《A wedding night Love Affair With The Billionaire》 Chapter 1 Slept With The Wrong Man? Chapter 1 Slept With The Wrong Man? On her wedding night, she did not sleep with her husband. Rather, she slept with her step-sisters lover. What was she to do now? Eliza Stones body tensed up as she stared at the handsome man who was still sleeping on the other side of the bed, and her mind went nk. How did this happen? She clearly remembered her husband Michael bringing her into the room after she got drunk. Why was Tanner the one she ended up sleeping with? If Michael and her sick sister ever found out about this Eliza did not dare to imagine the consequences. She got out of the bed in panic and frantically got dressed. Her mind was filled with thoughts of escaping. As far as possible, she wanted to hide this matter. As long as she did not say anything, no one would ever know Right after she put on her underwear, she heard a knock on the door. To her, the sound was like thunder, it came all too suddenly, and Elizas body trembled in shock. She directly jumped under the quilt without another thought, and covered her head like a turtle retreating into its shell. Her movements startled the handsome man who was still sleeping beside her. He did not even open his eyes. Instead, he reached out and held the frightened woman in his embrace. Then, he lowered his head and buried his face in the back of her neck. He smiled joyfully. Eliza was petrified at his sudden movements. Did this man mistake her for her sister? But before she could even think, the sound of knocking from the outside got louder and louder. This time, she could even hear Michaels voice. Eliza, are you in there? Open the door. Elizas mind was in aplete mess. She wanted nothing more than to die at that moment. Why would Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. she do something like this on her wedding night? After panicking for a long time, she could only grit her teeth and turn around to the handsome man who was holding her in his arms, Tanner, wake up! We slept with the wrong peoplest night! Tanner Deleon, who seemed to still be in his dreams, frowned. He slowly opened his dazzling eyes, then looked at her with a dark gaze. It was like staring into the depths of a deep abyss. Slept with the wrong person? He asked in a deep voice. There was a hint of displeasure in his voice, perhaps because he had just woken up. Eliza did not have any time to think about it. She spoke frantically, Yes, you are not my husband, and I am not my sister! My husband is at the door right now. No one can know about this! Hurry up and hide! As she said that, she anxiously tried to pull the tall and slender man out of bed. However, not only did Tanner not get up, he even exerted more strength in his arms and pressed the woman dressed in only her underwear under his body. The distance between their faces was as little as the width of a fist. The tips of their noses were almost touching, and they could hear each others breaths. Elizas heart started to beat faster at once. She widened her eyes to look at Tanner, the man in front of her. She had known Tanner for many years, but for some reason, he felt so unfamiliar to her at that moment. "Hide? You n to escape like that, I see." Tanner''s tone was firm, there wasnt any hesitation in his voice. "Are you not going to admit that you have slept with me?" Eliza thought that it was strange, she did not understand him at all. This was an emergency, and she had no time to think about it at all! At this moment, Michael opened the door to the room with force. Eliza, are you okay? Michael hurriedly rushed in. You havent been answering me. Are you His words were left hanging. Michael Francis was mortified when he saw the two people in bed. Chapter 2 I’ll Marry You Chapter 2 Ill Marry You Blood drained from her face and Elizas face turned pale at once. When she came back to her senses, she immediately pushed the man on top of her away. "Michael, this is a misunderstanding!" Elizas face was ashen as she tried to exin. Tanner, on the other hand, only nced at Michael, who seemed to be frozen from the shock. There was even a hint of mockery in his eyes. What happened? Themotion made Michaels mother, Maisy,e over. When she saw the situation in the room, she screamed, Eliza, what on earth are you doing?! How could you Her face was full of disbelief. Her shrill voice pierced through Elizas eardrums and her heart clenched even more. "This..." She wanted to exin, but she could not find the words to say anything in her defense. Michael closed his eyes in pain, and he said something that made Eliza feel even more terrible inside. Eliza, we just got married yesterday. How could you cheat on me with your own brother-inw? Eliza grabbed the quilt tightly as she said in a hoarse voice, "I didn''t..." However, when she looked down at her half-naked body Tears streamed down her face. What on earth happened the night before? How did she end up in bed with her brother-inw? Why are you crying? Tanners mellow voice could suddenly be heard from above. He was calm and perfect weather. "At worst, Ill marry you." This sentence was like a giant boulder sshing into the water, stirring giant waves in Elizas mind, and "What did you just say?" First of all, he was in a rtionship with her sister. Second, she just got married the night before! Her newlywed husband was standing right in front of them too. How could he say such irresponsible words? However, the man who said such mind boggling words just looked cold and indifferent. He was like a heartless machine. He stood upright and elegantly next to the bed as he slowly buttoned his white shirt. If you need anything,e look for me. I will be responsible for you. I will even marry you. The man finished buttoning up thest button as he said that. He tilted his head and his deep gaze fell on Elizas body as he enunciated each word, Remember that. After that, he walked past Michael and Maisy calmly. His actions caused the whole room to fall into a strange and deathly stillness. Eliza had never witnessed something as dramatic as this in her life, much less experience it firsthand. After what seemed like an eternity, Maisy came back to her senses. She asked Eliza in a sharp and mean voice, What happenedst night? How could you do something so shameless as this? You are bringing shame to the Francis and Stone family! Eliza lowered her head. Her face was still deathly pale, but she could not say anything at all.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. In truth, she did not know what happened the night before either. Maisy was going insane with rage. After pacing half a circle in the room, she suddenly took out her phone. I must inform your parents of this. I will call them over and demand an exnation from them! Eliza suddenly looked up and blurted out, No! Her parents must never find out about this Her position in the Stone family was awkward, to say the least. Her mother, Penelope, remarried and brought her along with her. Due to that, she did not have a strong foothold in the Stone family, so she was usually very careful with what she did. One year after her family introduced her to Michael, her stepfather, Marco, urged them to get married because the Stone familys business was failing, and they needed a marriage alliance with the Francis family to ovee the crisis. If she got divorced on the first day of their marriage, not only would her mother die from anger, she wouldpletely lose her status in the Stone family. She could not let her mother get into trouble because of her mistakes Please dont tell my mother. Michael, Im begging you. She looked up with tears in her eyes, as she begged in a low voice. Michael looked down at her and his expression changed. After a while, he said, "Eliza, I can agree to keepst night''s matter a secret, but you have to agree to one condition." Chapter 3 It Was A Scheme Chapter 3 It Was A Scheme "Condition?" Eliza''s heart skipped a beat, she felt a chill. "What kind of condition?" Michael turned to Maisy and said, "Mom, why dont you go on out first. Let me talk to Eliza alone." Maisy did not agree, nor did she change her sarcastic, overbearing manner. Whats there to talk about with such a shameless woman? She cheated on you on your wedding night! The Francis family cant have such a woman. Hurry up and get divorced! Elizas face nched further. She could not get a divorce, at least on the day after her wedding. The scandal of infidelity alone was enough for her and her mother to be kicked out of the Stone family forever. Besides, she would never be able to have a foothold in the so-called upper-ss society. Michael suddenly raised his voice as he said, I know what Im doing. Leave us! Maisy muttered to herself in annoyance and reluctantly left the room. When she left, she mmed the bedroom door shut with a loud bang. However, the moment she closed the door, the unhappiness and meanness on her face changed at once. She hummed with satisfaction as if her schemes were sessful. Just as she was about to go downstairs, she suddenly saw a tall figure standing by the stairs. It was Tanner. He stood there in silence, blocking the stairway. He looked indifferent, but a shockingly deep and cold look could be seen in his eyes. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Maisy stopped in her tracks, the pride on her face instantly froze too. She immediately became respectful and cautious. She dared not take a step forward nor retreat, she stood still afar and forced out a smile. Mr. Deleon, youre still here There was still no emotion on Tanners face, his tone was still calm, like a vast quietke without a ripple in sight. When he spoke, his tone was so low that it was somehow eerie. Do not hurt her. Otherwise, you will have to suffer the consequences twice as much. After he left those cold and heavy words behind, he turned around and left. Maisy stared at his back nkly, it was only when the strong and steady footsteps disappeared from her earshot that she suddenly gasped like a drowning person who had finallye ashore. Maisy pressed on her chest hard. She was scared but reluctant. She really could not understand. Why did Mr. Deleon care so much about the illegitimate child of the Stone family? Could it be because of her sister Raelyn? She heard that she was Mr. Deleons childhood sweetheart. But that did not make sense too. Since he was Raelyns lover, shouldnt he be upset after sleeping with her sister? Why did he care about Eliza so much then? Could it be Could it be that Mr. Deleon liked both Raelyn and Eliza? That was unbelievable! Maisy patted her chest. She didn''t want to think about their rtionship. As long as she remembered that her n with Michael had seeded and that the woman would be an obedient puppet of the Francis family in the future, she felt ted. As for whether they would hurt her or not, she did not have any such inclination. They would only use her from time to time. That wouldnt count as hurting her If she really thought about it, didnt Tanner hurt her too? He was the one who agreed to drug her and put on the act. He was the one who hurt her most. Upstairs, Michael stated his condition in a soft and polite voice. I can keep what happenedst night a secret, but you must never take the initiative to divorce me. Our marriage is a contract. You can pretend to be my wife on the outside, but you must not interfere with my private life. I promise you that I wont touch you too. Chapter 4 Cheating With Her Future Brother-In-Law Chapter 4 Cheating With Her Future Brother-In-Law When Eliza first heard about the condition, Eliza was confused. Why did it seemed like Michael meant no harm toward her? However, wasnt staying bound in a fake marriage for life the same as giving up on all her freedom and happiness? Eliza did not want to agree to it, but Michael seemed to have seen through her thoughts, and his voice turned cruel and cold. If you dont agree to these terms, then the only choice is to publicly get a divorce. What he meant by publicly was to expose her affair from the night before. Neither of these was an option she could swallow. I will give you one day to think about it. I wille back to you tomorrow morning. After Michael said that, he left the room. Eliza sat on the bed in a daze for the whole morning. Apart from bewilderment and despair, she felt confused and lost. Her mother called her, but she dared not answer. All she did was sit on her bed in a daze, from morning to night. At night, her best friend, Gracelynn, called her. Eliza did not want to answer it at first, but Gracelynn made three continuous phone calls. She frowned at her persistence. In the end, she answered the call. Hello, is this Gracelynns friend? We are calling from Grand Sierra Hotel. Your friend is drunk. Please Eliza could only grit her teeth and get up from bed. She dragged her somewhat weak body, changed her clothes, and headed to the hotel. Gracelynn was very drunk. Her body was sprawled in a booth while she was singing crazily at the top of her lungs, sobbing as she did so. Eliza reached out and helped Gracelynn wipe the tears from her eyes. She asked her softly, Gracie, what happened? Gracelynn widened her eyes and looked at Eliza. She could not stop her tears from falling. Eliza, all men are pigs! Cheating as soon as they get married! All of them deserve to die! Elizas heart ached. This was not the first time that Gracelynns husband had cheated on her. They caught him cheating before too. So what if they caught him red-handed? He did not love her. So what if she screamed and cried her lungs out? What was the use? Eliza held her best friend in her arms andforted her for a while. After that, she asked a waiter hovering nearby to help book a room in the hotel. Then, they helped Gracelynn get up. After Gracelynn was settled down, she grabbed her handbag and left the hotel suite to buy some food. She did not expect to see two people holding each other the moment she turned around. They were two tall and slender men. One pressed the other against a door, as they passionately kissed each other intimately. Homosexuality was not a strange thing at all. However, one of them was Elizas newlywed husband who had just proposed to her a prison of marriage, Michael! All at once, Eliza understood how he could still bargain with her so calmly even after finding out that she had cheated on him. So, it turned out that he was gay. He needed a woman to cover up his identity as a gay man! Eliza felt a little cold. She stared at the two men as the door opened and they disappeared into the room. She subconsciously moved her feet, following them silently. They were in such a hurry to get intimate with each other that they did not even properly shut the door. Eliza pressed her ear against the wall. She could hear their voices clearly. Dont worry. How could I touch that woman I deliberately arranged for a man to sleep with her to make it look like she cheated on me. That way, I can have the upper hand in this so-called marriage. Now, she is just a puppet for the Francis family. She will have to listen to me. Otherwise, I will expose her for having an affair and ruin her reputation!This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 5 Don’t Touch Me… Chapter 5 Dont Touch Me Elizas mind went nk, her legs turned to jelly. She quickly reached out to hold the wall so that she could stabilize her body. It turned out that Michael was the one who cooked up that scheme for her the night before! No wonder, she clearly remembered herself being carried into the bedroom by Michael, but by the time she woke up, the man next to her had turned into Tanner. Elizas fingers that were hanging at her sides were trembling with anger and repulsion. Rage and This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. shame burned in her heart, making her explode at once. She pushed the door open with force and shouted angrily as she gritted her teeth, Michael, you a*shole! The two men who were intertwined together immediately separated. Michael quickly turned around in panic. After pausing for a while, he was furious. Eliza, what the hell are you doing! Get out of here! It was obvious that he had done something shameful, but he was acting arrogantly in front of Eliza. Eliza was trembling with anger, she grabbed a vase and threw it at the two people on the bed. You piece of sh*t. I want to divorce you! The flowers and water from the vase sshed onto Michael and the adulterers body. The two of them cried out and rolled down from the bed. Eliza did not want to look at the disgusting, lying scumbag in front of her any longer. She turned to leave. However, Michael grabbed her and rudely pushed her back into the room. He threatened, Eliza Stone, youd better keep your mouth shut about this! Eliza sneered, "Michael, what rights do you have to threaten me? You are the one who betrayed me. You were the one who schemed against me, and you are the one who cheated on me!" Michael was the one in the wrong, after all. His face turned red, and he had nothing to say at all. The man next to her suddenly spoke in a soft voice, Miss, what evidence do you have to im that Michael was the one who schemed against you? Michael''s eyes lit up and his anger soared. He roared, "That''s right! How dare you frame me! Colby and I are just friends! You, on the other hand, cheated on me on our wedding night. My mother and I saw what happened with our own eyes!" Eliza was so furious that she almost cked out from anger. She raised her hand and pped Michaels face with all her might. You b*stard! You were clearly the one who framed me! I heard it all just now! Michael was instantly enraged. He grabbed her wrist hard and pushed her against the wall in anger. The impact jolted her bones and it took Eliza quite a while to recover from the shock. How dare you hit me! Michael rubbed his face and his eyes turned red. Colby Emerson, the other man, hurriedly went forward and took his hand tofort him. "Forget it, don''t be angry with her. We still need to use her to hide our identities." Eliza took a deep breath and said stubbornly, I will help you do no such thing! Michael, I will definitely divorce you! You Michaels expression was ferocious and he raised his hand, ready to p her. Colby stopped him and said softly, "Don''t hit her. We will only be the ones who get hurt in the end." As he spoke, he stared at Eliza with cold eyes and said with a smile, "What if we take off all her clothes and take naked photos of her? If she dares to stir up trouble, we''ll leak the photos..." This was such a cruel method! Michael nodded in agreement. He went closer to Eliza with a sneer. Eliza wrapped her arms around her body and stared at him warily. "What are you doing? Don''t touch me!" Michael stretched out his hands to grab Eliza, then violently pushed her against the wall. At the same time, his other hand started to tear off Elizas clothes. "No! Let me go!" Eliza struggled desperately, but how could a woman like her resist an adult man? The buttons of her shirt popped open, and her light-colored underwear was exposed. Chapter 6 Drunk Chapter 6 Drunk Michael grabbed Eliza and pushed her violently against the wall. As he did that, he started to tear her shirt off with his other hand. No, let me go! Eliza struggled as hard as she could, but she was just a woman. How could she resist an adult man? The buttons on her shirt were quickly unbuttoned, and her light-colored underwear was revealed. Colby was still smiling. Ill go get my phone to record this Elizas eyes shot wide open. She did not want to be insulted by these two disgusting men! She would never let that happen! Eliza tried her best to calm her chaotic mind. She red at the cruel man in front of her and took the opportunity to strike his forehead when he was not paying attention. Michael was hit hard, so he naturally let go of Eliza. Eliza quickly ran out of the room, she did not dare to look back. Eliza, stop right there! Michael chased after her at once. Eliza dared not go into Gracelynns room. She was still drunk, so Eliza did not want to cause her trouble. She looked down the corridor in a panic then rushed towards the elevator. Michael and Colby chased after her relentlessly. Eliza ran for her life and was only able to stay a few steps ahead of them. Eliza hurriedly pressed the button of the elevator. Eliza! Michael gritted his teeth as he called out her name. The anger in his tone was so strong that he This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. wanted nothing more than to strangle her to death. Open up already! Seeing how they were about to catch up to her, Eliza was on the brink of tears. She banged on the elevator door. By the time the door opened, she rushed inside recklessly. Pain exploded in her head. She had bumped into someone. Before she could see who she had run into, she turned around and frantically stabbed the buttons on the elevator. However, she was still toote. Michael had already reached the door of the elevator. His hands were reaching in, only a few inches away from dragging Eliza out of the elevator. Oddly enough, he suddenly stopped. A weird expression appeared on his face as if he had just seen a monster. Fear filled his hateful eyes. Eliza did not see the abnormalities in his expressions. With that, the door of the elevator closed. Eliza covered her chest and took a deep breath. Did he bully you? Suddenly, a charmingly mellow and familiar voice could be heard from the elevator. Eliza was still in a state of shock. Her body stiffened, and she looked up at the person who was talking to her. That He Tanner! Its you! Eliza widened her beautiful clear eyes in great surprise. Tanners dark eyes drooped, their depths unfathomably deep as the sea. He asked again, this time in a more stubborn tone, Did he bully you? His eyes were overly cold as if they were part of the most unpredictably dangerous darkness of the night. When Eliza looked into his eyes, her heart started to beat wildly. Apart from shock, when she remembered that she had slept with her future brother-inw the night before, she felt an indescribable feeling in her heart. In conclusion, the only thing Eliza wanted was to stay far away from him. It is none of your business, Eliza turned her head away and stared at the floor of the elevator. Tanner did not speak, but he was a man who was born with a temperament that could not be ignored. Even if Eliza did not look at him, she could still feel his sharp eyes staring at her. Eliza started to feel ufortable. She looked at the blinking floor numbers of the elevator anxiously. She wanted to leave. Now! The elevator finally reached the first floor. The moment the door opened, Eliza immediately stormed out. Her wrist was suddenly restrained. The man''s hot hand grasped her slender and white wrist. "Stop right there," Tanner ordered. Every word he uttered was unyielding and allowed no objection. Chapter 7 I Like Your Body Chapter 7 I Like Your Body Eliza stopped dead in her tracks, she held her breath against the cold and oppressive feeling. Her heart was beating wildly, she dared not look back. She wanted to ask him what he wanted, but it felt like she had lost her voice, she could not say anything at all! Her chaotic mind was spinning wildly, and a thought shed in her mind. Was Tanner always this strong and cold in front of her sister? Elizas mind was a mess. Her body suddenly felt warm. She btedly realized that it was because of Tanner. He had taken off his coat to cover her body. It was only at that moment she suddenly remembered that several buttons of her shirt were unbuttoned and the rest of her clothes were in a mess too. Tanner ced his jacket on her, and his deep and steady voice could be heard in Elizas ear. Ill repeat the same thing I told you before. If you need me,e to me. I will marry you. The words marry you were like thunder in Elizas ears. She was stunned, but by the time she came back to her senses, she had already been stuffed into Tanners car. He was sitting beside her and staring at her with his deep eyes. Eliza stared back at him alertly and asked warily, What are you going to do? Tanner withdrew his gaze and turned his head to the other side as if he was staring at the scenery outside the window before he said, I am going to send you home. Eliza nced at his perfect side profile. It looked as if it were carved by God himself. Her heart was beating fast, and she quickly lowered her eyes. The atmosphere quieted down, and it stayed that way for a long time. She still could not help but ask, Tanner, what about my sister? If he married her, then what was her sister supposed to do? The two of them were childhood sweethearts. Tanner did not turn back, he did not even hesitate to reply, I will consider her matters after you agree to marry me. Eliza frowned, feeling that his answer was too perfunctory. They had been friends ever since they were young, how could he say such things so casually? She stared at her fingers that were gripping her knees and said slowly, I wont marry you. Throughout the years, even though she and her mothers position in the Stone family was awkward, Raelyn had never treated her badly. She would even share half of the good things she received with her when they were young. She could never do such an ungrateful thing to her. Tanner immediately tilted his head. His gaze was threatening as he stared at the little woman who had her head lowered. liza could feel his gaze. She unconsciously tightened her fingers and continued the silent and stubborn posture of hers. Why do you think I want to marry you? He suddenly said, his voice was icy cold like white mist was practically wafting from his mouth with every word he spoke. The cold atmosphere he radiated was mind-numbing. Elizas fingers that were on her knees tightened, and she bit her lips. Then, she heard his cold voice sneering at her, Do you think I like you? This question was asked with a hint of rejection and sarcasm. It was like a sharp knife slowly slicing into Elizas heart. She admitted it hurt her pride, making her feel suffocated and humiliated. Stop dreaming, The imposing man uttered clearly. Each word was a sharp thorn. I just think that you are simr to that sister of yours, and I want you to be her substitute. You know that her body is weak, and she has to stay abroad for a long time. Elizas bodypletely stiffened. A substitute... She had no blood rtions with Raelyn, but it was very strange. Their facial features were so simr. If This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. one did not look carefully, it could be said that they were almost identical. Besides After he had ruthlessly hurt Elizas heart countless times, he still felt that it was not enough, so he continued to hurt her. I like your body. Chapter 8 A Doll to Play With? Chapter 8 A Doll to y With? There was no trace of color on Elizas face. Her pale face looked fragile. She looked like a rag doll that had been severely abused, so weak that it was heartbreaking. Tanner gave her a stern and hard look. He pursed his thin lips tightly and then turned around to stare out of the window. It was silent, so frighteningly silent that a suffocating feeling slowly spread throughout the car. After an unknown amount of time, Eliza spoke in a hoarse voice, Stop the car. The chauffeur was Tanners subordinate. Naturally, he ignored her. Eliza clenched her fists and shouted with all her might, Stop the car! The driver was shocked and suddenly stepped on the brakes hard. Eliza opened the door, got up, and readied herself to leave. Eliza. The man suddenly spoke, his voice was still as cold as ever. Marry me, and I will solve all of your problems. Your family problems, your own problems Ill help you. Elizas back was frighteningly tense, but she was greatly stubborn. I dont need your help! After she answered fiercely, she mmed the door hard and left without even looking back. Just what did he think she was? Did he take her as a doll that he could just y around with? Eliza felt humiliated. This mans marriage requirements, as well as his words about her being a substitute, were all too humiliating to her. Tears pooled in her eyes and dripped down her face. Eliza took a few steps, but in the end, she finally couldnt help but squat on the ground and start to cry. She suddenly thought of the mans coat that she had on her body, and she threw it away angrily. After that, she continued to cry. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. She was only 22, but she had already gone through so much in one day. It was one unweed surprise after another, like ever-changing tidal waves. She was like a paper boat drifting in the sea. The bottom of the boat waspletely soaked like everything would fall apart at any moment and she would be washed away by the ocean and never recover from it. Eliza cried even harder like she wanted to vent out all of her grievances and anger. Not far away, a ck limousine quietly stopped. Tanner quietly stared at her figure from inside the car. His eyes were gloomy, and his thin lips were tightly pursed. His expressions were difficult toprehend. Eliza cried so much that she had no tears left, only then did she stop. She wanted to call a taxi to go home, but she could not find her handbag anywhere. She had no phone to ask for help either. She stood in the dark in confusion and felt like crying again. She sniffed and cried like an aggrieved child. The way she walked and cried made her look pitiful yet endearing. The ck car behind her followed her silently. Eliza had not been okay since that morning. She suffered so many twists and turns. She cried so much that her heart and lungs were about to explode. All of a sudden, her vision went dark, and she fell to the side of the road. The car behind her suddenly stopped, and the mans strong and tall figure rushed out towards Eliza. Eliza! He picked up the slender woman who was on the ground in a panic. Elizas head dropped. Her face was pale, and her brows were knitted together tightly. Eliza! Tanner held her chin. His originally calm face was now filled with worry and panic. He held her up at once and quickly ran back to the car. He told the driver, Go to the nearest hospital now! The driver dared not dy for another second. He started the car at once. The ck car roared, then sped off at lightning speed. Tanner hugged Elizas thin body tightly, then he frowned. At that moment, his phone rang once more. The screen lit up, and the callers name shed. It was Raelyn. Chapter 9 I Saw You With Someone Else Chapter 9 I Saw You With Someone Else Tanner shot it a cold nce before he silenced his phone and threw it in the corner. He looked up coldly and urged the driver in a cold voice, Faster! He had always been a man with a strong and stern aura. When he was speaking with such a gloomy face, the atmosphere in the car turned even more frigid. The driver felt a chill down his back, and he stepped on the elerator regardless of the traffic lights. Fortunately, it was midnight, and there werent any pedestrians or vehicles on the street. The car finally drove to the best private hospital located in the city center. Tanner carried Eliza and quickly ran out of the car. Emergency, inspection, and infusion. When the doctor came out, he spoke in a gentle tone, The patient is fine. She was just a little fatigued and copsed. She will be fine after resting for a few days. By the way, she suffers from mild anemia, and she needs more care at home. Tanners cold and tensed expression finally eased. He reluctantly thanked the doctor and went into the ward to look at the pale-faced girl who was fast asleep. The lights in the ward were dim and bleak. When the light fell on her quiet face, it made her skin look pale like snow. Even the fragile blood vessels under her skin could be seen clearly. Tanner sat quietly by the side of the bed, gently caressing her slightly cold cheek. His profound eyes were filled with restraint and forbearance. He did not like Raelyn. He liked Eliza. However, Eliza did not like him. She would always push him back to Raelyns side. He did not know what was on her mind, so he went along with his and Raelyns rtionship. However, he had never had any feelings for Raelyn. He only adored this lovely yet annoying girl. After some time, Tanner retracted his fingers, stood up, and left. The sweet touch of that woman''s skin seemed to linger on the tips of his fingers. Tanner clenched his fist. The silhouette he left behind was tall, straight, and unyielding, but at the same time also rather lonely and distant. By the time Eliza woke up, it was already the next morning. She had not eaten anything for an entire day and night. She was so hungry that her stomach was churning. She wondered why she was lying on the hospital bed, but she did not have the energy to investigate the reason. The first thing she did was call a nurse to get her a bowl of hot soup. After she consumed it, she heaved a sigh of relief with satisfaction. Only after that did she start to size up the strange ward. Excuse me, nurse. May I ask, do you know who sent me herest night? She asked the nurse who hade over to help her take her temperature. The young nurse shook her head and said, I am not sure about that. Why dont you ask the receptionist afterward and check the records fromst night. I see. Thank you. Eliza got even more curious. After she rested for a while, she got out of bed and was ready to leave the hospital. She suddenly saw something out of the corner of her eye, it was something familiar. Upon closer look, she realized that it was her handbag, ced neatly on the coffee table in the ward. What? Eliza was even more confused. She took her handbag and looked at it, only to realize that everything was still there. Who was the one that found it for her? Was it the person who had sent her to the hospital the night before? Who on earth could it be? She was so curious that she could not wait any longer. She immediately ran to the front desk, and the receptionist enthusiastically helped her inquire about her records and replied, Miss Stone, you are the one who registered yourself herest night. It was registered under her own name? Then, it meant that it was someone who knew her. If that person knew her, then why would they not tell her their identity? How strange Eliza left the hospital with doubts. She waited by the road. As she looked at the cars that wereing and going, she was lost once more. Where was she supposed to go now? She paused for a while and in the end, she decided to call Gracelynn first to ask how she was after the Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. previous nights indulgence. The moment her phone screen lit up, she saw several messages appear on the screen. There were missed calls and a few text messages from her mother, Penelope. All of which urged her to answer the phone as soon as possible. Chapter 10 She Was Out With Other Men Chapter 10 She Was Out With Other Men Elizas fingers froze. The reason why her mother had called her so many times must be because of Michael. That scumbag! Eliza took a deep breath before bracing herself to return Penelopes phone call. "Mom." Eliza, whats wrong with you? You have only been married for a few days, and youve already forgotten about home? As expected, Penelope questioned her the moment she spoke. In the distance, she could also hear Marcos scoldings through the phone. What other reason could there be? They already said that she is hanging out with another man outside! They said the two of them were seen in the hotel. There are even photos. Look at that, look! She left the hotel with another man! She is shameless! She has disgraced all of us! Elizas face turned pale at once. She gritted her teeth and said, Mom, its not like that. Michael is the one who cheated on me. He cheated on me with another man. What did you just say? Penelope was extremely shocked. Her voice went up several octaves. Bullsh*t! Marco scolded loudly. What kind of a man is Michael? It is not like we have never seen him before! He treated you so well when you two were in a rtionship. Not only are you flirting with other men, but you are also even using him of something so ridiculous! Eliza, get your a*s back home and admit your mistakes now! Eliza felt a sense of grievance welling up from the bottom of her heart. It was like a huge wave, drowning her, making her feel suffocated. Her family did not believe her at all. Eliza bit her lower lip tightly as she held back her tears and said, Im not lying, he was the one who betrayed me first Shut up! Macro snatched the phone and roared angrily, Come back here right now, or I am going to break your legs! This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Penelope hurriedly took her phone back and spoke gently, Eliza, be good. Come back home and talk to us first. I wont. As of now, Marco was furious. He firmly believed that she was the one who cheated on Michael. If she went back now, she would be beaten up and scolded ck and blue by Marco. The thought of that alone gave Eliza a headache. How could she go back in this case? Macro started to shout and scold again. Penelope lowered her voice and said, Eliza,e back. I am begging you. Please? Her imploring tone made Elizas heart throb with a dull ache. She closed her eyes shut, swallowed the bitterness and grievances in her heart, and said in a hoarse voice, Okay. She called a taxi, held back her tears, and pretended to be calm. She returned to the ce where she had lived for over a decade. The atmosphere in the living room was greatly oppressive and suffocating. Just as Eliza stepped into the hall, she stopped in her tracks. She saw Michael, that scum, in the living room too. There was a vague smile on his face. You are finally back. Kneel down! Marco immediately scolded Eliza without even rifying the situation. Eliza stubbornly clenched her hands that were dangling by her sides. There was a hint of coldness and mutiny in her eyes. "I did not do anything wrong. I wont kneel!" "How dare you talk back!" Marco shouted in fury. Fuming, he raised his hand to p Eliza''s pale face... Chapter 11 “No...” Chapter 11 No... Smack! A merciless p mell on Elizas tender face, and a ferocious palm print could be seen at once. The Stone family does not have a shameless daughter like you! Marco was furious, then he red at Penelope who remained silent. Eliza was pped so hard, she could hear a ringing sound in her ears. There was a moment where she hoped that all of this was just a nightmare. She wished that she did not marry Michael, and she definitely wished that she hadnt slept with her future brother-inw Michael sat calmly on the sofa. He watched Eliza being wronged and punished with delight. Marco picked up a stack of photos on the tea table and threw them at Elizas face. The photos scattered like falling leaves in the sky. The scene looked like a sad autumn, a truly miserable sight to behold. Eliza lowered her head and looked at the photos. It was a picture of her and Tanner leaving the hotel. Tanners face could not be seen, as only their backs were photographed, but the side of her face could be seen clearly. Anyone who knew her could recognize her at a nce. Eliza clenched the stack of photos and red at Michael angrily. You cunning devil, She cursed him with all her strength, she wished that her words could turn into knives, and that those knives could stab him to death. Michael immediately showed an expression of shock and pain, he muttered, Eliza, you You b*tch! You are the one who cheated on your husband! How dare you scold him! Marco raised his hand. He was about to p her again, but Penelope rushed over and grabbed his arm. Marco, can we please talk about this first. We wont be able to solve anything by hitting her. Eliza bit her lip and stared at Michael, she cursed him viciously in her heart. Michael did not even care about her anger. He pretended to be sad and told Marco, Uncle, if Eliza really doesnt like me, then so be it. We can get a divorce Divorce? Marcos face darkened. He would never allow that to happen! Theirpanys financial crisis was getting worse. He was in urgent need of the Francis family to aid him in solving the problem. A divorce was absolutely uneptable! Eliza, you heard what your husband said. Arent you going to admit your mistakes? Kneel and apologize! Ask him to forgive you, do not divorce! Marco used Eliza, every word he said was excessive. He only cared about his own interests. He did not consider the feelings of this daughter who had no blood rtions with him at all. Why should Eliza kneel? Was this a joke? Eliza would rather kneel to wild dogs than this cunning b*stard! I wont kneel. I want a divorce Eliza looked at Penelope, who was still trying to stop Marco from hitting her while looking at her with a pleading face. Thest few words that Eliza wanted to say were stuck in her throat, and she could not get herself to utter them out. However, when she turned around, she saw Michaelscent look, and she could not swallow her anger. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. If you want a divorce, then lets do it! I dont want to be married to such a disgusting person! You sl*t! I will beat you to death today! Marco pushed Penelope away roughly. He picked up a vase that was at the side and was about to smash it on Elizas head. No! Penelope screamed. She got up and tried her best to stop him. They immediately started a loud quarrel in the living room. Eliza looked at them with worry in her eyes. Just as she was about to go help, she heard Michaels disgusting voice. Chapter 12 I Want a Divorce Chapter 12 I Want a Divorce Eliza, how heartless can you be? Your mother is already miserable enough, yet you still want to be a burden to her. You are really vicious! His words were like knives to her heart, they hurt Eliza immediately. That viinous man had framed and threatened her, and made her mother quarrel with her father. Yet, he was still acting so proud in front of them. Eliza was furious, she shoved Michael with all her strength. Shepletely lost control, and she shouted, Michael, you b*stard! Michael was caught off guard at first. When Eliza scratched his face, he came back to his senses and immediately countered. He grabbed Elizas wrists hard and red at her. Then, he changed his tone. Eliza, apologize to me. If you apologize, I will forgive you Dream on! Eliza tried her best to break herself free from his grasp. Her mind was in a mess. She wanted nothing more than to attack him. Marco was also angry at Penelope. He grabbed her hair and pushed her away. Then, he turned towards Eliza and said, Eliza, if you get divorced from Michael, I will divorce your mother! All of a sudden, Penelopes face turned pale. She loved Marco, and she was absolutely unwilling to leave him. Eliza, please apologize to Michael! Penelope immediately gave in. She rushed towards Eliza and grabbed her arm. She looked at her and pleaded, Kneel and apologize. I will kneel to you and make it up to you too, please As she said that, she was about to kneel. How could Eliza let her kneel? She immediately stopped her. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Her heart was throbbing with hurt. All the grievances and anger she felt turned into reinforced bars and sharp needles. She clenched her chest. She was in so much pain that her face turned ghastly pale, and she could feel her dignity seeping away. Mom, get up first. I will apologize, She spoke in a hoarse voice. The light in her eyes waspletely dimmed. I will kneel and apologize to him. Penelope cried as she shouted, It is all my fault. I cant divorce your father, and you mustnt divorce Michael too. Eliza could not say anything at all. She raised her sad eyes and looked at that proud scumbag in front of her. Eliza clenched her fists hard. Her nails dug so deep into the tender flesh of her palms that they were almost bleeding. Michael could not hide thecency in his eyes at all. He took a step back and sat down on the sofa, waiting for Eliza to kneel. Elizas body felt heavy. Every breath was difficult for her to take. Hurry up and kneel, what are you waiting for! Marco urged her impatiently. His expressions were ferocious, and he did not look like a father at all, he looked more like an evil viin. Eliza took a deep breath as she slowly bent her stiff knees "Eliza, stand there." A mellow, low, and hoarse voice suddenly cut through the tensed atmosphere. It was slightly chilling, like a sharp sword cutting through the ck fog. It pierced through the freezing atmosphere, and a sense of pressure could be felt. Everyone in the living room stared with wide eyes at the man who was walking slowly towards them as if he was taking a stroll in the park. The tall man was wearing a casual yet luxurious ck tailored suit. An unspeakable solemnity and coldness exuded from him. His facial features were almost impable, and his eyebrows were sharp, and so were his eyes. Just a nce alone was enough to scare everyone around. Eliza''s almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise, she could not believe her eyes at all. It was Tanner! Again! Why was he here? Chapter 13 That Man is Me Chapter 13 That Man is Me Therge living room was suddenly filled with an unspeakable pressure and urgency, the whole area wentpletely silent at once. The source of all of that cold aura came from the man who was as sharp as a sword. He stood tall in the center of the living room. Tanner, why why are you here? Eliza asked in a daze. Tanner stared at her with his deep gaze, a hidden sense of emotions swimming in the depths of his eyes. He raised his slender and clean fingers, then reached out to Eliza. His voice was low yet filled with Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. firmness. Eliza,e here. Stand behind me. Eliza was already dumbfounded, perhaps the chaotic scene just now had exhausted her energy. At that moment, her mind waspletely nk. When she heard Tanner telling her to go over, she walked towards him obediently. His scorching, thick palm was on her cool wrist, he pulled her into his arms. His long arms circled her waist as if he was dering sovereignty over her. The side of Eliza''s face was pressed against Tanner''s chest. Her little face blushed as his chest warmed her up. She waspletely lost in her own thoughts. Didnt he tell her to go behind him? Why did she walk into his embrace Why should she kneel and apologize? After he held the woman in his arms firmly, he nced sideways. His eyes seemed to be calm as they swept over the other three people who were present. Michael subconsciously felt a sense of fear, and his heart started to beat hard. He hesitated for a little while before he remembered to say, Mr. Deleon, that is my wife. Dont you think it is inappropriate for you to hold her like that? Tanners expression remained the same, there was not even the slightest change in his domineering voice. She is my sister. Is it wrong for me to protect her like this? His cold eyes turned even chillier as he looked straight into Michaels eyes. You, on the other hand, what rights do you have to make her kneel? The words what rights and dare made it clear that Michaels status was lower than Elizas. Michaels face turned pale at once with hatred in his eyes, but he dared not resist or exin. As for the night he drugged Eliza, Tanner knew about it, but he did not say anything about that. The Deleon family had great power and influence, even if the Francis family wanted to fight against him, they would have to harm themselves just to inflict a tiny bit of damage to him. Therefore, even if Michael could not control himself, he still had to. The atmosphere stiffened for a little over half a second before Marco started to talk. Tanner, you havent got to the bottom of this situation. Michael is not asking for much. This is all because of Eliza, the unfilial girl. She had just gotten married to him, and she is already throwing herself at other men. Look at these photos, its proof! Marco showed a look of ingratiation, his attitude was immediately soft and humble. He even personally picked up the photos on the ground and showed them to Tanner. Tanner shot it a nce and admitted at once. "That man is me," Tanner said. This sentence was like sudden lightning, shocking everyone and everything in an instant. Everyone around them was stunned. Michael did not expect Tanner to admit it so frankly without a care in the world. Meanwhile, Marco and Penelope were thoroughly dumbfounded. They thought that their ears had deceived them. The man that Eliza was out with was Raelyns boyfriend? Elizas brain was already in a big enough mess. After hearing that, she snapped back to her senses at once. She was even more frightened. She pointed her trembling little finger at that cruel man and said, Tanner, how could you how could you Tanner stretched out his hand to grab hers shaking hand. His palm was burning hot, and it caused her heart to tremble a little bit more. Chapter 14 Your Wife Was Being Harrassed Chapter 14 Your Wife Was Being Harrassed She was being harassed in the hotel, Tanner spoke calmly, his voice steady and convincing. I happened to pass by her, and I saved her. Michael, I clearly remember seeing you and another man in the hotel. Not only did you not save her after seeing her being targeted, you even took these photos to frame her. What were you up to? He did not say anything harsh, nor did he argue. He just spoke the truth in a calm and objective tone. He did not say much, but it made Michael feel so guilty that he broke out a cold sweat. Michael wanted to refute, but when his gaze met Tanner''s determined eyes that seemed to have seen through everything, the words that he had prepared turned into ash. They were stuck in his throat and he could not say a single word in his defense. He could only hold it in until his entire face turned red. When Marco saw his reaction, he immediately understood the truth. So, Michael was the one who was trying to frame Eliza. But why? He could not quite understand the truth, nor did he want to waste any time on that matter. He quickly smiled and said, Looks like it was just a misunderstanding! Eliza, why didnt you exin this to us earlier? Look at how stiff the atmosphere is now After all that, he was still trying to shift the me over to Eliza. Eliza replied with a sarcastic sneer, Dad, you should know yourself what I said. Marcos face turned pale. He closed his mouth and quickly gave Penelope a look. Penelope hurriedly said, Eliza, since this was just a misunderstanding, we can forget about it now. Your face seems to be hurting you. Let me apply some medicine for you Marco spoke casually too, Thats right, it was just a misunderstanding. Tanner, it is rare for you to Tanner ignored him, he just lowered his eyes. He looked at the pale and fragile woman in his arms, and he asked her in a soft voice, Are you going to leave, or are you going to stay? How could Eliza stand to stay there any longer? She did not want to see that scumbag Michael anymore. I want to leave. Eliza subconsciously tightened her grip on Tanners shirt. There was a sense of Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. attachment towards him which even she did not notice. Tanner nodded and tightened his arms that were wrapped around her waist. The amount of strength he used was enough to make her feel at ease. Perhaps it was because of his existence, Elizas reluctance and anger all disappeared. She gained indescribable confidence as if she had found a strong backer and person to depend on. Before she left, she stared at Michael again angrily and spat out, Michael, I want to divorce you. Are you going to agree to that or not? Michael held back the anger in his heart. His entire face was twisted, and his lips squirmed, but he could not say anything at all. How could he ever agree to a divorce! He had wasted an entire year pretending to like this girl so that he could marry her and cover up the fact that he liked men! He even arranged the whole drama of her sleeping with another man that night. However, if he did not agree to it, Tanner would definitely tear him apart. At that time, the Francis family would not have a bright future either. For the first time, Michael felt that Eliza, a woman who seemed to have no status, was actually a tough woman that no ordinary person could offend. He could noty a finger on her, nor could he lose her. He could only treat her with respect. I agree. Even though his heart was bleeding, Michael could only grit his teeth and agree to it. He looked down to hide all the emotions that his eyes could not conceal. As for whether this woman could escape from his hands safely That was a whole other matter... Chapter 15 All Men Are Animals Chapter 15 All Men Are Animals The moment they stepped out of the mansion, Eliza gently pushed Tanner away, she wanted to keep a distance from him. Thank you for saving me just now, Eliza lowered her head as she spoke. His aura was so strong that she dared not look at him at all. Even though she was avoiding eye contact, she could still feel his cold and sharp gaze on her. How are you going to thank me? He asked. Eliza gritted her teeth and replied, Ill treat you to a meal. That was the only thing she could do. Her chin was suddenly held tightly by Tanner. He used a little bit of strength to make her look up directly into his eyes. I helped you get rid of your marriage with Michael, and that is the way you repay me? His gaze was so sharp, it made Eliza feel as if her heart was being squeezed by something. She was in a state of despair and panic. She blinked her eyes in panic and managed to calm herself down. She stammered, What else do you want, my future brother-inw? The words my future brother-inw were enough to make sure that the possibility of them being in a rtionship was zero. Tanner frowned, and his deep eyes churned with a hint of sternness. Eliza was too afraid to continue staring into his eyes. She shook off Tanners hand forcefully, turned around, and left. Tanner stared at her slender and fragile back intensely, the expressions in his eyes were terrifyingly This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. cold. Eliza dared not turn back to look at him. Since her back was facing him, she quickened her pace and walked out of the vi. She found a taxi and quickly left the scene. She dared not go back to the Francis or her own house. She thought for a long time and realized that the only ce she could stay was Gracelynns house. By the time she found Gracelynn, she was cleaning up her messy living room. Her eyes were red and swollen, but she still forced herself to smile at Eliza. Youre here. My house is in a mess, so I have to clean it up first. Find a ce to sit down for the time being. Eliza did not rest, she quietly helped her clean up. As Gracelynn picked up the clothes that were scattered on the ground, she finally broke down and cried, I just quarreled with him, but he already wants to divorce me. Eliza, why are all men such animals! Even dogs can stay loyal to their owners. How could guys just forget someone they were with for several years so easily Elizas throat was dry, she could not speak at all. Gracelynn was so miserable, married to a heartless husband. But Elizas situation was no better than hers, was it? Her newly wedded husband was a cheater, not to mention he was gay. The man who slept with her was her future brother-inw. On top of that, he wanted her to be her sister''s substitute... Indeed, all men were animals. She pondered angrily in her heart, and she grew more determined that she would never marry Tanner or be her sisters substitute even if she died. On the other side, in the Stone familys Vi. Marco smiled apologetically as he sent Michael off. By the time he turned back, he asked Penelope angrily, Whats wrong with Eliza? Why is she so close with Tanner? Mr. Deleon was his biological daughters lover. Raelyn was born prematurely. Her health had always been poor. She often resided overseas for long periods to recuperate. Her rtionship with Tanner had always been threatened by distance. If Eliza butted into their rtionship, wouldnt it be even worse? If they broke up in the future, what were they supposed to do? He still looked forward to Mr. Deleon marrying Raelyn in the future, so that he could have a powerful backer! At that time, as Mr. Deleons father-inw, he could do whatever he wanted. Chapter 16 There Is Not a Man She Can’t Have Chapter 16 There Is Not a Man She Cant Have Penelope replied in confusion, "I don''t know either..." Marco instantly flew into a rage, he red at her and scolded her, Then what do you know? You useless thing, I dont know why I married you back then! Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Penelopes eyes turned red at once. She was exhausted from being scolded, but ultimately, she still chose to lower her head obediently and allowed Marco to scold her. Once Marco had his say, he turned around and went upstairs. The first thing he did was call Raelyn to tell her to pay more attention to Eliza so that she would not snatch Tanner away from her. On the other end of the call, Raelyn turned to look at the scenery outside the window. Her attractive peach blossom eyes were flowing with emotions, and she said gently, Dont worry, Dad. I know what I am doing. Marco was still worried, especially when he recalled how Tanner was looking at Eliza that day. The expressions in his eyes were not that simple. "When are youing back?" Raelyn flicked back a handful of her ck hair that was on her shoulders, and she said elegantly and Marco frowned and said unhappily, That long? You have already been abroad for over half a year! Raelyn suddenly chuckled, and her soft voice was filled with certainty and confidence. Dad, dont worry. Whats mine will stay mine. No one can take him away from me. As for Eliza, who did she think she was? When Marco heard how confident she was, he finally rxed a little. He thought of his daughters extremely beautiful temperament. If she had a better figure, there was no man in the entire world she could not have. Okay then. After hanging up the phone, Marcos expressions rxed. Then, at the thought of Eliza and Michaels divorce, he suddenly had a headache once more. What a terrible investment! That d*mned girl ruined his n! What a curse! Marco wondered what was wrong with him to have let those two women into his house back then. The sun was slowly setting. In the Deleon family''s old estate. Lots of delicate dishes were ced on a carved square table made from pearwood. Two people were sitting at the table. It was a young and handsome man, as well as an older gray- haired grandmother. They were sitting face to face. After eating for some time, the old woman spoke, When are you going abroad to visit Raelyn for me? She has been staying abroad for half a year, and I am worried about her. In Mckenna Deleons heart, Raelyn was already Tanners wife. Tanner lowered his head and slowly ate his meal. His expression was indifferent, he did not respond. Mckenna frowned as her temperament became overbearing. You little brat, did you hear what I said! Tanner took a deep breath. He muttered an indifferent reply, "Alright." Mckenna was finally satisfied. A momentter, the telephone in the living room rang. A servant received the call and said to her, "Madam, it is from Miss Raelyn." Mckenna went to answer the phone. Grandma, has anything happened to Tanner recently? I have not been able to get through to his phone these days, Raelyn spoke in a soft tone, and there was a hint of worry that seemed to be filled with sincerity. After Mckenna heard that, she fell into a rage. Busy? He is right here eating with me. I will pass him the phone. Give me a minute. She turned around and angrily told Tanner to answer the phone. Tanners slightly drooping eyes were filled with a small trace of coldness, but his grandmother was right beside him, so he dared not disobey her. He could only press his thin lips lightly together and received the call. Hello. His greeting was indifferent, it could be considered as a barely passable, polite, and peaceful greeting. Raelyns fingers, which were already clenching the phone, tightened further, and the calmness on her face started to crack. With her keen intuition, she was aware that Tanner had started to treat her a little bit differently from before. After a little while, Raelyn spoke in a soft tone, Tanner, I already know what happened between you and Eliza Chapter 17 Marriage Agreement? Chapter 17 Marriage Agreement? Right after she said that Raelyns heart tensed up. This was a test. In fact, she wanted to know what happened between Tanner and Eliza in the Francis home. However, Tanners reaction was far from what she expected. Okay. That was his reply. He did not say anything else. Raelyn was stunned, after that, she felt an unprecedented sense of crisis. Elizas threat towards her seemed to be greater than what she had imagined. She gripped her phone tightly, but she continued to smile, and said, Eliza is a straightforward person, she is still not sensible. Tanner, you should continue to help me take care of her. My body is still a little weak, and I might still need some time before I can go back. Tanner let out another hum. After a pause, he asked softly, How are you doing Raelyn suddenly felt delighted, but she did not show it. She only spoke in a softer voice, Its a recurring problem. I just need more time to rest. Mckenna stood by one side, she shot a threatening re at Tanner. He was stunned for a while, but in This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. the end, he had no choice but topromise. I will go abroad to visit you in a few days. After hanging up the phone, Mckenna could not help but nag at Tanner. "Raelyn is well-behaved and sensible. Since you have confirmed your rtionship with her, you should manage this rtionship well! I value that girl very much. If I find out that you aren''t picking up her calls again in the future, I''ll teach you a lesson!" The rtionship between Tanner and Raelyn was not one that Tanner had agreed to, it was just Raelyn and her friends hyping it up. Back then, he had no intentions of refuting it. But who knew that the more they talked about it, the more people believed it. Just as he was about to refute, Eliza and Michael confirmed their rtionship. After that, he just didnt bother to deny it anymore. Coming back to his senses, Tanners face was cold as he agreed calmly. However, the only person on his mind was Eliza. On the other side, after Raelyn hung up the call, she immediately called Eliza. When Eliza received the call, she was having a meal with Gracelynn. When she saw the caller ID, Elizas heart skipped a beat, she felt really guilty. She gulped and answered the phone. "Rae." Raelyn fiddled with her long hair that was draped over her chest as she talked about family affairs with Eliza in a gentle tone. She even asked about Elizas life and all the trivial matters. However, she did not mention anything about her and Tanner at all. When Eliza heard how caring her sister was towards her, she felt even more upset. She regretted Eliza, Ive picked a particrly good skincare product for you, as well as an evening dress that I designed myself. I have asked someone to bring it back for you. It will arrive in a few days. I hope you like it. Okay, its gettingte, I still need to prepare my room. Tanner says that he ising over to visit me. Bye. Eliza put down her phone unhappily. She looked at the food on the table, but she was not in the mood to eat anymore. Raelyn treated her so well, how could she be so shameless as to snatch her lover away? Therefore, it would be best if she cut down on her interactions with Tanner in the future. Chapter 18 What Are You Doing… Let Me Go! Chapter 18 What Are You Doing Let Me Go! The second day after she made up her mind, Tanner, the man who gave her such a huge headache, came to Gracelynns house. When Eliza opened the door and saw him, her mind went nk. She wanted to shut the door at once. Tanner raised his hands and blocked it. He relied on his superior strength and stopped Eliza from closing the door in his face. Since she could not close the door, Eliza could only force out a stiff smile, she tried to speak to the man who was blocking the door. Tanner, its not convenient for me to speak right now. Do you want toe Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. again another day? Just how did he find Gracelynns house The next second, she thought that her question was incredibly naive. It was way too easy for Tanner to find anyone in San Francisco Tanner lowered his gaze, staring at Eliza deeply with his dark and deep gaze which felt like it could pierce through her soul. He could see through her lies at once. Eliza could feel her heart turn weak, and she could not help but blush. Tanner suddenly stretched out his hand and lifted Elizas chin. His drooping eyes were greatly attractive, and she dared not look at him any further. She hurriedly looked away in panic. "Did you apply ointment?" His words were so vague, it took Eliza some time to realize that he was asking her about the palm print on her face. Marco pped her hard the day before. Her face was swollen for a night and he could still see the mark left by the p. She busied herself helping out at Gracelynns ce, so she did not have time to apply any medicine. However, she had no intention of telling the overbearing man in front of her the truth, so she fluttered her eyshes and lied, I did. Right after Eliza said that she felt the fingers on her chin tightening, and she felt a little bit of pain. His eyes were dark as he interrogated, Did you really apply it? Elizas heart trembled violently. She did not know whether she was frightened or not, but she could not answer for the time being. Tanners eyes shed with a hint of indulgence and helplessness. His fingertips instinctively brushed across her red cheek. Eliza suddenly felt that the part of her skin which he was touching to be scorching hot. She could not help but take a step back and look away stiffly. Tanner took the opportunity to enter the room through the gap between her and the door. He looked around andmented, It looks pretty clean. Eliza was stunned for a while, she widened her eyes. She did not even invite him in. How could he be so shameless? Tanner put down the briefcase and tilted his head slightly. He seemed natural yet forceful as he said, Come here. Eliza took a step forward subconsciously, but then, she immediately stopped. Why should she listen to him? Why are you here? Just let me know, I I still have to go outter. Eliza wanted to send him away as soon as possible. Tanner turned around and looked at her. His eyes were filled with palpitating emotions. Elizas heart suddenly trembled. Luckily, he only looked at her for a few seconds before he looked away. He took out some documents that were in ck and white from his briefcase and ced them neatly on the tea table. He spoke in a calm yet unquestionable tone, This is the marriage agreement. Sign it. Eliza was stunned for quite a while and she could not react. She had not even divorced Michael, yet he was already asking her to sign a marriage agreement? Wait, no. The point was that she could not No, she did not want to marry him! Eliza turned away. Her little face was filled with stubbornness. Tanner, you are my sisters boyfriend. I wont marry you. After pausing for a while, she added, Never, not in this life! Tanner frowned, his aura was extremely oppressive. His face sank, and the terrifying aura that he gave off was even more suffocating. Elizas heart was beating fast, her breathing was unnatural. I told you, you are just her substitute. His words were so cold and sharp that it felt like a frozen knife stabbing into Elizas heart. Eliza clenched her fists hard. She gnashed her teeth and said, Tanner, you b*stard! How can you ask me to be my sisters substitute so arbitrarily? I wont do it. I will not marry you. Get out! I dont want to see you! After she finished scolding him, the entire house fell silent. Tanner red at her fiercely as if he was about to swallow her alive. Eliza was a little scared by his look. She wanted nothing more than to retreat. The man got up at the same time. His tall and straight body strode towards Eliza. A strong sense of hostility could be felt from him. Eliza broke out in a cold sweat. She felt like a rabbit that had been targeted by a fierce wolf. It looked like she was about to be eaten by this beast-like man. She was scared out of her wits, instinct told to her to run. Run far, far away Suddenly, her waist was grabbed as Tanner''s strong arms trapped her tightly. He picked up the delicate woman easily. Elizas legs kicked about as she struggled to break free. "What are you doing, Tanner? Let me go... Ah!" Her vision started to spin until finally she was firmly pressed under Tanner''s body. Their chests bumped, their noses touched, and their breathing intertwined. It was an extremely ambiguous distance, but it also made Eliza feel frightened and uneasy. Chapter 19 Eliza, I Want You Tonight! Chapter 19 Eliza, I Want You Tonight! She should not be so close to him, he was her sisters boyfriend Eliza pushed Tanners shoulders forcefully and said, Tanner, let me Mmph Tanner kissed her right on the lips! She could feel his hot tongue stirring her mouth upside down. Having her breath taken away from her, shecked oxygen and her face turned red. She lost all her strength, and she could no longer struggle. She was even a little addicted to his aggressive kiss. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. She felt a chill pass through her spine and down to her waist, Tanner took off her T-shirt and caressed her tender skin with his hot hands. That incredibly hot sensation immediately brought Eliza back to her senses. Her mind was nk, and she lost control of herself for a moment. But she quickly returned to reality and pped Tanner on the face. When the loud smack echoed in the room, the man stopped his movements. In that instant, the entire room seemed like it was frozen. She had exerted a little too much force, and her palm was instantly hot and numb. Even her fingertips were slightly trembling. Tanner, you are my future brother-inw! After taking a deep breath, Elizas voice trembled a little. All she felt was grievance and anger. Tanner was pped until his face was looking to one side. He then turned back to stare coldly at Eliza with his dark and gloomy eyes. He looked like a beast that was on the verge of going berserk. Is that why you are refusing me? He suddenly asked. Eliza did not fully understand the meaning behind his words. Her mind was in a huge mess as she blurted out, And also, I hate you! I really, really, really hate you! She said really three times, and every time she said that Tanners face turned a little gloomier. By the time she said it the third time, his face was so gloomy that it was almost pale. "Okay, Eliza. Okay," Tanner snapped, then he let her go. He stood at the edge of the sofa and looked down at her coldly. "Okay." His thin lips were a little pale, and he repeated it again. In the end, he looked at Eliza coldly. He turned around, his figure looking straight and lonely, and he walked away from her, one step at a time. Bang! The door of the room was mmed shut, and the room was quiet once more. A suffocating silence filled the room. Eliza widened her eyes. As she stared at the ceiling, shepletely lost her mind. The marriage agreement was still sitting neatly on the tea table. Eliza picked it up and stared at it for half an hour. However, she did not understand a single word in it. She was still in a daze when she heard the sound of Gracelynning back. She hurriedly came back to her senses. She put away the strange agreement and stood up to greet Gracelynn. Chapter 20 Drugged Chapter 20 Drugged After Tanner''s sudden visit, Eliza stayed in Gracelynns house for a few days. Those few days were supposed to be her honeymoon After her break, the palm print on her face waspletely unnoticeable. She packed up her things and was about to go to work when she received a phone call from Michael. Eliza spoke angrily, What do you want? Michaels voice was calm, Dont you want a divorce? Come to my house, and we can sign the divorce agreement. Eliza did not want to see that scum of a human anymore, so she said, Just send it to me, I will send it back to you after I sign it. Michael sneered. You dont even want to be with me to sign the divorce papers? Either youe over to sign the agreement, or we wont have a divorce at all. Besides, I am reluctant to divorce you. Eliza had no other choice, she could only ask for another day of leave. She drove to Michaels ce. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. At that time, it was the peak hours of the morning, and there was a massive traffic jam at the crossroads. The cars moved as slowly as turtles. Eliza turned around to look out of the window in boredom. She did not expect to see a familiar car. The moment she saw it, her heart skipped a beat. It was Tanners car, and he was in the nextne. When Eliza saw it, she quickly turned away with a guilty conscience. By the time she did so, she suddenly realized that the window ss was dark, so he could not see her at all. So, why was she nervous? She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. However, she did not know whether it was an illusion or not, but she always felt that there was a ghostly sight following her everywhere, making her heart beat wildly. She was greatly nervous. She gritted her teeth. After a while, the lights finally turned green. With that, the cars slowly moved forward. Eliza turned to the rightne and drove away from Tanners ck car. However, she could not help but turn around to look at that familiar road and car. The road sign above had a strikingly clear word, Airport. Eliza tightened her fingers, and that moment of inattention made her lose control of the car. With a bang, it mmed into the car in front. Was Tanner going to visit her sister Hey, dont you know how to drive! Out of the blue, she heard an angry shout in her ear. The driver who was hit by her was looking towards Eliza aggressively. Since Eliza was the one who knocked into his car, she could only soften her attitude and apologize. After some time, when she finally got back on the road, it was already noon. The summer sun was scorching and she had stood in the bright sunlight for quite some time. She was thirsty and hungry, and her heart started to feel inexplicably anxious and ufortable. She gritted her teeth and drove the car to Michaels vi. At this time, she only wanted to sign the agreement quickly, and then go back to Gracie''s home to lie down and rest. She yearned to remove the fickleness in her heart. However, things would never go as she nned. Michael made her wait alone in the living room for two hours without seeing anyone. Eliza was restless. She wanted nothing more than to rush towards Michael and p him. After that, she would throw the divorce papers at him. The Francis familys servant lowered his head and brought her a cup of cold and refreshing lemonade. She was so thirsty that she gulped it down without another thought. Right after she drank it, something happened. Lo and behold, the drink had been drugged. Ten minutes after she drank it, Eliza felt dizzy and weak. She had a bad premonition and dared not stay in the Francis residence. She ignored the servants who were blocking her way and stumbled out. The more she moved, the dizzier she felt. Eliza bit her lower lip hard and used the pain to wake herself up a little. She gritted her teeth and struggled to get in the car. The servants were chasing after her, trying to stop her. Eliza dared not stay for another second. She did all she could to bring herself to start the car, and then she rushed away. She fumbled for her phone and tried to call Gracelynn for help, but she was feeling more and more light-headed. Everything in front of her was blurry, and she could see shadows everywhere. She shook her head aggressively, but she could not clear her head. Her vision went from blurry to ck, and her consciousness was fading away. She was no match for the drugs effects. Soon, she fainted at the steering wheel. The car continued to move until it hit the guardrail. The front of the car caved in and a cloud of smoke came out from it. A momentter, two men in ck quickly approached. They opened the door and silently carried the unconscious woman into the woods nearby. Chapter 21 He Already Left Chapter 21 He Already Left A ck car quietly arrived at the gates of the airport. As Tanner got out of the car, for some reason, he felt an inexplicable burst of anxiety. His heart felt as if it was entangled by something, and he felt suffocated for a moment. He frowned, pressed his chest hard, and stopped in his tracks. His assistant, Fran, who was behind him, did not understand what was wrong with him, and asked carefully, Boss, whats wrong? The strange feeling in his heart disappeared as quickly as it came. Tanner shook his head, he paid no mind to this strange feeling. He lifted his legs and continued to walk forward. He was on a tight schedule. After waiting in the waiting room for five minutes, he needed to get on the ne. After sitting down and getting a cup of coffee, the stewardess kindly reminded him, Sir, you can board the ne now. Tanner nodded, put down his cup, and strode towards the boarding gate. After he boarded the ne, he took his seat. Through the windows outside, he could see airport busesing and going, as well as the busy pedestriansing and leaving. Tanner nced at it indifferently before closing his eyes. He found it hard to sleep during the past few nights. The figure of that woman continued to appear in his mind, the same could be said at this moment. The moment he closed his eyes, he thought of her again. Tanner opened his eyes and stared nkly ahead for a moment. He took out his phone and his Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. fingertips grazed the edge of the metal. After some time, he still dialed a number. He called Abel Kline, the person who was responsible for keeping an eye on Eliza. At this moment, Abel was smoking outside the Francis family vi. He was staring at the luxurious house. When Tanner''s call came through, he became alert. He hurriedly threw the cigarette butt down and carefully picked up the phone. "Boss." "How is she?" Tanner got straight to the point. Abel quickly replied, Were at Michaels house right now. Shes been inside for two hours. He looked at the time to make sure that he had remembered the time correctly. Tanners eyes darkened as he stared out of the window. There was an inexplicable expression on his cold face. Abel had always been afraid of him, he dared not talk back or talk too much. Suddenly, he heard the sweet voice of a woman from the other side of the phone. Sir, the ne is about to take off. Please turn off your mobile phone, The flight attendant reminded Tanner. Tanner rubbed the space between his eyebrows, then quietly pulled the phone away from his ear. At that same time, Abel saw Elizas car rushing out of Michaels house in a seemingly panicked manner. He was shocked. He knew that something must have happened, so he quickly shouted at the phone, Boss, something happened! However, the only reply he got was the cold beep of an ended call. Tanner had hung up the phone. Abel dared not dy. He ran as he called Tanner back, but his phone was turned off. To keep Eliza from noticing him, he had parked his car far away from hers, and it took him nearly ten minutes to get there. The moment he got out of the car, he saw Elizas car hitting the guardrail, and the two men in ck with malicious intent carried the unconscious Eliza out of the car. They did not stop there. They immediately carried her into the woods behind. Abel was so scared that his forehead was covered in a cold sweat. He knew how much his boss cared about her. If anything were to happen to her, his boss would still be angry even after tearing him into a million pieces. What are you doing? Let her go! Abel shouted and chased after them. When the two men in ck saw him, they nced at each other. Then one of them ran into the depths of the woods with Eliza in his arms. The other pulled out a dagger and ran towards Abel. Abel was an experienced scout who had retired from the army. He had extraordinary skills, but he was still entangled by the troublesome man in ck for several minutes. After he subdued that man, he followed the trail and ran out of the woods. He saw the back of the car that was taking Eliza away. He cursed and immediately took out his phone to make a call. However, Tanners phone was still turned off. At that point, Tanner was already in the air, on the way to another country. Chapter 22 Enjoy Yourself, I’ll Record It Chapter 22 Enjoy Yourself, Ill Record It Eliza did not know how long she had been unconscious, but when she woke up, her surroundings were pitch ck. Her eyes were covered with a piece of cloth, and only the faint sound of someone walking about could be heard. She moved her body, but she noticed that her hands and feet were all tied up. Was she Was she kidnapped by Michael? Eliza frowned. She slowly moved her wrists, trying to break free. Is it done? A mans voice could be heard. I cant stand it anymore. I havent tasted a woman for a month. Yeah, yeah, its done. Another man answered him wretchedly, Brother, you can go first. Enjoy yourself, Ill record it for you. She is quite an exotic one. She has beautiful skin. Eliza felt a chill down her spine. When she heard the approaching footsteps, she struggled backward in avoidance. All of a sudden, someone grabbed her ankle and pulled it hard. She screamed as she was pulled underneath a man. After that, a nose and mouth got close to her. That man took a deep breath, inhaling her sweet scent. Eliza was greatly disgusted, she shouted as she struggled. "Stay away from me! You scum!" The man grinned and carelessly touched Eliza''s face, moving along her tender neck to her corbone, then straight to her chest... Eliza felt goosebumps all over her body. She could not see anything at all, and that made her even more terrified. Amidst the chaos, she bent her knees and pushed the man in front of her away. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She turned over, trying her best to crawl away. The man was hurt, but only momentarily. He cursed and grabbed Elizas ankles once more. After he pulled her over, and directly pressed down on her back. His dirty hands wandered down her waist. After that, he started to take off his belt! Eliza was so scared that tears streamed down her face. She screamed and struggled desperately, but her hands and legs were all tied up. Her struggles were futile, and she could not do anything significant at all. Get the camera closer, and take a closer shot of her body. Once I am done, I want to sell this video on the Inte! Camera... These two were scums that did not have a bottom line, they actually wanted to record the whole process! "No! Let me go!" Eliza shouted desperately. She was so ashamed and angry that she wanted to die. It was better to die than be defiled by a strange man and have the whole process recorded. The man had finished undoing his belt. He then realized that her ankles were tied up by the rope, and he could not take off her pants. He cursed and pressed down on her slender legs while he tried to untie the rope around her ankles. As soon as he released the rope, Eliza seized the opportunity and kicked him away. As she struggled, her hands were also loosened. Fortunately, she got rid of the rope. She did not have time to untie the ck cloth around her eyes, so she scrambled forward with her hands and feet. She was just a woman, how could she win against a desperado like him? The next second, her hair was yanked back by the man with such vicious strength that he almost tore off her scalp. Eliza screamed out in pain. She was like a fish out of water, flopping aimlessly as death stared it in the face. With her hair being tugged, she was thrown towards the wall hard. Her head mmed against the wall, and she felt dizzinesse upon her. The man cursed vulgarly. Since he was enraged, hepletely lost his conscience. He continued to grab Eliza''s hair, he raised his hand and gave her another p in the face. The p almost made her faint. She heard a ringing in her ears, and she had no strength left to resist. The man grabbed her and threw her on the ground. After that, he reached out to unbutton her pants. Chapter 23 Do You Agree? Chapter 23 Do You Agree? After being beaten up so badly, Elizas mind went nk. She knew, without a doubt, what was going to This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. happen next, but she did not have any strength left to move. Despair continued to rise in her heart. What should she do? Who was going to save her As she was in a trance, she thought she heard the sounds of fists colliding against flesh and fighting. The dirtbag that was on her did not take any further action. What what just happened? She did not have any time to think when suddenly, the cloth that was covering her eyes was ripped off. The sudden lights made it impossible for her to open her eyes. Within the hazy lights and shadows, Tanners appeared before her eyes Tanner? Elizas mind was still in a mess, and she muttered in a daze. Why was he here? Was this an illusion? Tanner looked at her face which was covered in red welts and full of confusion. He knew that she mustve been scared out of her wits. Those b*stards! They deserved to die! He suppressed the fury in his heart and pinched her chin so that he could raise her head to look into his eyes. Even though he had already tried his best to restrain himself, he still caused some pain to her. It was that sh of sharp pain that woke Eliza up. It was not an illusion at all Tanner had saved her! Before she could even express her gratitude, she heard his attractive voice say, Eliza, this is yourst chance. Marry me, and I will settle everything for you. Otherwise I cant guarantee whether something like this will happen again or not. "I am not sure whether I cane again or not next time." Tanner''s eyes and brows were as sharp as swords, piercing through her soul. She knew that Michael would not give up so easily too. But Tanners powers were not something to be need to worry about promises, and she no longer had to go back to her home too However, what about Raelyn? Tanner was supposed to be her future brother-inw. She was already very sorry for what happenedst time. She did not care if her stepfatherspany would go bankrupt or not, but she could not treat her sister like that. Brother-inw, thank you for saving me, but I really cant promise you Eliza felt the strength of his hands getting heavier and heavier, and her eyes were welling with tears from the pain. She wanted to speak, but she did not have the strength left anymore. What did you just call me? It was the same deep voice, but it was very cold. Tanner did not expect her to already identify him as her brother-inw. Since bribing her would not work, he wouldnt mind threatening her. Do you think this is over? Tanner spoke word by word, his tone was hard and cold, I have only subdued them, I havent done anything to them yet. If I leave now, what do you think they will do to you? Elizas vision was blocked by his tall and straight figure, so she could not see anything at all. She widened her eyes in disbelief. Tanners words made her feel as if she was she was facing an abyss. She thought that she had already escaped danger, but who would have thought Tanner looked at the panic in her eyes with satisfaction. Herrge eyes were filled with tears, and he wanted nothing more than to take her home and take good care of her. However, this girl was always rejecting him, so he needed to teach her a good lesson. If you are still going to keep quiet, then I will leave. Eliza was still thinking about it, but Tanner had already made up his mind. He clenched her chin and said that he was ready to leave. She did not have any time left to think about it. She was absolutely unwilling to be tarnished by these scums, much less follow Michaels wishes. She could only grasp onto herst hope. Eliza grabbed his sleeve in a hurry and said carefully, Take me away She was so anxious that her eyes turned red, and her pitiful look pleased him. Tanner bent down a little, and the corners of his mouth turned into a curve, he smiled, Does this mean that you agree? Eliza frantically nodded. This little gesture boosted his mood immensely. He picked her up, buried her face in his chest, and strode away with his men. Chapter 24 An Illusion? Chapter 24 An Illusion? There were bloodstains on the ground of the woods, and the faint smell of blood could be detected in the air. How could anyone who dared to touch his woman still be alive? Eliza was a pure person, her reputation should not be stained like that. Everything happened all too quickly. By the time Eliza fully came back to her senses, she was already in Tanners embrace. She could hear his sturdy heartbeat and feel his warmth too. Tanner He seemed to have the magical ability to make her rx. She felt as if she was truly safe now. But... her sister... The moment she thought of her sister, Eliza felt a sense of guilt. She had lived with the Stone family for so many years. Even though she was not on good terms with Marco, and her mother would sometimes gossip behind her back, her sister had never done anything wrong to her. They were sisters who grew up together, and even though they were not rted by blood, they were as close as real sisters. Yet now, she She raised her head and looked at the man in the suit in front of her, she had known him since she was young. In her impression, he liked her sister. She did not know why he wanted to marry her so badly? It seemed like Elizas gaze revealed all her doubts, and Tanner lowered his head to nce at her as if he had sensed something. She was startled, and it felt like she had done something wrong. She lowered her head once more. It seemed like he was smiling. Was it her imagination? An illusion? They got in the car, but they did not say anything along the way. Tanner took her to a vi in the outskirts of the city that he prepared two years ago. Even though the house had been empty for two years, the butler had taken very good care of it. The bedroom was filled with the faint scent ofvender all year round. The living room was spacious and bright, and the flowers that were in the courtyard were blooming brightly. When the vi was first being designed, Tanner had deliberately made it a warm and cozy ce. It did not have too many magnificent decorations, and everything was simple and minimalistic. This was because he was going to give Eliza the house as a gift. He knew that one day, the owner of this vi would arrive. The driver parked the car at the entrance. At that moment, it was already dusk, and a soft sunset glow shone on the vi. Eliza was sure that she had never been there before. It was too beautiful. It was unlike the magnificent Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. vis that she had seen before. It looked like a real home. It was warm and soft, much like a beautiful dream. Do you like it? She did not know when, but Tanner had walked up to her side. His hand naturally wrapped around her waist as he leaned over and whispered in her ear. His voice was heavy, and it was enough to captivate her. Yes, Eliza replied subconsciously. There was a sense of joy in her heart that she did not even realize, and the corners of her mouth were slightly raised. Eliza turned around to look at the man who was beside her, but she unexpectedly saw a pair of tender and deep eyes staring at her. It felt like she was waking up from a dream, Eliza suddenly pushed the man away from her. There wasnt too much distance between them, and she could feel his hot breath. No, that wont do. Even though she had promised to marry him, she still thought that there should be some distance between them. She had thought of him as her brother-inw for so many years. It was difficult for her to take all of this change in so quickly. She tried to resist subconsciously, and that angered Tanner. Even though she had already epted his proposal, even though they had been intimate, she was still the same. It seemed like he still needed to do more. Tanner tidied up his clothes before turning back to how he usually was. He spoke coldly, Lets go inside. After that, he strode in with his long legs. Chapter 25 A Feeling of Home Chapter 25 A Feeling of Home Eliza, who had been left behind, was at a loss once more. She knew that she would absolutely not go back to the Stone family. Her stepfather would definitely sell her out to Michael for hispany. Not only would that make her mother sad, but it would also even make things difficult for her. Gracelynns house was a mess too, she could not continue to bother her anymore However, the scene in front of her She was fascinated by all of it. The house gave her a feeling of home. The fragrance of flowers in the yard wafted into her nostrils from time to time, and it lured her forward. She could already imagine what the house looked like inside. But, if she moved in, it meant that she would have to live with Tanner. When she thought of the life that she was going to have, she felt that something was off She sighed secretly. She had a feeling that she was walking into a tigers den right after escaping from the mouth of a wolf Whatever! At worst, she would keep a distance from him, and they would not have anything to do with each other. Besides, this was not the worst-case scenario. After all, he had brought her here already. She could just run away any time if she wanted, right? Eliza gritted her teeth and slowly walked forward. The distance from the entrance to the main room was less than a hundred meters. It was surrounded by flowers and green grass. From the outside, she could see flowers everywhere, there was no need for those flowers topete for beauty, and there was no need for sparse appreciation. When she got closer, she could see the barely visible path that led to every corner of the sea of flowers. These paths were varied, some were wide, others were narrow. Some were straight, while others were meandering. They looked messy yet natural. This ce Someone must have taken really good care of it. The mans shadow in front of her stretched very long. At that moment, in that scene, he no longer seemed to be such a cold person, he even seemed to be a little lonely. Eliza had to admit that Tanner was a perfect man, he was outstanding in all aspects. However, she still Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. remembered her sister telling her that Tanner was not someone who was easy to get along with and that it would be best to not have anything to do with him. In truth, she was a little bit scared of him too. Upon going deeper into her thoughts, it seemed like Tanner was someone who actually scared her. "Wee, Mrs. Deleon!" As Eliza was still deep in her thoughts, that sudden movement scared her. She had already subconsciously walked to the front of the house. The servants that stood in front of her all bowed down to greet her. At first, she wanted to refute and say that she was not the owner of this house, but after remembering that she had agreed to marry Tanner, she did not refute. She could only purse her lips. At that moment, a woman walked out from behind the crowd. She had a kind face with a poised Hello, Mrs. Deleon, I am Ms. Bell, the person in charge here. In the future, if you ever need anything, feel free to look for me. Mr. Deleon has already asked me to prepare some medicine for you. Please follow me to the room to apply some medicine. "Oh... okay." Perhaps too many things had happened that day. Even then, she was still a little bit confused. She followed Ms. Bell into the house. Along the way, Eliza listened as Ms. Bell spoke about theyout of the house, giving her a tour. On the first floor, there was the kitchen, an indoor swimming pool, a storage room, a dining room. On the second floor were the master''s bedroom and guest rooms. Eliza followed her quietly from behind as she continued to look around the vi. It was a really warm home, even theyout there was simple. She followed her to the second floor and walked into the bedroom. There was a big floor-to-ceiling window in the master bedroom, and the outside scenery could be seen. The furniture inside was mainly amber-colored, which was the warm shade she liked. The faint fragrance ofvender added some charm to the bedroom too. However... the moment she saw herself in the mirror, Eliza could not stand it anymore. The bruise on her face was so obvious that she felt so embarrassed. That was what everyone saw On second thought, no one showed any strange expressions just now, which was enough to show that the Deleon family... was indeed different. Chapter 26 Unexpectedly Harmonious Chapter 26 Unexpectedly Harmonious Ms. Bell brought over a tray and helped her apply some ointment on her wounds. Her touch was gentle yet skilled. She applied the ointment on her face softly, making it feel cool andfortable. Eliza looked at Ms. Bell, and suddenly thought of something, then she asked her, Aunt Bell, are you the one who nted the flowers outside the house? Ms. Bell smiled kindly and said, Mrs. Deleon, why would you think that I am the one who nted it? Because I think you are a delicate woman. Only a delicate person like you can nt such flowers. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Eliza was a clothes designer, she was very sensitive to color. The reason why that garden of flowers was so beautiful was because of its perfect unison of different hues. This was an important factor, and only a thoughtful and careful person could have that attention to detail. Mrs. Deleon, you are indeed a smart person. The flowers outside were nted specifically for you. Im d that you like them. The flowers were nted specifically for her? Or rather it should have been for her sister, right? They must not be aware of theplicated rtionship between her and Tanner. They mustve blindly assumed that she was the person he liked Ms. Bell could sense that Elizas mood was a little low, and she quickly finished her work. Mrs. Deleon, are you tired? You should rest in your room first, dinner will be ready soon. "Okay." Upon receiving Elizas response, Ms. Bell packed up her tray and left. What was she thinking Nothing here belonged to her. However she really liked it. Even though this was a strange ce, it gave her a feeling of home. She was in a daze for a little while. After that, Eliza heard the sounds of a maid knocking on the door. "Mrs. Deleon, dinner is ready." "Okay." She patted herself on her forehead. "Eliza, wake up!" After sorting out her emotions, she went downstairs. The maid pulled out a chair for her to sit down. Tanner had not arrived yet. This was his home, so she thought that she should wait for him. The dishes on the table looked scrumptious, and she had not eaten anything for the whole day. She was so hungry After waiting for some time, Tanner still did note down. The fragrance in the room was teasing her taste buds, but she could keep ncing at the stairs She continued to wait, until finally! She heard his calm footsteps, and she quickly gathered up her emotions and sat upright. Tanner came down from the first floor, he saw her sitting there carefully. She did not look at him, nor had she eaten. Naturally, he sat down next to her. Whats wrong? Is the food not to your liking? He spoke in a steady and hard tone. When Eliza saw him sitting next to her, she felt nervous for no reason. Thats not it, Eliza spoke in a low and soft voice, but he could hear it clearly. Then, were you waiting for me? Tanner was sitting upright, with his hands supporting his chin. He tilted his head slightly to look at her, waiting for her reply. Eliza looked at his perfect face, and was left speechless for a while. Wait, why was she sitting here but not eating? She suddenly felt an ambiguous affection rising. Tanner could tell that she was at a loss, and he probably had an answer in his heart. His icy-cold countenance softened slightly. Since she was waiting for him to eat, then he decided to forgive her for her previous actions. Lets eat. Without waiting for her to speak, Tanner immediately started to eat. How perfect... She could not think of what to say, so she only followed his words and started to eat. This was the first time that the two of them were eating together with no one else around. However, Eliza felt uneasy due to her hunger. Tanner intentionally wanted her to stay closer to him, and that meal went unexpectedly harmonious. Chapter 27 Educating My Little Wife Chapter 27 Educating My Little Wife After they finished their dinner, Eliza wanted to ask him which guest room she was supposed to sleep in. "Brother-inw Eliza said. Tanner nced at her coldly, causing Eliza to be so frightened that she immediately swallowed back her words. Right she should not call him that. She remembered thest time she called him that, her cheeks were pinched hard. Even until now, she could still feel the dull pain. However, even if she wanted to change her address towards him, she did not know what to call him Tanner? He might not agree to that too. Hubby It gave her a chill, how could she say that! This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. In that instance, countless words appeared in Elizas mind. She wanted to scream in frustration. Hubby? Tanner would definitely not want to hear that. He could ept it, but she would definitely not be able to shout it out Tanner looked at the conflicted emotions on her face, and he felt even more dissatisfied. This girl was really heartless, she always pushed him to her sister in the past. Now, she was unwilling to change the way she called him! If things were really so difficult for her, then he would personally teach her. He stretched out his long arms and held her tightly in them. Unexpectedly, Eliza fell into his arms. The moment she turned her head to look, she saw his handsome face, and then, she got nervous again. Whats wrong? You grew up with her. Hasnt she ever taught you how to address your husband? Tanners lips curled up a little as he mocked her. He wanted to bind her to him and not give her a chance to escape. Eliza knew he was referring to her sister who was currently abroad. Whenever her sister was mentioned, she would always feel guilty. How could he mention her so casually, and in such a tone too! Mr. Deleon! You are talking about my beloved sister Dont you like her? How could you How could he say that in such a tone! She did not want to talk to him anymore, the anger and guilt making her feel very ufortable. At that moment, she did not want to see him! Eliza started to struggle, but he had grabbed her hands firmly, and she could not move at all! She seemed angry. From her aggrieved look, it seemed like she was trying to be strong, yet she looked like she wanted to cry. Didnt she know that this would arouse a mans desires? The next second, Tanner kissed her fiercely, stealing her breath away, and forcing her tongue to dance with his. Tanners kiss was a lot more passionate than his temperament. Eliza did not have much experience in kissing, so she could not do anything. She could only let him do what he wanted. His deep kiss made her gasp for air. In the end, she copsed in his arms, lightheaded. After the kiss, Eliza started to take in big breaths of fresh air. