Chapter 140
"Grandma, that's enough!" Alexander stood up, his voice cold and stern, silencing everyone at the table.
Lily glared at him. "What? Are you defending Esme now?"
"You don't have to be so harsh," Alexander said, trying to stay calm.
Lily squinted, looking intimidating. "I can be harsher. Want to hear it?"
"Grandma!" Alexander's patience was wearing thin.
Lily slammed the table and stood up. "Alexander, don't forget you're a married man!"
"But I have no feelings for Elizabeth," Alexander hesitated to say in front of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth stayed calm, unfazed by his words.
Lily didn't care about Alexander's feelings. She pointed at Esme and said coldly, "You want Esme as your wife? Over my dead body!"
Alexander and Lily locked eyes in a standoff.
Alexander couldn't understand why the Tudors hated Esme so much.
Esme tugged at Alexander's sleeve, choking up. "Alexander, don't argue with Mrs. Tudor because of me. I shouldn't have come today."
Lily furiously glared at Esme, who was still pretending to be pitiful.
She clutched her chest, distressed.
Seeing this, Elizabeth stood up to support Lily. "Grandma, don't get angry. It's bad for your health."
Elizabeth glanced at Alexander and Esme. "We're all adults. We can handle our own relationship issues. Grandma, your health is the most important. Don't worry about us," she said gently.
In such a tense environment, Elizabeth's words were like a breath of fresh air, calming Lily.
This was the difference between Esme and Elizabeth. Esme always thought about herself, but Elizabeth didn't.
"Mrs. Tudor, I'm sorry. I'll try not to come again!" Esme said, nodding before tears fell, and she quickly left.
Elizabeth watched Esme leave, her eyes complex.
For a moment, she could empathize with Esme. A few years ago, she too tried to please the Tudors like Esme.
Alexander intended to go after her, but Lily shouted, "Are you trying to make me angry again?"
Alexander felt stifled. "Grandma, how long are you going to keep this up?"
Did Lily feel happy seeing them suffer like this?
"Alexander, is it me causing trouble, or have you been swayed by Esme?" Lily panted heavily, extremely angry.
"Grandma!" Alexander was about to speak when Elizabeth interrupted, "Grandma, Alexander knows he's wrong. He will try to keep his distance from Esme. Don't be angry."
Elizabeth glared at Alexander.
Lily was already in such a state. How could Alexander still say such things to her? Did he want to see Lily end up in the hospital?
Alexander was speechless, his anger had nowhere to go.
The whole world was right, only he was wrong.
Esme had saved his life, so he had to marry her. It was his destiny!
Years of being torn between two women, the pressure from family, and the stress at work—it felt like endless waves crashing over him. Had anyone ever understood him?
Elizabeth coaxed Lily to rest, instructing the butler to pay special attention to Lily's condition tonight and go to the hospital immediately if there were any issues.
Lily sighed heavily.
Elizabeth closed the door and found Alexander in the first-floor hall, looking at his broken phone and cursing, "Damn it!"
Elizabeth cleared her throat softly and walked over to him. "Grandma is resting. We can leave now."
He glanced at Elizabeth and then walked out.
Elizabeth hadn't driven, so she had to ride with Alexander.
Lily's villa was quite remote, making it hard to get a cab. Even if Felix came, it would take at least half an hour.
Seeing Elizabeth's hesitation, Alexander drove the car up to her, rolled down the window, and looked at her.
Elizabeth got in the car and thanked him softly.
Alexander took out a spare phone to call Esme, and Elizabeth could hear clearly from the passenger seat.
Esme cried and asked him, "What do I have to do to satisfy Mrs. Tudor? Alexander, I just love you and want to be with you. What did I do wrong?"
Elizabeth frowned, looking at the passing shops and trees outside the window, her heart tightening.
Esme said exactly what Elizabeth wanted to say.
