Chapter 82 Marco's Vow to Me and the Bianchi Family's Charity Gala

Elena Garcia's POV:

After hanging up that infuriating call, I leaned against the hallway window, taking deep breaths to calm down.

But the more I tried to reassure myself that everything would be fine, the more Sofia's smug face and mocking words kept creeping into my mind.

Finally, I slammed my hand against the window frame and muttered, "Fuck!"

"Elena? What's wrong?" Marco's voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned to see him standing there in his robe.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I walked over to Marco, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his worried brow.

"No, but Hanna did. She said you might need me." Marco hugged me.

He kissed my face, took my hand, and we headed back to the room. "You still haven't told me what's got you so upset."

Inside, Hanna was waiting for us. She sighed in relief when she saw Marco bring me back, then smiled. "I'll go make some sweet soup for you. The weather's not great today, and maybe something sweet will cheer you up."

I appreciated Hanna's thoughtfulness.

After she left, I tried to figure out how to tell Marco what had just happened.

The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.

Finally, I just blurted it out. "I might get expelled from school."

"Why?" Marco's expression shifted from surprise to seriousness.

I explained, frustrated, "Because I refused my mom's orders. She called about Sofia, insisting that I return home before my dad's birthday party next week and apologize to Sofia."

Marco lay on the bed, and I curled up in his arms. His embrace made me feel safe, and the coldness in my heart started to fade.

"You did the right thing by refusing." Marco kissed the top of my head, his tone encouraging. "Don't be upset about Isabella's rude orders and attitude. I know you're kind and gentle, but you don't need to be soft-hearted in situations like this, Elena."

I tightened my grip on his hand. I needed to explain that Marco's perception of my sadness was a bit off.

I bit my lip. "She didn't give me a choice; she arrogantly told me that if I didn't follow her orders, I might not be able to stay in college."

I took a deep breath, and the anger surged back, making me tremble. "If she had just said she'd cut off my tuition, it wouldn't have mattered. Even without family support, I could work part-time to pay for school. But she said that if I refused, I might not even be able to stay in school! That's a threat! How can she say something so cruel?"

Marco held me tighter, gently patting my back. "Calm down, Elena. Trust me, I won't let that happen, okay?"

He kept repeating it, kissing me to ease my anger.

"Isabella made a mistake. She thought you were weak and easy to push around, but you're not. You have stronger support than the Garcia family, and that's me. I'm your knight, and I'll clear the way for you." Marco's vow was cold, his beautiful eyes turning dangerous, looking extremely grim.

Isabella's call also angered Marco. 

His words made me realize that even if my family didn't like me, there were still people who loved me.

After comforting me, Marco and I went to the dining room and enjoyed lunch and the sweet soup Hanna made.

The sweet soup did lift my mood.

While I was eating, Marco was handling some business his assistant brought up.

Normally, this wasn't allowed here, but I didn't mind.

Mealtime was one of the few times we weren't glued together.

I didn't want Marco to get flak from the family for neglecting work just to be with me.

As Marco was dealing with work, his assistant whispered something in his ear.

I saw Marco frown, then quickly relax. He turned to me and asked, "Elena, do you want to go to a party?"

A party? I was caught off guard.

Seeing my confusion, Marco explained, "Tomorrow night, the Bianchi family will host a charity gala. Some business partners and famous businessmen will be there."

Marco looked at me with anticipation, which surprised me. Like me, he didn't seem like someone who enjoyed parties.

I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is something going to happen at the party? You seem really keen on me going."

Marco smiled, "Because I need a date, and I only want you to be my date."

His eyes sparkled, looking a bit nervous. He wasn't interested in the party; he was interested in having me as his date. I couldn't help but laugh.

Marco's assistant, a middle-aged Brit named West who used to work for Francesco, looked at me, then at Marco, seemingly wanting to say something.

"Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Bianchi. At this party, your brothers, the other two heirs, will also be present. You're still in competition with them, and it might not be a good idea for them to see Ms. Garcia," West interjected.

"Francesco didn't tell me that." Marco immediately frowned.

I could see his desire to invite me quickly retreat. He valued my safety more than showing off.

Tomorrow's charity gala required Marco's presence because Francesco was hosting it.

As Francesco's chosen heir, Marco had to attend. In the eyes of others, Francesco was like a godfather to Marco.

After West spoke, I should have given up the idea of going to the party. Or rather, I never intended to go. West's words just gave me more reason not to.

But when I learned the party would last three days, meaning if I didn't go, I wouldn't see Marco for a few days, an unbearable loneliness suddenly rose in my heart.

I couldn't help but ask West, "Will the Garcia family be invited to the party?"

"Since Albert is also a member of the Bianchi family, they should send an invitation to the Garcia family." West patted his forehead.

West quickly picked up on my thoughts and made a suggestion. "Ms. Garcia, if you attend as a member of the Garcia family, then there's no need to worry too much!"

I agreed. But I forgot that this meant I would see Albert. Not long ago, in anger, I exposed his relationship with Sofia to Isabella.

Despite Albert's usual nonchalance about their relationship being revealed, his sudden appearance still unsettled me.

He should have been talking to Marco, but when he saw me, he immediately stopped and walked towards me.

My heart skipped a beat.