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her cheeks had turned red from theck of oxygen, even her lips were red and swollen. She looked even more charming. Due to theck of oxygen, she could not see the deep feelings in Tanners eyes. She actually imed that he liked Raelyn? The whole world could say that, and he would not bother to exin, however, Eliza could not do that! At first, he was a little angry, but after the kiss, he was a lot more pleasant. Her shy look pleased him. He could not help but kiss her once more. However, Eliza was suddenly on edge. She leaped out of his arms as if she was escaping from prison. She seemed ashamed and angry. It seemed like he needed to educate her more if he wanted her to be obedient. Besides, he was not in a rush. He had plenty of time. Chapter 28 Washing Away His Scent Chapter 28 Washing Away His Scent Eliza was still in a daze. She insisted on keeping a safe distance from him. She watched him vigntly as he tidied his clothes and got up. All of a sudden, Tanner stopped at the stairs. Aunt Bell will take you to your room. That will be your bedroom. He nced at her lightly before he went upstairs. He had reverted to his cold and usual self. Eliza did not rx until he truly left. Her legs went soft, and she sat on the ground. How did he know what she wanted to say She could not care that much about anything anymore. The only thing she wanted to do was take a good bath so that she could wash off his scent that was on her! Eliza thought that Tanners temperament was strong in the past, and that it was difficult to approach him. She did not expect him to be someone like this. What a loser! When she reached her bedroom, the moonlight was already shining through the windows, and the scenery outside the windows was different. The night scenery was so beautiful that she could not bear to turn on the lights. It was as if she feared that she would disturb the moon. Everything in the room was illuminated by the moonlight. By the time she went upstairs, Ms. Bell came to tell her that during dinner, she had already sent some new sets of clothes to her bedroom. With the spectacr moonlight as her guide, she picked up a nightdress from the closet. It was made of pure cotton, so it was super soft. The beauty of the moonlight made her temporarily forget the unpleasantness of what happened earlier. She went and took a nice bath. The fragrance ofvender in the house helped her fall asleep. When it was nearly dawn, Tanner came to the door of her room. He tested the doorknob and, indeed, it was locked from the inside. But this was his home... He had the keys. He entered her room slowly. He saw the woman on the bed sleeping soundly, the wounds on her face had almost disappeared. She looked as beautiful as a painting under the dim light. He caressed her cheek with his big hand. That day, he nearly went abroad to visit Raelyn He was so close to going. And Eliza was almost badly hurt. Before they had dinner, he had been investigating the matter in the study room. He knew that Michael was the one behind it. Since he dared to target her, then he should be prepared to face the consequences. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Even so, he had no intentions of pushing him too hard. As long as he agreed to a divorce, suppressing hispany was good enough. He gently climbed onto her bed and pulled his little wife into his embrace. After that, Tanner fell asleep with a sigh of contentment. However, on that night, someone was bound to not get any sleep. Just as Michael was still whispering sweet words to his lover, he suddenly received a phone call. Someone told him that Tanner had secretly purchased the shares of plenty of his shareholders at a high price. As of that moment, the shares in Tanners hands might already exceed 50%... This meant that Tanner had be thergest shareholder of hispany. Michael was not stupid. He knew why Tanner would do that. It was because of that b*tch, Eliza! She made him waste a whole year for nothing. Now, he had even provoked Tanner! What was even more amusing was that Tanners men were the ones to inform him about the acquisition. Tanner had someone deliver a message to him. "Tomorrow, bring the divorce papers with you and go through the divorce honestly. Don''t y any tricks. Otherwise, the Francis family''spany may have a new owner." Eliza, how dare she! She thought that she could reap benefits from Tanner! Even though he could not do anything to her now, there was no telling what would happen in the future! Just wait and see! Chapter 29 Sleeping in the Same Bed Again Chapter 29 Sleeping in the Same Bed Again The next morning, the sun was shining brightly. Eliza slept soundly the night before. Usually, she would be very cautious around the Stone family, and she could never sleep peacefully. Perhaps the sheets on the big bed were toofortable. She could tell that it was of high quality as it was so soft and warm. She rubbed her little face on the slips of the bed sheets. It felt sofortable. She wanted to sleep for a little while longer "Good morning." The mans voice was neither soft nor loud. There was a hoarse charm in his voice. Was this Tanners voice? This must be an illusion Tanner looked at the dazed and silly look of this woman who did not want to get up, and he wanted to tease her. He pinched her cheek. Hmm... It was softer than he had imagined, and it felt good. She could feel something touching her face, and Eliza opened her eyes reluctantly. Uh It seemed like it really was Tanner. She saw his deep eyes, tall nose bridge, sexy thin lips, sharp jaw, and a smile on his handsome face; all of which were highlighted by the morning sunshine sneaking in through the window. Everything looked perfect. However A thought suddenly popped up in Elizas mind, Why is he here! Eliza was instantly awake. She was too careless. This was Tanners house. It was impossible he did not have the keys to the room It was another morning, and she was sharing the bed with him again. This same situation reminded her of that that embarrassing morning not long ago! Eliza was very ashamed of his behavior of climbing into her bed in the middle of the night, so she immediately moved aside to keep a certain distance from him. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Mr. Deleon, this is my bedroom, please leave. Eliza''s expressions were solemn. Her tone was cold. The night before this, she slept soundly in his arms. When he saw how soundly she was sleeping, he couldnt bear to disturb her beautiful slumber. The feeling of not being able to have her even when she was in arms reach was very ufortable. His desires were not met, and they were already burning. Seeing her cold and indifferent look It immediately destroyed his good mood early in the morning. If she wanted to escape from him again, she would have to get his consent. She did not know how to act like a wife at all! He got up a little bit and inched closer to her slowly. When he saw that she was trying to retreat, he ced his long arms behind her so that she could not move backward. He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. Are you going to pretend like you dont know me again? You were the one who took the initiativest night. His gaze was burning hot. It was so bright that it made Elizas hair stand on end After he said that, he rubbed himself against her neck to smell her fragrance. They were very close to each other, and the temperature between them suddenly rose Eliza was pulled into his embrace. She disliked such an ambiguous distance. She tried her best to push him away, and she subconsciously raised her arm to p him. The moment she raised her delicate hand, she sensed a wave of danger from him. She could actually see a storm brewing in his deep eyes. Eliza immediately lost all courage, and she froze. However, she got what she wanted from her actions. Tanner let go of her. Her body suddenly was free, and Eliza realized that her heart was beating fast. He was just too scary moments ago. She heard him m the door after he left. Eliza was still frozen in her spot, while her mind repeated the words he said before he left. Later, well go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to finish the procedures. Were her dark daysing? She was going to marry this capricious man to be her sisters substitute. She had not even divorced that jerk yet Eliza shook her head irritably. She had way too many troubles on her mind. After Tanner left, Eliza slowly sat up. The flowers outside her window were still blooming. They looked extremely beautiful. However, for some reason, she felt as if something was off... There seemed to be some warmth left behind on her neck. When she thought of what he said, she felt that he was implying something... Perhaps the previous night, she slept so well that she moved about in his embrace! She stared outside through the windows for a while. After that, a maid knocked on the door and invited her down for breakfast. She quickly washed herself up and picked out a light yellow dress from the closet. There were way too many things on her mind, and she was already a little tired. Bright-colored clothes were too beautiful, and dark-colored clothes would make her look like she was out of energy. This dress was perfect. The style was appropriate, and it made her look petite and lovely. It was gettingte. She had already taken a few consecutive days off of work. She had to go to work... By the time she went downstairs, she saw Ms. Bell arranging the tableware for her. "Aunt Bell, you don''t need to trouble yourself. I am in a hurry to go to work, so I can only eat a little." Good morning, Mrs. Deleon. After Ms. Bell finished her work, she turned around and greeted Eliza who was walking towards her. Mr. Deleon asked me to tell you that there is no need to go to work today. Someone wille to pick you upter. Remember to bring your documents. So, you can enjoy yourself and take your time eating. As she said that, she helped Eliza pull out a chair. She almost forgot Tanner asked her to settle the marriage formalities with him. "Today''s breakfast is toast and pancakes. Please enjoy, Mrs. Deleon." In front of her was an elegant set of porcin tableware. Ms. Bell removed the cloche covering the food, and the fragrance of the food permeated the room. The delicious breakfast and warm sunshine indicated that it should be a good morning. So, she should not think about those troubling things anymore. She should just let things be After she finished having breakfast, the driver who was sent to pick her up arrived as well. She packed up her things and got in the car. After that, they drove away. Eliza received a call from Michael while she was in the car. Come to the Civil Affairs Bureau. Well get divorced. Michael got straight to the point, but his voice was a little weak. Eliza was afraid that he was plotting something again, so she kept silent. Michael, who was on the other end, could not take it anymore. I agree to the divorce, Eliza. Well done, you win. You actually got Mr. Deleon to stand up for you, Michael said through gritted teeth. So it seemed that Tanner had already made the necessary arrangements Since he had already stepped up for her, then Michael would not make any small moves anymore. I am already on my way there. Bye. Eliza did not want to talk to that cheating homosexual scumbag anymore. Besides, he even used a lot of despicable tricks against her, so she hung up the phone without hesitation. Upon hearing the beeps of an ended call, Michaels face turned grim. He had nned this for such a long time, and yet it ended just like that. He was very unwilling to admit defeat. When they arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Michael was already waiting there. When she saw his humble gentlemanly appearance, Eliza did not hide the mockery in her eyes at all. Under Tanners pressure, Michael only dared to mock her on the phone. Face to face, he dared not act arrogantly in front of her. He could only put on a smile and act nice to her. Lets go. Eliza did not look at him and just went in first. She did not want to stay near a man like that for even one second. The thought of it made her skin crawl Michael followed from behind. He wanted to maintain his image in front of the public. So, he suppressed his anger and behaved like a gentleman of the upper ss. Finally! She could get rid of this hypocritical scumbag. Eliza secretly heaved a sigh of relief. The two of them could finally dismiss this farce of a marriage. When Eliza returned to the car, Tanner was already inside. Is it done? His charming voicecked warmth. Yes. Because of what happened that morning, Eliza turned very timid and dared not look at him at all. Then, lets settle our business. When Michael returned to hispany, he found out that Tanner had already sold all of his shares at a low price, and the Francis familys stocks had hit rock bottom. Eliza, I wont let you off so easily! Michael gnashed his teeth in anger. Chapter 30 He Likes Her Sister Chapter 30 He Likes Her Sister Tanner ordered the driver to drive the car back to the vi located in the outskirts of the city. She could not evade the unavoidable. Looking at the marriage certificate in her hands, Eliza was at a loss. Just like that, the cold and lonely man beside her had be her husband. Even though he had emphasized that he would be responsible for her in this marriage, she still felt greatly ufortable. Perhaps it was due to the fact that her sister was not in good health, and that she often lived abroad, that he wanted to find someone to rece her However, what kind of position did she hold! She might just be a substitute But legally, she was his wife. Or rather, maybe he took her as her sister. Her sister liked him so much. If she knew about this, Eliza could not imagine what would happen to her Eliza felt anxious. She frowned. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Tanner, on the other hand, was still as serious as ever. In reality, deep down, he was ted. After so many twists and turns, she was finally his. It was precisely because of this joy in his heart that Tanner did not notice Elizas expression turning darker and darker. They did not say anything to each other at all. After returning to the vi, they got out of the car. Tanner personally opened the car door for her, and told her to stand beside him. After that, he wrapped hisrge arm around her waist, and he used his other hand to take the marriage certificate from her hands. Ill help you keep this. There was not a hint of indifference or sarcasm. He spoke in a normal tone, and his lips were slightly curved upwards. It showed that he was in a good mood. As Eliza looked at the document, she felt a little annoyed. She was so stressed that she could not say anything at all. She could only nod casually. Tanner thought that she was just too tired, so he did not think much of it. He carried her into the house and told her to rest at home. After that, he returned to the study room and started to deal with the Eliza looked around. All of this was supposed to be her sisters. She did not belong there. At that moment, Eliza felt like a wild bird that had upied another birds nest. Now, she did not even know how to face her sister When it was lunchtime, Tanner was busy with work, so he did not go downstairs. However, he wanted Eliza to send him lunch. Mrs. Deleon, Mr. Deleon does not want us to disturb him when he is working. He asked for you to deliver his lunch personally to himter. There is no need to wait. I will send it to him now, Eliza spoke in a calm voice, her expression indifferent and distant. The servants brought over another te of food, and Eliza epted it. She turned around and went upstairs. It was not too far away, but it took her a long time to walk there. She knocked on the door and entered. Tanner was handlingpany affairs in front of theputer. The suit jacket was casuallyid on the back of the chair, and his handsome face had a serious expression. Tanner was greatly different from how he usually was. However, Eliza was not in the mood to see how different he was. She just wanted to leave as soon as possible, as the air there was making her feel suffocated. Youve sent it here so soon? Havent you eaten? Eliza ced the food beside him. As Tanner spoke, his gaze was still fixed onpany documents. Eliza did not speak. She turned around and was about to leave. Tanner stretched out his long arm and pulled her back. Whats wrong, are you in a bad mood? He could tell from her expressions that her thoughts were serious, but she stayed silent, lowering her head and not looking at him. Tanner exerted his strength, which Eliza tried her best to resist, but she could not defeat him. She was slowly pulled into his arms. Even so, she still continued to keep her head down, frowning. Tanner grabbed her chin and forced her to raise her head. Shall we eat together? Tanner looked at her intently, but her red lips were tightly shut, and she did not respond at all. He was suddenly confused. "Whats wrong?" Eliza watched his face gradually turn cold. She dared not stay any longer. As long as he was around, she would feel unsettled. Tanner did not exert any strength, and she forcefully pulled away from him. As he watched her run out in a hurry, Tanner did not know what he had done wrong to make her resist so much. Eliza rushed downstairs. Only after she left him, did she feel like she was regaining her sanity. She took a deep breath. The aroma of the dishes were still there, and the food was still warm too. However, she was not in the mood to eat anymore. Back when they were alone, she realized just how much she did not want to be with him. She walked around in the courtyard alone, thinking about nothing and everything. She was so very confused. She could see the beautiful flowers everywhere, but she could not see her future. The originally beautiful ce seemed to have turned into a prison. On that sunny afternoon, she continued to walk in the yard. She did not want to see him, for he would remind her of her sister. It would make her feel ufortable At night, Tanner came downstairs and saw that the dishes were already ced on the table, but Eliza was nowhere to be seen. He looked out of the window. Sure enough, she was still there. She seemed to like the bed of flowers a lot. Whenever she had anything on her mind, she would go there to spend her time. However, when it came to the reasons for her troubled mind, he only knew a little of it. He did not fully understand her. Beauty and warmth were one thing, but she wanted to avoid him, and he did not know why. He had always liked to take the initiative. The same could be said when it came to rtionships. Dusk arrived, and Eliza had been in a daze for a whole day. She did not eat anything. It was not until the breeze blew and made her shiver that she came back to her senses. She sighed and returned to her room. There was food in the kitchen, kept warm for her, but she only ate a little. Tanner continued to wait for her in her room. He had prepared all of this for her. He did not know why she was dissatisfied. He looked at her unhappy face, and he felt a little bit angry too. It seemed that he had been treating her a little too well recently. She was so used to it that she did not think much of it! Eliza returned to the bedroom and she saw him sitting on the sofa She saw the coldness in his eyes, and felt that the temperature around her immediately dropped. She mustered up her courage and took the initiative to speak. What is it? She pursed her lips slightly to reveal her inner nervousness. You are my wife, I dont need to remind you of that fact. Tanners gloomy tone and dangerous countenance were like the calm before a storm. As of that moment, he was like an enraged beast. Elizas heart skipped a beat. I know. She pretended to be calm. So, as my wife, what should you do? He stood up and walked towards her. She wanted to run, but her legs seemed to be pinned to the floor. She could only watch him get closer and closer to her Tanner stretched out his hands, then forcefully trapped her in his embrace. His gaze was vicious. If you dont know what a couple should do, I will teach you. His voice was charming yet dangerous. Tanner gently nibbled on her earlobes, and hisrge hands caressed her waist. His thin lips fell from her ears to her neck. He treated her as if they were a pair of intimate lovers. Eliza''s entire body was tensed up. She even trembled a little. When he acted that way, it made her scared. The same could be said for the previous night. As expected, he was Tanner Deleon. He did not need to consider anyone''s feelings. So why would he ever consider her feelings... Chapter 31 Honeymoon Chapter 31 Honeymoon There were mixed feelings in Elizas heart. She could not stand him at all. Why must he force her?! "Tanner, you can''t do this to me." Her voice was trembling, but that only excited him even further. Nothing is impossible. Tanners voice was hoarse, his breathing gradually turned heavier. Eliza still wanted to say something else, but he did not want to hear it anymore. He kissed her passionately to seal her lips. He left her no chance to refuse. He held her in his arms and took her to the bed, his long legs leading the way. He then ced her on the bed and leaned forward once more. But, after that, he stopped. That was because he saw how red Elizas eyes were. There was grievance and anger in her eyes. "Tanner, I hate you!" She said. When she said that, Elizas eyes were filled with disgust. That sentence was so harsh too! He finallypromised. Eliza was his weakness, so her disgust towards him hurt him. He slowly let her go, and then, he turned around and went into the bathroom. That night, Eliza sat on the sofa in the living room. She did not sleep for the entire night. The other person who did not sleep was Tanner. He sat in the study room. For the next few days, there was almost zeromunication between the two of them. Eliza felt a pang of unexinable guilt which made her feel more and more reluctant to be with him. Tanner had thoughts about easing the tension between them. However, he did not want to make her cry again. One day, Tanner went on a business trip. He wanted to tell her about it himself. However, that day, Eliza had left early. Sometimes he even wondered if she stayed out for an entire night. A maid helped him pack the clothes for his business trip. Before he left, he asked Ms. Bell to tell Eliza that he would not be around and that she needed to take care of herself. After she finished working for an entire day, Eliza came back. She had thought about running away. But, no matter what, she knew that she could not escape. Tanner was too powerful and influential. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Running away would just be a boring game of cat and mice to him. It would be meaningless. It was already dark, and she needed to face him again. She entered the house, and Ms. Bell was waiting for her. To avoid Tanner, she had been eating outside for the past few days. At this point, logically speaking, they should already have left her alone and returned to their own rooms. "Aunt Bell, what happened?" Eliza had a good impression of her. When she saw her abnormal behavior, she became worried. Mr. Deleon has asked me to tell you that he will be going on a business trip and will be away for a few days. He told me to let you know that you should take good care of yourself. It is gettingte, and you should rest earlier. After Aunt Bell finished conveying the message, she left. He left for a business trip? Her eyes suddenly lit up. For the past few days, in order to avoid him, she tortured herself by leaving early anding backte. She was extremely tired. After learning that he left for a business trip, she finally rxed a little. Finally! Thank the stars! She could finally have a good sleep! Tanner went on a trip to discuss business with a friend. Because of their good rtionship, both sides signed the contract in no time. After the business dealings were done, the other party offered to take him around the city for some sightseeing. We have not seen each other for so many years. How have you been? His friends name was Corey Shaw. He was handsome and a bit of a ruffian. Tanner, on the other hand, was cold and hard. When they were together, one was lively while the other person was indifferent. It made them look like an unexpectedly good-looking pair. I am married. Tanner hesitated for some time before he finally shared the news in a calm voice. Wow, this is such big news! Why havent I ever heard anything about it? Corey spoke with a smile on his face, Tell me, which beauty caught your heart, Mr. Deleon? He raised his eyebrows and smirked. Tanner was already used to his behavior, so he was no longer surprised by him. If I didnt make it public, its because I have my reasons. Tanner had a lot of friends, but he only treated Corey with some level of enthusiasm. Perhaps this was the bond between the two of them. Recalling his recent interactions with Eliza, Tanners cold and stiff expressions softened a little. It seems like you are not getting along too well with my sister-inw? Ha, I knew that being too cold wouldnt work. What about it, do you need me to teach you a thing or two? Corey smiled cheekily and ced his arms around Tanners shoulder, his eyes filled with a hint of teasing. What sister-inw? Dont call her that. Tanner rolled his eyes at him in an indiscernible manner. He paused for a while, cleared his throat, and spoke in an unnatural voice, Come on then, tell me your tricks! Corey nced at him in disgust. Whatever Since Tanner had some problems in his rtionship, he would not take it to heart. "Aren''t you two newlyweds? Havent you thought about taking her on a trip? Have you heard of going on a honeymoon? You know, sunshine, beach, surfing, and bikini babes..." Corey spoke his mind, and Tanner gave him a cold look. He even interrupted him. What I mean is that you should take her out, bring her to a different environment. A rtionship only works well when it is fresh. Besides, if she is unfamiliar with the outside world, she can only rely on you. Listen to me, it cant go wrong! Corey smiled ambiguously and raised his eyebrows. Upon hearing that, Tanner narrowed his eyes. It seemed like he was considering it seriously. A honeymoon? Where? Even though he had a location in mind, he was still inexperienced when it came to matters of the heart. Ball Ind, of course! Theres sunshine, beaches Before Corey could finish speaking, Tanner gave him another cold look. "Youre pretending to be serious! Hmph..." This time Corey, actually took a hard punch! For a few days, Eliza was able to rx at home, which was rare for her. Since Tanner was not around, she work on her clothing design at home. She had to admit that the beautiful sea of flowers gave her lots of inspiration In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. Tanner had already booked his flight ticket, and he could not wait to go home. The morning Tanner returned, it was already bright. Eliza was sitting in the living room and eating quietly. Tanner opened the door, bringing in the chilliness of the early autumn morning with him. Three days of a business trip was enough buffer time for the two of them. By the time Tanner returned, Eliza had already calmed down. However, when she saw him, her heart still clenched. Tanner pretended as if nothing had happened. He sat beside her naturally. The servants immediately prepared breakfast for him. The two of them ate in tacit understanding. They did not speak at all. After the two of them finished eating, Tanner took the initiative to extend an invitation to her. I will bring you somewhere tomorrow. Dont worry, I have already helped you ask yourpany for leave. His words were forceful It did not sound like an invitation at all. Why? Eliza wanted to reject him. She still did not want to be alone with him. Do you think there is room for refusal? Tanner asked her in a deep voice. Eliza frowned. She was speechless. From her point of view, his words were like an imperial edict, and there was no room for resistance at all. Following that was another round of silence. After breakfast, Tanner asked Aunt Bell to help her pack. Eliza was a little depressed. It seemed that she was going on a long journey. Even if she was unwilling, there was nothing she could do. She knew that her resistance would not have much effect. It might even provoke him. Oh well It just so happened that she had not gone out to have fun in a long time too. So, she thought that she could take it as a way for her to rx. Chapter 32 The Journey Begins Chapter 32 The Journey Begins The night before their departure, as dusk fell... Tanner came to her door and raised his hand slightly, but he did not open the door. He heard from Ms. Bell that she had been very happy and in good spirits, even smiling at everyone. Now that he hade back, he was not sure whether she could even fall asleep or not. He must not scare her anymore He knew that Eliza still hadnt fully epted him. However, he had never doubted his own abilities. No matter how much she rejected him, he would still be able to conquer her eventually. He had full determination when it came to Eliza. In the room, Eliza was lying on the bed. She tossed and turned restlessly. She dared not tell anyone about her marriage to Tanner. During this period, she did not dare say much when she asionally contacted her mother. She only told her mother to take good care of herself before hanging up. Her mother was in a difficult situation in the Stone family. Eliza could not tell her that she had stolen her sister''s lover and Marco''s son-inw. As for Gracelynn She heard that she had caught her husband having an affair again. However, Eliza was in deep trouble herself too, so she had no time to take care of her. Indeed, all men were pigs, be it Michael or Tanner When she thought of Tanner, her heart started to beat faster. She did not know where he was going to take her She looked out the window. There were no stars in the sky. Even the moon was not visible. Eliza suddenly felt that she was one with the night It was all too dark! The next day, as the sun rose. The night before, Eliza slept poorly. She woke up early in the morning, her neck aching. She sat on the bed for some time before the maid knocked on the door to remind her to go down for breakfast. As she opened the door, she happened to see Tanner, who came out at the same time as her. "Did you have a good sleep?" He spoke with a hoarse voice, probably because he had just woken up. "Yes," Eliza answered perfunctorily as she massaged her neck. Tanners gaze, on the other hand, turned cold. A powerful pressure emanated from his body, and he made it impossible for her to ignore his existence. Eliza suddenly realized something, and she put her hands down guiltily. Tanner did not say anything else. He took the lead in walking downstairs. Eliza followed from behind, but she kept a measured distance between them. Because of that little interaction, the two of them did not say anything during breakfast. The servants helped them bring their luggage down, and they were about to leave. She followed Tanner to the backyard. Eliza had never been there before. Usually, she only wandered in the courtyard. Behind the vi was a forest with tall trees that blocked her sight. She could not see what was within. As she breathed in the fresh air of the forest, rays of sunlight pierced through the gaps that were between the leaves. The chirping of birds could be heard from time to time. The scene in front of her was like a dream, and the forest in the backyard was beautiful too. Through the woods, she saw arge open space behind. She saw a private ne. She did not know much about nes, so she did not know what model it was. She only knew that it looked a little smaller than a passenger ne. Tanner was born to a wealthy family, so it was not surprising that he had a private ne. However, even though she had lived there for a long time, she had never noticed it. She did not know whether he was good at hiding things, or if she was just too unfamiliar with this ce. The Deleon familys private ne was usually in the vi, and some specialists regrly maintained it. He helped her take a month of vacation. This was something he helped her with when he came back the day before. The roar of the ne was so loud that it was easily exposed. He did not tell her where they were going or what they were going to do there. He thought that she would take it as a honeymoon surprise. Eliza was a little curious. She had been thinking about this for a long time the night before, but she could not figure out where Tanner was taking her. A private jet? What was he up to Tanner stood at the entrance of the cabin, waiting for her. The sunlight shone on him, and he was bathed in so much sunshine that she could not open her eyes. After staying in the same spot for some time, she thought that she should still send Penelope and Gracelynn a text message. She informed them that she probably needed to leave for some time to find more inspiration. After that, she turned off her phone and walked towards him. By the time they boarded the ne, she could see that theyout inside was very luxurious. There were 10 seats in total, including single seats, a lengthened seat for many people, and even arge sofa bed. Food and drinks were all ready and avable on the ne. All of which had been carefully packed. The entire kitchen, bathroom, telephone, and desk could be used too. There was everything on the ne! Tanner walked up from behind and hugged her waist with one hand. Eliza was a little hesitant at such body contact. Before she could break free from him, she felt him exerting force, and her body was being controlled by the crook of his arms. When their eyes met, his gaze was sharp. She frowned slightly. She thought that she had no right to refuse his intimate actions, so she felt sad, but she did not resist. Seeing how well-behaved she was, Tanner brought her to her seat. To help her get used to him and not build up more resistance, he deliberately allowed her to sit on a single seat. After that, he used his phone to send a departure order for the pilot before turning off his phone. The two of them sat firmly in their seats, and the ne started to take off. The shaking during the process of the ne taking off made her unconsciously straighten her back. She looked out of the window, and the ne got farther and farther away from the ground. With that, she felt a little dizzy too. In truth, she was scared of heights Tanner flipped through the information he had brought with him. He looked like he was very focused. However, in reality, he did not read much. Eliza was sitting right next to him. So, from time to time, he could not help but look at her from the corner of his eye. He knew all too well just how nervous she was. He knew that she had a fear of heights. That was one of the reasons why he used a private ne, as it was morefortable and stable. However, it still seemed to be useless in the face of her fear. After the ne steadied, Eliza was still motionless. She remained glued to the chair in her original position. Tanner thought for a while, then he pulled her up from her seat. Elizas legs were a little weak. He increased his strength when he embraced her, just like when they got on the ne. Eliza looked at him as if she understood why he was carrying her like that to another seat His powerful arms gave her a sense of security, and she felt some strength return to her feet. She followed him, and they sat on the long leather seat. Tanner forcefully made her lean against him. One of his hands hugged her tightly, while he held his documents with his other hand. His gaze had never left the documents. As Eliza leaned on his shoulder, she felt his strength. The fear in her heart dissipated a lot. The situation reminded her of the kidnapping she sufferedst time. He was the same then. He did not speak much. He gave her the feeling of security through his actions. While she sat with his arm around her, she felt sleepy. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Tanner looked at the documents in his hand, but his attention was on Eliza. Only when he felt her body slowly rx did he turn his gaze to her. He did not expect her to have fallen asleep so quickly. He looked at her quiet, sleeping face and gently kissed her forehead. Tanner felt that this trip was not wasted at all Chapter 33 Awakened by His Kiss Chapter 33 Awakened by His Kiss Eliza was awakened by Tanners kiss. When they arrived, she was still asleep. Tanner chose to wait until she woke up. However, with such a beauty in his arms, how could he not do anything to her? Eliza was still drowsy and did not understand what was going on at all. "Did you have a good sleep?" His breathing was a little heavy, but his voice was cold. Yes. Eliza rubbed her eyes. By the time she opened her eyes once more, she saw the yful look in his eyes. He raised his hand and flicked her forehead. Eliza was stunned. When she looked at him again, his eyes were deep and emotionless as if the person she saw before was not the same man. He tidied up his clothes and held her as they got down. It was only at that instant did Elizae back to her senses. She remembered him flicking her forehead not too long ago. He must have been punishing her for her panic. She also seemed to have been awakened by a kiss too Her face became a little hot. She had actually fallen asleep while she leaned on him! After they got off the ne, she was still wondering what had happened on the ne. When Tanner saw her bashful appearance, his heart started to beat faster and faster. She was simply seducing him by doing that! "Were here, Tanner deliberately whispered in her ear. They were at a smallnding strip. Eliza looked around in confusion. "Where is this ce?" "Ball Ind. This is our honeymoon trip." She had to admit that Tanner''s voice was very pleasant, especially when he spoke to her in a low voice. Elizas eyes widened. She never thought that Tanner would actually prepare a honeymoon trip for her. But they they had never been in a rtionship before. How could they have a honeymoon? Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Another strange feeling popped up in her heart again. Her expression darkened once more. Tanner did not understand her fluctuating emotions. They were fine a moment ago. Why did this happen again? He suppressed the irritation in his heart and brought her out. The people who came to wee them were already waiting outside. Naturally, someone helped them unload their luggage. They got in the car and drove towards the vi. Along the way, Eliza was attracted by the scenery outside. She could smell the sea in the air. It was August, which was the end of Ball Inds dry season. It was said that the ind was the best ce for a honeymoon trip. Even couples on the road could be part of the scenery. Tanner did not book the highest quality hotel around. He did not want to give Eliza pressure. He only booked an ordinary sea view vi, and the housekeeper was in charge of their meals. Apart from that, no one else would disturb them. When they arrived at their destination, the housekeeper helped them carry their luggage inside. It was a little different from the vi back home. There werent any flowers in the courtyard, but there were local trees, a few pavilions, hugewns, and many paved walkways. The biggest difference between this ce and their v was that the sea breeze was gentle here. The room was veryrge, but there was only one room. Eliza naturally did not want to stay with him, and Tanner knew her thoughts too. "Put your luggage in the room. I can sleep outside." Eliza''s eyes were full of doubts. At first, she was still hesitating whether to mention to him that she wanted to sleep outside. How could he be the one to take the initiative to ask to sleep outside? I think it would be better if I slept outside. Eliza dared not imagine his tall body squeezing on the sofa. Okay. Tanner looked at her. There are lots of bugs here. You should be careful. Eliza nodded. Bugs She was not that scared of it. At first, Tanner only wanted to tease her. But when he saw how seriously she had taken it, he stopped those thoughts and rubbed her little head. Sleep here. The next moment, he toughened up with a tone that could not be refused. Get ready, well go out to eat in a little while. When they just entered the vi, he already told the butler that they would go out for dinner. After he said that, he turned around and went to the living room. As Eliza watched him leave, she still could not believe it. However, when she looked into the room, she was very satisfied with it. Excited, she rolled around on the big bed. After that, she unpacked her luggage. They did not bring too many clothes. There were only a few sets, so it was easy for them to sort it out. However, his underwear Forget it, she closed her eyes and stuffed it all into the closet. When it was time to eat, she came out of the house. The refreshing air in the building made her feel rxed. She was gradually able to feel the charm of this ce. Tanner drove her to a restaurant. The locals spoke in English as well, so there were no problems with The locals liked to add a lot of spices and seasonings to their food. It had too strong of a vor for their pte, but the ingredients were great and fresh. Eliza lost her appetite after just a few bites. Perhaps the Deleon familys chef was too good at cooking that she was somewhat unustomed to the food there However, Tanner needed to go out for business affairs, so he was able to adapt to any kind of cuisine. Even though the food did not suit his taste, he could still eat it. Eliza put down her silverware. She looked a little coy. She was not used to the food here, and Tanner had forgotten about that. He felt a little upset, but the more annoying thing was that the waiter brought them a fruit tter that someone had specifically ordered for Eliza. The person even left a note on it that wrote, Hello there, gorgeous. Even though we have never met, I can feel a mysterious charm from you, and I am attracted to it. If it is fine with you, I would like to take you out for dinner. At the end of the message was that persons phone number. What made Tanner even angrier was that Eliza smiled when she read the note. Ever since she married him, he had hardly ever seen her smile. Tanners temperament was indeed strong, but since they were abroad, and they were in a public area, she would naturally attract plenty of men. His gaze gradually turned cold, and it seemed like he would tear her into a million pieces if she epted that offer. Eliza''s eyes were attracted by the delicate disy of fruits, and she did not notice that there was something wrong with his expression. The food was not suitable for her appetite. However, the fruit looked very delicious. As for the person who sent this... Foreign people were always more enthusiastic, and her eating it did not necessarily mean that she would ept the invitation. Seeing how interested she was in that te of fruit, Tanner was not in the mood to stay there any longer. He did not want her to sit here and be stared at by other men. He ced down the silverware in his hands and pulled her away from her seat. Dont pretend that you have never eaten fruits before. I cant afford to be humiliated like that. He spoke in a cold and sarcastic voice, and Eliza felt a chill all at once. It was a sunny afternoon, but she was feeling cold all over. She had no idea that Tanner was speaking ill of her because he was jealous. She only heard the disgust in his words. He grabbed her wrist hard, and it was a little painful. Eliza started to struggle. However, the more she moved, the tighter his grip became. "Tanner, you are holding me too hard. It hurts..." He ignored her words and stuffed her into the car. After that, they left the restaurant. Chapter 34 Eliza, I Want You… Chapter 34 Eliza, I Want You Eliza felt a little aggrieved in her heart. She did not know about Tanners feelings for her. She only thought that he treated her like a toy to be yed with! She had been suppressing her thoughts for a long time, and she tried her best to not do anything that would make him angry. The gentleness and romance in Ball Ind made her rx. She thought that since he brought her here, he would be a little different from before. However, she was wrong. Tanner was still Tanner. He could even marry her for her to be her sisters substitute. How could he even consider her thoughts? Tanners heart was burning with anger, the car started to go faster. She was actually smiling when she received the invitation from a stranger! He had prepared this honeymoon trip for her, but what had she thought of him! The car sped away as fast as lightning. The two of them were lost in their own thoughts. When they were back in their residence, Eliza got out of the car first, while Tanner went to the garage. When he returned to the room, he wanted to talk it through with her, but he could not find her anywhere. She dared to run away from him after doing something wrong? Eliza, how dare you! They had only been separated for a short while, so she must not have gone far. Tanner immediately informed thendlord and asked him to file a report at the police station in his name to look at the security footage. After that, Tanner drove by himself and looked along the streets. The surveince video took time, and Tanner could not find her outside either. The sky gradually darkened, and he started to panic. If Eliza did not bring anything with her, where could she go? Had he been too fierce to her? However, how was he supposed to endure it at that time? After driving through almost all the nearby streets, Tanner still could not find her. Moreover, the sky had darkened, and it was even more difficult to find her. She did not bring her phone with her. He saw it in the study room. So, GPS was not an option. There was still nothing on the surveince video. Neither of them was familiar with the environment there. Apart from looking for her along the roads, he did not know where to find her. After searching for a whole night, Tanner still could not find Eliza The man was extremely depressed. The anger he felt from the previous afternoon had been worn away during the search. Now, he only wanted to find her as soon as possible. Otherwise, if she had an ident, he would never forgive himself! Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Tanner gave up looking on the streets, so he started to walk the paths cars could not go through. The sky was already starting to brighten up. As the sun rose, he arrived at the beach, and then he saw a small figure sitting on the beach. In truth, he had gone back and forth on that beachst night. However, it was too dark at that time. He could only see the lighthouse from a distance. He could not see Eliza, who was hidden in the darkness. He continued to look at her from behind. After some time, the sun slowly rose from the horizon The scene was beautiful. When Eliza left the room, she left in a hurry, and she did not know where she could go. At that time, she did not bring anything, and she could only walk blindly on the road. She did not know where she went, nor did she know how long it had been. When the skypletely darkened, she came to the beach to look at the distant lighthouse. After that, she only sat there quietly. With not a single thought in mind, she waited for dawn quietly. Tanner slowly walked up to her and pulled her up from the ground. Neither of them slept for the whole night, and their eyes were bloodshot. Eliza looked at him in a daze. In truth, she only wanted toe out for a walk. She did not expect a whole night to pass just like that. Whats more, she did not expect Tanner to show up here looking The two of them looked at each other for a while, then Tanner suddenly pulled her into his embrace. Her body was really cold, but his arms were warm. Suddenly, Eliza felt a lump in her throat. She wanted to cry. "Why are you here?" She asked. "I was looking for you," Tanner said, his voice filled with fatigue. "Will youe back with me?" He asked her. Two clear streams of tears flowed down her eyes all of a sudden. This was the first time she cried. She had always been depressed around him, and her heart was heavy too. After such a long time in Ball Ind, she finally broke down. Tanner just hugged her as he listened to her sobs. His throat tightened, and he could not speak at all. After some time, Eliza eventually calmed down. He was scared that she would catch a cold, so he brought her back for a hot bath. The experience that day was like a dream to Tanner. He had never thought of what it would feel like to lose Eliza. The fact that he found her after losing her made him realize that he had to cherish her. For the next few days, Tanner learned to stop showing her his indifferent expression. He stopped being tough on her or even use sarcasticments on her. As for Eliza, she noticed Tanners little change. Surprisingly, he had turned quite gentle. It turned out that Tanner could be like that too. He could smile at her and take care of her daily chores. He could even ask local chefs for advice on cooking Just like that, time passed slowly. Eliza had a new understanding of him every day. She seemed to be attracted to him No, she was fascinated by him. The beach, the ocean, and him. Everything there was beautiful. Tanner had always been an excellent man, but he had been ustomed to being indifferent to others for too many years. He was used to being in control of everything in his surroundings. That was why Eliza dared not get close to him. Their rtionship gradually improved. They were no longer at loggerheads. Instead, they began to act like a real couple. During the day, he would bring her out to visit the different sceneries on Ball Ind. They would y different games and participate in the local customs too. At night, after they returned, he would cook for her. He would even patiently shoo away the bugs for her All of these were experiences that he had never experienced before. When he was there, he was not the superior young master of the Deleon family, and she was not the illegitimate child of the Stone family. After so many days of hard work, Eliza finally opened up to Tanner. She began to ept him and no longer resisted his contact. Sometimes, she even responded to him. Eliza found herself being drawn to him. Every day, his voice was the first thing she would hear when he woke her up in the morning, and also thest thing she would hear when he kissed her good night. She started to be infatuated by his warm embrace and even started to enjoy every moment they had. One night, just as Eliza was about to rest, Tanner walked in from the outside. "What''s wrong?" They had been sleeping separately these days. Seeing hime in, Eliza thought he just wanted to take something. "Eliza." Tanner stared at her as he walked towards her. Eliza seemed to have an inkling of his thoughts... He did not say anything. He only stretched out his long arms, then he held her tightly in his arms. He kissed her forehead, lips, and neck. His gentle kiss gradually turned hot His big hands wandered around her body, tugging at her heartstrings. Somehow, Eliza was brought to the bed by him. Their breaths intertwined rapidly. "Eliza, I want you." He asked her for permission in a hoarse voice. Oh well She thought that she should indulge herself, just this once Eliza closed her eyes and kissed his lips. Chapter 35 The Traces of a Lovely Night Chapter 35 The Traces of a Lovely Night Her kiss was raw, but it was more than enough to drive him crazy. That night, the room fell into chaos. When Tanner woke up, the sky was already bright, and Eliza was still asleep in his arms. They had made love the whole night, and there were traces of his passion on her delicate skin. The bluish-purple bruises were all carefully crafted by him. The two of them were naked under the quilts, and he could feel every part of her body Mischievous kisses fell between her lips and neck, and his big hands started stroking her waist. After that, he felt something growing again Eliza woke up under his deliberate teasing. She felt the heat of his palms and his tender kisses. Her whole body was sore. She thought of what had happened the night before, and she felt a little shy. She dared not look at him. Eliza did not open her eyes, but the abnormal flush on her cheeks had betrayed her. Tanner knew that she was awake. This was not the first time they were together, but she was still shy. He did not expose her, he just increased the strength of his palms as he started to move his big hands on her body. Then, he kissed her even more heavily. Eliza did not open her eyes, but she could feel the changes in his body. She looked at his posture. He wanted to do it again, and she could no longer pretend anymore. She slowly opened her eyes, trying to look as if she had just woken up. Unexpectedly, she looked into a pair of gentle deep eyes with a smile that could not be dissipated. It was as if they had a tacit understanding. He stopped when she opened her eyes. When their eyes met, Elizas heart skipped a beat. She was so shy that she instantly buried her head in the quilt. He did not say anything either. He only held her tighter. For the next few days, Tanner would still asionally be tough on her, but Eliza knew that it was all out of concern for her. For example, when she was having too much fun and did not notice the cars on the road, or when other people looked at her a few times For Eliza, this honeymoon trip made her open her eyes to a brand new Tanner. For Tanner, after carefully taking care of Eliza, he was able to make her open up her heart and rely on him. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The two of them slowly learned to ept each other''s good and bad on that foreign ind. As time went by, Eliza learned to enjoy the delicious food found on Ball Ind. A month''s vacation passed quietly. Then, it was time for them to go back home. When they first arrived at Ball Ind, the distance between the two of them was so huge, and Eliza rejected everything Tanner did. But now, as they departed the ind, she took the initiative to hold his hand and stood beside him, smiling brightly. That night, Tanner ordered Aunt Bell to move his clothes to Elizas bedroom and move the study room next to hers. He also ordered people to break down the walls of the two rooms the next day. After they washed themselves up after the long trip, they were exhausted. They fell asleep in each others arms. After their trip to Ball Ind ended, life started to go back to normal. Tanner had a months worth of work to attend to, and Eliza needed to incorporate the inspirations from the trip into her design. Even though they had their own businesses, they would still think of each other from time to time when they were working. Life was harmoniously beautiful. However, all the happiness disappeared after Raelyn appeared. Elizas cell phone rang. Suddenly, she received a phone call from her mother, Penelope, anxiously asking her to go home. Penelope did not exin why either. She thought that something had happened at home, so Eliza took a day off and drove frantically to the Stone family home, a ce she had not visited for a long time. When she entered the room, she immediately saw Raelyn, who was supposed to be recuperating overseas. The servants of the Stone family were preparing a meal. Marco and her mother were talking about something with Raelyn. Seeing hering, Raelyn smiled softly. "Eliza, you are back! I heard from Mom that you haven''t been home for a long time. I missed you so much while I was abroad, so I asked her to call you back for a meal together. I dont think Ive disturbed your work, right?" When she saw her, Eliza could not speak at all. It was as if she was immobilized. Marco looked at her, his eyes full of loathing. Originally, he wanted his daughter to marry into the Francis family to salvage thepany''s financial crisis. However, she simply divorced Michael as she wished. Fortunately, the Francis family was in trouble and he made a lot of money from it, so his When he thought of how Tanner was actually willing to stand up for her, Marcos gaze grew more and more vicious. Tanner was his biological daughters lover, and he did not know if the words of the other party were real or not. If that was the case, he really needed to take action earlier. It would be best to get rid of this trouble earlier. When Penelope saw her standing there in a daze, she desperately threw unspeaking nces at her. When Eliza looked at her mother, she started toe back to her senses. "Mmm. It was about time for me toe home for a visit too." Because of her guilty conscience, Eliza''s voice was a little low. At that moment, the dishes were already served. Raelyn took the initiative to ask Eliza to sit down. Eliza, where have you been staying these days? How have you been? Did anyone bully you? Raelyn sat beside her, and she asked with sisterly concern. Eliza felt a chill run down her spine, and her heart started pounding nervously. All along, she had been with Tanner. It did not matter if they had a quarrel or if they were being sweet together, they had been practically joined at the hip. In truth, she was already his wife. She had even forgotten about the rtionship between Tanner and her sister Elizas eyes looked away. Well, I I have been staying with Gracelynn. There are too many things to do in thepany recently, so I didnte back. After she answered, Marco snorted. Hmph, I think that you just didnt have the guts toe home. You have humiliated the Stone family so much with your nonsense! "Dad, don''t talk about her like that. Maybe Eliza was really framed," Raelyn spoke up for her in a soft voice. "Eliza, I heard about your situation from Mom. You Are you okay? You and Tanner" "I I have nothing to do with him. Tanner was there at that time, and he just happened to help me." Eliza pretended to be calm. Then she looked at Raelyn and smiled. Dad, see. Nothing happened. Dont worry. Raelyn smiled softly. It was the most difficult meal Eliza had ever had to swallow in her life. She could not stay there any longer, so she hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls and ran away. The excuse she gave was that she had As she drove towards thepany, she btedly remembered that she had asked for a day''s leave. So she made a turn and returned to the Deleon familys vi. Tanner was still at thepany, he had not arrived home yet. Elizas heart was in turmoil. She did not know how to tell Tanner that her sister was back In the evening, Tanner returned. During dinner, Eliza had something on her mind. When Tanner spoke to her, she responded indifferently. How was your work today? Tanner could tell that something was not right with her, so he asked, thinking it was something work-rted that was bothering her. Eliza saw the concern in his eyes. She wanted to say something, but she couldn''t. She could only shake her head. Tanner could tell that something was going on in her heart. He gazed at her, and his gaze gradually turned sharp. Eliza could not bear it any longer. She pursed her lips and clenched her fists. Eventually, she said, "My sister has returned. She" Before she could finish her sentence, she paused. "What happened?" He spoke indifferently. On second thought, he seemed to have read her mind. He thought that she still minded the rumors about Raelyn and him. Heforted her and said, Great, well use this opportunity to let them know about our rtionship. He would use this chance to let the world know who he liked too. Eliza looked at him anxiously. "No, you can''t!" Why not? This way, we could announce our marriage to the public too. Tanners gaze was burning hot as he waited for her reply. "Can we hide this from her? My sister likes you very much. I''m afraid she wont be able to ept it" Eliza looked at him carefully to see his attitude toward this matter. Are you that unwilling to admit to the public that we are married? His eyes were as dark as ink. At that moment, they gradually turned cold. Eliza looked at him nkly. It had been a long time since she had seen him like that. "I" Eliza was so shocked that she could not speak. Being stared at like that, she felt a little depressed. Her eyes turned a little red, and her voice choked with sobs. She did not know what to do. Her older sister was so good to her. When she came back from abroad, the first thing she did was ask about how she was doing and wanted to have a meal together. However, Eliza had fallen in love with Tanner Tanner looked at her pitiful appearance and his voice softened as he coaxed her, "Eliza, listen to me. If you are with me, you don''t have to care about anyone else. There''s nothing between me and her anyway." Eliza could not speak at all. She could only shake her head desperately! She couldnt! She absolutely couldnt! Tanner''s eyes gradually showed disappointment. She cared about Raelyn''s feelings, but what about him? He had already nned it well. First, he would make it clear to Raelyn. After Eliza got pregnant, he would tell their family. His grandmother took bloodlines seriously. At that time, no matter how his mother objected, for the sake of Grandmother, she would always agree. He was afraid that he would make her feel aggrieved by announcing it too early. Tanner had nned this for a long time, but he did not expect Eliza to be the first to object. However, when he looked at her, he was so angry that he did not know how to react. He put down the silverware in his hand, went out, and drove to thepany. They both needed time to calm down. Eliza watched him get up. By the time she reacted, he had already driven away. She tried her best to hold back the tears in her eyes from falling. She numbly ate the food on her te... It waste at night. Eliza was lying on the bed. She could not fall asleep, and Tanner did note home. She knew that her words made him sad, and she did not want it to happen too. This was their first quarrel since they hade back. Her sister and him She could not take into ount everyone''s emotions. Furthermore, she had originally felt sorry for her sister in this matter. She could not hurt her sister and could only choose to let Tanner conceal it from her However, she did not think that this would also disappoint him. Her attitude seemed to deny the hard- earned rtionship between them Chapter 36 Force Eliza to Kneel and Apologize Chapter 36 Force Eliza to Kneel and Apologize At the Stone familys house Raelyn was in her room full of disdain as she thought of Elizas attitude during the day. Eliza still had the nerve to lie to her. When did that b*tch be so devious? It seemed like she had underestimated her in the past. She was supposed toe back at ater date. During that conversation she had with Tanner, he told her that he woulde to see her in a few days. She was overjoyed and had prepared many gifts and beautiful clothes so that he could see her in her best state. However, after that, she stopped receiving any news about him. She tried to call him, but he did not answer her calls. When she thought of the rumors that Eliza had a special rtionship with him, she started to act like a spoiled child and borrowed the power of Mckenna, the Deleon familys Madam. She lied to her and said that she was interested to see Tanners daily life. However, she asked her men to secretly follow Eliza. As expected, there was something wrong. When she looked at the photos, Raelyns eyes turned cold. The photos clearly showed them entering the Civil Affairs Bureau together, and another photo showed her leaving with a marriage certificate! There were even pictures of her in a vi she had never seen before. Tanner hid her there. She was filled with so much hatred that she wanted toe back at once. However, her body was still too weak at that time, and she was not allowed to leave. After a few days, she finally calmed herself down, and then she started to analyze the situation. The Deleon familys mother was a strong woman. Back then, under the familys pressure, Tanners father had no choice but to marry Evelynn Reed. However, in the end, for the sake of his first love, he left his pregnant wife and went abroad. Not only could they not find him, they realized that he had gotten into a car ident and had passed away. This incident had a big impact on Tanners mother. She was sure that the Deleon family would look down on Eliza, this pretentious woman who was not on the familys good side! As for Tanners grandmother, it was needless to say more. Raelyn had always been favored by her ever since she was a child. She would definitely stand by her side. Moreover, her father hoped that she could marry Tanner too. At that time, even the Stone familys power was one of her trump cards. As for the matter of their marriage, she was not in a hurry to expose it. This was a big deal, and she needed to find the perfect opportunity to reveal that information so that it could have the best effect. She had so many forces supporting her! Raelyn sneered, Eliza, Ill see how are you going to fight! After she analyzed the situation, she had a thought in her mind. At that point, she could only take good care of herself so that she could return as soon as possible. Now that she was back, she wanted to take back everything that belonged to her! Eliza was not worthy of Tanner at all! She casually flicked a strand of her long hair, and her alluring eyes were filled with mockery. The next day, she went to the Deleon family to look for Mckenna. The day before, she had told Mckenna about her return and the olddy had promptly invited her over. Raelyn, arent you supposed to stay there for a few more days? Why did youe back all of a sudden? Mckenna had always been a tough and dignified woman in front of others, but she was really fond of Raelyn. The Stone family had taught her well. She was great in music, chess, calligraphy, and even painting. She was beautiful and had the demeanor of a noble youngdy too. As for the Stone familys other daughter, she heard that Marco was the one who brought her home. She was illegitimate and unremarkable, so Mckenna did not have any interactions with her. Its because I missed you and wanted toe back earlier to see you. Raelyn sat properly and spoke in a soft voice. She knew that when Mckenna took a fancy to her, Eliza stood no chance at all. I think that you miss that little brat too much! Raelyn acted shy as if her worries were exposed. She lowered her head slightly and did not say anything at all. Stay here for dinner tonight. I will ask that brat toe back to apany you. Tanner spent a night at thepany. After thinking about it for a long time, the two of them had calmed down. Just as he was about to go back and discuss this situation with Eliza, he received a phone call from his grandmother. Raelyn is back. You shoulde back and have dinner with her. Mckennas deep voice could be heard from the other side of the phone. I have a lot of things to do in thepany today. I am quite busy. Tanner did not want to go, but he could not go against his grandmothers wishes. That was why he used that excuse to evade her. You can work any time. But, you muste back for dinner today. Mckenna spoke in a tough tone. Tanner could no longer refuse. After thinking about it for a while, he still drove to the Deleon house. Lots of delicious food was disyed on the table. Mckenna and Raelyn were chatting happily about family matters, while Tanner ate silently. He did not speak at all. Raelyn had not seen him for a long time, yet he was still as cold as ever. She did not know why, but she found him really attractive that way. Mckenna looked at Raelyns eyes, then she looked towards Tanner. She was ted. This girl actually came back to look for him before she even fully recovered. She could not help but feel a little distressed. Raelyn, how are you feeling? I know a famous doctor in San Francisco who lives in seclusion on an unknown mountain. Since my grandson is here today, I will ask him to bring you there, okay? She looked at Raelyn with a kind look. Tanner is very busy, so lets not bother him. I can go by myself. Raelyn maintained her gentle and considerate look when she was speaking. How could that do? I cant be at ease if you go alone. Mckenna immediately looked towards Tanner, who was sitting by one side silently. Today is good. Tanner, bring Raelyn over there to take a look. Her tone was a little forceful, it was filled with vigor too. Upon seeing his grandmothers expression, Tanner still had thoughts about using an excuse to reject her. However, before he could speak, Mckenna spoke first. "Yes or no?" She threatened him. Seeing that there was no way to refuse, Tanner could only agree. "Fine." Mckenna was finally satisfied. She looked at how shyly Raelyn was smiling and wondered when she would have a great-grandson. When Eliza woke up in the morning. The spot next to her was cold. Tanner did note back the night before. She did not know when it began, but she was already used to being with him. When he was not around, she would not have a good sleep. She felt that the huge house was empty as if itcked something. She got up and looked in the mirror. The exhaustion that was written all over her face could not be concealed. She was not in the mood to prepare her own clothes. So, she casually took out a set of clothes from the wardrobe to put on. After that, she ate breakfast in a hurry. After putting on some light makeup, she went out. She worked in the center of San Francisco. It was not a bigpany. She only chose thispany because of how loose its rules were. When she was in a hurry, she could almost always ask for leave. The submissions for her drafts were sufficiently nned too. Moreover, her design could easily attract the attention of others, so her sry was slightly higher than that of other ordinary designers. Usually, it was fine as long as she went to thepany to draw pictures, fix drafts or other things, and hand in her designs in time. However, there was apany activity that day. To get more investments, thepany started a small exhibition, which would showcase the sessful works of designers for people to appreciate. Of course, her designs were disyed too. At first, this matter had nothing to do with her. This was arranged in thepany hall, and there were professionals on hand if anything needed exining. There was no need for the designers to personally be there. There had been small design exhibitions like this in the past. However, something happened this year. Her design was used of being giarized work! Apparently, some people suspected she giarized her works and that she was making trouble in the Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. exhibition. This attracted a lot of people to criticize her and even thepany. The people outside could not control the situation, so they could only call her toe out so that she could exin it to them face to face. The word giarism itself was a stain on a designers reputation. Eliza knew that her design was original, so she was not afraid that someone else would find trouble for her. She left the office and saw the person who was causing trouble in the exhibition hall. He was a man with a big belly, and a philistine temperament came from him. It made him look like a snob. A man like him would dare to use her of giarizing! "Sir, I designed this dress. Is there anything wrong with it?" Eliza asked in a calm tone with a smile. Even though she was very concerned, this was a basic professional practice. I have seen this drawing somewhere else. This design is obviously giarized! The man spoke loudly, attracting a lot of people to gather around and gossip. If so, where did you see it? And who did that drawing? Eliza continued to ask in a calm tone. "It was a long time ago. I don''t know who drew it, but it was beautiful and impressed me at that time. I came to this exhibition today, but I did not expect to see it again! I have asked your people. All the designs here are new. If it is not giarized, what else could it be?" He spoke in a domineering and loud voice. This sketch was inspired by the bed of flowers outside her house. The directions of the lines and the methods used to draw were all inspired by it. If another design like this existed, it could only be simr at most. It couldnt be entirely the same. Sir, if you want to say that I have giarized other peoples work, you need to show some evidence. But you dont have any Before she could finish his words, he interrupted her. "Evidence? Look at me. Im dressed head to toe in famous brands. Why would I waste my time picking on a no-name designer like you? Of course, Ive seen this design before to say that it is giarized." His eyes were full of mockery. "To be honest, yourpany is not so good. Your designers only know how to copy other peoples works. No wonder you can''t seed. You can only rely on this way to attract investment." "What''s the big deal about such a garbagepany? Everyone, let''s go. There is no need to buy clothes from here in the future!" After ridiculing her and thepany, the man began to call on everyone to leave. To her surprise, there was a voice in the crowd that was agreeing with the man. It was obvious that someone behind the scenes was looking for trouble. Couldnt they see that? It involved thepany''s reputation, so thepany''s manager came forward. There was a rumor in thepany that there was something wrong with his style, so they had never interacted. He thought that for the sake of his colleagues, he would speak for her and maintain thepany''s reputation. However, he did not care for the truth. He just asked her to apologize! Her words made me very unhappy. However, I am not an aggressive person. How about this, just kneel and apologize to me, and promise me that you will never giarize again. After that, we can consider this matter to be over. The man looked like a viin intoxicated with sess. He said so much yet he acted as if he was tolerant and did not care about it. He and thepany manager talked with each other as if they had something nned. The surrounding discussions grew louder and louder. In the end, everyone joined forces to condemn her giarism. They wanted her to exin! "Kneel and apologize!" "Shame on you. How shameless! Apologize. Tell her to kneel down quickly..." "Yes, she must kneel!" Upon hearing the finger-pointing of the passers-by, Eliza frowned and stood alone in front of everyone. Her delicate face gradually turned pale. She clenched her fists hard, but her back was still straightened. Chapter 37 The Evidence Appears Chapter 37 The Evidence Appears Seeing such a chaotic scene in front of her, Eliza felt a little nervous. She was not used to such a ruckus. Whats more, she was the protagonist in this drama. She lowered her head and clenched her fists. Her breathing heaved because of how angry she was. She took a deep breath and adjusted her emotions. She did not want to look weak in front of them. She suppressed her churning emotions and asked, "May I know your name?" She had to be polite. When the man who was causing trouble heard that, he was stunned. He rubbed his chin, and it seemed like he was thinking of something. "Call me Mr. Kidd." Mr. Kidd, since you im my work to be giarized, then please do provide me with some evidence. If not, you are just ndering me. I can choose to call the police and ask them to deal with this matter. Even though Eliza was petite, she was quite imposing. Her words more or less calmed down the noisy people at the scene. Indeed, Eliza was only 22 years old, and she looked younger than her age. When she stood in front of others, her big eyes were filled with anger and grievance. It did not look like she was pretending. Moreover, the man who imed that she was using giarized work had not given them any evidence yet. Judging by her bold and confident look, it did not seem like she was lying. Everyone started to have second thoughts. If she did not giarize but was still questioned by everyone, then the people among the crowd would feel pity for her. Just like that, the scene quieted down a little. However, the man in a suit and leather shoes was unmoved. It seemed like he was determined. Why must I have the evidence? As long as you kneel down and apologize to me, destroy your work, and promise that something like this will never happen again, we can call it a day. Why must you embarrass yourself? It seemed like he was trying to persuade her, and every one of his words implied that her work was not original. Eliza knew that she was the original creator of the work, so she would not waver. If you have evidence, then take it out now. Otherwise, if you dont, please apologize for what happened just now. Eliza spoke calmly. Her attitude was firm. Mr. Kidd suddenlyughed. These words were exactly what he wanted to hear. Okay, fine. I just remembered where I have seen it before too. I will make a call now, and ask someone to bring it over here. Eliza was not afraid. It seemed like he was very confident, but he was obviously ndering her. How could he get any evidence? She did not know what that man was up to. Besides, she was not in a rush, so she could afford to waste their time. There were too many twists and turns in this situation. For a moment, everyone looked at each other and did not speak. There was a strange atmosphere in the hall. At this time, a colleague came out of the office. That person was Lina, her partner. They were considered quite close. She must have heard about the situation there, which was why she came out to cheer on Eliza. Lina said, Everything will be fine. It must just be a misunderstanding. Lina grabbed her hand and started tofort her. Eliza smiled back as a way to reassure her. That group of people waited there for a long time. The sun outside was getting hotter and hotter. However, the number of onlookers did not decrease, rather, it only increased. This was probably the first exhibition held by thepany with so many people visiting. Elizaughed. She looked at the manager with a straight face, but she did not say anything. It was impossible to say that she was not disappointed. The way thepany handled things really disappointed her. Since something like this happened, no matter how it ended, she probably wouldnt want to stay there any longer. Time slowly went by, and the onlookers started to discuss the matter among themselves. This time, they pointed at that man. "Do you have any evidence or not?" Stop wasting our time, if you really dont have any evidence, then apologize to this youngdy! The protests surrounding them got louder and louder, but Mr. Kidd was still calm andposed. It was like he could not hear them. "Mr. Kidd, if you have no evidence, can you give me an exnation?" Seeing how much time he was wasting here, even Eliza couldnt take it any longer and started getting impatient. It was almost noon, and she was hungry. Dont worry. Whats wrong? Do you feel guilty? While the evidence has not arrived, you still have a chance. As long as you kneel down and shout I was wrong three times, I will consider this matter to be over. What do you think? She did not want to talk to the rogue anymore. She looked away, as she did not want to see the vicious expressions on his face either. Just as everyone was starting to get impatient, the evidence everyone was waiting for appeared. It was exactly the same as her design! How could that be possible! As Eliza looked at the draft in front of her, she was shocked! The Deleon family had lunch early on this day. Tanner did not have an appetite, so he put down his silverware. Seeing that he was done, Raelyn stopped eating too. Mckenna noticed that the two of them had finished eating, so she did not stay any longer, she hurriedly nagged Tanner to bring Raelyn over to see the doctor. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. At about half-past eleven in the morning, a limousine set off from the Deleons and headed for the unknown mountain. Tanner was forced by his grandmother to take Raelyn to this mountain for treatment. Originally, he wanted to call Eliza to tell her, but Raelyn was already a sensitive topic between them. He did not want to be the one to bring up the topic. Fine, he woulde back sooner so that she would not let her imagination run wild! Along the way, Raelyn seemed to whisper something in his ear. Sometimes, it was about the things she saw abroad, other times, it was the scenery outside. Since Tanner had known Raelyn since they were young, and that she was Elizas sister, he only replied politely. He endured the feeling of boring while subconsciously, he missed Eliza. Whenever he thought of her, Mr. Deleons temperament would turn gentle. Even he himself would not realize it. Raelyn, who was fully focused on him, naturally noticed the slight change in him. When she saw the warmth in his eyes, she became alert at once. Throughout the journey, he had never even looked at her. Sometimes, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. Other times, he would just look out of the window in a trance. To get his attention, she had tried everything. The only thing she got from him was his perfunctory response. If so, then why was there such gentleness in his eyes? Was it for Eliza? Raelyn was nervous. After considering it for some time, she let it go once more. If that was the case, then she should pretend to be ill for a tad bit longer in the mountains But she was greatly reluctant. Why! Eliza was worse than her in every aspect. How could she win his heart! However, even if she was so angry that she could clench her hands until they bled, Raelyn still acted as if she was filled with positive affection. Tanner did not notice Raelyn''s peculiarity. Indeed, Mr. Deleon did not need to pay attention to anyone''s thoughts Apart from his little wife, no one else mattered. "Tanner, we are here!" Raelyns soft voice pulled him back to reality. By the time he looked up again, there was no more emotion in his deep eyes. He opened the car and got out. Tanner checked his watch, it was almost 12:30 p.m. They were now at the foot of the mountain. There was no one there, nor were there any road constructions. The car could not go any further. "Tanner," Raelyn called him sweetly while she held his arm with her slender hands. Tanner withdrew his arm quietly. He said in a low voice, "Come on." Raelyn gritted her teeth. A conniving glint shed through her eyes. After that, she followed suit. The mountain road was rugged. It seemed like all the so-called famous doctors liked to live in such ces. It was said that it made them seem sincere, but in fact, they just wanted to appear inscrutable. Tanner walked steadily in front, followed by Raelyn and a few bodyguards. Everything went well at first, but after a little while, Raelyns body could not stand it anymore. Tanner, slow down. I cant keep up! She frowned. Her face was pale, and even her breathing was unstable. Upon hearing her words, Tanner stopped in his tracks. He turned around. He did not look at her. The outline of Raelyns face was simr to Elizas, especially when she lowered her head slightly just now. At first nce, he almost thought that Eliza was the one following him from behind. It had only been a while since they hadst met, but he was already starting to miss her. Tanner was in a daze as he watched Raelyn slowly walk towards him. "Tanner, you should know that my body is not in good health." Raelyn pouted. "Can you let me hold you for a little while?" Raelyns cold hand grabbed his big and warm hand gently. Tanner did not say anything. He only stared at her for a while. It was as if he wanted to see through her to see the person he was longing to meet. Raelyn looked at his handsome face, her eyes full of obsession. However, it was not the best timing. At that moment, Tanners satellite phone rang. He always carried a satellite phone with him. It was a habit he had developed since he was a child, to prevent himself from falling into a situation where he was out of touch with the outside world. Even though Tanner did not tell Eliza that he was taking Raelyn to the remote mountains to see a doctor before he left, he still told his assistant Fran about it, and he even asked him to send someone to follow Eliza in case of any idents. Now that his phone was ringing, it meant that something had happened to Eliza. Tanner was a little anxious, but he did not show it. Raelyn was right beside him, and he did not forget what Eliza had begged him as she cried the night before. She told him not to tell Raelyn about them, which was why he had never mentioned it. If this was what she wanted, then so be it. He picked up his phone calmly and spoke in a deep voice. "What is it?" "President, Madam seems to be in trouble," Fran said anxiously. "Speak." Her design has been used of giarism. Our men have been watching the scene in the crowd. At first, the user did not provide any evidence, so we thought it was just a misunderstanding. However, a design which is exactly the same has appeared, that is why we called you. I will be right there. Investigate this matter and find out who is behind this. Tanner''s tone was unyielding. On the other end, Fran shivered. "Yes." The call ended, and Tanners expression was still the same, but the aura around him was getting fiercer. Whoever dared touch his wife was courting death! After asking the bodyguards to take Raelyn to the mountain top, he was about to walk down the mountain alone. "Tanner!" Raelyn hurriedly stopped him. There was grievance in her peach blossom eyes. "Aren''t you going with me?" "Something happened in thepany. I have to go now." Tanner walked down the mountain without looking back. Watching him hurry down the mountain, Raelyn clenched her fists. She absolutely did not believe that thepany''s affairs could make him panic this badly. It must be that b*tch, Eliza. In order to prevent Tanner from being alone with her, she deliberately made some trouble! She was unwilling to give up this rare opportunity! Chapter 38 He is Jealous Chapter 38 He is Jealous Eliza stared at the painting in front of her. No matter how she looked at it, it was exactly the same as hers. The only difference was that this one was ced in a fancy frame. It looked very grand as if it was well preserved. The signature on the painting was a name that she had never seen before, but the date was exactly half a year earlier than hers. How could it be possible? Her inspiration for this painting came from that sea of flowers. Half a year ago, the flowers had not even bloomed! Also, where did this painting that was identical to hers evene from? Eliza tried to think hard, but she could not figure out what was wrong or how it even happened. In everyone''s eyes, Eliza was now guilty. The hall became noisy once more. As Eliza listened to the peoples relentless scoldings, her face turned as paler than a sheet of paper. At this moment, the manager, who had been standing by at the side, started to speak. "Eliza, what''s wrong with you? How could you submit giarized work! You''ve dragged thepany through the mud! The evidence is in front of you. Now, apologize to them quickly!" Mr. Kidd tidied up his clothes triumphantly as if he was royalty and waited for her to kneel before him and apologize. Seeing this situation, before Eliza could say anything, Lina immediately stood up for her. Ms. Stone is not that kind of person. We have worked together for a long time, and I know her well! Upon hearing that, Mr. Kidd showed a gloomy look. "Oh, so it seems that you are her aplice!" Lina was so angry that she wanted to argue with him. "You!" However, Eliza pulled her back. Dont be impulsive, he is here for me. Dont get yourself into trouble. Eliza whispered in her ear softly. But what should we do now? Lina knew Elizas character well. She was very worried about her. Eliza felt that there was something strange about all this. It was obvious that someone was deliberately trying to frame her, but how did that person get her work? Before she could even think of an exnation, Mr. Kidd spoke. "Come on, Ms. Stone. The evidence has been revealed. Aren''t you going to admit it? As long as you kneel, apologize to me, and swear that such a thing will never happen again, we''ll settle it privately. Otherwise, I will have to report it to the police and have you prosecuted. A serious offense can result in imprisonment! Think about that!" Eliza was now in a dilemma. She would never admit to something she didnt do. The whole thing was strange, but she just couldn''t find figure out what went wrong! Lina secretly tugged on her hand and said, "Eliza, is there anyone in your family who has a strong background? I think that someone deliberately wants to make trouble for you. If there is, let hime forward so that we can suppress this matter first." Lina was younger than Eliza, and she entered thepany a littleter than her. Someone with a strong background In terms of power, there was no one else who could bepared to Tanner. The Deleon family was like royalty in San Francisco. However, she quarreled with him the night before. Should she call him Seeing how much of a dilemma she was in, Lina quickly tugged at her! Eliza, these people did note with good intentions. They are not going to let this end so easily. If this matter is spread out, you will be known as a giarizer. After that, your future will be ruined! Seeing how anxious Lina was for her, Eliza felt grateful. Lina was the only person who trusted her. "Thank you for trusting me." Eliza tried hard to force a smile. \What are you talking about, Eliza? We have been together for so long. I know that you wont do something like that Oh, you should hurry up and call someone! Under Linas encouragement, Eliza dialed Tanners number. Hello, the number you have called is unreachable. Please try againter She listened to the mechanical female voice from the other end of the phone, and her heart sank little by little. It was almost 12:50 p.m. He should be working in thepany now. Why was he not answering her call At that moment, Tanner was about to reach the foot of the mountain. At that moment, his satellite phone rang once more. "President, we have found out who is the person behind it. Its Michael. What do you think we should do now?" "Don''t do anything for now. Send me Eliza''s address. We need to solve the problem on her side first." "Yes." Tanner fastened his pace. He could already see the car that was parked by the side of the road. As soon as Tanner sat down, the driver could feel the temperature in the car instantly dropping by more than ten degrees. The coldness exuding from the president''s body made him tremble. He threw his phone to the driver and said in a cold voice, "Get to this address, quickly." Yes. The driver dared not dy, he immediately started the car. Michael was a bold man. Back then, he was bold enough to kidnap her. Tanner did not finish him off. He only gave him a little bit of warning. However, if he daredy another finger on her, then Tanner would not be polite to him any longer. On the other hand, Elizas situation was quite sticky. If she refused to apologize, then that man would call the police. Judging by the current situation, she would be taken away directly. By that time, she would either have to face a fine or risk going to jail. Now, she only had two options. One was to apologize and admit that she had giarized the work. The other was for her to find evidence to prove that the work in Mr. Kidds hands was fake! However, how was she supposed to prove herself like this? Even if she knew that this whole situation was weird, she could not find the evidence to back her up! She was facing a dead end. In any case, Eliza would bebeled as a giarizer from now on! Seeing how she was not taking any action, the man could not stand it anymore. He could not wait any longer. Otherwise, the situation would change! "If you don''t apologize or kneel, I will call the police!" He threatened. "I bought her work." Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The crowd was still discussing the matter. However, just as they were using her, a different male voice could be heard. A tall and straight figure came out of the crowd, he was dressed in a suit and tie, and he looked graceful. His temperament could not be covered up at all. Eliza had some doubts as she did not know that man at all. Who was he? Why was he helping her? Mr. Kidd was thinking about the same question too. "Who are you? Don''t you know that this painting is giarized work?" Mr. Kidd looked at the person who had walked out, and his eyes were gloomy. You dont need to know who I am. All you need to know is that there will always be someone who can see the truth. Upon hearing the words of that man, Mr. Kidd frowned. "What do you mean by that?" The man did not pay any attention to him. First of all, it should be known that when ites to clothing design, the concept of giarism does not exist. There are only copies, references, and borrowing. All of these should be exined by the original designers. When he talked about copying, he intentionally looked at the painting that Mr. Kid brought out. Mr. Kidd looked at him unhappily. This matter should have been wless The painting Mr. Kidd brought is obviously a copy. In the next moment, the mans words reverberated like thunder in the hall. The onlookers did not say anything anymore. Their mentality had probably changed by this spectator who did not have anything to do with it. They had gone from investors to spectators. Mr. Kidd could no longer remain calm. Dont talk nonsense. What evidence do you have! The man spoke slowly, Anyone experienced in evaluating art can tell. There are traces of modification in her design, but yours has none. It was true. When he inspected the painting Mr. Kidd brought, no changes had ever been made there. It was just that Eliza was too shocked, which was why she did not notice it. How can this be seen as proof? Perhaps shes just not skilled enough, which is why she drew it wrongly herself! Thats right, there are indeed some ces which are not done that well. Compared to her, yours is a lot better. "But" The man deliberately paused for a moment, then he strode towards Mr. Kidd. As he walked up to him, he grabbed the pen that was in his pocket. "Whats this?" The man asked. Mr. Kidd looked at it, his face pale. It is just an ordinary pen. Give it back. Mr. Kidd secretly cursed. He thought that the investors of such a smallpany were blind and that they would not care about such things. Is that so? Why does it look like there is a hidden camera here? What do you think the police will find out if we hand this item over to them for investigation? The man''s voice was warm and gentle. He was even smiling warmly when he spoke. What are you talking about? I dont understand! Give it back to me! Mr. Kidd was anxious now. He wanted to snatch it back. However, the other man was a lot taller than him, and he could not reach it no matter how he tried. The scene was very funny. Everyone had their hands covering their faces, trying to suppress their At this moment, the man spoke once more. "Mr. Kidd, don''t me me for not reminding you that you can be sentenced to three years for nder." Mr. Kidd was so anxious that he was sweating, but he still refused to admit that this was a premeditated trap. Are you not going to admit it? Otherwise, why did you frame your painting up in an old frame? If you take the painting out from the frame, it would be brand new, right? At this point, the clues which Eliza could not grasp a moment ago became clear. It was true that this was just a design drawing, not a world-famous painting. Why should the other party frame it? Now that the matter was almost cleared up, the onlookers all showed disdainful expressions. There were even younger people who directly grabbed Mr. Kidd and said that they would beat him up, and then they walked out. The man turned around slightly. He remembered some of the people who scolded Eliza. Those people were probably on the same side Whatever! He was not curious about this situation, nor did he want to know what would happen at the end of it. The manager was trying to smooth over the situation. He had already wasted a lot of time bying over, and he was ready to leave. Eliza watched from the side, she was thinking about how to thank the man. When she saw him turning around to leave, she quickly followed him. She followed him all the way out of the hall. But before she could think about a way to stop him, he turned around first. They looked at each other and paused awkwardly. Eliza spoke first, "Thank you for your help just now!" "It''s nothing," The man said. He looked good when he smiled. How should she describe it? It was a signature smile "This may be nothing for you, but my future was on the line. Well If you don''t mind, I want to invite you to dinner to express my appreciation." I still have something urgent to do, so I might not have time. His expressions were calm as if he was not trying to escape from her. Then Is it convenient for you to leave your contact number? I dont mean anything else. I just want to treat you to dinner to thank you for helping me. Seeing her clear eyes, the man thought for a while. After that, he took out a business card and handed it to her. "This is my business card. Don''t lose it," The man said. Eliza reached out and epted it. "By the way, I haven''t asked yet. What''s your name?" He looked at her. "Eliza Stone," she replied. What an interesting name I still have something else to do, so I will be leaving first. He nodded politely, and he did not stay any longer. Eliza looked down at the business card in her hand. The design of the business card was simple and elegant with no unnecessary frills on it. The mans name was Nichs Abbott. On the side of the road, a Lincoln limousine quietly left. Tanner had just rushed over from the mountains. He arrived just in time to witness the scene between Eliza and the mysterious man. Chapter 39Chapter 39 Why Do You Think I Wanted To Marry You? Chapter 39Chapter 39 Why Do You Think I Wanted To Marry You? "President Deleon, it seems that Eliza''s situation has been settled." On the way back, Tanner received a call from Fran. Go and find out who helped her. Tanners deep voice was filled with coldness, but Fran had been with him for plenty of years, so he was already used to it. He did not think that there was anything wrong with it. Tanner did not know what happened either. However, he disliked the scene he just witnessed. President, what are we going to do about the Francis family? Prepare to send the things we found out about the Francis familyst time to the finance department. After the Francis familysst defeat, they were not even worth mentioning at all. From the moment the Francis family offended Tanner, they had lost their foothold in San Francisco. However, this time, Tanner had no intentions of personally showing up. Since that man liked to y dirty, then he would y with him. Tanner was going to fight fire with fire. Since Michael dared to offend him, then he should be ready to face the consequences. When Michael received the notice from the prosecution office, he was still working at thepany. Back then, when hispany was facing a financial crisis, he found a way to smuggle some things. This huge profit filled thepanys gap, but he did not expect to be caught so soon. The other party was anonymous too. However, he had been a businessman for plenty of years and had even been in the underworld for some time. In general, no one would ever take the initiative to find trouble for him. Eliza was the prime suspect. That little b*tch! Back then, when Eliza had Tanners help and backing, not only did he waste plenty of time and energy, he was even mercilessly dealt with. How could he possibly swallow down such an insult? Back then, when Tanner went on a business trip, he was very busy with thepanys affairs, so he had no time to deal with her. This time, after hearing that Tanner was taking Raelyn to the remote mountains to see a doctor, he thought that he finally found a chance. He wanted to get someone to kidnap her again, but it was too easy to get himself exposed. He happened to pass by herpany, which was holding an exhibition, so he wondered if he could do something with that. Eliza was a clothing designer. If she was deemed as a giarizer, then her lifes work and reputation would be ruined. So, he paid a high price to hire a skilled painter to copy an image from the video he recorded. Some people were tasked with making a scene, while others were sent to rile up the crowd so that the people would follow blindly, as they were not afraid of being embarrassed. After that, he would suppress thepany and force them to not help her. By that time, Eliza will never get a foothold in the industry again! At first, everything went ording to n. Who knew that not only could the idiot not get the job done, he was even caught! That man had ruined everything for him! He thought about it over and over again, and in his opinion, the only person who couldve found out about his crimes was Tanner. At first, he thought that Tanners feelings for Eliza were only temporary. After all, he was Raelyns boyfriend. This was something that everyone knew. Who would have thought Who would have thought that Eliza would be such a hot potato! Had he known that Tanners feelings for her were real, he would not have everid a finger on her, not even if he had ten balls! Now that his smuggling crimes were exposed, Michael felt cold sweat running down his back. He did not have any strength left at all. Tanner could be considered the ruler of this city! If anyone provoked him, they would never be able to stay in San Francisco anymore! Tanner could have directly made him leave San Francisco with his forces. However, the only reason why he was doing this was that he wanted to end Michael! If he was found guilty and brought to trial, then Tanner would surely take it one step further and make his sentence worse. He might even be sentenced to death! At the thought of that, Michael could not just sit idly anymore. His sinister eyes were filled with fear. He could not ept it! No matter what, the Francis family still had some reputation in San Francisco. He could not just let his family be kicked out like that! However, with his head of hair soaked in sweat, Michael was stillpletely frozen and his mind was nk. He wanted to find Tanner to beg for mercy, but the moment he thought of the man, his heart trembled in fear! That frighteningly cold man made him feel scared. Even though Michael himself liked men, he had no such thoughts about Tanner at all! Begging him for help was useless The only thing he could do at this point was to hire a goodwyer and hope that his punishment could be lighter. Michael was still struggling to grab onto his lifeline, but he subconsciously knew that it was all futile. It did not matter what he did, it was all useless. The moment Tanner took action against the Francis family, they had already lost! From that moment on, Michael would no longer exist in San Francisco. In Elizaspany. After the exhibition was over, Eliza submitted her resignation letter to her superior. Not long after, she received a call from her boss. Eliza, I have heard about what happened to you today. We admit that thepany has not handled this matter well. How about this, well double your year-end bonus. What do you think? Even though Eliza had only arrived at that position and worked for half a year, she was so talented when it came to designing. Her drafts could be considered to be even better than some seniors with higher qualifications. If the Francis family did not put pressure on him today, the manager would not have used her of giarizing other peoples work just like that. Luckily, this matter was over. The boss believed that Eliza would continue to stay if he gave her some benefits. Boss, you also know that thepany did not do things right. Your way of handling things is very disappointing. I have decided to leave. Regardless, thank you and thepany for all youve done during my time here. After she said that, Eliza hung up the phone. Since she had made up her mind to leave, then nothing would change. Perhaps it had something to do with the environment she grew up in. She had never been an aggressive person. She was used to being put down, and she always swallowed her anger. After venting all her negative thoughts from that morning, Eliza simply packed up her belongings, then said goodbye to her colleagues and left thepany. She drove and returned to the vi on the outskirts of the city. When she arrived at the gates, someone helped her drive her car into the garage. As soon as she got out of the car, she noticed that even though the flowers in the courtyard were still there, most of them had withered. After all, autumn had arrived. Aunt Bell was still busy taking care of the flowers in the courtyard. When she noticed Eliza had returned, she quickly greeted her. Hello, Mrs. Deleon. Why are you back so early today? I quit my job, Eliza spoke in a rxed tone. However, in truth, she felt very ufortable. When Aunt Bell heard that, she could feel that something was wrong, so she smiled andforted her for a while. "Well, with Mr. Deleon around, there is no need for you to work at all." When Eliza heard that, she only smiled and did not say anything. She gave Aunt Bell a polite nod before she went inside the house. Aunt Bell was right. For her, a job was not that important. Even if she left Tanner, with her reputation as the daughter of the Stone family, she could choose to live a carefree life. However She did not want to be like her mother! Ever since she was young, she had seen her stepfather beating and scolding her mother. She did not want her mothers past to be her future! At the very least, she wanted to be able to support herself if she left her husband. At that moment, it was 3 in the afternoon. It did not look like Tanner hade back. Without him, the entire house seemed empty. Elizas heart was a little empty too. The whole hubbub in the morning made her feel tired both physically and mentally. She thought that she should take a bath first, then she would think about finding a job. She did not like the bathtub, so she used the shower. As the water rained down on her, Eliza''s thoughts drifted. She thought about how he did not answer her call when she needed him, and she became a little worried. Did something happen to him? Even though it was unlikely, she was still afraid that something bad would happen. Tanner told her about thendline number of his office, but Eliza had never called it before This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. When Eliza left the bathroom, her long ck hair was dripping wet, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. She hesitated for some time before she finally decided to dial the number. In Tanners office. Not long after he returned, he received a call from his grandmother. You brat! I asked you to send Raelyn there, but you ditched her there halfway through and went back yourself! Mckenna was full of explosive anger. Even though Mckenna had not gone out for a long time, her influence in San Francisco was still greater than Tanners. So, he was not surprised to find that his whereabouts were exposed. I had emergency business to attend to in thepany, so I had toe back. In the end, they were still family. Even though he could act indifferent towards her, he would not speak with a sharp tongue towards his grandmother. Thepanys affairs can be dealt with any time, Ive said that already! Now, go back and be with Raelyn. She has been abroad for too long, you two need to maintain a good rtionship! She had always misunderstood their rtionship, but he never bothered to exin. Besides, he had already married Eliza, and he was not in a hurry to make their rtionship public. In this world, there were not many people who could summon Tanner. After Tanner left hispany and returned to the mountains, Fran helped him with his documents. His phone rang. "Hello, Mr. Deleons office. Who is this?" A strange male voice could suddenly be hearding from the phone. It made Eliza tighten her grip on the phone. Its Eliza. Is Mr. Deleon here? Fran was stunned, he knew who Eliza was. "Hello, Madam. Mr. Deleon has something to do. He is not around at this moment." caution. Oh, do you know where he went? The voice from the other end of the phone asked with caution. Fran thought for a moment. In the end, he decided not to tell her. Madam, I have no right to ask about the presidents whereabouts. He knew very well about Mr. Deleon and the Stone sisters rtionship. He also knew how important Eliza was to Tanner. He had been with Mr. Deleon for many years, and he was very clear about who his boss liked. Since the president would not admit it himself, it meant that he did not want his wife to think too much. After all, she was his wife. Mr. Deleon should be the one to talk to her. Besides, the president did not want to be where he was anyway. He would go home as soon as possible. "The president must be busy with work now and is not free for the time being. Please don''t worry, Madam." Eliza felt a little depressed, but even she herself did not know where this feeling came from. Tanner was probably on a business trip, but she knew nothing of it. Chapter 40 The Interview Chapter 40 The Interview "Thank you, Eliza said after a pause. Since he was out handling business, then it meant that he was alright. Eliza thanked the man politely and hung up the phone. After she calmed herself down, she started to look for job advertisements posted online by various Looking back on herst job, indeed, she was too short-sighted. How could such a loosely managed After learning her lesson, she chose a more famous listedpany in San Francisco this time. Like any other job applicant, she delivered her application to lots ofpanies one after another. However, she did not receive any replies. Sure enough, the requirements of therge enterprises were harsh. She had just graduated from college. Even though she had some work experience, it was far from enough in the eyes of those big She busied herself for a long time before she sat down and looked at theputer. In the evening, she received an interview from apany, which only notified her about the time and location of the interview. Thatpany was in the most booming district in San Francisco. However, she had submitted too many resumes, so she forgot about the name of thepany. Whatever, it was not particrly important. She would know when she got there the next day anyway. Finally feeling relieved, she thought that it was time for her to have dinner. She would try her best the next day. The moon shone brightly in the sky, and Eliza gradually fell asleep. When Tanner arrived at the mountains, it was alreadyte. He reached a small hut that had lots of grains and herbs nted around it. It did look like that man was living in seclusion. Raelyn obviously did not expect Tanner to return. The joy in her heart was written all over her face. That day, Tanner was very unhappy. Fran told him that the man he saw earlier was the Abbott family''s young master. He had heard of Nichs before. He heard that Nichs had been abroad for the past few years and that he had onlye back on this day. He happened to pass by the exhibition, which was why he showed up there. Even though he had helped Eliza out of her troubles, the thought of them standing together made him feel angry. At first, he decided to deal with Michael first before apanying his wife. However, he was forced back to the mountains by his grandmother. Mr. Deleon''s face was dark, and the aura around him was getting icy. However, Raelyn did not mind his cold face, she treated the absent-minded Tanner with enthusiasm. She thought, Eliza, just you wait and see! In the end, Tanner wille back to me! That night, Eliza did not sleep well. She had a dream that her sisters illness was healed when she was young, and she did not need to recuperate overseas. Following that, Raelyns rtionship with Tanner improved, and there was no need for her to marry him as a substitute for her sister This should have been the happy ending, but she woke up with heartache. Shey on the bed, her long hair was scattered all over the bed, outlining her curled-up figure. Her eyes were swollen as she fell into a daze once more. This dream reminded her that Tanner was originally her sisters lover She did not know why she suddenly faced these things. This was thest thing she wanted to face. To her, it felt like she had robbed her sister of everything. However, it was toote. She had fallen in love with him. Her heart hurt so much that she could not breathe properly. Even so, she still remembered that one time when he asked her to marry him, it was a cold voice that was filled with a sneer. "Why do you think I want you to marry me?" "Because you like me?" "Ha! A substitute..." Her tears fell silently, but after a while, Eliza wiped them away. She buried her broken heart and forced out a smile that looked even uglier than her tearful face. She thought of all the things that they had experienced during their honeymoon. All of those things were still vivid in her mind. It felt so unreal as if it was just a secret dream she had. If this was all just a dream, she had to admit that she took it seriously. However, one would eventually have to wake up from their dreams. Tanner was the Deleon familys only son and heir, and he was destined to inherit everything from the Deleon family. But what about her? She was just an illegitimate child who didn''t even know who her father was The person who had the right to stand beside a man as outstanding as Tanner could only be her gentle and pleasant sister. What about her broken heart? She had only ever been her sisters shadow She covered her heart with her hands as if that would ease her pain. Eliza closed her eyes, which were full of pain and sadness. She told herself to stop thinking about it He was not a person that she could control. She could not Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. see through Tanners thoughts at all. It was the day of the job interview for the newpany, so she could not immerse herself in sadness. After she washed herself up, Eliza picked out a professional suit from the closet. After she put it on, she was immediately buoyed with a professional and rigorous temperament. In the past, when she went out, she would tie up her hair. But on that day, after thinking about it, she simply allowed it to fall naturally. She was dressed like an office woman. Her hair tastefully cascaded down her back and made her look a little cute. A designer should not look too rigid, after all. She looked a little haggard, but she only put on light makeup, as she did not like heavy makeup. She held a small red clutch and wore a ssy pair of high heels. When she went downstairs, breakfast was alreadyid out. "Good morning, Mrs. Deleon. I have asked someone to prepare breakfast for you." There was a kind smile on Aunt Bells face. Eliza could not help but feel grateful. She was bothered by her nightmare of the night before, but she now needed to go to thepany for an interview. She was a little anxious and nervous. Aunt Bell''s smileforted her. In the Stone family, everyone said that she was an illegitimate child, and the servants simply ignored her. No one paid attention to her at all. "Thank you," Eliza said sincerely. "No need to thank me. Its my pleasure." Aunt Bell led her to her seat as usual. Eliza looked at the delicious food in front of her. She took a deep breath and cheered herself on! After arriving at the address mentioned on the phone, Eliza sessfully found thepany. Emerald? Thispany seemed to be famous in San Francisco in the clothing design industry. Eliza put on a confident smile as she smoothed her long hair and walked in confidently. Even though she felt anxious, she must never let it show on the outside. She told the receptionist her reason for being there. Someone immediately took her to the second floor, where she waited for the interview to start. By the time she stepped into the hall, there were already plenty of girls waiting outside. Some of them had put on delicate makeup, others had styled their hair up neatly. Eliza felt a little embarrassed. She wondered if she was dressed too casually In truth, thispany wanted to recruit a single intern designer, so there was only one avable spot She sat down in the corner and pretended to be calm. As of that moment, it did not look like she had much hope. But since she was already there, she thought that if she left without even trying, it would be such a shame. Before the interview began, an incident happened in the waiting room. There were a few women who looked older and were more experienced in their careers, but a lot of them were just young girls who were nervous and scared. She did not know why, but a girl identally broke a porcin decoration. The originally quiet hall became a little noisy. Everyone there was apetitor who wanted nothing more than for others to make mistakes, which was why some sarcastic remarks were flying around, pretending to console the poor girl. "Oh, dear! How could you be so careless?!" The interview has not even started yet. You will leave a bad impression on the employer! How could you break the decoration here, it might be a limited edition collection piece! You are just too careless! Everyone spoke sarcastically. The person who broke the porcin was just a young girl. At the moment, her face was deathly pale. It was originally not a big deal, but they scared her so badly that it looked like she was about to cry. Eliza could not stand it anymore. She walked out of the corner towards the girl calmly andforted her. "It''s alright, it''s just a decoration. Let the interviewer know about what youve done. As long as you said that you didnt do it on purpose, it will be alright." "Really?" There was uneasiness and doubt in the girl''s eyes. After seeing Eliza nodding firmly, the girls nervous expression slightly turned better. Okay. Thank you." Eliza smiled at her in response to her gratitude. Everyone in the hall could hear herforting words. From time to time, someone would whisper about her, but she didn''t care. Words were just words. She would let it be. Besides, words could not hurt her anyway. At nine o''clock in the morning, the interview process started. The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense, everyone was touching up their makeup and tidying themselves up. The scene looked like a battlefield. The interview went by surprisingly fast. One by one, each person who came out of the room had a bad look on their face. After a while, it was Eliza''s turn. She tidied up her clothes nervously before she walked inside. The room for the interview was very small. Three interviewers were sitting inside. What surprised her was that the chief interviewer sitting in the middle of the three was someone she knew. She remembered him. It was Nichs Abbott. However, it looked like he did not recognize her. "Name," Nichs said in a deep voice. His voice was warm and gentle, but his expression was serious and indifferent. "Eliza Stone." Eliza was a little nervous. She grasped the red bag in her hand tightly. "Age." "Twenty-two." "Thats enough, you can leave now." Eliza''s small face was filled with shock. The interview was over already? Shouldnt they ask her about her work experience? Or even evaluate her on-site designs? It seemed like she still had something to say, but the door had already opened, and someone came over and invited her to leave. Eliza seemed to understand why the faces of the people who went before her did not look too enthusiastic After leaving, someone told her that after the interview, she could go back and wait for the results in the afternoon. Perhaps I''ve failed Eliza thought. She sighed slightly and drove home. The interview did not go well, and she was not in the mood for lunch. She absent-mindedly greeted Ms. Bell, then went upstairs to rest. For some reason, after she returned to her room, she thought of Tanner. Whenever she thought of him, she would think of her sister. In the past, there was only guilt in her heart. Now, there was an added emotion, which was a deep disappointment. Tanners study room and the wall of his bedroom had long been connected. It was a textured arch divider, and it was beautifully designed. However, Eliza had never been there before. There should be some important documents in it, and she had no right to read them. Since he was noting back, she did not want to think about her troubles. After taking a bath, she removed her makeup and was ready to take a nap. Chapter 41 Someone She Couldnt Understand Chapter 41 Someone She Couldn''t Understand A phone call woke Eliza. Fogged, she answered the phone. "Hello." She had a sense ofziness to her voice, half asleep. Hearing the contents, she sprang straight up. "I''m hired?" As she was surprised, she squealed unknowingly. "That''s right; you can start tomorrow. Work starts at eight, don''t bete." Eliza was thrilled, but she still pretended to be calm, so the person on the other end of the line couldn''t tell. "Okay, I understand. Thank you!" After hanging up the phone, Eliza didn''t know what to do with her body, excited as a child. This was probably the only good news that came out of these past few days. As she calmed down a little, Nichs came to her mind. He couldn''t have possibly opened a backdoor for her with how she passed the interview, could he If so, then she''d have to give him a proper thanks even more. Eliza checked the time; it was four sharp in the afternoon. It was still early, so she''d have enough time to invite him for a meal. Fishing out the business card he gave her the other day, she called the number on it after some hesitation. "Hello." A gentle voice came from the other end of the line. "Hi, it''s Eliza Stone. Do you remember me?" He stopped spinning his pen momentarily. Eliza Stone, he remembered the name. "What''s up?" Hearing his voice, Eliza thought it was better if she could talk to him about the matter in person. "Well, I said I wanted to thank you for helping me out. I was wondering if I can treat you to a meal? Will you be avable this evening?" He had a meeting in the evening, which he didn''t have to attend, but his grandfather insisted that he join. Compared to the meeting, he was more interested in the youngdy on the phone. It seemed that he had an excuse for missing the meeting now. "I get off work at five." "So where should we meet?" Eliza''s life was monotonous. The only crazy thing she had ever done was when she went to the most popr bar in the city on a whim with Gracelynn, where they met Gracelynn''s cheating husband. With that bad experience, she was even more reluctant to leave the house. So, she wasn''t very familiar with the best restaurants in San Francisco. "How about this?" Nichs suggested, "There''s a nice restaurant with reasonable pricing next to my "Okay, that sounds good." "Alright, see you then." "Bye." After hanging up the phone, Eliza thought she should make an effort to dress up. It would be ridiculous to wear an evening dress to such an asion but too casual if casual clothing. After some thought, she picked out a white floral dress, elegant and decent. Even though it was not a formal dress, it wasn''t too casual either. After putting on makeup and telling Aunt Bell she wouldn''t be back for dinner, she headed out at around five. She didn''t ask the Deleon family''s chauffeur to drive her as she was to thank him, a luxury car would change everything. Anyhow it was a sunny day anyway. The sun was beginning to set at five, and the sky was painted a warm amber. Though Eliza wasn''t tall, she was well-proportioned. With the rays of the sunset shining on her, she looked slender walking on the streets. Coupled with her good looks, she became a sight to behold. She finally saw a cab after walking for about 20 minutes. Getting in, she told him her destination. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. However, as it was the evening rush hours, she was naturallyte It was close to six-thirty by the time she reached. She really thought it was uneptable for her to bete when she was the one who invited him to dinner! Regretful, she thought she should''ve just asked the chauffeur to drive her. Worst case scenario, she''d get off at the earlier intersection; she wouldn''t bete at the very least! Nichs was already waiting at thepany''s entrance when the cab pulled over. A few youngdies have gathered around, peeking at him. Nichs looked like he could be on the cover of ''Sexiest Man Alive'' magazine, Greek nose, rosy lips, pearly white teeth, coupled with a pair of bright eyes that gave off a half-smile. His face wasn''t as chiseled as Tanner''s, fleshy, making him look friendlier. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, leaning slightly against the wall. Though in a suit, he looked easy-going and sunny. Unlike Tanner, who would have people wanting to stay miles away from him when he turned grim Eliza chewed her lip, surprised that she thought of Tanner again! She forced that aloof man out of her mind, shaking her head. She pulled an embarrassing smile as she got out of the cab. "So sorry for beingte I must''ve kept you waiting." Watching as she got out of the car, Nichs thought her white dress matched her harmless temperament. It was a breath of fresh air. The light makeup added a hint of maturity to her youthful face. As he was a painter and ran a clothingpany, he''d naturally pay more attention to these aspects. He had to admit her outfit was really a hit, neither formal nor too casual, perfect. "To wait for ady on a date is mandatory for a gentleman." Nichs solemnly said as he stood straight and smoothed his clothes. He wasn''t smiling, but she could tell he was teasing from his gaze. "A date..." Eliza looked difit. That wasn''t her intention Seeing so, he smiled. "I''m just kidding. It''s the evening rush hour. I''m not surprised you''ll bete." Pausing, he pulled a straight face,ced with frivolity. "I wonder if I have the pleasure to invite such a beautifuldy as you to dinner? His smile was like a warm spring breeze, rendering the other youngdies around them infatuated. With his yful act, Eliza''s guilt of beingte and nervousness vanished. Now rxed, her lips curved into a smile before she knew it. "You''re finally smiling. Who would''ve thought it''d be this difficult." He was teasing her. He had once again sessfully changed her impression of him. The first time they met, she had thought he looked aloof despite his kindheartedness when he walked out of the crowd with a deadpan face to help her out. Later, she thought he wasn''t the friendly type as he only gave a polite but distant smile when she chased after him to thank him. She had asked him out to thank him, and his humor and smile had her thinking She didn''t know how to judge him anymore. She seemed to have met another man whom she could not quite understand. She followed him into the alley next to thepany. Since she rarely came out for meals, she naturally wouldn''t have been to the area. Who would''ve thought there were a lot of Mom-and-Pop shops in such a ce. Eliza looked left and right as though she had discovered a whole new world. The alley was narrow, and the sky was getting dark, but it was lively; the restaurants were crowded with customers. "It is dinnertime, so there''s a crowd. The restaurant''s up ahead. Nichs led the way, and Eliza followed obediently. And it didn''t take them long to reach the said restaurant. The food here must really be amazing as it was packed. Eliza was surprised, looking at him. She thought he''d have brought her to a decent-looking restaurant at the very least. Who would''ve thought he''d chosen a Mom-and-Pop restaurant. But there didn''t seem to be any tables avable. Just as she wanted to ask if they were heading elsewhere, Nichs had entered. The owner was in her sixties and in good spirits, all smiles when she saw him. "It''s been a while, Nichs. This must be your girlfriend. She is so beautiful!" Hearing that out of the blue as she followed him inside, Eliza only subconsciously smiled, not having the chance to process her words. Nichs also merely smiled, saying nothing. "What a beautiful youngdy. Nichs, you have good taste!" "Look at the time, ma''am. We''re a little hungry for food. Nichs patted his belly as he spoke, sounding a little pouty for some reason. "Alright, go on then, head upstairs. The private rooms are still open. I''ll make them once you''ve ordered. Eliza wasn''t veryfortable being in a crowd, probably traumatized by her childhood, being scolded for constantly messing things up in gatherings. And over time, she didn''t like being in crowded spaces. It wasn''t until she followed him up the stairs and it had quieted down that she could finally think straight. She still hadn''t realized she had been mistaken as Nichs''s girlfriend. She looked around. The so-called ''private rooms'' were merely tables spread wider apart with curtains as dividers. It wasn''t spacious, only a small square table with simple decorations. "Have a seat. The food here is pretty much home cooking. Take a look and see if there''s anything you''d like. Nichs handed her the menu, which she had no clue where he got from. Looking through it, she was surprised by the variety. She didn''t know what to get. "I''m not picky, nor am I allergic to anything. Why don''t you rmend?" After looking through it a while, Eliza pushed the menu back to him. Growing up in the Stone family, she was often punished for making mistakes and was not allowed to eat, so she was never picky. And every time she was punished, her sister would secretly give her some snacks. Nichs didn''t decline either, ordering some of the specialties of this restaurant. He exined to her as he ordered. "I''ve never brought girls to this ce before, so she''d mistaken. I hope you don''t take it to heart. Knowing what he meant, Eliza smiled sheepishly and said, "I It didn''t quite hit me back there. "But..." Something suddenly came to her. You two seem to be very close. "I have been eating here since I was a child. So we became close naturally. I''ve left to study abroad a couple of years back and hadn''te since. Ah, so that was it. Eliza nodded. "How are you with spicy food?" Nichs asked. "I''m okay with it." Just then, Eliza''s phone beeped. It was a message from her sister. Reading it, blood drained from her face. Chapter 42 From Now On, I Will Love You Harder Chapter 42 From Now On, I Will Love You Harder A few photos were attached to Raelyn''s message. "Eliza, Tanner took me to the mountains to see a doctor today to nurse my body. This doctor is really amazing; I can feel my body getting better already." "Also, I''ve secretly taken a few photos of Tanner. You''re the only one I''m sharing with! Don''t tell anyone; it''s our secret!" None of the photos showed his face; actually, they were all his back. But she could still tell it was him at a nce. Her sister stood right behind him, beaming. They were... a perfect match. The heartache she felt before appeared again. His assistant said he was on a business trip, probably instructed by Tanner to say so. Noticing the change in her mood, Nichs asked, "What''s wrong? You don''t look so good." Eliza forced a smile. "It''s nothing." However, her slightly red eyes told him that it was a lie! Nichs squinted a little. He wasn''t blind; how could he not tell something was up? However, since she didn''t want to talk about it, then he wouldn''t ask. After all, they weren''t familiar with each other. Eliza could tell that the atmosphere was a little awkward. But it felt as though something was stuck in her heart, making her ufortable. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. "Sorry, I..." Nichs interrupted her. "You don''t have to apologize. Have you forgotten you''ve asked me out to thank me?" "Sigh, but I haven''t even heard a word of thanks from you yet." He ced one hand on his head and acted like he was wronged. Eliza looked at him and smiled once more. Nichs looked at her seriously, then said, "Do you know you look stunning when you smile" "Really?" A deep, mellow voice with a thick chill interrupted his words. Tanner appeared all of a sudden. Raelyn had wanted to stay in the mountains for a few days, but the doctor had a rule that his patients could only stay for a day. After giving her a prescription, he asked them to leave. Publicity-stunt-like rule. But perfect for Tanner as he didn''t want to stay another second longer. Returning to thepany around five, he quickly dealt with the pile of documents so that he could go home to his Eliza sooner. Ironically, the person who had been following her sent him a picture at six-thirty. She was standing face to face with a man, smiling at each other. Tanner''s smile turned vicious as he saw the photo. Watching from the side, Fran only thought the world was about to end. Sure enough, Tanner headed straight to the destination after he received the address. Right then, Tanner got closer and closer to them, exuding dominance. Seeing his sudden appearance, Eliza panicked. Why was he here? Shouldn''t he be with Raelyn? "Come here," Tanner ordered with a grim face. Though his words were directed at Eliza, his eyestched onto Nichs. His gaze was sub-zero, filled with warning. However, Nichs was lost, unsure of what to make of the situation. He knew this person. Wasn''t he the Deleon family''s only son, Tanner? He looked at Eliza. It seemed he had discovered an incredible secret. Eliza waspletely flustered. She heard him, but she didn''t move an inch. Raelyn''s message ruffled her, and Tanner''s appearance got her heart tightened. However, Tanner, who didn''t know Raelyn had twisted the story, only though Eliza was feeling guilty, seeing that she was motionless. Huh! If it weren''t for that doctor''s stupid rules, he might really have missed out on this wonderful scene. "Eliza Stone, do you really crave men that badly?" He said through gnashed teeth. Hearing that, blood drained from Eliza''s face. Not even in her dreams would she think she would one day hear such wordsing out of his mouth. Nichs also got upset at his words. How rude to say that to a youngdy. However, Tanner stood firmly on the spot. Heavens knew how furious he was when he saw that photo. Seeing Eliza dumbstricken, he had enough with words and grabbed her wrist, dragging her out. His grip was so tight that Eliza thought her bones were close to shattering. It was also this pain that pulled her back to reality, no longer like a soulless puppet. She quickly greeted Nichs goodbye. "I''m sorry, I have to go. Let''s meet some other time. Thank you, bye." How dare she still say goodbye to him when he was right there?! She still wanted another rendezvous?! How bold, Stone! He tightened his grip and strode even faster. Being dragged behind, Eliza endured the pain, forcing herself to stay silent as she trotted, trying to keep up with him so as not to fall over. Reaching the exit, he shoved her into the car. "Start the car." "Yes, Sir." Seeing his boss was in an awful mood, Fran didn''t dare dy, hitting the gas, heading for the suburbs. Eliza''s mind was in a mess, sitting in the car. Before he showed up, her heart wrenched as though someone was choking her, suffocating. But the moment she saw him, her heart could not help skipping. Her heart was trying hard to tell her she really missed him. Her heart had felt as though a piece of it had been missing since he left two days ago. She had imagined how they would reunite. However, she never expected this The spot where he grabbed her was still burning in pain, and if the lighting were any brighter, they could see it was bruised. She couldn''t tell how she was feeling anymore. Joy, heartache, and guilt all intertwined together. She couldn''t straighten them. He should still like Raelyn if he brought her to recuperate. So, why was he so angry? Was it only because she was currently his wife? Spacing out, Eliza didn''t even notice she had subconsciously nestled her petite body in a corner, as far away from him as possible. "p." Tanner drew the curtains between the driver''s seat and the back. All the Deleon''s cars had this design. The noise snapped her back to reality. Now, they were alone. Eliza''s heart was beating like a drum, fearful of this side of him. "Give me your hand." Tanner''s tall figure blocked most of the street lightsing in through the windows, shrouding most of him in darkness. Eliza could only see his eyes clearly. He was like a beast hiding in the darkness. "Scared of me?" Through the street lights, he could see how she curled in the corner and her every expression. And panic was written all over her face right then. He couldn''t believe she was that scared of him. After a hesitation, Eliza stretched out her hand to him. Under the flickering lights, her wrist was fair and tender. Tanner squinted,tching his gaze at her. He would never admit he, the all-powerful Mr. Deleon, had relented and would even reflect on how hard he had grabbed her when he saw her curling up in a corner, looking piteous. However, her attitude sessfully irritated him once more. She could simply go out with a stranger but was afraid of her own husband? He had only been gone for two days; she couldn''t have possibly fallen in love with someone else, could she? Suddenly grabbing her stretched hand, he pulled her to him, and she fell onto hisp, trapped in his arms. There was a cool aura surrounding him, and his scent rushed into her nostrils, shooting straight to her heart. As she hid her yearn for him too deeply, she didn''t notice how being in his arms, feeling him physically, had the feeling engulfing her. Her breathing quickened involuntarily, and tears started pooling in her big bright eyes. Tanner could stir her emotions the most. But the person he liked was Raelyn. She was just a stand-in As her heart slowly filled with pain, looking at him, she closed her eyes to prevent him from seeing. However, Tanner was aze with anger. There was nothing on the mountains, and he had been thinking about her in his free time, yet there she was, fooling around with other men. This woman was as petite as ever, barely any heavy in his arms. It had only been days since theyst saw each other, and she seemed to have gotten thinner. "She doesn''t know how to take care of herself at all!" he thought. He saw the sh of glimmer in her eyes. Was it really that miserable to be with him? Tannertched his gaze at her, bloodshot, but she kept her eyes shut. Huh! She still wasn''t willing to look at him even now? Whatever, she was his wife. All of her belonged to him, and only him! A kiss came without warning, carrying a hint of punishment. Just like him, his kiss was extremely overbearing, his scent instantly recing the surrounding air. He hugged her tightly as if he wanted nothing more than to knead her into his body. Eliza was a little resistant toward this side of him, struggling to break free. However, even with all her strength, it was nothing more than a gentle massage for him. How could she break free from it at all? Her resistance only irritated him more. Tanner''s kiss had gone from innocent and deep to licking and nibbling. Ruffled, she started to taste a hint of blood, and her lips had gone numb too. He had snaked his hands inside, exploring her lower abdomen and waist as she felt a chill on her waist. The heat in his palms made her shiver a little. Gradually losing her breath, her brain deprived of oxygen, and she slowly slumped into his embrace. After kissing for god-knows-how-long, Eliza''s lips were released, rendering her gasping for air as Tanner moved his kisses downward, their bodies pressed against each other. "Tanner..." She moaned. Moving his kisses around her neck, he suddenly sucked her earlobe, and the warm touch made her squeal. He basically knew every sensitive part of her body now. While the two were making out at the back, Fran''s face was flushed, bright red! Oh, how he wanted to remind his dear boss of the soundproofing of the car. Though the curtains blocked his view, their every noise was loud and clear to him! However, the only thing he could do was send them to their destination as soon as possible. Tanner kissed her for as long as the car ride, still reluctant to let go of her scarlet lips by the time they reached. After the kiss, Eliza''s lips were slightly swollen, taking massive breaths of fresh air, blurry-eyed, and her cheeks flushed abnormally red. She looked even more alluring. However, there was a ghastly chilliness when Tanner opened his eyes. He whispered in her ear. It was the mostmon action between lovers, but it got Eliza stiffened. Because he bit her ear and said word by word, "Looks like you really miss the touch of a man, Mrs. Deleon. It''s my fault. From now on, I will love you harder." Chapter 43 Jealous Tanner Chapter 43 Jealous Tanner The car door had already been opened with Fran waiting by the side, but Eliza was still in a daze. "Don''t you want to get down? Or are you thinking of doing it here in the car?" Tanner''s deep raspy voice fascinated her, but his words didn''t sound like teases between lovers. His tone was icy cold as well. The man right before her eyes was Tanner, but at the same time, not. He had shown too many sides of him that she couldn''t tell which was the real one. She didn''t know how to respond. Seeing that she was still motionless, Tanner reached for the handle, wanting to shut the door. It didn''t matter to him; anywhere was the same. However, Eliza panicked, standing up reflexively. However, forgetting she was in a car, she hit her head on the roof and fell back into his arms. Not daring to look at his expression, she left the car with her head bowed. It was only then she realized her legs were weak. No thanks to him! Standing aside, Fran saw her predicament and thought Mrs. Deleon was way too adorable. Despite his thought, he looked deadpan. Mr. Deleon was in a fit of rage; he didn''t dare even to pull a smile. Eliza only noticed Fran and been standing outside after she got out of the car. It would''ve meant he witnessed her predicament and all that had happened inside Turning beet red in an instant, she med Tanner for his aggression; she had forgotten entirely about Fran! How would she ever face him in the future?! However, in Tanner''s eyes, she, his wife, was showing her bashful side to his assistant right in front of him. Okay, he had been too lenient with her. So much so that her husband meant nothing to her anymore. Tanner exited the car, fixed his wrinkled suit, and said solemnly to Fran. "Have all the details for the shareholder meeting the day after tomorrow ready by tonight." Fran couldn''t believe his ears. The meeting the day after the next was to summarize the quarter; it would take him at least five to six hours to get them allpiled, and it was supposed to be his work for the next day. "Mr. Deleon, tomorrow..." He could get everything ready by the next day. However, Tanner didn''t give him the chance to speak, interrupting him. "Got a problem with that?" Why did it look like Mr. Deleon was jealous of him But he didn''t do anything! Despite his spections, he didn''t dare express it. "No." With a slight bow, he returned to the car with sorrow and made his way to the office. He could say goodbye to his sleep that night. As Fran drove away, Tanner shot her a cold nce. He didn''t pull her again but entered the house himself instead. He was certain she woulde in herself as she had nowhere else to go. Besides, if she wanted to leave now that they were here, he could immediately catch her back. It was already dark. The faint lighting out of the mansion dragged a long shadow behind him. Very much like her first time here. However, it was dusk then, and flowers were blooming while it was thete hours now, and the garden was starting to wither. As the autumn breeze brushed against her, she felt chilly, wearing only thin clothing. With a slight shiver, she stayed outside for a little while before she finally entered the mansion. She had no other options, did she? By the time she entered the house, Tanner had already asked Aunt Bell to prepare dinner. However, he was nowhere in sight, probably working upstairs. She didn''t want to face him then either. So, she huddled on the sofa and watched some TV in the living room. She kept changing the channels, not in the mood to watch anything at all. She took out her phone; Raelyn''s text was still there. Tanner liked Raelyn, right? She had just returned, and he immediately brought her to a doctor. It was obvious he was distressed over her. Yeah, everyone thought they were a perfect couple, and they knew the two were meant for each other since they were children. She was just the younger sister following right behind. Shocked, she couldn''t believe her thoughts. What was she thinking? He had always been Raelyn''s, and he had just taken her as a stand-in on a whim. Raelyn was so sweet. How could she be jealous. Her heart suddenly panged. Was that her heart shattering? The servants in the kitchen were fast. Several dishes were already ced on the table in less than half an hour, and the hall was filled with the smell of delicious food. However, Eliza didn''t care at all. She didn''t have much of an appetite that day. The dishes on the table reminded her of someone else. Tanner suddenly appeared and forcefully took her away, leaving Nichs behind in the restaurant. She was supposed to treat him to dinner. In the end, not only was shete, she even left early... It was really rude of her. She pulled out her phone and gave him a call. After Eliza was taken away, Nichs was left alone in the private room. "Nichs, howe you''re alone? Where is the beautiful girl?" He was spacing out when the elderly "She had something to do, so she left first." Nichs smiled as he epted the food from her hands. "Why didn''t you go with her then? You should''ve at least sent her off! Oh, you dum-dum!" She had been busy in the kitchen, so she didn''t know what had happened upstairs. "Someone came to pick her up. Plus, I haven''t had your food in a long time." Nichs beamed at her, but she looked at him a little disappointedly. "Whatever. I can''t be bothered with you young ones. But Nichs, shes a good girl. Don''t lose her." Amused by her words, he ridiculed, Youve only met her today, and youre already saying shes a good Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. girl?" "I have never been wrong when ites to people. She is a good girl, so you have to treat her well. I have to get back to the kitchen now. Eat up." "Okay, ma''am. Be careful on your way down." He watched her go down the stairs. In the end, he still didnt exin to her Eliza wasnt his girlfriend. Why? Perhaps because it had been a mistake from the beginning, he didnt bother to exin. Or maybe because he discovered her rtionship with Tanner The dishes on the table were all his favorites, but he seemed to have lost his appetite. The only thing on his mind now was Eliza. He had returned from studying abroad that day, and he had only nned to take a stroll around San Francisco to see if anything had changed since he left. A clothingpany happened to be holding an art exhibition, and his interest was piqued, checking it out. It was just a smallpany after all; those sketches werent outstanding to him at all, picking the best from the worse, if anything. However, one sketch caught his attention, and that sketch was now in his home. His eyes had only lingered a little longer on it than other sketches. As he continued to look through the other pieces, he heard someone used of giarism. What an interesting situation to encounter He observed from the crowd to see the user pointing at the sketch that he stared a little longer at. The definition of giarism in this field was vague, after all. So the mans outrage didnt leave him with a sour impression, only that he wanted to see how the scene would unfold. As the scene slowly got out of control, the designer finally appeared. She was just a thin and tall girl. No, she wasnt tall, looking to be about 5 4. Despite her petiteness, she stood straight facing the public usation, neither humble nor pushy, and she impressed him. He was merely quietly observing outside the circle when he saw a crucial thing. The thing in the man''s suit pocket may have looked like a pen, but it was actually a hidden camera. Being born into the Abbott family, he didnt need to fight for anything, for he didnt have any siblings, and he had spent a couple of years abroad, but he was familiar with the power struggles in affluent families. Such an approach was nothing more than the lowliest framing. It was gettingte then. He