Chapter 397 Forgiveness
Alexander was so absorbed in listening that he completely missed what Elizabeth was saying. When he looked up, Elizabeth's face was flushed crimson.
"Not going to tell me?" Alexander's voice carried a cold edge as he let out a low chuckle. "Fine. Then let me show you what real punishment looks like."
Elizabeth's laugh was both sweet and mischievous. "Punish me all you want—your idea of punishment is pure bliss to me. I actually enjoy it when you punish me."
Alexander's tone turned dangerously low. "That's only because I've been going easy on you. Real punishment would leave you bedridden for a week, and then we'll see how long you can keep that job that makes all those women so envious."
"Don't!" Elizabeth immediately pressed her hand against Alexander's lips. "Alright, alright! I'll tell you!"
Alexander settled back with an expectant look. "I'm listening."
"Nicole asked me how I manage to... control you. She wanted to know if I had some special technique in bed that makes you so completely devoted to me." Elizabeth's face turned scarlet again.
Alexander fell silent. She controls him?
But seeing her embarrassed blush, he immediately pulled her into his arms. "Tonight, I'll teach you exactly how to dominate me."
"But you said no punishment—" Elizabeth's protest was cut off as his lips claimed hers.
That night was destined to be one of sweet torment for Elizabeth.
The next morning, contrary to his threats, she wasn't bedridden at all. Instead, her skin glowed with a radiant luminescence, and she looked refreshed and energized. With such vitality, her work at the office felt effortless.
The morning flew by in a whirlwind of activity. It wasn't until lunchtime that Elizabeth finally had a moment to breathe, and that's when she remembered her two best friends upstairs. Setting aside her work, she headed up to invite Julia and Harper for lunch, only to discover neither had come to work.
Both absent on the same day? That was unusual.
Elizabeth pulled out her phone and called Julia. "Julia, why aren't you at work today?"
Julia's excited voice came through the speaker. "The company sent me to a university out of state for graduate recruitment interviews! I'll be gone for two or three days. What's wrong? Missing me already?"
Elizabeth felt a wave of relief. "No, I just noticed both you and Harper were out, so I was worried about you both."
"Harper's not there either?" Julia asked with concern.
"What's going on with Harper?" Elizabeth inquired.
Julia explained, "The day you went home, Harper called her parents again. She apologized, and they weren't as angry as before. That's when she found out her mother was hospitalized. Harper's been at the hospital taking care of her these past few days."
"I see. Well, when you both get back, dinner's on me."
"Actually, you don't need to treat me—I was planning to treat you today! I even pre-ordered bubble tea from that restaurant across from our office. Their tea is nearly impossible to get, but I managed to snag some. Since I got called away unexpectedly, Elizabeth, could you pick it up for me?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Of course, I'll go get it now."
A breath of fresh air would do her good anyway.
Elizabeth took the elevator down from the upper floor. As she stepped out into the lobby, she came face-to-face with Simon, the company's CEO, whom she hadn't seen in days. He wasn't alone.
Seeing both men, Elizabeth offered a polite smile. "Mr. Jones, Mr. Tudor."
The man with Simon was Owen. Owen had been growing closer to Simon lately—Simon's initiative, actually. Perhaps seeing Owen's improvement and growing sense of responsibility, Simon wanted to collaborate on more projects with him.
However, today's visit wasn't about business collaboration. Owen had specifically asked Simon to bring him here to find Elizabeth.
Owen grabbed Elizabeth's arm urgently. "Elizabeth! The Guise family has fled to Star Island—did you know?"
Elizabeth blinked. "What's wrong?"
Owen's anxiety was palpable. "You knew?"
Elizabeth glanced at Simon, who remained silent. Simon immediately lowered his head. "Yes, it was my grandfather who helped the Guise family escape there. Elizabeth, I can only apologize. I couldn't stop him—worse, he didn't even tell me what he was planning. If I had known, I would have prevented it. I'm sorry."
Elizabeth shook her head. "It's not your fault."
"But it affects you!" Owen insisted.
Elizabeth remained silent. She wanted to tell them that Alexander had everything under control, that she trusted him completely to handle Star Island. But she couldn't reveal Alexander's classified plans to these two men.
Instead, she said gratefully, "Thank you, Mr. Tudor. I appreciate your concern."
Owen shook his head. "I know how much you hate the Guise family. I have a way to get your revenge."
Though Elizabeth no longer harbored feelings for Owen, over these six years, Owen had grown increasingly devoted to her—as if his entire purpose in life revolved around Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked at him with confusion. "What way?"
"I'll infiltrate Star Island alone, without anyone knowing. Once I'm there, I'll have the advantage of being in the shadows while the Guise family remains exposed. Taking them out single-handedly shouldn't be a problem."
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Owen's voice was resolute. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that Oliver deserves to die!"
"No!" Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears of emotion. "No, Owen, absolutely not. I take back everything harsh I ever said to you. I consider you my friend—my lifelong friend. You're not just a friend, you're Alexander's cousin, which makes us family. If anything happened to you, both Alexander and I would be devastated."
Owen's face lit up with overwhelming joy. "You'll consider me a friend again?"
"Of course!"
"Really!"
"Would I lie?" Elizabeth teased him with mock indignation.
"You've finally forgiven me! I can finally be your friend again!" Owen's excitement was almost childlike.
Even Simon couldn't help but smile at the scene.
Owen impulsively grabbed Elizabeth's hands. "Elizabeth, I'm so happy! I could die without regrets now!"
Elizabeth gently pulled back. "Mr. Tudor, please let go."
"You're as shameless as ever. I simply don't understand what Alexander sees in you. Mark my words—someday you'll be his downfall!" A sharp voice suddenly cut through the air from behind them.
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