too busy playing with the ladies. After the party, I wanted my grandma to make me something to eat, but I was worried you might run into trouble, so I drove you here. Now I'm hungry."
Elizabeth fidgeted with her fingers nervously, and said, "I haven't received my paycheck yet."
Owen didn't plan to let her off the hook so easily. He replied, "I'll cover it for now. Pay me back double when you get your paycheck."
In fact, Elizabeth was very hungry.
She nodded seriously. Then she suggested, "Okay, I'll owe you for now and pay you back double when I get my paycheck."
Owen took Elizabeth to a small diner and ordered a few affordable dishes and two bowls of pasta.
When the pasta arrived, Elizabeth eagerly started eating. She had eaten more than half before she looked up and saw that Owen hadn't touched his utensils.
"Why aren't you eating?" Elizabeth asked.
Owen, in a nonchalant and grumbling tone, said, "Damn it, I'm going to tear this place down tomorrow! I asked if the dishes matched my taste when I ordered, and they said yes. But when the food came, it was all sour, not sweet at all! I don't like it! Does it suit your taste? If it does, eat more, so I don't have to demolish this place down."
Elizabeth realized that he had already eaten and just wanted her to eat more.
A warmth blossomed in her heart. She said appreciatively, "Thank you, I'm full."
"Where should I take you next? Can you still go back to Alexander's place?" Owen asked with interest.
Elizabeth's expression instantly turned somber.
After a moment, she said, "Take me to the hospital where Aunt Esme is staying. I'll stay with her for now."
She hadn't taken any photos for Esme and wasn't sure how to explain it to her. But she had nowhere else to go tonight, she decided to head to the hospital and see if there was a place for her to sleep.
Owen patiently drove her to the hospital before leaving.
Elizabeth knew the hospital didn't allow family members to stay in the ward overnight, so she avoided going inside. Instead, she curled up under the window outside Esme's room and spent the night lost in thought.
The next day, at dawn, Elizabeth took the early bus back to Alexander's place..
She had made up her mind to tell Alexander everything about her past.
Meanwhile, Alexander hadn't slept all night.
He had seen Elizabeth on the way back from the old house, but in his extreme anger, he didn't brought her back with him.
After waiting at home for three hours without seeing her return, he called her, only to find her phone was off.
Was it because he had discovered her scheme, and she had fled in fear?
Did she think she could escape him?
Alexander had waited all night.
At dawn, he grabbed his car keys and headed downstairs. As soon as he reached the ground floor, he saw Clara standing outside the door, covered in dew.
"How long have you been waiting here?" Alexander asked impatiently.
"Your assistant bought me some medicine. After applying it, I came here," Clara said pitifully, looking at Alexander.
Then, as if summoning great courage, she said, "Alexander, I've thought long and hard and decided to tell you, even if you never want to see me again. I have to tell you because I don't want your mother to be deceived. Elizabeth is truly wicked. Please, you must believe me."
After finishing her speech, Clara weakly raised her hand to her forehead, swayed, and fell into Alexander's arms.
Alexander held Clara, but his gaze drifted past her.
Behind Clara, Elizabeth stood pale-faced. Seeing Alexander embrace Clara, Elizabeth's body slowly crumpled as she fainted.
Alexander abruptly pushed Clara aside, took a big step forward, and caught the falling Elizabeth in his arms. "Elizabeth?" he called out to her with concern.
Clara remained silent. She was too stunned to process the quick turn of events.
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