?Chapter 8:


    Ellie, typically the epitome of decorum, was now secretly meeting with her former fiancé and frequenting a ce like Rich Bar. She navigated the venue with surprising ease. Indeed, she was a woman with two faces!


    Kaiden halted his wheelchair, his gaze lingering on the path Ellie had taken. He decided to wait, almost as if anticipating a revtion about his wife. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, quickly concealed; Ellie’s dual nature intrigued him.


    Meanwhile, Ellie, oblivious to the attention she had attracted, entered the private room, unlocking it with a password. The room, spacious and elegant, was upied by only one other person.


    This woman had delicate features and soft skin, her charm entuated as she enjoyed an ice cream. The only sign of her frailty was the paleness of her lips. Baylee, the sole heiress of the Curtis family, had always been sheltered and spoiled. Known for her noble origins and a loyal wolfhound at her side, she was a figure no one dared cross, until her family’s fortunes declined.


    “Congrattions on your wedding, babe!” Baylee gestured to a seat beside her, weing Ellie.


    Ellie, still irked by the mention of Kaiden, grabbed a coffee and retorted, “Congrattions? Please, spare me any talk about that jerk!”


    Baylee didn’t offer sympathy. Instead, she bluntly stated, “You chose this path. The Gordons never treated you well. You shouldn’t have married him out of obligation. And remember…”


    She paused, then continued, “You’ve known for years you’re not really a Gordon.”


    Ellie had learned at fifteen that she was not the biological child of the Gordon family.


    This revtion came when she realized that her blood type made it impossible for Houston and Litzy to be her biological parents. A secret paternity test, using hair samples, had confirmed the absence of any blood connection.


    Since uncovering herck of blood ties to the Gordons, Ellie had stoically endured their criticisms, softening her demeanor and maintaining apliant image. Yet, despite her efforts to trace her biological roots, she remained without any leads.


    “If repaying kindness was your goal, financialpensation would have been much better. We’re hardlycking funds,” Baylee said, pleased with Rich Bar’s impressive profit margins. She yfully ribbed Ellie, “No one would guess that the enigmatic owner behind Rich Bar is our own demure Miss Gordon.”


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    “And they’d be equally surprised to know that the co-owner is none other than Miss Curtis, famed for hervish lifestyle,” Ellie retorted with a smile.


    She then unsealed a leather bag on the table, revealing research data on new pharmaceuticals. After reviewing it, she expressed dissatisfaction. “These experimental results aren’t up to par. We need to revise both the bacterial strains and catalysts.”


    Baylee, with her humanities background, found such technical talk overwhelming. “Please, spare me the details! Discuss this with yourb team. Thanks!”


    With a click of her tongue, Baylee added, “I don’t get it. You dream of being a leading stylist, yet you delve into scientific research?”


    “Being a stylist is my dream, and scientific research is my duty to society. They’re not mutually exclusive,” Ellie exined, knowing Baylee’s disinterest. She redirected the conversation. “The Gordons’ greed knows no bounds. Giving them money would only fuel their dependence on me. Even Rich Bar’s entirety wouldn’t satisfy them.”


    Ellie sought liberation from their clutches, realizing the best strategy was to make them believe she had nothing more to offer. Her initial intention to treat Houston and Litzy with kindness had disappeared. She was now disillusioned due to their constant threats.


    After wrapping up their business at Rich Bar, they nned an afternoon tea outing. But when they opened the door, Ellie stopped dead in her tracks.


    “Mrs. Thorpe, what a surprise!” Kaiden, seated in his wheelchair, regarded her with a rxed air.


    His calm demeanor suggested he had been waiting for her. But why was he even here? Ellie, puzzled by his presence, kept her expression neutral.


    She introduced him to Baylee. “Baylee, meet Kaiden.”


    Being a private figure in social circles, Kaiden was a stranger to Baylee. Ellie chose not to disclose her role as Rich Bar’s owner. She and Baylee exchanged a knowing look, silently strategizing.


    Baylee, catching on, addressed Kaiden. “Mr. Thorpe, I’ve heard much about you. As Ellie’s close friend, I hope it’s alright to spend time with her, even though she’s your wife now.”


    Imagine two women just casually hanging out at Rich Bar? Who would honestly believe that?


    Kaiden, showing no interest in confronting Baylee, simply said to Ellie, “Come here.”


    “Baylee, head back first,” Ellie suggested, aware of Kaiden’s unpredictable temperament and not wanting Baylee caught up in any potential conflict.


    Baylee expressed concern. “Ellie…”


    “It’s okay,” Ellie reassured her with a gentle squeeze of her hand. Now that she was married to Kaiden and sharing a home, Ellie knew that Baylee couldn’t always be by her side.


    Baylee left with a reminder. “Call if you need anything.”


    “I will.” Ellie then turned to Kaiden, asking, “Did you need something, Mr. Thorpe?”


    Kaiden didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he studied her with a cold, scrutinizing gaze, as if examining aplex puzzle.


    Ellie maintained an innocent facade, her face exuding a subtle charm and naivety.


    Kaiden realized why the world saw Ellie as well-mannered and graceful; her true nature remained hidden beneath this veneer.


    Ellie was adept at concealing her true self.


    Kaiden was curious about the depths of her seemingly obedient demeanor. He was determined to uncover what trulyy behind it.


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