should be going home, for his grandfather was waiting for him. However, he felt bad for the youngdy feigning calmness. If it went on, the only one suffering, in the end, would be her. He was not a busybody, nor did the matter have anything to do with him. However, seeing that tears seemed to have started pooling in her eyes, he hesitated and wondered if he should step in. To his surprise, just as he was mulling over it, the man brought out the said evidence. Then the crowd who had been scolding her got even nastier. Coincidentally, his grandfather called, urging him to go home. Whatever, since it hade to this, hed take it as doing an act of kindness and protecting a talented, young designer. After the matter was settled, she chased after him. Seeing her pure and sincere gaze, he gave her his contact information. He had thought that would be the end of it, not expecting any gratitude in return. But who wouldve thought he saw her again the next day when she was interviewing for a spot in the Actually, he had arranged for that girl to knock the porcin down. He could see all that was going on in the waiting hall. Design skills could be honed; what he was looking for was a designer with a pure heart who wanted to improve steadily. The ident in the waiting hall was the true interview. Evidently, she was the only one who passed. Thinking about that, Nichs smiled. He had thought Eliza was just young blood dedicated to advancing her career. Who wouldve thought she had ties with Tanner. She was getting more and more interesting. Immersed in his thought, he never had a single bite of the food on the table, long gone cold. It wasnt until he heard a familiar ringtone that he came back to his senses. Eliza? Why would she call? He had seen Tanners malice gaze earlier. How bold of her to still dare to call him "Hello." The call was connected. Upon hearing his indifferent tone, Eliza felt uneasy. Was he angry? "Hello, Mr. Abbott; Im so sorry about today." Eliza''s voice was soft, partly because of guilt and uneasiness and that Tanner was upstairs. Thievish, she didnt want him to know. "Today?" Nichs smiled and said, "Well, thank God I brought my wallet, or Id be used of eating without paying. After hearing his teasing, Eliza''s tense heart rxed. Even though Nichs was unfathomable to her, he wouldnt pressure her. Plus, with how he had helped her get out of trouble, she had already seen him as a friend. Just as she wanted to say something, her phone was snatched away. Chapter 44 Punished Chapter 44 Punished The dishes had all been served, and the servants went upstairs to tell Tanner dinner was ready. However, Eliza was still huddling on the sofa, either thinking of the message or that Nichs was still in the restaurant alone. She didn''t even notice Tanner hade down while she was on the phone. He swiftly got behind Eliza and peremptorily snatched her phone away. He couldn''t believe she was still thinking about that man and even called him now that she was home! Checking the phone, he saw the name was saved as ''Nichs Abbott''. Tanner let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief. He would most probably flip if she had saved some weird nickname. The self-control he had always been so proud of was nothing in front of her. What was worse, she never realized his love for her growing up, thinking his heart had always belonged to Raelyn. "Dinner''s ready." With that, he ended the call in front of her. A strange feeling arose in Nichs''s heart as he listened to the noise on the other end of the line, but he couldn''t put a word to it, probably a flirtatious strike from a couple to this bachelor. Knowing that his appetite wouldn''te back to him anytime soon, he decided to head home. After saying goodbye to the owner and paying for the meal, he left. Back in the mansion, Eliza was dumbfounded when Tanner appeared out of nowhere. The next thing she knew, he called her over for dinner, hung up her call, and tossed her phone back to her. Only bossy, outrageous, and domineering could be used to describe the entire process. Of course, Tanner wouldn''t admit he deliberately said what he had, letting the man on the other end of the line know she was his. No longer paying attention to her, he took his seat at the dining table. Eliza was rather upset. She had only wanted to express her gratitude to her savior, but he acted as though she had done the heinous. He probably wasn''t like this in front of his sister. He wouldn''t act so arbitrarily, considering Raelyn''s feelings, just like how he did to her in Ball Ind. Thinking back, that attentive, gentle man was apletely different person from the bossy, tyrannical man in front of her. Reminiscing Ball Ind, it felt as though it happened a century ago. The heart wrenching feeling was unbearable. Picking up her phone, she headed upstairs. She didn''t have an appetite away, and the two of them would only feel ufortable if she went to the dining table. At the dining table, Tanner had wanted to make her realize she was his wife and that she should consciously keep her distance from other men when she came over. However, she never came after waiting for some time. Looking back, she was no longer there. Already in the fit of anger, suppressing as hard as he could, even his patience had worn off right then. He had never felt so confounded in his life before. There would be times when he''d go mad as well! Putting the cutleries down, a crisp clink could be heard as they hit the te. Tanner got up and headed upstairs. Standing aside, Ms. Bell could see his frighteningly gruesome expressions, somewhat savage even. Though he was intimidating, making people feel tyrannized even if he just stood there, he had never seen him fuming before. Eliza had gone upstairs a while ago Watching as he went up as well, she grew worried. Eliza locked the door as soon as she entered her bedroom, but she knew it was useless as he had all the keys to the house after all. But it could, at the very least, bring her a sense of security. Bitterness welled up inside of her as she recalled the evening, leaning against the door. She felt horrible when she wedged herself in between Tanner and Raelyn in the beginning. After spending some time together, Tanner''s charm had gotten her to be obsessed with this absurd rtionship. Slowly, she had forgotten she was merely a stand-in. Raelyn''s message earlier was like a p in her face, waking her up in an instant. The person he loved was Raelyn Her vision gradually blurred, and her heart felt as though it had been mutted, suffocation slowly engulfing her. She leaned quietly just like that, her head against the door. The lights in the bedroom suddenly switched off after some time. The sudden darkness blinded her momentarily. The sudden feeling of a man''s arms around her waist, hugging her tightly from behind, got her subconsciously wanting to struggle. But then a familiar crisp scent traveled to her nose. Tanner. Knowing who it was, she settled down. He must have entered from the study; an archway connected it to the bedroom. As she faced the bedroom door, she didn''t see hime in from behind. Being held in his arms, Eliza told herself to indulge for once, not to push him away, feel his warmth even if it was for just another second. Then his voice rang out in the darkness. "You really are missing the touch of a man." He coldly said as he wandered his big hands around her body. Eliza struggled a little before she stayed obediently in his arms. Tanner had to admit, her subtle action had pleased him but at the same time irritated him. "Do you y hard to get with other men as well?" Tanner asked grimly. Eliza''s eyes widened in shock. Why? Why must he humiliate her like this? Her heart brutally ripped open; his mockery pained her more than anything else. She then started to struggle intensely, but Tanner wasn''t going toply. With a warm kiss on her neck, his actions got even more wanton. Why was he still behaving as though he cared a lot about her when he saw her as a stand-in, when he loved Raelyn, when she was so filthy in his eyes? Heartbroken and aggrieved, tears started streaming down her face involuntarily. She didn''t want to give herself any hope anymore. She didn''t want him to think about her sister when he hugged her "You''re my brother-inw..." Eliza''s voice sounded nasally. Tanner paused his actions right then. If the lights were on, he would''ve seen her broken heart from her eyes, and she would''ve seen the panic and heartache in his. However, it was pitch-ck, and Tanner''s heart only ached in a sh. The next second, his eyes turned bloodshot, and there was only malevolence left in his gaze. After all this time, she still hadn''t a clue who his heart belonged to! Okay, fine, he''d tell her himself! Eliza felt a chill on her back as she heard the sound of clothes being torn apart. "What are you doing?" She resisted with all her might, but her clothes were still torn to shreds in his hands. "I''m doing you," he said word by word, not a hint of yfulness in his tone. "You seem to have forgotten we are married. Everything I do to you is legal." His words exploded in her mind. She could hear the anger in his tone. Huh! Brother-inw? She would have to be punished for calling him that. Nowpletely naked, he could feel her cool, soft skin under his hands. Picking her up, he threw her onto the bed and pinned her down. Filled with fear, Eliza begged. "No, please..." He only replied, "This is not up to you." Eliza felt as though her body had been disassembled when she woke up, and the hickeys and bruises all over it were a shocking sight. Right in front of her was a fuzzy noggin. Tanner seemed to be still asleep, looking sate. She had to get to her new job! She tried to extend her hands to check the time, only to realize she couldn''t move no matter how hard she tried. Stirred by the subtle movement next to him, Tanner frowned and dragged her into his arms. "Hiss." A wince. He opened his eyes andtched his gaze onto her. Because ofst night, Eliza frowned and faced away from him, feeling both embarrassed and mad. But Tanner wasn''t angry, only reaching out for her face, forcing her to look at him. Just then, Eliza''s phone rang. The sound seemed to being from his side. With just a feel, he found her phone. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Nichs was calling. One look at the name, and the all-powerful Mr. Deleon turned grim. Tanner being Tanner, he concealed his emotion in a sh. He wanted to see her reaction, smirking. He waved her phone at her. Immediately seeing ''Nichs'' on the screen, she knew she must bete. He had called to ask why. She wanted to reach for her phone, but she was well spent. Worried the call would end, she had no choice but to look at Tanner. He was smiling, but it was ferocious. Seeing he was unfazed, she spoke up, croaking. "Tanner, this call is very important to me." Tanner looked at her; his gaze turned cold. She didn''t look too good, a little tired, but her eyes were bright. One phone call from that son of a b*tch, and she was this excited?! Knowing he was angry again, she thought for a moment and said, "This is really important. You can put it on speaker." Smirking, he wasn''t interested in their conversation. He pressed the answer button and ced it next to her ear before getting up, making his way to the shower. Nichs''s gentle voice traveled from the other end of the line. "Dear beautiful Ms. Eliza, it is already ten. I''ll look bad if you skip your first day of work when I''m the one who anointed you." Eliza smiled with how he made her feel less embarrassed by remarking her tardiness wittily though Nichs couldn''t see her expression. But she couldn''t even get out of bed, let alone go to work with her current state. Resigned, she had toe up with a lie. "Sorry, I... I''m not feeling well today. Can I take three days off?" She really did sound sick, thanks to her croaky voice. However, her heart pounded, and her ears flushed. She wasn''t a liar; she would start feeling guilty whenever she lied. Nichs would easily see through her if he was right in front of her. "You''re sick?" She did sound unwell, so he bought it. "Well, I suppose our employment offer was a bit abrupt. Three days off it is; rest well." "Thank you. Sorry to trouble you." Eliza heaved a murky breath after ending the call. "Are you really so happy after chatting with your side piece?" Catching the smile still on her face, Tanner leaned against the bathroom door, looking scornful. Chapter 45 Want to Be with Another Man? Forget It Chapter 45 Want to Be with Another Man? Forget It Tanner had only gone in to take a quick shower and came out wearing a bathrobe in no time. Then he saw his wife hanging up the phone with flushed ears. Though he looked aloof as ever, only he knew how lost he felt. He knew he had gone overboardst night, but he couldn''t hold himself back, just like how he was on the verge of berserk then. She could smile at everyone but had only pain and suffering in her eyes facing him. Though Eliza was well spent, she was wide awake, hearing Tanner''s mockery at her loud and clear. She looked up and immediately saw him leaning against the door with his short hair still dripping with water. As rays of sunlight shone through the window, stars seemed to have formed in his fathomless gaze. His eyes were bright, giving her the false impression that he was looking at her with deep affection. But the frost beneath his eyes was evident. She gazed quietly at him. He was forever superior and incredibly handsome to her. Like how he looked to be God''s finest creation, ethereal, even when he was only standing there. But what about herself? She was nothing but a ragdoll looking up at the unreachable beauty. They were worlds apart. Tanner, the only son of the Deleon family, was too good for Eliza, the feral child of the Stone family. Eliza grew up a child deprived of love, so she''d feel somewhat inferior. The more brilliant Tanner was, the more she dared not approach him. But who could understand her sadness and bitterness? She was starting to lose herself. Not wanting to face him, she looked away, buried her face in the pillows, and closed her eyes. It felt as though she didn''t have to face external stress like an ostrich. But who was Tanner? Was he someone she didn''t have to face just because she didn''t want to? He quirked his brow a little and strode to the side of the bed. Feeling the sides of her pillow sinking, she looked up. Tanner''s scent and warm breath got her heart racing, but what came next was like a wet nket on her head. "Eliza Stone, you are mine." "You want to be with another man? Forget it." His words got her closing her eyes once more. He had believed that she was having an affair with Nichs. But she didn''t even get a chance at exining. Even though she had tried her best to restrain herself, her slightly frowning eyebrows exposed the difort in her heart. Tanner had always been very observant, so he could easily catch her subtle expressions. However, he didn''t put too much thought into it, only thinking she was feeling unwell. He scooped her out of bed easily; though his actions were loud, he was surprisingly careful. Eliza stiffened, feeling a chill as the covers lifted. Tanner was gentle with how he carried her, not hurting her. However, her clothes fromst night were already torn into pieces. Naked in his arms, she wanted nothing more than to bury herself in a hole. 29. That she felt ufortable had him in a better mood. The woman in his arms was flushed, looking around warily, avoiding his gaze. She looked like she was ying hard to get. Coupled with their skin-to-skin contact, he had the urge to ravage her once more. But then images from earlier popped up in his mind again. Recalling that he wasn''t the only one who had seen her bashful side, he turned grim once more. Being in his arms, Eliza thought she was going to ignite the next second, not daring to meet his eyes, not daring to see his expression, not knowing what he was going to do. She only knew sheid in his arms for quite some time before she was ced in the bath. The warm water hydrated her skin. She was covered in ck and blue, some hickeys and others bruises from when he overexerted. She looked up only to see him leaving decisively, not even sparing a nce. He was always like this. He looked down on her, showing her his heartless side, making her heart ache, but at the same time, he''d let her see his gentle side. Have her feeling hopeful. Exiting the bathroom, Tanner put on a random suit and went down to instruct Ms. Bell to check on Eliza twenty minutester. With that, he drove off to work. Upstairs, Eliza knew Tanner had left, hearing the engine start. Tears began to pool; the sense of loss had her feeling as though she was abandoned. The unstoppable heartache had her chuckling. Wasn''t it normal of him? Who did she think she was to cry? He was never hers. Stand-in Now that Raelyn had returned, it was her time to leave, no? But, what was up with her? Why would she feel so reluctant just thinking about leaving When Ms. Bell came up, torn clothes were sprawled across the room, and Eliza was sitting absent- mindedly in the bathtub. Her tear stains still hadn''t dried, and she was covered in cks and blues. She was already worried, seeing how Mr. Deleon looked when he went up. Who would''ve thought this would be like this. He really was no tender fellow. "Mrs. Deleon, the water has turned cold. Let''s go out." While Eliza was still in a daze, Ms. Bell took out a set of clothes and held it in her hands to help her change into. Eliza was only responsive when Ms. Bell spoke. She felt a little self-conscious to let Aunt Bell see her like this. "Sorry to trouble you, Aunt Bell. I can do it myself." Rather, her words had amused Ms. Bell. Mrs. Deleon. "It is my job to take care of you. There''s nothing troublesome about this. You don''t have to feel embarrassed. Mr. Deleon is inexperienced with love, so please try to understand." Listening, Eliza thought Ms. Bell was very attentive, even speaking up for him. However, her mind was filled with what Raelyn said. He was hot, decisive, and considerate; they... were very happy. Tanner was inexperienced with love? No way. She said nothing, only smiling at Ms. Bell to reassure her. She had recovered some strength after soaking in the bath for a while. However, she couldn''t dress herself with how sore she was, working with Aunt Bell to put on her clothes slowly. It took her a long time to get dressed with her weak legs. After that, Ms. Bell went out to call other servants to help support her. Even with so many people, everyone was in scrambles. By the time she came out, the room was already tidied up. The bed sheets were changed too, and even the floor was cleaned. The servants of the Deleon family were all well-trained. These small details could show the disparity between the Deleon family and the Stone family. The Deleon family was out of league even to her sister, much less her. Her eyes dimmed. After carefully settling her down, Ms. Bell had the other servants back to their stations. "Mrs. Deleon, it is already noon. You must be hungry. Is there anything you would like to eat?" In truth, she was exhausted, no appetite at all. But seeing how concerned Ms. Bell was, she didn''t have the heart to say no. "I''ll just have some soup." "Okay, I''ll tell the kitchen right away. Get some rest." Ms. Bell gently closed the door before leaving. When she was alone, Eliza raised her arm. She had had a headache since earlier. But seeing how limp her arms were, she knew she could barely even manage to massage her temples. Resigned, she put it down. It wasn''t excruciating anyway. It should go away soon. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Tanner sped, leaving the mansion. He was very vexed. The past Tanner could have anything he wanted; there was nothing he could not get at all. Not until Eliza appeared. Though she had been in his arms earlier, he would wonder what she would be like in another man''s arms. It wasn''t like him at all to feel insecure. He had had enough. In thepany, Fran was lying on his desk. He had pulled an all-nighter, getting the papers ready and cross-checked, finally finishing at eight in the morning. Seeing that Mr. Deleon hadn''t arrived and he didn''t have other tasks to get done, he took a nap, sleepy. Tanner''s looked grim when he entered. He hadn''t forgotten aboutst night. He kicked the desk, using so much strength that it almost copsed, and Fran jolted awake, only been half asleep, dopey. Seeing how awful his boss looked, Fran stood straight up immediately. Despite his calm look, he was groaning inside, knowing he would be getting a task. "Go investigate the young master of the Abbott family. I want to know all about him." The young master of the Abbott family? Nichs Abbott. Fran broke out in a cold sweat. A jealous man was not one to be offended. Supposedly, Fran could''ve gotten it done at his desk, but he chose to go out, staying far away from the ticking time bomb. The air outside the president''s office must surely be fresher. Only Tanner was left in the office after Fran headed out. Not much work had to be done that day, but if he did nothing, Eliza would sneak into his thoughts, upying it. He thought he must have gotten addicted to her. It was noon, and the sun was shining bright. Tanner removed his suit jacket and ced it aside before picking up the newspaper to check out thetest business trends in San Francisco. Just then, someone visited. Raelyn hade bringing lunch. She had always been high-profile about her rtionship with Tanner. The entirepany knew Mckenna adored her, and she''d be the future wife of the president. As no one dared stop her, she came to the president''s office as she usually did. She hade to see the results of her message to Eliza in the evening. No way she''d believe they hadn''t fought, knowing Eliza''s personality. A hint of maliceced her beautiful face, but it faded in no time. "Tanner," she called out to him coyly. Tanner was flipping through the newspaper, ignoring her when she pushed the door open. However, she wasn''t bothered; he had always been indifferent to her every time she came, taking her away, not letting her in. But he didn''t do anything when she came in this time. It meant that she was a step closer to sess, wasn''t she? Chapter 46Chapter 46 Did Your Heart Hurt, Eliza? Chapter 46Chapter 46 Did Your Heart Hurt, Eliza? Raelyn wore a white cocktail dress with a bit of a tutu, outlining her graceful figure yet making her look innocent and youthful. She had been busy the whole morning preparing this lunch box, for she had known her purpose since little. She was to be the matriarch of the Deleon family. Naturally, to reach her goal, she''d had to put in some effort, like how she conducted herself, her speech, and cooking. She walked lightly over and ced the lunch box on his desk. It was only then that Tanner noticed her. Rubbing his be, he had spaced out. Even though it looked like he was reading the newspaper attentively, the page stayed for a long, long time. "Tanner, I''ve made you lunch. Give it a try." She intentionally revealed the band-aid in her hand, knowing Tanner would definitely notice it. "What''s with your hand?" He remained t, not even questioning. Raelyn smiled. Tanner was aloof to everyone, so it was a great honor to obtain his concern. She pretended to hide her hand as if she did not want him to see it at all. "Nothing; just a little ident when I was cooking. It is just a small wound." There was an happiness on her face. Her happiness would have people thinking she was the genuine president''s wife. Tanner checked out the lunch box she had brought. It was a small box wrapped in a beautiful piece of cloth. Catching his line of sight, Raelyn quickly unwrapped the cloth. There were threeyers to the lunch box; pasta, sd, and soup, which she had thoughtfully separated. She was a noble youngdy, after all; her cooking would definitely not be on the same level as the Deleon family''s chef. However, with a few years under her belt coupled with a thoughtful presentation, it still looked decent. Seeing that she was going to open the lunch box, Tanner stopped her. "Leave it for now." They may have known each other since little, but she wasn''t the one he fancied, so he felt nothing toward her gestures. Being indifferent toward her was already the most he''d do, and it was all only to steady his mother and grandmother. He knew they would never ept Eliza since he was little, and his coboration and interaction with the Stone family was naturally to have them thinking it was all to court the legitimate youngdy of the Stone family, Raelyn. However, he knew who he truly liked, and he had no intentions of eating the food she brought. "Tanner, I I know this isn''t as good as the chef''s, but I made it just for you. Will you have a bite? Just a little?" She pursed her lips, looking a little aggrieved with her misty, amorous eyesced with a hint of coquetry. Though Tanner never once looked right at her, he could tell the coyness in her voice. As his gaze They were childhood friends after all, and she wasn''t his enemy either, having always tried to please him even. Plus, he could see a little bit of Eliza in her. He wouldn''t describe his feelings for her as hate, in all honesty. Raelyn had been keeping an eye on his expressions, opening the lid just when his gaze softened, allowing the aroma of the meal to perfuse in the air. "I''ll leave you be. Have some. I''ll sit on the sofa there. I''ll leave when you''re done." She pushed the lunch box over to him and trotted to the sofa opposite him. Raelyn had been taught etiquette ever since she was a child, so her manners were top-notch. Checking out the food in front of him, he was surprised to find they were all simple ingredients. He came without having breakfast, so he had gotten a little hungry. When Raelyn saw that he had started eating, she pulled out her phone, pretending to check her messages when she was actually taking a few photos of him. The photos were a little dark, and his expressions could not be seen clearly, but people who were familiar with him would know that it was him at a nce. With that, she pulled a seeding smile. Acting coquettishly always worked. Be it Mckenna or Tanner, they''d fall for it. She had deliberately selected basic ingredients and put her heart and soul into making them so that it would leave a moresting impression than if she were to make a feast. She didn''t mind Tanner having a rtionship with Eliza as he''d be hers in the end anyway. Nichs''s background check wasn''t hard to obtain, so Fran returned in no time. However, he was surprised to see Raelyn when he entered. Though for a second, he thought the real Mrs. Deleon had arrived, but seeing Raelyn''s smile, he came to a conclusion. No way would Mrs. Deleone, and smile so diabolically at that. She must be her sister, Raelyn. But, when has a woman ever entered the president''s office? Plus, Mr. Deleon was eating?! What in the world? Okay, bad timing. Maybe he should leave. "Come back." Tanner coldly said as he put the cutlery down. Seeing Fran enter, she knew her ns were foiled. She cursed in her heart. Why couldn''t hee in Tanner wouldn''t pick the cutlery back up when he had put it down. "Looks like you guys are busy. I''ll leave you to your work." She had feigned consideration from the very beginning, so she''d naturally keep up the act to the very end. Despite her reluctance to leave, she still packed up the lunch box, taking a nce when she was at the door. She had achieved her main goal anyway; the set of photos would definitely help her. Tanner had been treating the matter with indifference the entire time, so he didn''t notice her nce at the door. But Fran did; nothing escaped him. This first youngdy of the Stone family was not someone to be taken lightly. After she left, Fran stepped up. "Sir, these are all Nichs''s information, including his life abroad. It''s all here." As he handed the papers over, he wondered if he should speak of what he saw. After all, Raelyn wasn''t as simple as she looked. But he left it be in the end. It was Mr. Deleon''s personal affairs; he shouldn''t big mouth. As Tanner focused on the papers, he didn''t see Fran''s expressions. Nichs Abbott, the young master of the Abbott family; only child, six-foot in height, single genius painter, studied in France; returned two days ago. The information was extremely detailed; even his everyday life, bad habits, and past love life were written clearly. From the information provided, this man had nothing dirty to his name at all. He did not smoke, drink, or do any dirty business, not even casual with his dating game. The Abbotts were a huge group in San Francisco as well, so he wouldn''t be a bad choice for Eliza. No wonder he dared to try and steal her from him Plus, he couldn''t even get Nichs to back off with how intimidating he was when he took Eliza away from him. Nichs, the first rival he acknowledged, not inpetency but love. His resume was squeaky clean, but it couldn''t be ruled out that the Abbotts had hidden some information. But it didn''t matter to him; he just wanted to know who he was fighting against. As he was looking through the information, Raelyn had alighted the Stone family''s private car and sent out her text. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Eliza had stayed in the room for a while when Ms. Bell came up with a bowl of soup. "The soup is still a little hot. Please be careful." Eliza regained their strength after some rest, so holding a bowl and a spoon was still manageable. The soup was a little hot, and she was not in the mood to eat, so she just took her time. Aunt Bell stood by her side and kept an eye on her. A text notification beep came. Eliza''s heart skipped a beat. She had a bad feeling. Thest time she received a text message, her sister sent a photo of Tanner, and her heart wrenched painfully. If it was Raelyn again, she really wouldn''t have any idea what to do. The servants had ced her phone by the side of the bed, very close to her. But she didn''t have to courage to check. Aunt Bell didn''t miss the conflicted expression on her face; Eliza''s face nched the moment the notification came. Naturally, she wouldn''t say much at a time like this, only waiting quietly by the side. After a long while, Eliza put the bowl down and checked the message, looking like she had finally decided. Sure enough, it was a message from her sister... "Eliza, I went to Tanner''spany today. I busied myself in the kitchen the whole morning, making him lunch. Tanner ate a lot. I''m so happy." "I don''t have anyone to share with, so I can only tell you. You hadn''t replied to myst message. Are you starting to think that I''m annoying?" The picture was a little dark, but she could still imagine Tanner was probably happy eating Right, she was just a stand-in. Now that the real deal had returned, it was only natural for her to leave. "Aunt Bell, I don''t have any appetite. I don''t want to eat anymore. Thank you." Seeing that her expression was instantly off, Ms. Bell knew she shouldn''t stay any longer despite not knowing what had happened, cleaning up, and leaving. Lost filled Eliza''s eyes. She didn''t know what to do. She was ashamed of stealing her sister''s beloved. Though she was forced in the beginning, she she realized she had fallen for him with time. Tanner... She could make nothing of his thoughts. What should she do! A lump in her throat; her sister was still waiting for her reply. She typed away as she endured the heartache. "I will never think that. It''s just that I''m a little busy with my new jobtely and forgot to reply." "You and Tanner are a perfect match. He''s lucky to have you. You two must stay sweet." After pressing send, she realized her strength was all gone again. Raelyn was still in the car when the message notification came. Seeing it was from Eliza, her smile deepened. Did your heart hurt, Eliza? Her heart hurt thousand-folds when she heard they were married! It was only the beginning; it would only get worse with time. Eliza had nothing on her. The knowledge had been seared into her mind since little. Never had and never will. Locking her phone, the view outside the window had be more beautiful to her. 100. What lovely weather. Raelyn removed the band-aid on her finger, revealing smooth skin. Chapter 47 Do Something That Should Be Done When Drunk Chapter 47 Do Something That Should Be Done When Drunk Doing nothing seemed to make time pass by very quickly; it went from noon to night in the blink of an eye. Usually, she would paint to kill time. But unsure if she was feeling weak or very miserable, her shaky hands couldn''t even hold a brush, let alone draw lines. She could forget about drawing for the day. Putting the pen and drawing block down, she sat motionless on the bed, staring into space the entire day. The sound of the engine jolted Eliza awake in the evening. Tanner had returned from work. Scared, she didn''t dare to face him. Tanner entered the bedroom only to see her wrapped under the nket. Striding to the bed, he lifted the covers to see a wan face. "What''s wrong?" He felt her forehead with hisrge palm. His voice was deep, and from it, she could hear his concern. Eliza had made great efforts to bury herself in the nkets, only for him to yank it in one go. His somewhat caring words had hurt her even more. Why did Tanner have to do this? Why did he pretend to care about her Her eyes turned wet again; she couldn''t afford his concern. "I''m fine." Her words carried alienation. Eliza had never used such a tone with him before. She would timidly call him with her soft little voice when she was little, and as she grew a little older, she would still smile at him despite her fear, probably intimidated by how influential the Deleon family was. And then Ball Ind those were their happiest days. They were nobodies, and they didn''t have any Had she forgotten all that after returning to San Francisco? Tanner held a death grip on her chin, forcing her to face him. "Open your eyes." He wasn''t asking. Eliza kept her eyes shut, eyshes fluttering. She trembled in intimidation. No one dared to disobey him here, but she couldn''t open her eyes, for she knew her tears would fall the moment she did. She frowned, silently opposing. He knew that he had gone overboard the night before, nning to have a chat about their problems But guess what? This was the attitude he got. He was even reluctant toy his hands on her when she went out for dinner with some other man on her own, only that he hadn''t watched the force he grabbed her with. But now, when he wanted to talk to her, she was all ''I want nothing to do with you''. "Eliza, I will give you three seconds. Open your eyes." His anger was starting to leak into his words. No, she could not open her eyes. He must definitely be pleased to see her cry because of him, right? She was just a random stand-in to him, but she had fallen for him in just over a month. Tanner really had great charm. As she thought so, she pursed her lips tightly and restrained the urge to open her eyes with all her might under his coercion. Her three seconds were up. Tanner sneered. She didn''t want to look at him? Did she know how many women in San Francisco tried to throw themselves at him? He had no interest in other women in the past. But now, he had changed his mind. Her shackled chin had been released, and the mming door told her he had left. If he faked his departure, he could see it as soon as he turned around. To see Eliza covered in tears. Tanner sped his Maserati GranCabrio along the roads with lightning speed in the dark night. Reaching his destination, he got out of the car. The best bar in all of San Francisco, Sunset Bar. The owner was his business partner. Though not exactly friends, they were on good terms. Unlike other entrepreneurs, he didn''t like to put himself and hispany in magazines for the sake of publicity. Apart from the high society, others would''ve only heard his name and not know what he looked like. Being the best bar in San Francisco, and all the bar staff knew he was an honorable guest because of the partnership, it became the best ce for him to get a drink. He didn''t even have to say anything before an attendant brought him to a private luxurious VIP room. With the boss absent, the manager came over, hearing who had arrived. "Mr. Deleon, what can I get you this time?" He stood deferentially, and cold sweat seemed to be dripping from his forehead. Tanner''s expression was cold, seemingly grim as he sat in the room. He hadn''t done anything, but his expression and aura alone were enough to scare the wits out of them. Tanner Deleon, not someone they could afford to mess with. The manager was naturally asking if he wanted alcohol or women. He dide to seek a woman''spany. But not anymore. Perhaps inured, he didn''t want other women close to him, especially in such a ce. Even a virgin was filthy to him. More importantly, he had onlye to trigger Eliza. But she knew nothing about it, so what ''trigger''? Funnily enough. Who would''ve thought he, Tanner Deleon, was doing this because of a woman. "Whisky on the rocks. Make it strong." With years of social engagement, he had learned a thing or two about alcohol. Whisky was smooth and kicked a punch, which was what he preferred. He ordered it strong only because he wanted to get drunk. Never would he have thought there''d be a day he''d want to get drunk. Raelyn was in a good mood that day, getting her nails done in the afternoon and watching TV at home at night, only to receive a call from Mckenna. "Raelyn, have you fallen out with Tanner?" Mckenna''s gentle voice came from the other end of the line. "Of course not, Grandma. He''s really sweet to me. You don''t have to worry." A hint ofzinessced Raelyn''s sweet voice. "Don''t lie to me! That rascal is in Sunset Bar; my friend bumped into him. He bullied you, hadn''t he? What did he do? I''ll teach him a lesson." "No, no. Tanner and I had a date, we" She sounded bashful, like she was hesitant to speak. Hearing how defensive Raelyn was to her grandson, Mckenna was pleased. She sure had a good upbringing, gentle and tolerant, and even treated Tanner well. Only a woman like her could be the future matriarch of the Deleon family. As someone who had seen it all, how could Mckenna not tell her future granddaughter-inw was hiding something? But lying or not, she had achieved her purpose of telling her Tanner''s location. She wasn''t going to care what the two would do, but she knew this young one would definitely seize the opportunity. "Well then, I''m relieved. Do your best." "I will, Grandma. Bye!" Mckenna ended the call at that. The smile on Raelyn''s face grew presumptuous from the moment she answered the call. Huh! How effective. She wasn''t worried at all that the truth would be brought to light. Knowing Eliza, she would never tell Tanner about the messages as she would only be humiliating herself. Sure enough, her little sister didn''t disappoint her. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Raelyn dressed herself up; she had to make her move now. Her family chauffeur sent her to Sunset Bar. Raelyn caused a sensation as soon as she stepped inside. Her seductive smile matched the atmosphere as well. She loved being the center of attention. Her long, off-shoulder fiery red dress, in addition to her bedroom eyes, made her even more bewitching. It was highly likely Tanner hade to get drunk, and she knew how seductive she looked. Plus, even if he did the unforeseen and asked for an escort, her dress-up would definitely have those lowly women feeling inferior. She had nothing to fear. Her confident and graceful strides had surrounding mentch their gazes on her, and she would constantly hear catcalls, but she shrugged them all off. As Sunset Bar was the best bar in San Francisco, every affluent family in the city had their own private room here. And Raelyn was lucky enough to have apanied her father to the Deleon''s room. As it was a precious opportunity, she had seared the location into her mind. Giving the attendant her VIP card, he led her to the second floor. With some tip and a wink, she had gotten that green and inexperienced young man blushing, and he didn''t bring her to her room but instead went downstairs as she requested. Standing in front of the Deleon''s room, she adjusted her dress before knocking on the door. No one answered. With an eyebrow quirked, she opened the door and entered. Bottles of opened liquor were ced on the table; the man was almost done drinking. Tanner sat on the sofa, looking drunk; his slightly bowed head showed a hint of tiredness. But no matter how he looked, he was still perfect. Raelyn stared infatuatedly. He was way too perfect, so perfect that she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. The room didn''t smell of any woman. Good. Raelyn strutted over and sat next to him, leaning against his shoulder. Tanner was only drunk, not f*cked up. Seeing a woman next to him, he pushed her away impatiently. Her pungent perfume had nothing on his Eliza''s natural body fragrance. Despite being pushed away, Raelyn wasn''t discouraged but rather still looking all soft and coquettish. How unappealing would she have been if she couldn''t even take him down when he was drunk?! No longer trying to lean against him, only leaning up close with seductive eyes, she lookedpletely different from the demure socialite she usually was. Tanner saw her face. "E..." Raelyn''s eyes lit up. To her misery, she and Eliza had some resemnce; it had always annoyed her. But it had now be her greatest weapon. As long as Tanner couldn''t tell if she was Raelyn or Eliza, she could swoop in and seal the deal by the following morning. Even if he tried to deny it, Mekenna would see to it. "Rae Raelyn. Why are you here?" He got a whiff of her perfume. She was undoubtedly Raelyn. Seeing her n had failed, her unwillingness to admit defeat was written all over her face. Now that he had recognized her, he naturally wouldn''t let what shouldn''t happen, happen. She stroked his thin lips. Tanner... As expected from the man she took a fancy to, he was that f*cking smart. It wouldn''t be her toe all the way here without doing anything. Since her ns were already foiled, she could at least get some interest. She inched her lips to him. Chapter 48 She Fell in Love with Someone She Shouldnt Have Chapter 48 She Fell in Love with Someone She Shouldn''t Have Only fractions of an inch away from his lips, Raelyn suddenly stopped. Since Tanner had already recognized her, he would definitely be disgusted with her if she were to leave a mark on his lips. She couldn''t be rash about it. Tanner''s vision was actually foggy then, seeing multiples. Despite recognizing her as Raelyn, it was only for a split second. Then he thought he was seeing Eliza. Raelyn thought she couldn''t do anything to him, but she could do something to Eliza. Maintaining the position, she fished her phone out of her handbag, adjusted the angle, and took a shot. The room was dimly lit, so the photo taken looked blurry, looking intimate. Her fingers were still on his lips. With a little bit of force, they sank. No rush, he would be her''s eventually, and this, would be her''s as well. Raelyn kissed, from inches away. She wouldn''t be sending this set to Eliza. It was her most powerful weapon so far. It would definitely Sending her texts too frequently would have her thinking her beloved sister had other intentions. She was supposed to be Eliza''s gentle sister. Back in the mansion, not long after Tanner left, Ms. Bell came to tell Eliza dinner was ready. Strength had returned to her legs, but her waist was still sore, so the way she walked was a little weird. Ms. Bell stayed by her side, supporting her. Mrs. Deleon may not know about it, but as an outsider, she was all too clear. Tanner''s work kept him in his office, so he would only return past midnight whenever he stayed over. However, ever since Eliza moved in, not only would he return regrly, he''d rush back for dinner every day, though he''d bring his work home with him. If anyone said he didn''t care about Mrs. Deleon, not even the servants who barely had any contact with their masters would believe, let alone her. So even if Mr. Deleon hadn''t instructed, they''d do their best to serve Eliza, not daring to ck even a little. She was anxious, seeing how her masters were falling out, but she couldn''t big mouth, only wishing that Mrs. Deleon could see how attentive Mr. Deleon was to her and not let him down. After Tanner left, Eliza cried. She knew tears were useless ever since she was a child; however, she couldn''t help herself. Her sister''s message was a reminder to her; she had fallen in love with someone she shouldn''t have. Her heart was dripping bloodily, in throbbing pain. But even so, she told herself to be strong. She only cried for a little while before she gradually calmed down. By the time Ms. Bell came, her expression had returned to normal. She slowly made her way to the dining table. Knowing Tanner was gone, she didn''t have to keep a watchful eye. After a day of not eating, she was finally feeling a little hungry. Probably knowing Mrs. Deleon was in a bad mood, they made her something light. They indeed looked appetizing. Looking over at Aunt Bell with gratitude, she noticed she looked to have something on her mind. "You okay, Aunt Bell? Is everything alright?" Seeing Mrs. Deleon''s genuine concern, she rxed a little. How innocently adorable was their Mrs. Deleon. She was just a servant; what troubles could she have other than being worried for them? But it seemed that she had overthought. Mrs. Deleon was pure and kind; she''d naturally have her blessings. "It''s nothing, Mrs. Deleon, please, have your meal." She took her to her seat. Despite being doubtful, Eliza didn''t press on. She was in a brighter mood after finishing her meal. Though the flowers in the yard were beginning to wither, she could still smell the fragrance in the cool autumn wind. And a smile returned to her face as she took a deep breath. That night, Eliza retired early. Tanner didn''t return, nor did she care, better that he didn''t. She couldn''t face him right then, for it would only stir her guilt toward Raelyn whenever she looked at his face. Eliza knew she was an ostrich sometimes, understanding nothing would be solved with how she decided to deal with it. