Chapter 398 There Are Eyes Watching Us
Elizabeth turned around to find Declan standing behind them.
"Grandfather!" Simon's voice carried clear irritation. "This is completely out of line!"
Declan's steely gaze fixed on Simon. "Simon! Are you telling me I'm not welcome at your own company? You haven't been home for a week, ignoring your parents' calls. Can't I come see my own grandson?"
Ever since learning that Declan had helped the Guise family escape to Star Island, Simon had been so furious that he'd avoided going home, staying instead at a hotel where his family couldn't find him.
"Of course you can," Simon said, struggling to keep his temper in check, "but why are you attacking Elizabeth?"
Declan let out a cold laugh. "Attacking her? I'm stating facts! Does she look like she belongs to a respectable family? Cozying up to two men in broad daylight—it's absolutely scandalous."
Elizabeth regarded Declan with perfect composure. "Speaking of scandalous, I believe Ms. Jones has me beat in that department. Wasn't it just two months ago that she was pulling hair with some woman named Sarah in public? And let's not forget her charming performance at my house last week. And you—you're only standing here because Alexander showed you mercy. Now you want to lecture me about shame?"
"You—" Declan sputtered.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Elizabeth continued smoothly. "You've safely spirited Ms. Jones away to Star Island, so you think you're untouchable now, don't you?"
"Exactly!" Declan's facade cracked completely. "Since we're past pretenses, it comes down to who has the stronger hand. Elizabeth, I'm telling you—Clara is my only granddaughter, and I'll be damned if I let you harm her. If Alexander thinks he can take Star Island, I'll fight him every step of the way."
"That's between you and Alexander, not me," Elizabeth replied evenly.
Declan's finger trembled with rage as he pointed at her. Simon stepped forward. "Grandfather, please just go home."
"Simon will be corrupted by you eventually," Declan spat, shooting Elizabeth a venomous look. "If only to save my grandson, I should have you killed!"
Elizabeth remained silent while Simon's face darkened. "Grandfather!"
Without another word, Declan stalked to his waiting car and drove off.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Simon said immediately. "I'm as furious about my grandfather's behavior as you are. Owen and I came here today to discuss strategies with you."
Elizabeth looked at Simon, suddenly feeling a surge of genuine affection for him. "Thank you."
"Thank me?" Simon looked puzzled.
"For trusting me. But please, let's drop this whole business about me being part of the Jones family," Elizabeth said firmly.
Simon's voice turned urgent. "Elizabeth, I have to bring it up! You could very well be our family, and Clara could be the impostor. I'm close to convincing my parents. Once I do, we can all stand against my grandfather together. Then maybe he'll see reason."
"You're wrong, Mr. Jones! I'm telling you I'm not part of your family!"
"But what if you are?" This had always been Simon's deepest hope.
"There's no 'what if'!" Elizabeth's composure finally cracked. "If I really were part of the Jones family, I'd be sick to my stomach! How could I possibly transform your grandfather from my enemy into my relative? It's impossible! Simon, if you consider me a friend, never mention this Jones family business again. I have no interest in joining the Jones family!"
Simon felt deeply embarrassed. It was true—for years, he'd been pushing this idea that Elizabeth belonged to the Jones family, while Declan had been systematically persecuting her. Anyone would be repulsed and resentful, let alone someone like Elizabeth who despised social climbing.
"I'm sorry," Simon said sincerely.
Elizabeth waved it off graciously. "It's not your fault. I know you mean well. Enough about me—how are things with Julia?"
At the mention of Julia, Simon's face lit up. "Julia's wonderful. She's so lively and charming."
"Then treat her right. Her brother is Alexander's head bodyguard and driver. If you hurt Julia, he'll tear you limb from limb!"
Simon laughed. "Understood. I'll treasure Julia like a precious gem."
"That's more like it!" Elizabeth turned to Owen. "Mr. Tudor, you should go home. Thank you for caring about my situation, but Alexander can handle this. You don't need to get involved—it'll only complicate your life. I hope you find a wonderful girlfriend and live happily."
Owen's voice carried a note of melancholy. "You're very happy now."
"Of course," Elizabeth admitted without hesitation.
"Your mother..." Owen began, then trailed off. Through his recent closeness with Simon, and Simon's relationship with Julia, Owen had learned about Elizabeth's mother's situation.
At the mention of her mother, Elizabeth's expression darkened. "Her whereabouts are unknown."
"I heard the Guise family once held her captive?" Owen asked with evident pain.
Elizabeth's eyes flashed with fury. "That entire family is twisted!"
Owen met her gaze with steely determination. "Don't worry. They'll get what's coming to them. You should get back to work."
Elizabeth sensed hidden meaning in Owen's words and wanted to question him further, but he spoke first. "Simon, since we ran into Elizabeth here, I won't come up with you. I have other matters to attend to."
"Alright," Simon replied.
Elizabeth remained silent as they rode the elevator together. Simon offered a few more words of comfort before Elizabeth returned to her office area, but she couldn't concentrate all afternoon. Owen's words kept echoing in her mind, loaded with unspoken implications.
After work, Elizabeth couldn't resist calling Owen. "Owen, you really don't need to worry about my situation with the Guise family. Please don't go to Star Island. You're not familiar with the territory, and it's too dangerous to face them alone. Do you understand?"
"Are you worried about me?" Owen's voice was gentle on the other end.
"Of course I am! Promise me you won't go!"
"I'll listen to you. I won't go. Elizabeth, I have some project costs to calculate, so I should go. Goodbye."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Elizabeth went to pick up Alice. During the drive home, she remained troubled and distracted, barely responding to Alice's chatter. Just as they neared their house, Alice suddenly shouted, "Mommy, there are eyes watching us!"
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