Chapter 29
"Esme, isn't that a bit much?!" Joseph shot back.
Esme just smiled.
"A bet's gotta be thrilling to be fun," she said, shaking her wrist and giving Joseph an innocent look.
Joseph frowned, his hand slowly clenching into a fist.
He didn't deal with Esme much, but today he saw her true colors.
Ms. Russell from the Russell family was definitely the most unreasonable one!
"Fine," Elizabeth stepped up, standing next to Esme.
"Elizabeth, you don't have to do this," Joseph warned her.
Elizabeth wasn't one to back down.
"It's just a kiss. What's there to be scared of? It's not like I've never kissed anyone before," she said, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mischief.
Alexander's cold eyes narrowed, his gaze turning even icier.
"Elizabeth," Alexander suddenly called out.
She looked up, her face indifferent.
"Are you sure about this? Do you really want to go up against Esme?" Alexander's voice was deeper, more intense.
Elizabeth locked eyes with Alexander, a sly grin playing on her lips. "Worried I'll lose and kiss someone else, Mr. Tudor?"
Alexander's eyes darkened, lips tight. "Who you kiss is none of my business. I'm just worried you'll lose big time."
Esme shot a glance at Alexander. When he called out to Elizabeth, she thought he was concerned she'd lose. But hearing his comeback, she felt a wave of relief. Looked like Alexander really didn't care about Elizabeth anymore.
Esme's lips curled into a confident smile, determination gleaming in her eyes. Elizabeth caught her look, and they both dove into the competition.
Elizabeth eyed the distant hole, feeling oddly calm. Even though Joseph was usually the cool and collected type, the tension had him on edge.
"Elizabeth is your wife, Mr. Tudor. Seeing you cozy with your new flame must sting," Joseph couldn't resist poking at Alexander.
"Isn't she your date now?" Alexander shot back.
Joseph chuckled. "Alexander, Elizabeth can't play golf to save her life. She'll lose for sure! You really don't care if she kisses another guy?"
Even if their feelings were dead, the divorce wasn't final. How could he stand his wife kissing a stranger?
Alexander's face stayed blank, eyes unreadable.
"Or have you and Ms. Russell already..." Joseph let his words hang, staring hard at Alexander.
"Joseph, out of respect for Landon, I'm cutting you some slack. Know your place!" Alexander snapped.
Joseph frowned but didn't argue.
Alexander's mood soured as he watched the game.
Elizabeth missed her first two shots.
Esme, on the other hand, was on fire, sinking three out of five. Every time she scored, she shot a look at Elizabeth, clearly trying to rattle her.
Elizabeth stayed calm, but sweat dotted her forehead.
Her third shot missed too.
Alexander felt a surge of irritation.
Joseph's words echoed in his mind—"Alexander, Elizabeth can't play golf. She'll lose! Do you really not care if she kisses another guy?"
'Why did she insist on playing if she sucked at it? Had she not improved since high school? All she does is show off!' he thought.
"Elizabeth, why don't you just give up?" Esme whispered.
Elizabeth ignored her and took her fourth shot.
Missed again.
