?Chapter 145:


    Had Ellie not been involved, Essence wouldn’t have changed stylists, leading to her being overshadowed by Omiros. Ellie was the root of all issues, Essence believed.


    “Mr. Robbins, Miss Robbins, please take a seat.” Ellie had assumed Cayson meant the elder Robbins when mentioning the family. Had she known Essence would be there, Ellie would have retreated to her room.


    Ellie’s nonchnt hosting irked Essence further. “Ellie, how can you face me after what you’ve caused? I’ve been theughingstock because of you.”


    Ellie regarded Essence with disbelief.


    What was Essence ranting about?


    “Miss Gordon, are you here for Mr. Thorpe as well?” Marcus Robbins inquired with a grin.


    “No.” Ellie relished Essence’s frustration as she dered, “I live here.” Ellie aimed to infuriate Essence.


    “Shameless!” Essenceshed out, disbelieving. “What kind of woman lives with a man without any good reason?”


    Ellie decided she had no obligation to entertain Essence.


    “Does my life bother you so much? Or are you just jealous?” Ellie paused, then chuckled. “Miss Robbins, perhaps you’re the one smitten with Kaiden?”


    “Stop it, Ellie!” Essence’s face reddened. “You’re the one obsessed with Mr. Thorpe. What do you have besides your looks?”


    “Isn’t that enough?” Ellie retorted earnestly.


    As Essence was about to retort, a deep voice interrupted from upstairs. “Is this amusing to you?”


    Descending in his wheelchair, Kaiden’s stern demeanor and top-buttoned shirt exuded authority. Essence felt an implicit endorsement in his words.


    Both Marcus and Essence were taken aback, realizing Kaiden’s words were intimately directed at Ellie.


    “Not at all.” Ellie excused herself upstairs, leaving Kaiden with his guests.


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    “Mr. Thorpe, about Ellie…” Essence wanted to speak ill of Ellie now that she had the opportunity.


    “Essence, be quiet,” Marcus interjected sharply.


    With years of business experience and numerous affairs, Marcus recognized Kaiden’s special regard for Ellie.


    With an apologetic smile, he addressed Kaiden. “I apologize for my daughter’sck of restraint.”


    Marcus hadn’t corrected Essence’s tirade earlier.


    Kaiden looked at Marcus coolly. “Your apology should be directed elsewhere.”


    Marcus knew he owed Ellie an apology.


    Yet, as a seasoned business mogul and a man of over fifty, how could he lower himself to apologize to someone he viewed as a homewrecker? His pride wouldn’t allow it. But Kaiden’s imposing presence forced his hand.


    “I apologize, Miss Gordon. Essence…”


    “No worries,” Ellie, standing midway up the stairs, cut him off. She turned deliberately to Essence and remarked, “By the way, Miss Robbins, the chocte you gave was delightful. Kaiden didn’t enjoy it, though. Perhaps next time you could just gift it to me.”


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