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She was too exhausted, burnt-out. However, she couldn''t fall asleep, filled with bothering thoughts. So she forced herself to sleep, keeping her eyes shut, lying motionlessly. But it didn''t seem to be working, only making her thoughts clearer. In the end, she resigned to watching the stars through the window. Just like that, the night passed. Seeing the sky gradually turning bright, Eliza got a little depressed. She had spent the night awake. Tanner returned at dawn. The hangover left him with a headache, but the level of pain was nothing to him. With a conscious mind, he drove steadily back to the mansion. The moment he entered the bedroom, Eliza could smell the perfume on him. It was Raelyn''s favorite scent Raelyn sprayed some on his shirt, where the jacket covered before she left. As Tanner didn''t notice all that, he didn''t realize Eliza was only pretending to be asleep. Tanner grabbed a new set of clothes and made his way to the shower. He spent the night with Raelyn, hadn''t he Her face nched further. But why should she be jealous? Wasn''t it supposed to be that way? They were a couple; she was the one who wedged herself in between them. As Tanner showered, he recalled all that had happened after he was drunk. He seemed to have seen Eliza, but it was probably only his imagination. She was at home; no way she''d go to those ces. He quirked his lips,ughing at himself. Who would''ve thought there would be a day a woman would have him feeling defeated. Determination surged within his fathomless eyes as he opened them. That was it. Since she had teased him since they were little, she could forget about ever leaving him! The sound of running water seemed to have stopped; Eliza quickly adjusted her breathing and pretended to be in deep slumber. Tanner came out of the bathroom in no time. She could feel both sides of her pillow sinking, and also his breathing, which reeked of alcohol. Had he bent the elbow? He had gone to Raelyn after he left angrilyst night, right? Then why would he hit the bottle? Something seemed off, but she couldn''t justify it. A more pressing matter was at hand. Tanner''s hands were on the left and right of her head; his breath was even brushing against her face. What was he trying A whileter, the pressure was lifted off her pillow. He had left, very much like the night before. Eliza slowly opened her eyes. She''d be lying if she said she wasn''t upset, but she should be feeling relieved. This was how things were supposed to be. Tears nearly fell again, but she was tired of crying now. Teary-eyed, yet none were shed. Nichs had given her three days off. It was only day two; she still had time to adjust herself. It was definitely a no-no for her to go to work like this Ms. Bell had brought out the hangover cure when Tanner went down. Though it wouldn''t be of much help when he was only drinking it now, it was still better than nothing. Fran sent a text to remind him of the summary meeting they were having that day. With how decadent he looked, reeking of alcohol, he was theplete opposite of the usually disciplined Tanner. Feeling the stubble on his chin, he thought he should shave. With that, he went back up. Eliza had already sat up then, surprised to see he had returned. They met each other''s eyes for a split second before both looked away. Eliza looked out the window, slightly blushed; something had struck her heart. She couldn''t believe she''d think he still looked handsome despite his sloppy look and stubbly chin. Her heart seemed to be beating to his steady footsteps. She must be going mad! Just then, Raelyn''s messages popped up in her mind. The inchoate hope fell into the abyss in an instant. What should she do? She couldn''t stop herself from falling in love with him Though Tanner walked into the bathroom with a nk face, his gaze drifted a little. Eliza''s gaze at him when he came in was no longer defensive. If he wasn''t mistaken, the glimmer that shed across her eyes was admiration. He smiled but felt somewhat down. It must be his imagination. Eliza Stone, she didn''t have a heart. She had shut him out ever since they were little. Though he had tricked her into marrying him, she still dared to flirt with other men when she had be his wife, not giving a d*mn about him. His gaze gradually turned cold. She could do whatever she wanted with how he spoiled her. He couldn''t bear toy a finger on her, but the men she flirted with, they were apletely different story. Both were down in the dumps when they saw each other again, pulling long faces, not speaking. That probably was where they synced the best. Tanner was needed in thepany, so he left. Eliza constantly felt something was missing from the massive house, leaving her further away. She knew she''d have such thoughts because of Tanner. He had invaded her heart, iming every inch of it, searing his mark on her body before she knew it. But what next? He''d probably kick her away after his curiosity was satisfied. Eliza closed her eyes. After spending so many happy and heart-aching moments with Tanner, she should be content. She could ept the ending, right? She could only ever ept what was given to her in this rtionship. He was the one to make the calls; that was why she never asked to break up. It would all be nothing unless he said yes. He was that autocratic, but at the same time, deadly attractive to her. How could someone like him exist? Someone so perfect, so unforgettable, so vile, so ruthless. It seemed that she was okay to wait silently for the day they break up now. The feral child of the Stone family, the nominal second youngdy, had nothing on the demure and elegant Stone family''s first youngdy, Raelyn. She smiled self-deprecatingly. Only she knew how painful her heart felt anyway; no need to sensationalize it or humiliate herself. Taking onest look at Raelyn''s text, she deleted it. Since they have served their purpose of reminding her, they could be erased now. Only Tanner was good enough for her sweet, gentle sister. They had to live happily. Forcing a smile, she felt as though the world had abandoned her when she had only lost him. Her heart twitched, aching again. Chapter 49 Go and See Your Lover? Chapter 49 Go and See Your Lover? Eliza spent these two days cooped up in her bedroom. Tanner woulde back every night, so she''d still have to go down for her meals. How high of a horse she''d be riding if she didn''t. As usual, the two would be silent the entire dinner, probably the quietest dinner the world had ever seen. Eliza dared not look at him, only focusing on her te. Only someone more intimidating could withstand the massive oppression Tanner exuded when he pulled a straight face and said nothing. Evidently, Eliza wasn''t that someone. If she could, she really didn''t want toe down for dinner. Tanner ate gracefully and swiftly, every action emanating the manners of an affluent family. Ignoring that aloof face, watching him eat was a sight to behold. Tanner still minded that she went out for dinner with another man behind his back, so he never spared her even a nce the entire dinner, going to his study to continue with work after he was done. Eliza was more than happy to have a good meal with what was served, but with Tanner next to her, she only wished it would end sooner. Not long after Tanner went up, she put down her cutleries. The lights in the study would still be on whenever she retired. After washing up, she went to bed. Her eyes were wide open in the dark. She didn''t know why but she had been having trouble falling asleep. Tanner still hadn''te to bed when it waste at night, and the lights in the study had dimmed. Eliza, on the other hand, was starting to feel sleepy. Though the two rooms were connected, the two people inside weren''t, as though neither could see each other. Two days of leave passed by quickly; Eliza had long recovered; however, the bruises on her were still noticeable at a careful nce though they had faded. She picked out a high cor blouse and a professional zer and put on some light makeup. She then tied her hair up into a messy bun, making her look lively and yful. By the time she went downstairs, Tanner was already sitting there. It was still early in the morning, and birds were chirping outside, indicating a wonderful morning for Eliza. Tanner, however, thought otherwise. Compared to her gaunt look in the past two days, she looked much alive now that she had dressed up. Especially that subtle lift on the corners of her mouth; they really affected his mood. Was she really that happy to see another man? As Eliza sat down, Tanner sneered. "Are you happy because you can finally go and see your lover?" That was the first thing he said to her in the past two days. As though struck by lightning, Eliza froze, and her face evidently paled despite the makeup. The faces of the surrounding servants paled along with her as well. "Mrs. Deleon is having an affair? Shut up; Mr. Deleon is so nice. How taking for granted!" They all thought. "Why so quiet? Did I hit the nail on the head?" His words were harsh, and his expression was cynical. Eliza looked at him with incredulity. So she was a fickle woman to him. Funny, what led him to think so? Her shock and disappointment weren''t lost on him, and they helped ignite his anger. Did she realize her aggrieved look would have him full of himself, thinking he was the only one in her heart? Huh, full of himself; who would''ve thought there would be a day it''d be used on him. How ironic. Grabbing her neck, he ripped the top of her blouse open, revealing the fair skin underneath, and of course, the marks he left. "A word of reminder, you''re mine." And these hickeys were proof. Eliza felt a tingling sensation as he caressed the crook of her neck. However, it was not enough to strum her broken heartstrings. She stayed silent the entire time, her lips pursed. Tanner only grabbed for a while before he released her. Her originally smooth cor was now full of wrinkles. Having had enough, he got up and left. It wasn''t until he was gone that she gasped like a drowning person who had just climbed ashore. Her thoughts, like her actions, froze when he was next to her, unresponsive, unable to refute. Her heart was beginning to hurt again, but she couldn''t care less anymore. Having lost her appetite, she went back up to change and touch up her makeup before heading to her new job. It was seven-thirty when she reached thepany. Surprisingly, Nichs was at the entrance. "Good morning, beautiful Ms. Eliza." Unlike the other day, he stood straight in a full suit. Surprised, she wondered why he was standing there? However, she didn''t voice out her question. They weren''t that close. "Good morning." Nichs''s warm smile influenced her mood. She smiled back at him. "Seeing it''s your first day today, why don''t I take you upstairs." He was clearly waiting for someone with how he stood straight there. Nichs had also decided not to make any witty remarks to tease her. It was her first day at work, and he wanted to show her around. "Okay, thank you." With that, he brought her inside. Thepany was massive. The first floor was opened to the public, having some branded apparel for sale. The second floor was reserved for VIPs. The limited-editioned apparels were all kept there, even providing tailoring; the haute couture were drafted there. The third floor was where the designers worked. Emerald was San Francisco''s best-known apparel Their interviews were enough to prove. One round, one hire. So, correspondingly, the conditions here were naturally good. Every designer had ample space to work in; lighting was good too. It was evident Emerald''s designers were treated well. However, this wasn''t where she''d be working. "This is the designer''s work space. You are the student designer I hand-selected, so your office won''t be here. Come with me." Fourth floor, Nichs''s office. Seeing the que ''President''s office'' on the door, Eliza was bbergasted. She had thought he was a manager of the sorts, never actually asking him, seeing that he showed her around. Who would''ve thought he was the President of Emerald. Come to think of it; Emerald seemed to be founded by an Abbott... This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. How had she never made that connection? How stupid of her! No wonder all the female staff looked envious and unbelieving, eyes aze as though they wanted to burn her with them when he showed her the way! Perhaps scarred by Tanner, she had the impression all CEOs were unpredictable. Following behind him, she suddenly shuddered. Seeing how wary she was, not knowing what was on her mind, he gave her forehead a light flick. Eliza stared wide-eyed at him in bafflement, not knowing why he had done what he did as she rubbed her forehead. However, her drifting gaze proved that she was to cover up her inner grumbles. Sure enough presidents whatnot were all weirdos. However, she''d never had thought her countenance struck Nichs right in the heart, attracted by the woman right before his eyes. Nichs rubbed his nose, self-conscious. "Let''s go." His office didn''t fill up the entire fourth floor. There was also a meeting room and a reception area. There was someone else on the floor too. Nichs''s assistant, Amy. "Amy, this is Ms. Eliza Stone, the student designer under my wing." Amy, in professional attire, looked diligent and capable. She was good-looking as well, her eyes turning into crescents when she smiled. "Hi, Ms. Stone; I''m Amy, president''s assistant. I''m responsible for managing his schedule and administrative support. If you need anything, you can let me know, and I''ll arrange it for you." Her salutation startled Eliza. She was just a student designer while she was the president''s assistant. The ranking didn''t seem right "Hi, I''m Eliza..." She stuttered a little, nervous. Moving her lips, she didn''t know how to bring the topic up but seeing that she''d be called Ms. Stone every day, which she didn''t deserve She decided just to say it. "Umm, I''m just a student designer, and you''re my senior here, so please don''t call me Miss Eliza will do." Eliza was a little stiff, fiddling with the strap of her handbag as she spoke. Amy''s gaze drifted between her boss and Eliza, hearing that; him, then her, then back at him again. She was someone the president personally showed around. So many designers; all started off as trainees, but who has ever had such privilege? Dared she not call her Ms. Stone Nichs, on the other hand, chuckled. "Just call her that if she insists." He said to Amy. Amy nodded. "Well then, Mr. Abbott, Ms. Eliza, would you like a drink?" "Latte, please. You?" Nichs spoke up, not forgetting to ask Eliza as well. She shouldn''t drink coffee with an empty stomach, right Eliza thought for a moment. "I Can I please have a ss of milk?" "What rare specimen is this? It seems like an atypical young woman has joined theirpany," Amy thought. However, her request had put her in a tight spot. The refreshments were all freshly prepared, usually stocked with coffee and fruits. She''d have to run to the shops to get milk, and it might cause a dy. "We usually keep coffee and juice here. Is juice okay?" Nichs treated his staff well, stepping in, knowing Amy was put in a tight spot. Eliza blushed a little; she had never been offered refreshments before, so she didn''t know. "Yes, sorry to trouble you." Her voice was barely audible, like a mere mosquito buzzing. Helping her feel less awkward, Nichs brought her further in, exining as they walked, "You''ll be under my guidance. After your internship, you''ll be working as my assistant designer." "No need to take the stairs when youe to work. Feel free to use the private elevators here." As he brought her to his office, a youngdy trotted toward them, eximing coyly, "Nicky!" Chapter 50 Ms. Ashley Chapter 50 Ms. Ashley She wasn''t tall, in a pair of heeled sandals, whitece tulle skirt, ck shirt, and a red shawl jacket. On her gorgeous ck bob cut was a cute bowler hat. Which made her look petite and sophisticated. She looked young as well, much like a doll. Trotting over to Nichs, she affectionately wrapped her arms around his, leaning her whole body on him. She sweetly smiled as she looked at Nichs. Eliza was very familiar with that gaze; Raelyn had the same eyes when she looked at Tanner. The girl seemed to have only realized Eliza''s presence, wide-eyed, hostility evidently beneath them. "Who are you?!" Her slight fierceness was a stark contrast to her clinginess a second ago. Facing the sudden interrogation, Eliza was a little stumped. "Hi, I''m the new student designer, Eliza Stone." "Eliza Stone?" The girl pondered for a moment before she smiled, looking like something had urred to her, confident and ostentatious. "The phony youngdy of the Stone family?" Her words were filled with animosity. She was indeed a phony youngdy; nothing more needed to be said. But why did she target her straight? Also, how did she know who she was? Bafflement filled Eliza''s gaze; she shouldn''t have made any enemies, had she? Not answering her question, she stood with her back straight, silent. Seeing how she did not respond, the girl smiled. "What? Don''t tell me you don''t know who I am? Then again, Raelyn usually attends all the gatherings. I''m not surprised you don''t know me." "Speaking of which, if it weren''t for her, I wouldn''t even know you exist." Her words were filled with sarcasm despite the smile on her face. Being close with Raelyn, Eliza wasn''t bothered at all by her words of discord. However, her tone got her frowning a little. She was probably the youngdy of some affluent family. But she didn''t have a memory of who she was. As for Nichs, his palm had been on his forehead from the moment he saw her, troubled. How did Josephine, the bratty princess of the Ashley family, get in here?! However, her words got him frowning. He may not have been familiar with the name Eliza Stone, but he had heard a thing or two about the ''phony youngdy of the Stone family''. Though herst name was Stone, it didn''t lead him to make the connection with how she carried herself. She was very different from her older sister. Plus, if she was the second youngdy of the Stone family, then the way Tanner came to take her away Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. the other day left a more profound impression on him. What was their rtionship? Didn''t everyone say Tanner and Raelyn were in love with each other? He had thought Tanner found himself a paramour. Could that paramour actually be his girlfriend''s sister Taking a gander at Eliza, she was turning out to be more and more interesting Coming to a conclusion, he remained silent. He shouldn''t get himself involved in a girls'' fight. Plus, he wanted to see how Eliza would react to those words. Used to being bratty, Josephine''s words were harsh to people she disliked. With how she spoke to Eliza, it could already be considered as humiliation "Should I know you?" Eliza''s calm words got the other two dumbfounded. "Excuse me?!" Josephine stomped her feet, making a crisp ck as her heels hit the floor. "I mean, if you don''t introduce yourself, how will I know who you are?" Eliza said nonchntly. Her fear toward Tanner had a lot to do with Raelyn, as she had told her Tanner wasn''t easy to get along with, and he was indeed extremely aloof. But that didn''t mean she was afraid of everyone in the high society. This girl right in front of her looked like she still hadn''t reached legal age, super innocent. "I..." Josephine, who had been high and mighty a second ago, was rendered speechless with anger by her words. She suddenly pouted as though she had suffered a massive grievance. "Nicky! Can you believe her? She said she doesn''t know me!" She was like a child whining to an adult. As someone who had been active in the high society''s social circle, she basically didn''t have to introduce herself. Everyone knew she was the third youngdy of the Ashley family just by looking at her and would naturally be nice to her. She couldn''t believe there was actually someone who didn''t know her! Had this Eliza Stone been living under a rock?! "Don''t try and change the subject. Answer my question; why are you here?!" Josephine roared. Why was Eliza Stone with Nichs?! "I''ve told you, I''m the new student designer here." Eliza smiled, but Josephine was bbergasted. She had forgotten Eliza had answered her moments ago. Hearing their conversation, Nichs burst intoughter. Eliza was really something. Josephine grew up a spoiled brat; she was the first to render her speechless. Who knew Eliza could stay so calm facing Josephine''s harassment. He was greatly curious about Eliza; she could always surprise him, be it herself or her rtionship with Tanner But now wasn''t the time to mull over it. Since Josephine had turned to him for help, it''d be unjustifiable if he didn''t say anything. "Josephine, she''s the student designer I hand-picked; she''ll be working with me. You''ve been out for too long; your dad must be worried." Nichs said gently, not only standing up for Eliza but having also indirectly asked Josephine to leave. But of course, Josephine wouldn''t get the cue. "I I want to work with you too, Nicky." With that, she held a tighter grip on his arm. She had grown up clinging to him like that. At first, he would shake her arms off, but it would only make her cling to him harder! She''d even throw a tantrum. Nichs couldn''t stand that the most. She was a youngdy of an affluent family, but she behaved like a pesky child in the markets. To save himself from going deaf, he got himself used to her actions. After all, she was half a sister to him. Ignoring her request, he turned to Eliza. "This is Josephine, the third daughter of the Ashley family." With that, Eliza finally knew who in the world this brat in front of her was. Seeing how intimate they were, she had thought Josephine was his sister or cousin. Looking at it now, she wouldn''t be wrong to assume she was his girlfriend, would she? That would exin her nickname to him, no? Eliza''s face showed that she had understood all the underlying messages. Speaking of which, Ms. Ashley was infamous for how she carried herself. Raelyn had talked about her before; she was a gorgeous young woman, just that she was very willful. It seemed that what Raelyn said was true. Nichs was decent at reading people as well. Seeing Eliza''s expression, he knew she had misunderstood. But Josephine next to them, he couldn''t exin to her. Not only would it lead Josephine to be unreasonable for an entire day, but it would also cause Eliza trouble as well. "Josephine, I need to start working. Do you not have any gatherings today?" Nichs smiled gently, setting her up. "I do! The Patel family from New York has an auction-social banquet. Why are you asking? Are you nning to go with me?" Josephine answered without thinking and even invited him. "But I''m working right now. You should go there and make some friends." Nichs spoke as if he was coaxing a child. "No, you just want to send me away! Don''t you think I''m going to fall for it!" No way she''d let Nicky be with that phony youngdy of the Stone family. She would keep a watchful eye here all day! "Josephine, be good." Nichs turned stern, his tone grave as well. He could be quite intimidating when he was all serious. Josephine began to hesitate then; she didn''t want to piss him off. "But Nicky, you just got back" She really wanted to be with him. "Josephine, a party is more interesting than this ce. I won''t have time to entertain you when I get busy. Why don''t you go on your own this time, and I''ll apany you if I can the next one?" "The banquet is in the afternoon..." Josephine protested, her cheeks puffed up. "You still have to get ready, don''t you? Be good." "Nicky..." Whining, she was reluctant to leave. "You''ll disturb me being here. Be good." "Okay." Josephinepromised. Turning to Eliza, she shrieked. "I''m warning you, Nicky is mine! Don''t you dare have any thoughts about him!" Eliza felt helpless. How had she ended up as someone''s imaginary love rival when she hadn''t done anything? Josephine was like a hot-tempered kitten,shing out the next second when Nichs had finally managed to soothe her. Unwilling to leave, Eliza dragged her steps, looking back every now and then as she walked. Her gaze at Nichs was constantly affectionate while all hostile toward Eliza. Watching as she left, Nichs thought he should enjoin the receptionist to stop her froming up no matter what, or this would only turn into a daily drama. This young woman had quite the personality. Eliza could only say that about her. It wasn''t until Josephine left that Eliza heaved a sigh of relief. Josephine was easily a burden. Nichs had rxed as well. He could finally exin it all to Eliza. He hadn''t looked happy since Josephine popped up as she only responded to coaxing ever since she was a child. How exhausting to deal with a bratty princess. "Me and her..." Forget it; why should he exin himself? Nichs turned from looking gloomy to putting on his signature smile. Though just an expression, it was enough to wow people. "Forget it. Come on, let''s get to work," he said gently, as usual. "Okay." Eliza followed behind him. Nichs was also one she couldn''t understand. Why had all the CEOs she met thus far like this? s... Tanner never took back his order of shadowing Eliza, so there was always someone keeping an eye on her, watching her movements at all times. From the moment she left the house, Tanner opened the video sent to him, sitting in his office. Her every move was under his watchful eye. Fran was all tense next to him. He feared if they captured something bad, Mr. Deleon''s wrath wasn''t something just about anybody could bear. Tanner squinted at the sight of Nichs waiting for Eliza at thepany''s entrance. Nichs''s behavior served as a challenge to him. Chapter 51 Mr. Deleon Actually Loves Someone Else Chapter 51 Mr. Deleon Actually Loves Someone Else Tanner sat casually in his office, legs crossed. The office was dimly lit, and the man on the chair looked intimidating, looking like the dark king of San Francisco without needing much action or expression. The projector was on, and the video was still ying. After Nichs and Eliza went inside, Fran cut to Emerald''s surveince footage. Emerald had an excellent security system, but they still managed to hack it easily, and with that, they sorted out the footage where Nichs and Eliza could be found. From the footage, the two maintained a safe distance; Eliza merely followed behind him, listening to his words, nothing intimate between the two. Tanner''s thoughts were unfathomable right then, but Fran still heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank heavens," he thought. What did he say? Mrs. Deleon and Mr. Abbott were just ordinary superiors and subordinates, or friends at most. Sneaking a peek at his boss, Mr. Deleon''s was as ever deadpan. But he should be relieved at what he saw, right? He could be at ease as well, not needing to endure Mr. Deleon''s inexplicable wrath! Even if his anger wasn''t targeted at him, it could still wear him out. However, the pleasant atmosphere didn''tst long. Fran could feel the air surrounding Mr. Deleon drop when he saw Mrs. Deleon receive a flick on her forehead. Um, okay, the only thing he should do then was to y dead and lower his presence. However, it wasn''t like he could avoid reality just because he wanted to. "Fran, Emerald survived a little too long in San Francisco." Suddenly Tanner spoke with a grave, emotionless tone as if he was reading a verdict. Being his assistant, how could Fran not understand what he was implying? Not only that, he caught Mr. Deleon''s surging anger. However, the Abbotts were only second to the Deleons in San Francisco, and with their deeply rooted rtionships and background, it would be no easy task. Even if Emerald was merely apany the Abbotts gave their young master to try out, it would affect their rtionship with them if they suddenly attacked it. It''d be a pyrrhic victory, very unwise. He refused to believe Mr. Deleon hadn''t taken such an obvious oue into consideration when even he could figure it out. But even so, he still gave the order. He finally understood what ''a great sh of anger for a great beauty'' meant. But no matter what his thoughts were, he could only do as told. "Yes." It was a happy day for Eliza. Apart from the situation with Josephine, she learned a lot at work. Nichs told her she''d be promoted to his assistant designer after her probation, and her desk would be in his office. As he had seen her work, he then started pointing out how she could improve on her line drawings. Nichs wasn''t a professional fashion designer, but his fundamentals in drawing were on a different level than Eliza''s. They got along rather pleasantly. Eliza and Nichs had lunch together. As it was her first day, she wasn''t familiar with her colleagues, even less likely to engage with them with her desk being on the fourth floor. Despite it being staff meal, the dishes weren''t bad. After quickly finishing their meal, they threw themselves back into their work. The afternoon passed in the blink of an eye. "My dear beautiful Ms. Eliza, since we''re done for the day, I wonder if I have the pleasure to invite you to dinner?" His invitation was exactly as when she asked him out to dinner to thank him. His words stumped her. He was very much like that day; the same rxed manner and teasing tone. However, it reminded her of the horrible night; she still had those fading marks till now. She bit her lower lip, looking reluctant. Looking at her expression, Nichs had a good idea of her answer. "Sorry, I might have other nster. Maybe next time..." Sure enough, she turned him down. As she spoke, her ears flushed, and her gaze drifted away. Eliza panicked; she was a horrible liar! What ns? She merely felt awful as the memory popped up and didn''t want to go. Nichs thought he knew her reason for declining when he saw how distressed she looked. Something probably happened after Tanner took her home that day Since she didn''t want to, he wasn''t going to force her either. "Okay, next time then." Nichs''s smile never faded. After spending an entire day with her, he discovered she was simple, unlike how he had imagined her to be. Say, Eliza was jealous of her sister, so she stole her man, wanting to go from rags to riches Moreover, she was gifted in art, a hint, and she would get it. Perhaps because she didn''t have a good teacher, her fundamentals weren''t solid. But now that she was under his wings, he was confident he could turn her into a top designer. As Nichs walked her to the main entrance, many looked in their direction. Eliza may have felt somewhat ufortable; Nichs made nothing of it. "Do you need me to arrange you a ride home?" He was gentle as usual. "It''s fine, thank you, Mr. Abbott." Tanner would probably explode if she said yes, so she declined without even giving it a thought for the sake of her puny life. Her words got Nichs frowning. As Eliza caught his hesitation, her expression turned quizzical, wanting to know what he had to say. The two then engaged in a silent conversation. Finally, he said it after much deliberation. "I''m not wrong to assume we''re friends, right?" "Yeah." Eliza answered almost immediately. Hearing that, his hesitation subsided, looking more rxed. "In that case, let''s not ever call me Mr. Abbott again. You make me sound old." His serious bull tickled her, and she smiled brightly. "Okay, how should I address you then?" He smiled after she did. "Well, I am three years older than you. How about Nicky, if you don''t mind?" Nichs looked a little off when he said so. Okay, he admits he had self-interests. On the one hand, he was fascinated by this youngdy, not rejecting the idea of getting closer to her. On the other As she''d be working directly with him, calling him that would save him from certain trouble, namely, Josephine. Eliza''s expression turned odd as well after hearing his suggestion. Nicky the nickname reminded her of that bratty princess from earlier. Josephine had just warned her; if she discovered she called him Nicky as well, she''d surely bend out of shape He wouldn''t have not taken that into ount, would he Sensing the awkwardness, Nichs coughed lightly. "Just kidding, just call my name. It''s Nichs Abbott." So he was just joking. Eliza heaved a sigh of relief. With that, she smiled and imitated him. "Well then, if you don''t mind, just call my name too. It''s Eliza Stone." The two exchanged a smile and bid goodbye. Public transport in the city center was convenient; Eliza managed to hail a taxi in no time, and Nichs saw her off. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. It was starting to turn dark by the time Eliza reached the mansion. A cool breeze constantly apanied the autumn evenings, and the flowers in the garden were beginning to wither. Through the lights in the mansion, she could see the petals were beginning to turn dull. Just as she was about to open the front door, she heard the servants chatting. One was convincing the other; they seemed to have been chatting for some time. "I''m serious. You didn''t see how awful Mr. Deleon looked. He hadn''t lost his temper so badly in a long time." "Mr. Deleon never stays for long. We don''t really know his personality; how would you know his temper?" "Yeah, don''t you think it''s unusual for someone like Mr. Deleon to lose his temper like that?" "Well if you put it that way, it does make sense." "Yeah, I heard from someone that Mrs. Deleon is actually not a rightful youngdy of an affluent family, and Mr. Deleon actually loves someone else!" The person speaking sounded emotional, filled with indignation, and it rendered the other person in shock. "No way! But I heard Mr. Deleon got this ce for his beloved. Didn''t he bring her here himself?!" "Shush! That''s not all; I even heard this Mrs. Deleon snatched Mr. Deleon from her sister! Her sister is the one who is truly worthy of Mr. Deleon!" Standing outside, Eliza smiled bitterly at the conversation. In the end, these words still appeared in the ce she thought was most weing after so long. But with them chatting inside, she didn''t know what to do. It''d be bad timing for her to go in at this time, but she didn''t want to stay outside either. She didn''t want to go in and make things difficult for these girls. After all, they weren''t wrong. But she didn''t know where she could go if she were to leave. In truth, she had never felt like she was part of the family. She long knew Tanner got this ce for Raelyn. However, she fell in love with him with time, so she tried not to think about it, but she was once again reminded. Be in here or back in the Stone family, the only person who would ever be epted was Raelyn. As though her legs were glued to the door, she stood there quietly. The conversation was still going on; she could still hear the servants chatting away. "No way; she''s the only woman Mr. Deleon ever brought over. Have you forgotten how we were strictly chosen to serve Mrs. Deleon?!" "So you still remember you were all strictly chosen to serve Mrs. Deleon?" Hearing a different voice, Eliza stumped. It sounded familiar, Aunt Bell? Chapter 52 Youre Getting Too Bold for Your Own Good, Eliza Stone Chapter 52 You''re Getting Too Bold for Your Own Good, Eliza Stone Aunt Bell had always been friendly and gentle in Eliza''s impression, be it toward herself or the servants. However, the familiar voice had a different feeling then. Aunt Bell was standing up for her. The servants all silenced, surprised to discover Aunt Bell overheard their conversation. She didn''t reprimand them too badly, only warning them to never say such things again before dispersing them. The area then quieted down again. Eliza stood outside for a while longer until she began to feel cold from the autumn breeze. Shuddering, she took a deep breath and entered. The voices were long gone, but they left a trace in her heart. It was still early, and Tanner had yet to return. Aunt Bell was cleaning the hall when she saw Eliza and quickly went up to her. "Mrs. Deleon, you must be hungry. The kitchen is getting dinner ready. Is there anything you''d like to eat? I''ll get them to make it right away." Eliza looked at her with gratitude. Ms. Bell genuinely cared about her, be it right at her or behind. Regardless of her motives, Eliza would never forget how sweet she was. "It''s okay, Aunt Bell. I''ve already eaten outside." Eliza wasn''t in the mood to eat, and her voice was weak. Ms. Bell was stumped, couldn''t help thinking, "If Mrs. Deleon had eaten, then when Mr. Deleon returns" He''d probably flip again. "I''ll go upstairs first, Aunt Bell." Eliza smiled at her, but she looked rather pallid. Her skinny figure disappeared at the stairs. Ms. Bell couldn''t help being skeptical. She''d apany Mr. Deleon for dinner back when she was working. But why was she acting so unusual when she had just returned from her first day of work? Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. She didn''t look like she was in good shape, even more so that she had eaten. She then started mulling over it. Mrs. Deleon should''ve long returned, judging from when she got off work. And right then Two servants were gossiping about her in the hall. Had she overheard their conversation?! It was already seven then. In other words, she''d have been standing under the cold wind for over an hour! This was bad! Mrs. Deleon didn''t look too good when she went up. Oh, how she hoped she wasn''t catching a cold. Ms. Bell had intended to report the unpleasant incident to Mr. Deleon. Seeing that he''d return any time soon, she thought she''d have to do it even more so now. The moment the two servants started gossiping about their masters, they had lost their rights to work here. Taking a worried look upstairs, Ms. Bell figured she should leave Mrs. Deleon to rest The sound of a car engine could be heard outside around seven-thirty. Mr. Deleon had returned. The dishes have all been served and were still warm. Tanner didn''t see Eliza when he came in. He smirked; her every action that day had been under his watchful gaze. Not only did she have a pleasant lunch with Nichs, but they also chatted for quite some time when they bid farewell at the entrance. He had thought she''d wait here obediently for him. s, it was only his wishful thinking! "You''re getting too bold for your own good, Eliza Stone!" he thought. Ms. Bell had been waiting in the hall all this while, walking straight to Tanner as soon as he came in. However, midway, she stopped when she saw how grim Mr. Deleon looked. No matter how calm she was, he was too intimidating. She stood motionless, silent, not knowing whether to advance or retreat. Noticing her, Tanner''s expression softened slightly. Aunt Bell had been taking care of him since he was a child, or he wouldn''t have her managing this home that meant a great deal to him. "What is it, Aunt Bell?" However, despite their rtionship, he still spoke indifferently to her, just like he did with everyone else. Ms. Bell had long gotten used to it. She remembered he was yful and loved tough as a child. However, he grew colder as he grew older. "Mr. Deleon two servants were gossiping about Mrs. Deleon''s background earlier. She doesn''t look so good, probably overheard it and stood outside for quite some time." Ms. Bell reported deferentially. The atmosphere that had just eased tensed once again. "Fire them. Also, see that their behaviors are rectified. I don''t want to hear such things happening again." He paused. "Please and thank you." With that, he strode upstairs. Hearing that, Aunt Bell smiled gratifyingly behind him. Sure enough, Mr. Deleon cared about Mrs. Deleon no matter what. Eliza felt light-headed after she went upstairs. Probably because she was catching a cold A hot shower should fix it. With that thought in mind, she sluggishly took a set of pajamas before dragging her feet to the bathroom. As she was woozy, she felt like she was stepping on clouds. After some thought, she decided to take a bath instead of a shower. Soaking her body in the warm water, she started feeling groggy The bedroom was lit, but no one was inside when Tanner came in. It was a no-brainer that she was in the bathroom. However, it was too quiet, so quiet that it was as if no one was there. There wasn''t even the sound of water running. With that, Tanner walked to the bathroom and knocked on the door. However, there was no response. Without hesitation, he kicked the door open. Inside, a petite figure huddled in the bathtub, looking pallid as wisps of her damp ck hair stuck to her face. The scene looked out of a murder mystery. "Eliza!" Tanner could no longer stay calm, his eyes filled with worry. He dashed to the bathtub and scooped her out. The water had long turned freezing cold. Carrying her in his arms, Tanner couldn''t feel any warmthing from her, and her face was drained of blood. If it weren''t for her weak breathing, he would''ve thought she was dead. How long had she been in there?! F*ck! He then grabbed the towel aside to dry her body roughly before wrapping her up under the covers to warm her up. Feeling her forehead, it was burning! Tanner immediately called the family doctor. "Get over here in five minutes, or you''re fired!" He hung up right at that. Then he helped her put on a bathrobe before he hugged her in his arms, sitting on the edge of the bed. He didn''t mind taking their clothes off to warm her up, but the doctor wasing. No way he''d let anyone see her like that. Tanner was warm, but he couldn''t warm Eliza up no matter what. She was barely breathing, as though she was on herst legs. "Eliza! Hey! Eliza!" Tanner''s throat tightened. It was the second time he thought he was going to lose her. "Hey! Eliza!" He was nearly roaring. He kept rubbing her with his big hands in an attempt to keep her warm. "Eliza Stone! You''re not allowed to leave me. I won''t allow it!" Tanner''s eyes were bloodshot, looking like a mad beast. About four minutester, the sound of a helicopter arriving could be heard. And the family doctor came into the bedroom in about five. In those five minutes, Tanner warmed her up like crazy, and heat finally gradually returned to her thanks to him. Though seeing the doctor, he had no intentions of putting her down. "Take a look at her. Quick!" It was the first time the family doctor saw him that anxious, so much so that the hand putting the medical kit was a little shaky. He first felt her forehead before checking her pupil with a torchlight. After a quick examination, he checked her pulse. "Mr. Deleon, her depressiontely has caused her body to turn weak, with a side of migraine. Plus, she caught a cold, so her body gave in." "Luckily, she was noticed early, and with you warming her up, her condition isn''t severe. She''ll recover once her fever goes down by tonight and recuperate with an eased mind." "I''ll leave you with some fever medicine for now ande back with prescription drugs. She''ll be fine once her fever subsides by tonight." With that, the doctor left Tanner with two fever tablets before he rushed back. Tanner asked Aunt Bell to dissolve the two pills into the water. As she returned with the water, Tanner took it from her, not intending to let her help out. He fed her personally. The water was slightly hot, so he took a spoonful and blew on it before feeding it to her. This was Tanner''s first time caring for a sick person, so everything felt foreign to him. Meanwhile, Aunt Bell ced a damp towel on Eliza''s forehead. Tanner fed her very carefully. However, she was semi-conscious, so not much of the medicinal water went down. That wasn''t going to work. Tanner immediately decided to feed it to her with his mouth. Taking a sip, he reached for her lips. Slowly, little by little, he fed the medicinal water into her mouth, not wasting a single drop. Just like that, Tanner fed her all of it. After feeding her thest mouthful, Tanner didn''t leave her lips immediately but kissed her gently. He and Eliza hadn''t exactly been on speaking terms, saying less than ten sentences between the two of them in the past couple of days. He had been waiting for her to give in. As long as she said she and Nichs were nothing more than friends, he would believe her no matter what. However, she didn''t, only answering him with silence when he talked to her. That was why he started to monitor her, going mad when he saw her smiling at another man, being alone with him. But right then, his Eliza returned to his arms. His heart pounded again It wasn''t until his lips touched hers that he realized just how much he missed her. He missed her bright smile, her soft lips. The medicine was a little bitter. To be honest, he didn''t like taking medicine either. However, it was an exception that day. It was the first time he thought medicine was sweet. The doctor returned with the prescription drugs and gave them to Aunt Bell. It had been close to two hours since Tanner fed Eliza the fever medicine when Aunt Bell went to the bedroom. The medicine had probably kicked in as Tanner thought her forehead no longer felt as hot. Chapter 53 The One He Liked Was So Clearly Raelyn Chapter 53 The One He Liked Was So Clearly Raelyn With Eliza falling ill, the entire mansion remained brightly lit, and those who stayed got busy the whole night. "Mr. Deleon, it''s already veryte. Why don''t you get some rest, and I''ll take care of Mrs. Deleon?" Aunt Bell''s heart ached a little when she saw Tanner take care of Eliza even until now. It was already past midnight, but Mr. Deleon had so much work to get done every day; she thought he should get some rest. "It''s alright, Aunt Bell," Tanner said indifferently. He was fine taking care of her himself. Eliza felt groggy. She did feel much better soaking in warm water, but she still felt a little dizzy. And before she knew it, she started falling unconscious. Later, she started feeling colder and colder, but her eyelids were so heavy that she couldn''t open her eyes, and her body was getting so cold that she couldn''t feel anything anymore, immobile. The cold only got worse, and she began to lose her hearing; however, she could hear her heartbeat. It was gradually getting weaker Then, she seemed to have fallen into a warm embrace. It gave her a sense of security, at ease Someone kept touching her the entire night, and she didn''t like it very much. It wasn''t until a cool breath lingered in her nose that she fell asleep peacefully. This warm embrace So it was Tanner The sky had turned bright when Eliza knitted her brows and opened her eyes, seeing the white ceiling at first sight. "You''re awake." A husky male voice traveled to her ears. Drifting her gaze to the direction of the voice, she saw Tanner sitting by the bedside, looking at her with this fathomless gaze. Was that tenderness in his eyes? Following that, she noticed his eyes were bloodshot. He hadn''t kept vigil the entire night, had he Her petite hand was in his, which was burning hot. She opened her mouth only to realize she couldn''t speak at all. Taken aback, she had lost her voice? On the other hand, Tanner''s expression was even more dramatic when he saw Eliza''s expression change. "What''s wrong? Are you feeling sick?" He sat upright immediately. The scene of her unconscious in the bathtub with blue lips the night before shocked him to his core, and intense fear enveloped him as he hugged her freezing cold body. He feared this was how he would lose her So her sudden change in expression got him thinking she was going to faint again. This time, Eliza genuinely saw the concern in his eyes, and a jolt of electricity seemed to have struck her heart; it tingled. Shaking her head, indicating she was fine, she pointed her free hand at her opened mouth, trying to tell him she seemed to have lost her voice. Though she had woken up, she was still frail. In no time, her wrist felt boneless, and she put her hand down. She had a habit of keeping a drawing board and a pen under her pillow, so she could write if she wanted tomunicate with him. But by the looks of it, her writing would look absolutely horrendous when she couldn''t even hold a pen. Plus, Tanner had always been dictatorial, so he probably wouldn''t care what she had to say, so she gave up the idea. Though she answered his question with barely a response, Tanner couldn''t care less right then, putting his palm on her forehead before feeling his as well. They were about the same temperature; her fever must have broken. However, her face was still pallid, looking very weak and tired. Watching his actions, Eliza thought something struck her heart; it thumped nonstop. She could never figure out what Tanner was thinking. It was said that a woman''s thoughts were impossible to fathom, but she thought his was even more unfathomable. The one he liked so clearly was his sister. But if she remembered correctly, his gentlest side had only ever been presented to her. Who would believe the high and mighty Tanner Deleon would get nervous over someone. His every action would truly have her believe she meant something to him. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Even though he had a bad temper and thought she had some unspeakable rtionship with Nichs, he would be by her side whenever she was in danger. Feeling her eyes turning misty, she bit her lower lip. Though groggy, she could sense all he had done for her the entire night, and the sadness and grievance she felt a while back seemed to have all smoothed out. There was something magical about Tanner; that she long knew, and she felt nothing but touched when he turned gentle. Tanner''s heart melted seeing her expression. The cold shoulder he had been giving her the past few days must have been hard for her. With that, he nted a gentle kiss on her forehead. And Eliza blushed, feeling his breath brushing her face. Herplexion looked awful despite her rosy cheeks. It was a heartbreaking sight. Tanner kept vigil the entire night, watching her in silence, his gaze filled with affection as though he could never be tired of looking at her. He was the one who changed the damp towel on her forehead and fed her the medicine. And her faintly discernible bashful smile was the best reward he could receive. This heartless girl could finally see a bit of his heart. With an entire night of nursing, in addition to keeping a close watch on her condition, even the all- capable Tanner Deleon was feeling exhausted. But it was all worth it. With Eliza''s fever broken, the tension between them had subsided as well. As they exchanged nces, affection filled their gaze. Tanner wondered if he should ask for a morning kiss with the perfect timing, though he had kissed her lips somewhat swollen the night before. Seeing Tanner inching to her, Eliza''s vision turned a little blurry. Her heart pounded faster and faster. Looking up at him, she thought there wasn''t an angle he didn''t look good in, especially now, when his face wasced with a hint of slyness, a one-eighty from his usual self. He was so different, yet so much more charming. Eliza waited patiently, face flushed. But d*mn the heavens, her phone rang right then. The phone was left in the handbag she brought to work the day before, which was ced on her bedside table. Eliza could barely even drink right then, let alone fish her phone out. The sudden sound jolted Eliza back to reality. What what the heck was she doing? How could she think of kissing Tanner? He was, no matter how in love with Raelyn. They were the real couple. As for her, her marriage with him would end when he got sick of her. At the thought of Raelyn, Eliza couldn''t stop feeling guilty, and it was then she realized where that guilt stemmed from. She had fallen in love with Tanner! She had never asked for a divorce, no matter how aggrieved or heartbroken she was. Was it really because he was so tyrannical that her words served no purpose at all? Of course, not. His tyranny had nothing to do with her resistance. She had never brought it up because she didn''t want to. Some time ago, her heart would ache uncontrobly the moment she thought about leaving. She had feelings for and even more so fell in love with Tanner. Aloof Tanner, tender, attentive Tanner, Tanner who changed for her His every side captivated her. That was why she felt so guilty toward Raelyn. It wasn''t because he forced her to marry him, but because she didn''t prevent herself from falling in love with him. Blood suddenly drained from her face, chuckling cynically under her breath. So what if she liked him? He would eventually end up marrying Raelyn. She was nothing more than a passerby in his life; he''d eventually head to where he belonged. As helplessness surged within her, Eliza shut her eyes. On the other hand, Tanner turned livid the moment the phone rang. Eliza couldn''t move at all. So he moved to where the sound came from, fumbling her bag. The call came at the worst possible time. When he saw Eliza''s gaze turned clear in a sh, he knew asking for a morning kiss would be meaningless now. Hence, he fished the phone out with a grim look. The call must be from that Abbott family''s young master. Checking the caller ID, it was him, sure enough! How dare he call his woman again?! At such a timing at that! It seemed that he didn''t give him a good enough lessonst time! He turned the screen over to show Eliza, only to find her eyes closed. "Eliza." No morning kiss and a call from his love rival, the might Mr. Deleon was pissed. To make things worse, this woman was all ''it has nothing to do with me''. He couldn''t believe she wanted to go back to sleep! He called to her with a hint of order. She opened her eyes and looked at him with bewilderment. She felt exhausted, plus she had lost her voice. Though she didn''t know who was calling, her condition didn''t allow her to answer it anyway. So her ''it has nothing to do with me'' attitude meant that she''d leave it to him to deal with it. "Are you not going to see who''s calling?" Tanner put the screen right in front of her. Seeing it was Nichs, Eliza''s expression changed. S*it, she was supposed to go to work! She was probably superte now. It was still ringing, but the call would probably end any time soon, wouldn''t it? Eliza became anxious then. She had already taken three days of sick leave on her supposedly first day of work, and now she went MIA again after going to work for one day. Any boss would be pissed, no While Eliza was lost in her thoughts, struggling to move, a faint cracking sound came from her phone. She looked toward the man beside her. A horrible aura emanated from Tanner. None of her reactions went unnoticed. She had just been affectionate to him moments ago, yet she seemed to care so much more about a phone call from another man! His grip on her phone tightened unknowingly. What in the world was she thinking? Who the heck did she love?! His jealousy was about to drown all of his reasoning. The next second, Eliza looked at him with a pleading gaze. It was obvious; she wanted him to answer it! She had no other choice. There was nothing she could do but to have him answer the call. Besides, nothing was going on between her and Nichs, so she feared nothing. Her pallid face, coupled with her begging look, would have anybody giving in. Eliza, did she really fear no death? Tanner smirked. Alright, fine then, he''d like to see what they had to say to each other. Pressing the answer button, he thought what a s*it feeling it was! Nichs''s signature gentle voice came from the other end of the phone. "Liza." And just like that, Tanner exploded! Chapter 54 Theyre on a Nickname Basis Now Chapter 54 They''re on a Nickname Basis Now Nichs was in a good mood just an hour ago, probably because he''d see that interesting young woman again, or perhaps he just had a good night''s sleep. Hence, he came to thepany bright and early. He didn''t wait for Eliza at the entrance this time. He could use the excuse of showing her around the day before, but it wouldn''t be justifiable if he waited for her again. His assistant didn''t work in his office, and he had always been alone before he went abroad. So he never thought it was a big deal, but it somehow felt a little empty. He smiled, thinking perhaps because he had been lonely for too long, he started wanting more the moment he hadpany. The hands of the clock kept turning, but Eliza never showed up, and it was already almost eight-thirty. Nichs began to wonder if she had woken upte or she had gotten sick? Perhaps he should call. