Chapter 11
Elizabeth went to the villa to grab the ring.
She punched in the code and waited, but the door didn't budge. A mechanical voice said, "Incorrect code."
She double-checked the address. Yep, Alexander's villa.
She tried the code again. Still wrong.
"Did he change the code?" she wondered.
After her third failed try, even her fingerprint didn't work. The electronic lock blared, confirming Elizabeth's suspicion—the code had been changed.
How much did Alexander hate her? How badly did he want her gone?
Elizabeth pulled out her phone to call him, but then the door swung open. A familiar voice called out, "Elizabeth?"
She spun around to see Esme, wearing a man's white shirt. Her legs were bare, pale, and straight.
Esme's cheeks were flushed, hair tumbling down her back, looking quite seductive.
"Esme, who is it?" came a man's cold voice from the living room.
Elizabeth turned to Alexander in a bathrobe, towel in hand, drying his hair.
Esme walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist with a playful smile. "You done with your shower? Elizabeth's here."
Elizabeth watched their intimate display, fists clenched tight.
She could guess what had just gone down in the villa.
Alexander looked at her, face blank. "You here for the ring?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"It's upstairs. Go get it yourself." He turned to change his clothes.
As Alexander walked away, Esme slipped into hostess mode. "Elizabeth, let me show you."
Elizabeth shot her a look of pure disgust. "I can find it myself. Don't need an outsider's help."
"Outsider?" Esme laughed, dropping the pretense. "Elizabeth, I've always been the mistress here. You were just a stand-in."
Elizabeth glanced at Esme, unable to argue.
She marched upstairs.
In the study, she opened the third drawer, her hand hesitating.
The gifts were tossed in there like trash, still wrapped.
Elizabeth frowned, digging through them for the ring, her heart aching.
It confirmed Alexander never loved her.
"Still looking?"
A mocking voice beside her. "Here for the ring? Or regretting the divorce and trying to get Alexander's attention?"
Elizabeth ignored her. Just as she was about to give up, she spotted a black box in the corner.
Found it.
Elizabeth closed the drawer and stood up. Esme glared at her.
"Sorry to bother you." Elizabeth walked out.
Esme grabbed her arm.
Elizabeth stopped, waiting for Esme to speak.
"Elizabeth, be smart and finalize the divorce with Alexander soon." She raised her chin, her tone threatening.
Elizabeth smirked, shrugged off Esme's arm, and shot back, "No matter when I divorce him, you'll always be Mrs. Alexander. What's the rush?"
Esme, fuming, snapped, "Elizabeth, you've hogged my spot for three years. Don't you feel any shame?"
Elizabeth gave her a cold look, "It's not my fault Alexander's family didn't want you. That's on you."
"Elizabeth, you're shameless!" Esme hissed through gritted teeth.
Elizabeth sighed, "Well, in front of you, I don't really need to be."
Esme's face turned beet red with anger.
From the top of the stairs, Elizabeth didn't forget to glance back at Esme.
Her face was calm, but her eyes had a dangerous glint, "You blame me for taking the Mrs. Alexander title. Should I tell everyone it wasn't me who used connections to get into med school, but you?"
Esme's heart skipped a beat, and a chill ran down her spine, "Elizabeth, what are you saying?"
" Let's let the truth out." Elizabeth's lips curled into a cold, sharp smile.
Years ago, during the exams, there were limited spots for med school. Esme had bombed and cried, insisting she had to go to the same university as Elizabeth.
The Russells tried everything, but nothing worked. Feeling bad for Esme, Elizabeth gave up her spot so Esme could get into med school.
The med school, not wanting to lose a genius from a family of doctors, still let Elizabeth in.
Somehow, rumors started that Elizabeth used connections to get in.
Esme grabbed Elizabeth's arm, glaring and gritting her teeth. "You dare try that!"
Elizabeth pressed her lips together, her voice soft. "I dare."
Esme's grip tightened, her nails almost digging into Elizabeth's skin.
"Elizabeth, you think ruining me will make Alexander love you?" Esme hissed, her anger rising. "He'll never love you. He'll just hate you more!"
The tension was thick when footsteps sounded behind them.
Esme's angry look turned sinister. "Elizabeth, I just love Alexander too much. I'm sorry." She grabbed Elizabeth's arm and slapped her.
The slap echoed in the hallway, cutting off Esme's apology.
Alexander walked up just in time to see Elizabeth slap Esme back.
"Elizabeth!" he shouted, furious.
Elizabeth's face went blank, and she quickly shook off Esme.
She turned to face Alexander, but before she could explain, Esme screamed and fell down the stairs.
"Esme!" Alexander's voice was tight with worry.
Elizabeth reached for Esme, but something yanked at her waist.
She lost her balance, hit the railing, twisted her ankle, and tumbled down the stairs with Esme!
Elizabeth's hand shot out towards Alexander.
Esme, eyes wide with fear, screamed, "Alexander, help!"
Seeing both women reaching for him, Alexander's eyes narrowed.
In a panic, he lunged forward and grabbed a slender wrist!
