Chapter 99 The Unexpected Visitor: How Dare That Fool William Show Up in Front of Me

Elena Garcia's POV:

For a moment, I couldn't breathe, nor could I speak. Albert bluntly revealed my past in front of me.

I clenched my hands, feeling lost, searching for someone who could tell me what to do. However, the person I thought of first, Marco, wasn't here.

I bit my lip and took a deep breath. "So, this is why your attitude towards me changed? You were hoping for my return but didn't want me back at the Garcia Manor, right? Because you were afraid I'd be hurt once I knew the truth?"

My heart was pounding, and I couldn't control my emotions. My tone became sharp. "Why are you telling me this now? Because I no longer have any expectations toward the Garcia family, you think the past can't hurt me anymore?"

Indeed, if it were the old me, I might have cried upon hearing this unbearable past. But now, my sadness had turned into something else—anger.

This anger was first directed at Albert, for hiding the truth from me and for his subtle attitude that became unbearable once the truth was out.

But it wasn't out of hatred; it was a helpless anger towards Albert for putting himself in the same category as the shameless.

I said sadly, "Albert, you break my heart!"

Albert pressed his lips together, unable to meet my gaze. "If you want to curse me or block me afterward, go ahead, Elena. If you don't want to see me ever again, I'll talk to Marco and leave the Bianchi family. It's what I owe you."

Just as I suspected, he was ready to accept everything. This only fueled my anger more.

"Why do you always act like this, Albert! Do you really mean what you say? Why can't you just be honest with me? If I block you or have Marco kick you out of my sight, is that really what you want?" I looked at Albert with a complex mix of emotions.

I couldn't imagine how long Albert had been living with guilt and lies to become like this. 

I stepped closer to Albert, grabbing his collar, forcing him to face me and speak his truth. "I don't need your apologies. The one who should apologize isn't you! You knew everything, and you could have hidden the past from me, like James or Isabella! But you didn't. You don't belong with the shameless. You're not like the rest of the Garcia family!"

Hearing my words, Albert's eyes widened in shock, not expecting me to say that.

Before he could react, I continued, "Albert, I'm very glad you told me the truth. You showed me that someone in the Garcia family still welcomes me back. Despite being haunted by the past, you still care about me and that's enough."

I remembered Albert's reaction when I told Isabella about him and Sofia. He didn't scold me; he just worried if William had dumped me.

I hugged Albert, patting his back. "Albert, I'm glad I still have family."

Given Albert's attitude toward me, I could have scolded him in countless ways, but I knew that wouldn't solve anything.

I just wanted to give him a hug, like he said we did when we were kids.

I said heartily, "I forgive you, so stop trapping yourself in the past, Albert."

Albert didn't speak, but I felt something wet fall onto my hair. He cried quietly, just like he described himself as a quiet boy.

Noah stood awkwardly nearby, unsure what to do. He initially wanted to stop us, then hearing Albert's confession, he wanted to escape, but finally, he stood guard at the balcony entrance, ensuring no one disturbed us.

Albert asked, "Even though I caused everything that had happened to you until now?"

"You just said you thought my life was happy." I rolled my eyes and laughed, showing Albert my answer with my attitude.

We took some time to sort out our emotions. Albert had become somewhat of a troublesome fellow in my eyes. The way he looked at me was like a lamb following its mother sheep. But his smile became more genuine.

Before we left the balcony, Albert whispered to me, "Welcome home."

When we returned to the ballroom, Noah kept glancing at us.

Seeing his expression, I asked, "What's up?"

Noah replied, "Uh... I just noticed how similar you two look. Without his playboy smile, Albert looks more like family with you, Elena."

Albert asked, "Did you have a bias against me before?"

"No, I didn't mean that. It's just, you know, a smile can change a person. This smile looks less flirtatious. Maybe the girls chasing you will give up and chase me instead." Noah chuckled.

Albert said jokingly, "It's still daytime, not time for dreaming."

Noah and Albert were bantering, and Albert seemed much better.

We didn't even want to say goodbye to James and were ready to leave directly.

After hearing Albert's story, I was full of resentment towards my parents as they didn't take care of me or Albert. 

However, after adopting Sofia, they gave her all their attention—not love, because I didn't think they knew how to love a child.

Their attitude towards Sofia seemed more like using her, as James had shown before. He wanted to use Sofia to climb up to Noah, but when Noah said he was pursuing me, James immediately abandoned Sofia.

But as we reached the front door, an unexpected person appeared. William stood sneakily at the ballroom entrance, being blocked by the maids.

One maid said, "You don't have an invitation, sir. We can't let you in."

William called out, "But you've seen me before. I made it from the gate to here. You can't stop me! Mrs. Garcia invited me!"

He wore a fine suit, a rose pinned to his chest, like a peacock ready to display its feathers.

Albert immediately showed a look of disgust, pulling me to leave.

But Noah hadn't seen William's face clearly, or maybe he had, but the face looked too different from that night, so he didn't recognize him.

When Noah saw Albert pulling me away, he called out, "Elena, where are you going?"

"I really think Noah's decision to step down as heir was the smartest thing he's done. Otherwise, with his inability to read the room, he'd offend everyone in the family sooner or later." Albert turned back, sneering.

Noah's voice caught William's attention. He looked at us excitedly and nervously, then walked over quickly when he saw me. "Elena! I'm sorry, but thank you for forgiving me!"

Albert and Noah's hands shot out, simultaneously blocking his path. I looked at William, surprised and disgusted by his appearance and words. He deceived me and hurt me for Sofia; how dare he show up in front of me?

"What nonsense are you talking about? Who forgave you on her behalf? What right do you have to be forgiven?" Albert pushed William hard, signaling Noah to protect me.

In moments like these, their coordination was perfect, blocking my view and preventing William from seeing or approaching me.

"Oh, I remember you! You're the guy who got beaten up that night. Your leg didn't break? It healed so fast." Noah jeered.

William was probably terrified. I could hear him gulping, his voice shaky as if he might flee at any moment. He said he meant no harm, just wanted to greet me and apologize again.

William said to Noah and Albert, "You can't stop me. Isabella said Elena had forgiven me! You're ruining my relationship with Elena!"

I nudged Noah, signaling him to move aside. Seeing his joyful expression, I raised an eyebrow. "I don't think we have any relationship, William. I haven't forgiven you. If someone told you I did, you should find her."

I didn't know what Isabella was planning, bringing William to the Garcia Manor, but it wasn't anything good.

William looked humiliated. "You can't toy with me, Elena. I did deceive you, but I know I was wrong and also got my punishment. Can we have a good talk?"

"How about talking to our fists?" Albert mocked.

William seemed unable to understand my meaning. He stubbornly believed I was just throwing a tantrum, thinking we still had a chance.

Even with Albert and Noah in front, he refused to let us leave, pulling the maids to block Albert and Noah from hitting him.

This despicable act disgusted all three of us.

As we prepared to take other measures to leave, Isabella's voice came from behind us. She hadn't shown up at James's birthday party until now.

She warmly greeted William, pretending nothing had happened between us and scolding me for leaving without informing James. "Get back to the ballroom, Elena. You haven't apologized to Sofia! I have an announcement about you today!"

"I'm not interested. If it's about kicking me out of the Garcia family, you can send someone to tell me later." I looked at her defiantly, refusing her words.

Isabella's face turned livid. I guessed she didn't know what had happened at the party. James hadn't had time to tell her, so she dared to keep this attitude.

I said, "Don't force me back to the ballroom. Sofia won't be happy to see me."

I didn't owe Sofia an apology, but she owed me one.