Chapter 22
The next evening.
Elizabeth showed up at the Golden Fork Bistro.
She stood by the window, arms crossed, taking in the view. She wore a white off-shoulder dress, looking stunning.
"Ms. Percy?" A familiar voice called from behind.
Elizabeth turned around, eyes wide with surprise.
"Mr. Stewart?" She was shocked. Her date was Joseph.
No wonder Declan was so thrilled when he heard she saved Landon that night.
Joseph smiled gently, looking relaxed and classy.
"Yep, it's me."
He pulled out a chair for her, motioning for her to sit.
Elizabeth couldn't take her eyes off him, clearly stunned.
"Surprised?" Joseph felt a bit awkward under her gaze.
He was older than Elizabeth, and she seemed so young to him.
Seeing her up close today, he realized Elizabeth was stunning.
She was already fair-skinned, and in that white dress, she practically glowed. It was hard to look away.
At the banquet last night, she had already caught his eye.
But today, she had his full attention.
Elizabeth smiled and asked, "Pleasant surprise. How's Mr. Landon Stewart?"
"Thanks to you, my dad's doing well. He wanted to thank you in person, but he's been swamped lately. Please forgive him, Ms. Percy!"
Joseph was all elegance, speaking slowly and carefully.
Sitting across from him, Elizabeth felt like a commoner.
"Mr. Joseph Stewart, no need to be so formal! It's good to hear Mr. Landon Stewart is fine." Elizabeth smiled slightly.
"Shall we order?" Joseph asked.
Elizabeth nodded. "Sure."
He called the waiter over and handed the menu to Elizabeth.
During the meal, Elizabeth suddenly said, "Mr. Joseph Stewart, since we know each other, I'll be straight. I haven't divorced Alexander yet."
"I heard." He nodded, unfazed.
"You're a great guy, and I don't think I'm worthy of you. Let's just consider this a friendly dinner. Mr. Stewart, please don't take it seriously," Elizabeth said, sticking to her principle of not hurting those she knew.
Joseph was taken aback. "Are you indirectly rejecting me?"
Elizabeth quickly said, "No, you're really great."
Joseph gave a small smile, "Is there anyone Ms. Percy isn't good enough for? Don't be so modest. I'm serious about this dinner."
Elizabeth felt a bit lost with Joseph's seriousness.
Joseph got straight to the point, "I usually hate dating. The only reason I'm here is because it's you."
"Is it because I saved your dad?" Elizabeth asked without thinking.
Joseph shook his head. "No, it's because I admire you."
Elizabeth felt helpless.
'What's there to admire about me?' she wondered.
After divorcing Alexander, she wasn't exactly a catch anymore.
"Elizabeth?"
Someone suddenly called her name.
Elizabeth looked up and saw Alexander and Esme arm in arm.
Alexander wasn't in a suit today; he was dressed like he was back in college.
He wore a hoodie and sweatpants, looking casual and young.
Esme, in a pink dress, looked charming next to him. They looked like a perfect match.
"Elizabeth, it really is you. I thought I was seeing things," Esme said with a smile, then glanced at Joseph. "Mr. Stewart is here too?"
"Mr. Tudor, Ms. Russell," Joseph stood up, greeting them politely.
Alexander gave a slight nod in return.
"What brings you here?" Esme asked Joseph.
Joseph looked at Alexander, then at Elizabeth.
Joseph shot Elizabeth a questioning look, asking for her permission to speak.
Elizabeth, appreciating his thoughtfulness, gave a nod.
Alexander, watching their silent exchange, felt a wave of irritation.
After a beat, Joseph said, "A date."
Alexander's eyes snapped to Joseph, anger flaring. "A date?"
Elizabeth sipped her red wine, avoiding Alexander's gaze, but she could feel his eyes burning into her.
"You two?" Alexander squinted.
Joseph nodded. "Yeah."
A mix of emotions flickered across Alexander's face.
Esme couldn't hold back. "Elizabeth, you and Alexander haven’t even divorced yet, and you're already seeing someone else?"
Elizabeth finally looked up, glaring at Esme, her voice rough. "You know we haven't divorced yet?"
Esme was caught off guard, speechless.
Elizabeth's words seemed to say: You know we haven't divorced, yet you still hang around my husband every day.
"I..." Esme stammered, glancing awkwardly at Alexander.
Alexander quickly pulled Esme close, defending her. "Elizabeth, don’t be harsh. Esme didn't mean anything by it."
Seeing him protect Esme, Elizabeth felt a stab of bitterness.
She had barely spoken, and he was already shielding Esme, worried she'd cause trouble.
It seemed he really did love Esme.
Joseph chimed in, "Mr. Tudor, Ms. Percy didn't mean any harm. She was just stating a fact."
Alexander's eyes snapped to Joseph.
'What is he implying? Doesn’t he know Elizabeth is still my wife? How dare he date her before we're officially divorced?' Alexander fumed internally.
Seeing Joseph defend Elizabeth, Alexander felt challenged.
He shot a cold look at Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, you sure have a lot of admirers. We just got married, and already you have men lining up?"
Elizabeth frowned.
'You could get cozy with Esme during our marriage. Why can't I date?' she thought.
Alexander turned back to Joseph, smirking. "The Stewart family is prestigious. Can you accept a divorced woman?"
Joseph stepped forward, ready to retort, but Elizabeth cut him off.
She smiled calmly at Alexander. "Ms. Russell can date a divorced man, so why should I be looked down upon?"
Alexander's face darkened at being called a divorced man.
Joseph chuckled. If Elizabeth was a divorced woman, then Alexander was a divorced man too.
Elizabeth looked at Esme, raising an eyebrow. "Ms. Russell, do you mind that Mr. Tudor has a ex-wife?"
Esme clung to Alexander's arm. Of course, she didn't mind.
No matter how many times Alexander had tied the knot, as long as he was hers, she was game!
Alexander's face darkened.
Elizabeth, feeling victorious, smirked.
Sensing the tension, Esme jumped in to lighten things up. "You know, Mr. Stewart and Elizabeth, you two actually make a great pair."
"If you got hitched, it’d be quite the tale!"
She then turned to Alexander. "Right, Alexander?"
Alexander looked up, locking eyes with Elizabeth.
'Elizabeth and Joseph?'
'Quite the tale?' he mused.