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. But what was he supposed to say? He couldn''t just straight up ask her if she was sick, could he? He was rendered at a loss for words for a moment Nothing he came up with sounded right. Plus, the issue with the name Though they had agreed to go by first name basis, he had been living abroad for quite a while; the natives there were quite open-minded about hypocorism, so he still thought it was a little strange to call someone by their legal name. After some consideration, he decided to call her Liza in the end. Liza, what a beautiful name. Even so, he still debated on whether to make the phone call. Few and far between, he paced back and forth in his office. And thanks to his hesitation, it was close to nine. Checking his watch, he thought it was definitely justifiable for him, Eliza''s boss, to remind his employee toe to work, right?! So what was there to hesitate about? Making up his mind, he called. The line tried to connect for quite a long while, but it still wasn''t answered. She must have overslept as he had expected No, something could have happened to her as well! Thinking of that possibility, Nichs grew anxious. Luckily, the call connected just as it was close to going to voice mail. He called out without hesitation. "Liza." After a moment of silence, he heard a man''s voice. Meanwhile, in the mansion, Tanner flipped the moment he heard Nichs''s voice. Liza? They were on a nickname basis now?! But he didn''t let his anger show, only looking at Eliza with an unfathomable gaze, somewhat hostile even! And his stare sent chills down Eliza''s spine. What was going on? Why did he look like that right after answering the call? Nichs should be calling to ask her to go to work. It should be nothing but an ordinary call, no With that thought in mind, she tried her best to fish out the pen and drawing block under her pillow. Judging from his look, he probably didn''t realize she had lost her voice. Even if she had mimed, she understood she shouldn''t expect he was observant enough to notice her abnormality when he had taken excellent care of her so unprecedentedly. With her voice lost, she wouldn''t be able to defend herself if she didn''t get her pen and paper ready for when he got angry. Seeing how furious he was, she thought it really was possible she''d lose her life there and then. With her fingers devoided from strength, no way could she hold a pen like she normally did! s, like a child, she held the entire thing in her hand. So she could write now, but it looked to be of a child''s, crooked and twisted, unsightly. Even she wanted tough at it. Just as she finished writing, Tanner''s voice traveled to her ears. "What''s up, Mr. Abbott?" Eliza listened to the conversation. Yes, it sounded normal. Despite his fierce look and cold tone. She slowly lifted the drawing block. The handwriting was childlike. It was unsightly but clear enough for him to read. It said, "What''s wrong?" Tanner''s gaze turned grave. So she hadn''t said a single word and even had him answer the phone because she had lost her voice. Just what sort of medicine had he fed herst night?! He couldn''t believe there were side effects! He reached slowly for her neck, caressing it lightly. That sense of tingling returned again. Eliza couldn''t withstand even the smallest of his actions. Nothing came from the other end of the line. For a while, there was silence. Never did Nichs expect him to answer the phone, rendered speechless for a moment. Coming back to his senses, he smiled and spoke. "I''m looking for Liza, Mr. Deleon. Is she there?" Since he was the one who answered, no way was Nichs going to change the address. That haughty man was probably going to explode from anger. Liza again?! Who did he think he was to be on a nickname basis with her?! Tanner red daggers at her. He couldn''t believe she allowed another man to address her so intimately. If she wasn''t sick, he''d make her realize what a wife should actually be doing! Eliza looked at him melessly, having a bad feeling He leaned over to her, sniffing her neck before nting a kiss there. Then his mellow whisper traveled to her ear. "Liza." Her heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he had ever called her that. "You gave him permission to call you that?" Sarcasm thenced the mellow voice the next second, and her heart plunged to the depths of the abyss in an instant. Just what was he talking about? Not giving her a chance to exin herself, Tanner went back to talking to Nichs. Nichs only heard rustlesing from the end of the line before Tanner''s voice returned. "How is yourpany doing, Mr. Abbott?" Nichs''s heart sank. He knew it! Hispany received some business assault the day before, and he hadn''t minded it until several partneringpanies unterally scraped their contracts. No one in San Francisco had the guts to provoke the Abbott family, nor did they have the ability to. No one except for the powerful man on the other end of the line. "I''m surprised you''d make such foul y, Mr. Deleon." "I''m just a businessman seeking worth." Seeking worth? Bah! Emerald and Moth Intelligence were no rivals; what worth could he seek? "He was obviously lying through his teeth. How shameless!" Nichs thought. Though this incident hadn''t affected the Abbott''s main business, he was fully responsible for Emerald. Nobody liked to be chased down! "So, what do you want?" Nichs had enough of talking with this man. Tanner was indeed powerful, and it was useless to talk, so he''d hear what deal he was making. "Nothing. I''m just reminding you of your boundaries." Tanner''s tone was calm, but even so, his aura would still have people thinking it was an order. Nichs was no exception. It had been a long time since someone had spoken to him in such amanding tone. Boundaries? Nichsughed. It was his business what to do with it. Since Tanner had mistaken, he didn''t mind letting him continue doing so. After all, he was more than happy that he could make him feel annoyed. Hearing them talk about Emerald, Eliza strenuously wrote, "Is everything okay with thepany?" She had already lost her voice, yet she was still caring about that b*stard''spany?! Receiving Tanner''s re, Eliza submissively put the drawing block down. These two outstanding men would originally never cross paths, kind of like two alpha wolves who would never meet. However, they interacted for the first time because of a woman. "Where''s Liza? She hasn''t arrived at thepany." Nichs hadn''t forgotten his purpose of calling. Liza again! He really didn''t know what was good for him! However, the all-mighty Mr. Deleon wasn''t going to admit he had a problem with the nickname. "She''s sick and will be taking the day off." He replied grumpily. Eliza was right in front of him, so his grim expression and attitude wereid bare. That was her boss! Was it really good to be so arrogant? Though Tanner could afford to do so Tanner would never grovel; being arrogant seemed to suit him more. With that thought in mind, she didn''t express her objection. Then Nichs''s gentle voice came from the other end of the line. "Why am I having trouble believing you? Hand the phone to her; I want her to say it herself." He indeed doubted the authenticity of his words, and it was within reason for him to make the demand as her boss. However, Tanner heard cynicism in his words! He dared doubt his words? Who did Nichs think he was that he needed to make up such lies?! Tanner took a gander at Eliza. He wouldn''t be wasting his time on this b*stard if it weren''t for her. "She just woke up, and she lost her voice. She can''t speak right now." Despite his grim look, he still spoke the truth. He wanted to make sure she got the day off. His heart would shatter to bits if his Eliza still went to work while she was sick. He had barely responded when Nichs suddenly got emotional. "How are you even taking care of her?!" Tanner couldn''t believe his ears; had he just been roared at? What a fearless man; how dare he talk to him like that?! He quirked his lips into a smile, one that was rather frightening. Eliza received the full-frontal. What was going on? The conversation all sounded normal up till now, only that his tone was off "Physically and emotionally, of course." Eliza was his woman, and she was nobody else business! A few words, and he dered she was his. Nichs actually regretted right after he said what he had. What was wrong with him? His family had always kept a respectful distance from the Deleons, and he agreed with the move. Even if he wanted to provoke him, he wouldn''t do it so obviously. However, upon hearing she had lost her voice, a flurry of anger rose in his heart. How sh*tty of a job was Deleon doing that he failed to even take good care of a woman?! Lost her voice? She must have gotten horribly sick! Despite his regret, his anger never subsided. Right then, he heard Tanner''s reply. Physically and emotionally? How could he not understand the underlying message? He could have just said she belonged to him. Need hee up with such wordy? Childish! However, he was then at a loss for words after he lost his temper; he wasn''t hot-tempered. Say no matter how annoying Josephine got, he could take it all in and coax her. But he''d seem to get agitated if it had to do with Eliza The inexplicable feeling got him even more irritated. Seeing that silence followed his answer, Tanner thought he got the message and gave up. He smirked a little. He would never allow anyone to steal Eliza away from him. "She''ll be taking the next few days off." After reminding Nichs onest time, Tanner ended the call. Hearing the call had been cut off, Nichs felt somewhat down. Looked like it''d just be him and himself in the office. Chapter 55 Beg Me… Chapter 55 Beg Me The room went silent once again when the call ended. It was just him and her now. With the sudden epiphany, Eliza suddenly didn''t know what to do. Tanner''s provocative ''Liza'' was still ringing in her ears. As for the sarcasm that followed, she was long used to it Though she didn''t quite get where it came from, she didn''t n on arguing either as the oue had been established. Tanner was sitting right next to her, looking grumpy. He must be upset, but what for, she did not know. After a moment''s silence, he pulled his phone out of his pocket to make a call. And made his way to the bathroom. His actions baffled Eliza. Why make a call in the bathroom of all ces? However, Tanner was too mysterious to her. After failing to reach an answer, she decided to just leave it Then again, when will her voice return Oh, how inconvenient it was not to be able to talk! The call connected. "Mr. Deleon." "Are there any side effects to the prescription drugs you gavest night?" Despite being a question, it was asked through gnashed teeth. And the question turned into a statement. The family doctor was on the other end of the line, and Tanner wanted to hold him ountable for Eliza''s lost voice. He hade to the bathroom to avoid her. Eliza had always been restive, so he had to keep a close Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. eye on her. If she discovered she meant the world to him, she''d only make nothing of him even more. "Mr. Deleon, all the medicine fromst night were used to relieve fever and cold, no side effects to them at all." The doctor could tell his tone sounded off. But despite it being a call, he could ''see'' the murderous look on Mr. Deleon''s face. Speaking of which, it was only when he returned with the prescription drugs that he realized the patient he treated was Mrs. Deleon after asking Aunt Bell. So he couldn''t help wondering if Mrs. Deleon was still feeling unwell, seeing how Mr. Deleon called to ask about side effects. Though Tanner wasn''t in front of the doctor, he still stood deferentially, cold sweat dripping off his forehead. He recalled the prescriptions, but they were allmon pharmaceutical drugs, and nothing would happen even if taken together. "Shall Ie over, Mr. Deleon?" The doctor asked gingerly. If something really happened, he wouldn''t be able to reside in San Francisco and even more so call himself a doctor and treat patients anymore. The Deleon''s family doctor was definitely the best in all of San Francisco. He had his dignity and pride as well. However, hearing the doctor''s suggestion, Tanner frowned in dissatisfaction. They had finally gotten their alone time; he didn''t need a third person butting in! "No need, just tell me why she lost her voice." The doctor understood immediately hearing that. Based on his examination the night before, there were only two possibilities. "If Mrs. Deleon feels pain in her throat, it may be an acute sore throat. If she doesn''t, it''s probably that her vocal chord is infected. I''ll have someone send both medicines over. You can give the right one once you''ve checked with her." "Any side effects?" The doctor panicked at the question. The medicine he prescribed was allmercially avable, and he''d deliberate giving any drugs that had significant side effects. "Mr. Deleon, these are allmon medicines. If there are any side effects, it''d only be drowsiness, and it''s very normal. Nothing to worry about." Tanner wasted no more time after getting the answer he was looking for. "Bring it over ASAP." With that, he ended the call. Holding the phone, the doctor didn''t know what to make of the situation, both amused and a little speechless. Compared to Mr. Deleon''s doubts, he was more surprised that the only son of the Deleon family would care so much about a woman! She must be absolutely outstanding! Asst night was too urgent, he didn''t get a good look at the patient. Recalling the petite body in Mr. Deleon''s arms, he thought that youngdy must be blessed to be able to receive his affection. However, it wasn''t something he should be concerned about. He needed to prepare the prescription and send it over as soon as possible. After Tanner ended the call, he washed up beforeing out of the bathroom. It was a sunny day, and Elizay silently on the bed; however, her eyes were dull, and her expression was nk. Tanner''s heart panged. What happened to her?! Dashing to the side of the bed, Eliza''s face looked pallid, lifeless, but she was still blinking, proving she was fine. And with that, he heaved a sigh of relief. Looking back at his panic, he wanted to look down on himself. Eliza''s fever had broken, so by right, she''d be fine. Her face was only pale because she had just recovered and still needed recuperation. He didn''t need to be nervous at all! Luckily, she didn''t notice. Eliza waspletely fine, just spacing out. After Tanner entered the bathroom, Eliza mused. As she had a long sleep, she wasn''t feeling sleepy, plus she wasn''t feeling like herself, and she barely had the energy to move. The only thing in her mind then was all Tanner. Everything he had done for her, significant and minor, crossed her mind. She''d be lying if she said she wasn''t moved. She could already consider herself lucky when a man was willing to change for her; what was more, he was Tanner. He had done so much, yet look at her. She had only ever epted submissively and did nothing in return. Thinking about it, she hadn''t only let Raelyn down but also him. However, in all honesty, her inaction stemmed from fear. She had always been in awe of him since she was a child, and it wasn''t a feeling that could be obliterated after spending some time with him. Even if she liked him, her fear would asionally affect her behavior. Nheless, this sickness had her deciding she should change. She should do something for Tanner when he could keep vigil by her side all night long. Perhaps not to take it as a gesture to her love, they would never have worked out anyway, but consider it as repaying his debt for all the times he had saved her. Eliza let her thoughts run wild. She did hear the running water stop as well as his steady footsteps, but she didn''t want to react to either of them. She was still disoriented; to be honest, her mental state wasn''t that great. She had constantly been feeling depressedtely when happiness suddenly descended upon her. This sickness, coupled with the emotional roller coaster, it affected her recovery. Tanner sat down beside her and held her hand. The warmth from his palm slowly brought her back to reality. And his heart string strummed, seeing her beautiful eyes lit up. He could now ask for the morning kiss he failed to receive earlier, right? Cupping her cheek with one hand, Tanner leaned in. Eliza noticed his emotion, but She covered his mouth with her dainty hands. Having feeble hands, she couldn''t fight him even if she wanted to, only cing them gently over his lips. But even so, Tanner stopped. Stone! She dared refuse him?! His gazetched onto her, burning with anger. Why couldn''t she see his love for her? Why must she always push him away? Though terrified by his re, she still put up a brave front. Then, she withdrew her hands and picked up the drawing block and pen. Tanner then sat back up, feeling as though someone had put a wet nket over his lust. He''d like to see what excuse she''de up with! Eliza strenuously wrote away, taking a long time before she finally turned the drawing block to him. The childish handwriting wrote, "I want to wash up." It wasn''t an excuse; she really wanted it. In actuality, she could taste the residual medicine in her mouth since she woke up, hating it. Seeing her reply, he was amused. Could she havee up with a lousier excuse? She was still unwell, yet she bothered herself to be clean? She probably couldn''t even hold the toothbrush, by the looks of it! He grabbed her chin with his big hands. Her pale face seemed pitiful, but now, there was only coldness left in his heart. "Who do you want to save yourself for with me right here?" Panic welled up in Eliza''s eyes. He had misunderstood her again. Looking at her coldly, Tanner thought, "Okay, Stone, you want to wash up? Fine. Let''s see what other excuse you''ll use to reject me!" Being carried in his arms, Eliza''s bathrobe mussed, half-open, exposing her fair legs, making her more seductive. Tanner gulped at the sight. Sh*t! Striding into the bathroom, he put his barefooted wife down in front of the mirror before circling her slender waist with one hand. Seeing that Eliza still felt a little dizzy and her legs were weak, he held a tighter grip on her, pressing her to his body. Leaning over, he whispered to her ear. "You don''t look so well, Mrs. Deleon; I don''t mind helping you out." Eliza could see how awful her face looked through the mirror, pallid. Tanner looked awful as well, however grim. Indicating he was in a bad mood! She wanted to refuse, but her voice still hadn''t returned. Then she tried to reach for the toiletries, but her hands were too weak. The only reason she remained standing was all because of his support. Tanner was more than happy to see her needing to depend on him. This woman was too stubborn; he had to tame her. He then nibbled her neck and earlobe. "Beg me." Hearing his husky voice, Eliza''s breathing came to a halt. They were in front of a massive floor-to-ceiling mirror with the vanity next to Tanner. He had deliberately put here there! Their intimate actions wereid bare right before her eyes...How embarrassing! As blood rushed to her face, herplexion now looked much better. On the other hand, how could she beg him? Refusing his demand aside, she couldn''t beg even if she wanted to, given her current condition. Drifting his fathomless gaze over at the mirror, her bashful look, rosy cheeks, shortness of breath, and helplessness at his kisses, was absolutely adorable. But seeing how unwell she was, he decided to leave her alone for now. He then picked her back up and turned around. Eliza heaved a sigh of relief. She was way too nervous just now! She slowly lifted her little hand only for Tanner to press it back down. "Will you be able to keep it raised?" Remnants of the aroused lust still lingered in his voice as he brushed his lips lightly against Eliza''s earlobe, making her heart itch. "Next time you want to lie, make it more believable." With the sudden turn of events, Eliza''s gaze dimmed. He was always like this, raining on her parade as soon as he got her heart fluttering. Chapter 56 She Wouldnt Cooperate Chapter 56 She Wouldn''t Cooperate Without waiting for Eliza to respond, Tanner pulled her into his arms, then reached out to prepare the toiletries for her intently, failing to notice the look of disappointment on her face during the process. To her surprise, he actually meant it when he said he''d help her. She was no longer a child, but Tanner brushed her teeth in his arms right then. Staring at the small mirror in front of them, Eliza thought the scene looked unreal. It was already strange enough seeing Tanner holding a toothbrush, let alone watching him looking so absorbed in brushing her teeth. At first, Eliza was worried he''d be rough with his actions, breaking her teeth when he was currently in a bad mood! But surprisingly, although he was still a little rough, it was eptable. In actuality, Tanner was equally nervous; this was his first time helping someone brush their teeth. To think when had the all-mighty Mr. Deleon needed to take care of someone like this? He resented himself; how could he have been so careless, allowing this heartless girl to steal his heart! Even so, he still tried his best to control his temper. When that was done, he sshed some water on her face to clean it before carrying her out in his arms. Eliza felt refreshed after washing up. Even though the process was a little embarrassing, she had achieved her goal either way. While the two looked at odds with each other but were actually flirting, the doctor''s medicine had arrived. "Does your throat hurt?" Tanner asked. Tanner ced her back on the bed, sitting with her back leaning against the headboard. Eliza shook her head, not feeling even the slightest pain in her throat at all. With that, Tanner picked up the medicine and noticed a note from the doctor on the anti-inmmatory capsules. "Take anti-inmmatory capsules if her vocal cord is inmed. Plenty of water, plenty of rest, and she''ll be fine in a few days." Aunt Bell remained in the room after she brought the medicine over. Nothing pleased her more to see Mr. and Mrs. Deleon affectionate with each other. "Aunt Bell, please bring some hot water to me," Tanner ordered. Obliging, she quickly went down to boil some water. As Eliza couldn''t speak, she looked over at the medicine. She hated taking them! Back home, her stepfather would never care if she fell sick, and her mother and sister would also spare her from taking medicine if she acted cute toward them. However, the person right in front of her now was Tanner. Acting cute probably wouldn''t work on him, right? After all, he was so cold-hearted. After ruminating, she crossed the poor idea off. However, unbeknownst to her, the move would work best on this ''heartless'' man in front of her. As she sat obediently on the bed, Aunt Bell brought the boiled water up not long after. She brought the kettle along with a cup. Even though Tanner had rarely taken any medicine growing up, he knew dispersing the powder into the water would produce a better effect. Thus, he immediately cracked open the two capsules and mixed the powder up with hot water. Seeing what he was doing, Eliza''s eyes widened with incredulity! His action traumatized her. She would definitely object right then if she could. She had only sat quietly because the medicine was in capsules, and she didn''t mind them. But now that he mixed it This heartless man! Who would take medicine like that?! Tanner then picked up the cup with intricate patterns. He swirled it slowly to cool the water down faster. Right then, he suddenly seemed suave, as though the contents inside the cup weren''t medicine but expensive red wine. It was a sight to behold. However, it was what it was, medicine! When Tanner handed the cup to Eliza, she resisted with all her might! No way she''d drink the water. Capsted medicine was generally exceptionally bitter! Plus, she saw the note; she''d be fine after plenty of water and plenty of rest. No medicine for her! Eliza shook her head continuously, refusing to let Tanner feed her, pursing her lips tightly, not allowing a single drop of that liquid to enter her mouth even when he grabbed her jaw. She was exerting so much force that Tanner was beginning to suspect if she was feigning. Where did all that strengthe from?! As she struggled, the medicinal water was spilling everywhere. And it only got Tanner even more livid. Why wouldn''t she cooperate, not let him feed her?! Okay, fine, he had wanted a taste of her all morning anyway. Just then, Eliza felt the pressure of the cup against her lips disappear while she resisted. Opening her eyes, Tanner downed all of the medicine! She was dumbstruck. How could he consume medicine when he didn''t need to?! Had he been possessed?! Despite worrying if he had gone mad, she couldn''t help smiling. She didn''t need to take the medication anymore, ted. However, it was destined to be short-lived. After Tanner put the cup down, he kissed her on her lips. The sudden kiss shocked Eliza, but at the same time, surprised her. However, before she could react, a medicinal taste filled her mouth. Sh*t! That sc*mbag! As she was caught off guard, she swallowed all the medicine he spat into her mouth reflexively. She couldn''t stand the pungent, bitter medicinal taste in her mouth. Eliza struggled to push Tanner away to drink some water, only for him to pin her down to her dismay. Seeing that she had swallowed all the medicine, his forceful kiss then became passionate. Since she wouldn''t cooperate, she shouldn''t me him for using unconventional means. How could he miss the opportunity to kiss her when he had been thinking about it all morning? As the kiss deepened, the bitter medicinal tasteced their mouths, Eliza could no longer focus her mind, not remembering what happened after. It wasn''t until she regained her senses that she realized he had sat on the bed with her in his arms. She could still taste the medicine in her mouth. As she barely ingest medicine, she was sensitive to the taste, and it felt extremely bitter to her when it was actually only a little. Tanner had only spared her lips, his hands still traveling across her body, turning her on, while he nibbled her neck. She really wanted water! Her desire urged her to wriggle restlessly. Disturbed, Tanner slowly opened his eyes, looking at her with absolute dissatisfaction! It got Eliza pouting unknowingly, expressing her desire for water with her eyes, hoping he was merciful enough to let her have a sip. Stumped, Tanner attacked her lips again. She wanted water, not a kiss! Another long make-out session, under his mercy, and the medicinal taste in her mouth was long gone! Eliza softened in his arms, panting, and started feeling sleepy, unsure because of the medicine or that she was deprived of oxygen. Tanner''s breathing was heavy as well, looking at her with a fathomless gaze. Eliza''s misty gaze, rosy lips from all the kissing, and soft body were all turning him on. Though her face was rosy, herplexion still looked awful. Seeing that she had just recovered, he would leave her alone. Gently tucking her in, he got out of bed and made his way to the shower. ... Eliza had already fallen asleep by the time Tanner came out. After spending the whole night awake, Tanner was long exhausted, growing sleepy seeing her sleep so soundly. With that, he immediately climbed onto her bed. Tanner''s body was still cold from the shower as he crawled into Eliza''s warm bed. Sensing a sudden coldnessing from one spot, Eliza wriggled away in her dreams. And her action got Tanner frowning. How dare she despise him when he had done so much for her?! With that, he scooped the little furnace into his embrace. He had been warming her up like a madman the night before; it was her turn this time. Tanner had spent the past few nights alone in the study, and there wasn''t a day he didn''t miss her fragrance. Having bad nights'' sleep, he could only nap and numb himself with work. But now, he could finally sleep with his beloved wife in his arms. Her fragrance filled his nostrils, and he knew he would never get sick of it. With Eliza''s soft, warm body in his arms, Tanner kissed her forehead, filled with satisfaction, and fell asleep with her in his arms. The two of them slept through most of the day before Eliza woke up. Tanner''s face came to sight the moment she opened her eyes. He must have been exhausted after keeping vigil, taking care of her for an entire night. The shallow dark circles under his eyes got her heart aching, so sheid quietly in his arms, not waking him up. Thinking back, he had really done a lot for her since their honeymoon! She was really d to be treated like that. She wascent even if the person in his heart wasn''t her At the thought of that, she felt a lump in her throat. Fortunately, Tanner was still asleep, or he would see through her pretense! Her heart couldn''t help twinging at the thought of leaving him one day. He was so perfect; how could she bear to leave With sadness surging in her heart, tears began pooling in her heart. Deleon, why did he have to be so nice to her?! Why must he make it so hard for her to leave?! However, just then, Tanner''s eyes shot open. Startled, Eliza forgot to stop crying. When Tanner woke up and saw Eliza''s tearful face, he felt as if something had shot his heart. And he kissed her face gently, kissing her tears away. His heart ached to see her like this. He hadn''t a clue why she was crying, only seeing reluctance in her eyes. Hugging her waist tighter, he pressed her head into his chest and stroked it. No constion, no anger, only presence, hugging her in silence, reminding her she still had him. Being in his embrace, she could hear his pounding heart, and she could no longer contain her tears, streaming down like a never-ending waterfall. Please let her have him for a while longer Let her be greedy and selfish onest time A whileter, Tanner sensed Eliza was gradually calming down. Later, he inched away to see she had fallen back asleep, with tear streaks still wet. Her tears, a little briny He kissed her tears away before slowly releasing her. He left the bed. His work had piled up, and it was time for him to get back to it after getting some much-needed rest.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. After changing into his usual suit, he looked back at Eliza. His Eliza. Whoever she loved, whoever her tears were for, she would and could only forever be his! She could forget about ever escaping him! Chapter 57 Dinner Together Chapter 57 Dinner Together The sky had turned dark by the time Eliza stirred again. She tried to speak but still couldn''t make a sound. Then she felt hungry; she hadn''t eaten anything the whole day. In fact, it was her hunger that woke her up Remnants of Tanner''s scent lingered beneath the covers. She struggled to sit up and noticed the study was still lit. He was still working when it was already sote. She was feeling much better after a long sleep, no longer weak. After a stretch, she slowly lifted the covers, revealing her wrinkled bathrobe and smooth, fair legs. Then, she then straightened the bathrobe and stepped barefoot on the floor. Eliza had a pair of beautiful feet, tiny, perfectly shaped, fair, and smooth. The water on the coffee table had long turned cold. It wasn''t until then that she realized Aunt Bell hadn''t Still tasting a hint of medicine in her mouth, she decided to wash up. The thought of their early interaction naturally came to her mind when she reached the bathroom, and warmth filled her heart, making her flush a little. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and realized that color had already returned to her face. She was no longer as pale as before, and her cheeks were flushed from embarrassment. Her small face looked even sharper now due to getting sick and her recent bad mood. Nevertheless, it didn''t affect her beauty even the slightest. The sound of running water attracted Tanner''s attention, and by the time Eliza came out, he had already returned to the bedroom. Eliza stepped out of the bathroom with her slightly damp hair hanging right above her waist. She saw Tanner sitting on the sofa, reading the news attentively the moment she came out. He sure was God''s best creation, swooning her even when he hadn''t done anything. Even when he''d be cold, sarcastic, and even have no feelings toward her. Everything about him made her want to escape, but at the same time, get closer to him! Now that they were in the same space, Eliza suddenly didn''t know what to do with her hands. She pursed her lips tightly, fiddling with the hem of her clothes uneasily. Just like that, she stood there, not knowing what to do. Tanner long knew Eliza hade out. He had nned to sit and wait for her toe to him, but nothing happened for a long time. Thus, he looked up only to see her standing there, having no intention of moving to him. He sighed under his breath. When would his Eliza finallye to him on her own? With that, he put the newspaper down and got up. Eliza gazed everywhere else but him, not daring to look at the dashing man. While in a daze, not knowing what to do, she felt a force on her waist. It was Tanner. Shocked, when had he gotten so close?! He stood next to her, both arms wrapped around her waist. "You''ve lost weight." He frowned, somewhat upset. How had he not realized she was a lot thinner than before when he held her in his arms? He used to feel a little bit of meat on her belly when he hugged her, soft to cuddle, but now, she felt bonier. Tanner''s heart ached. Her sunken belly seemed to be using him of not taking good care of her. He then pinched her face; barely any meat as well. Eliza red at Tanner with dissatisfaction. She would''ve long protested if she could speak. First, hugging her, and now this; what in the world was he trying?! Ever since he helped brush her teeth, she thought Tanner had begun seeing her as a child! This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Tanner saw her dissatisfaction entirely. Very well, she was still sick, but her temper had recovered! She dared give him the attitude now. "What? You got a problem?" he asked. With that, he mped her chin. Tsk, she really had lost weight. It didn''t feel good holding her at all! Even so, it wouldn''t affect his punishment for her. Leaning forward, he nibbled on her. Eliza''s ears flushed, a little resentful. This sc*mbag sure loved to tease her whenever he pleased! Then, he cooed in her ear. "Hungry?" His voice was husky, indifferent, calm, even gentle. Tanner then vowed to make sure she''d gain some weight, or people would actually think he was abusing her. Eliza was famished. However, Tanner''s voice was so pleasant that she paid full attention to it but none of the context. Thus, she shot him an innocent yet clueless look. Her silly appearance got Tanner feeling somewhat helpless, giving her forehead a gentle flick. What on earth was going on in her little mind?! However, it only rendered her gaze at him even more puzzled. Thest time he did so was because she had been perfunctory, but she didn''t do anything this time. So why? Also, she realized his gaze had changed; frost had zed his eyes. What was with him? The image of Nichs flicking her forehead popped up in his mind right then. Every inch of her belonged to him; no way he''d let any other men touch her. Just like that, frost zed his unfathomable gaze, and possessiveness surged beneath it. His sudden change in attitude made Eliza somewhat uneasy. This side of him would never fail to make her fearful. Eliza''s involuntary shudder pulled him back to reality. What could she do? She was right in his arms. The hug had gotten her feeling warm when the temperature suddenly plunged; she couldn''t take the drastic change. "You that afraid of me?" Her reaction upset him. Forcefully circling her waist, he brought her downstairs. Eliza dared not piss Tanner off when he was clearly in a bad mood; no choice but to keep up with his pace. Dinner was long ready, only keeping the food warm in the warming drawer when they didn''t know when Mr. and Mrs. Deleon woulde down. Upon hearing movements from the stairs, Ms. Bell immediately ordered the servants to serve dinner. Eliza was long famished. Arriving at the dining table, she wanted to take her seat only for Tanner to forcefully drag her onto hisp, shackling her down with his arms. "Just like this. Don''t move." With that, the two sat on one chair. On the other hand, the sight got Aunt Bell ted. Seeing Mr. and Mrs. Deleon made out as though there wasn''t anyone else in the room when she went up to deliver the water, she didn''t dare disturb, leaving as soon as she could and never returned to ask if they needed anything else. Seeing the two now getting along, she was overjoyed despite her indifferent facade. She had been serving Mr. Deleon since he was a child, and she witnessed the innocent, lively child slowly be the aloof man he was today. He always had a sense of steadiness and indifference that didn''t match his age. And only Mrs. Deleon could ever make him angry or have him smiling. It had been a long time since she saw Mr. Deleon expressing his emotions so outwardly. It seemed that his feelings returned to him ever since Mrs. Deleon came. He was finally acting like a normal person. "Alright, move along; you can all leave early today. Ms. Bell secretly rejoiced as she quietly dismissed the servants. And just like that, it was only Tanner and Eliza left. Eliza was now forced to sit on hisp. What was up with him? What got him losing his mind again?! Eliza sensed an iing headache. Seriously! He really didn''t care she was starving right then! However, she naturally didn''t let her little bit of displeasure show when he was all grim. Only sitting obediently, resigned. Then again, the mouthwatering aroma of food wafted to Eliza''s nostrils, making her gulp. Nheless, Tanner remained unmoving. "Hungry?" He ced one hand on her belly, feeling waves of grumble. "Geeze, was she, Captain Obvious?!" Eliza harrumphed in her heart but still sat obediently, looking like she wasn''t at all hungry and even submissive toward him. Her facade amused him. However, at the same time, helpless. He was destined to lose the moment he met her. Fine, seeing she was behaving, he''d leave things at that. With that, he reached for her te of food, shoving it into his arms. ttered, Eliza nearly wanted to cheer! She then struggled to break free. "Eat like this." However, Tanner pressed her down. Whatever! She was starving. With her te in her hand, she no longer cared about Tanner, digging into her first meal of the day. Tanner kept his arms around her waist,tching his gaze onto her back as his eyes dimmed. What a heartless girl. He had spent the entire day upstairs as well, staying by her side, hadn''t had anything since the night before either. She could have at least asked him to join in. Smirking, he thought since he had already let her have her meal, he could mess with her a little, taking it as her little punishment. At first, Eliza sat upright while Tanner leaned against the back of the chair, putting a big gap between them, and his arms wrapped loosely around her waist after she settled down. But now that he was in a teasing mood, he suddenly tightened his arms and pressed his front to her back. Eliza was happily eating away when his sudden almost choked her! Though she was in Tanner''sp, he still towered over her. She could feel him leaning in, sniffing her hair. He was in his usual suit while she wore the bathrobe he hastily put on her the night before. Keeping a tight grip on her with one hand, Tanner loosened the strap around her waist with the other and snaked under the robe. Shocked by his burning palm on her lower abdomen, she immediately set her cutleries down and grabbed his hand. However, her strength posed no threat to him. A wriggle of his hand, and she''d get even more nervous, clutching his hand tighter. "Great. I''m hungry too." There was a hint of mischief in Tanner''s smile. He wasn''t going to take her now, not before she had fully recovered, at least; he''d restrain himself. But it was harmless to tease her, right? Feeling her cool, smooth skin under his palm, he was tempted to caress her even more. But Eliza would grow more nervous every time he moved. She really wanted to cry. No! She had greatly overestimated him! He was really nothing but a sc*mbag! Then she sensed his lips right next to her ears. "Aren''t you hungry? Come on, eat up." Eliza wanted nothing more than to roll her eyes. This man was truly pushing his luck! However, she could only push through and try her best to stop his hands from moving around. If she could speak, she would definitely tell him, I''m famished! Please have mercy and spare me!" How was she supposed to eat with him teasing her like that?! Tanner was pleased to see her distressed. Let''s see if she''d dare to ignore him and eat on her own ever again! Chapter 58 Sorry Chapter 58 Sorry Dinner could have ended swiftly. However, because of Tanner, they ate for over an hour. "Feed me." The reason was that after Eliza finished her meal, the great Mr. Deleon suddenly ''couldn''t move'' his limbs anymore. Which led Eliza to nce at Tanner in disdain as though saying, "As if you can''t move your arms!" Tanner then replied to her with a threat. "Or, you''d prefer to spend the rest of the night with me like this?" And he proceeded to reach for the strap as he spoke. Fearful, she immediately scooped up his food. Okay, seeing how he had taken care of her for an entire night, feeding him really was nothing. After they finished their meal, Tanner scooped Eliza into his arms and carried her upstairs. Sure enough, he could finally feel some weight in Eliza after she had eaten. Tanner still had some work to do, so Eliza took a shower before going to bed alone. The lights had all been switched off when Eliza went to bed. Unfortunately, she had more than enough sleep that day, so she didn''t feel sleepy at all. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The study was still brightly lit, but she couldn''t see what Tanner was doing from where she was at. For the first time, she got curious about his study. What did Tanner look like when he was focused on his work? He was just right there; she wouldn''t disturb him if she only went and sneak a peek, right? With that in mind, she got out of bed. Learning her lesson from that night''s dinner, she changed into a nightgown, one with no buttons or zippers. In fact, she had been deliberating if she should go shopping for some onesies instead. "It''d definitely be safer!" she mused. To avoid making noise, Eliza did not wear her slippers. She didn''t dare to turn the lights on either, sneakily feeling her way over in the dark. Thankfully, the moonlight was enough for her to see. Slowly, she reached the door of the study. The room was warmly lit, great for working at night. Seeing that he would scribble on papers every now and then, she assumed he must be reviewing paperwork. She could also see stacks of folders piled up like mountains on Tanner''s desk. And he''d scrutinized every single one of them. Eliza watched for a while, but Tanner was too engrossed in his work to notice her. He must have a lot of things to worry about, or he wouldn''t constantly be rubbing his forehead, right? Having that thought, her heart ached for him. This was probably the first time she had felt so toward this man. He must be shouldering a lot on his back to appear so resolute all the time. She chewed on her lip; she had decided, hadn''t she? To do something for him when he had done so much for her. However, she really couldn''t think of anything the great CEO of Moth Intelligence would need. Then, an idea came to her mind. She could probably do that. Eliza trotted downstairs. Aunt Bell and the others had already retired to their rooms. Tanner never arranged for the servants to attend to them 24/7. Afraid of being discovered, Eliza did not turn on any lights, and the pitch-ck environment got her feeling fearful. Memories flooded her like a tidal wave. Her stepfather would sometimes take her mother and sister to dinner parties when she was little. "Eliza, be good and stay home, okay? Don''t leave the house." her mother would tell her. Then, her sister would whisper to her, "Eliza, I''ll bring you some food when Ie back." "Hurry up!" Marco would irritably urge her mother. And they would all leave. Then, the whole house would be pitch ck. One night, she had gone out of her room to get some water. It had been a moonless night; because of how dark it was, she couldn''t find the switch, so she only slowly inched her way down, feeling the walls. However, it was a strange night. She would''ve been able to tell where every room was even if she was blind, yet she couldn''t find the kitchen for some reason. It was pitch ck, and she was all alone. "Mom, Raelyn!" she called out. She was scared, but no one seemed to be able to hear her. Her pace quickened with time, but she just couldn''t seem to find the kitchen, and she nearly burst into tears, terrified. She had no idea how long she had been walking before she realized she had finally returned to the stairs. Without a single hesitation, also forgotten she hade out for a drink, she raced back to her room, hiding under her nket. And ever since then, she dared not leave her room for no reason whenever she was left alone at home. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Eliza made up her mind. She was scared because she was little back then. Plus, this was the Deleon''s residence, not the Stone''s. What was more, Tanner was right upstairs. Thus, she adjusted her breathing, clenched her fists, then gathered her courage. She remembered there weren''t any switches by the stairs. The closest one was a few yards across from her. With that, she inched her way there. Faint moonlight shone through the front door but was not bright enough to illuminate her path; her surroundings were still dark. But even so, it still gave her a sense of security. As Eliza walked, she seemed to have kicked into something, startled. It was then she recalled there was a housent there. She had been feeling the walls, but with the housent right there, she could only feel around it. Unfortunately, she identally kicked the bottom of the housent in the process and lost her bnce. She reached out to grab something in a panic but tripped and fell, bringing the entire nt down with her. And the ceramic pot shattered. She had screwed up. It was the first thought that came to mind. Tanner was dealing with some contracts upstairs, and it was silent all around until the sound of a heavy ceramic shattering came from downstairs. And his gaze turned menacing in an instant. By right, there wouldn''t be anyone on the first floor at night when all the servants had retired. Eliza should be asleep too. Then Who could have steered clear of the hidden security at the gates? Since when could peoplee in and out of a Deleon''s territory as they pleased? Tanner got up unhurriedly, carrying the dignity of the Deleon family''s sessor. He didn''t go out but turned to the bedroom instead. He had to first make sure Eliza was there. He turned the lights on to discover the nket had been lifted, but the shoes were still by the bed. The room was still how it was supposed to look; only Eliza was missing! "Eliza! Eliza Stone!" Tanner tried his best not to roar, growling. She would''ve worn her slippers if she had gone downstairs, but they were still here. Then The thought of Eliza possibly being kidnapped immediately brought fear to Tanner, charging downstairs in a panic. Eliza Tanner arrived downstairs in no time. He twisted a small spherical mechanical part at the bottom of the stairs. With that, the lights on the first floor lit up all at once. And he was finally at ease when he spotted a curled-up figure not far away. She was okay But then something struck him, and his gaze turned grim again. Eliza had been squatting, thinking of what to do with the shards, when the sudden brightness blinded her momentarily. When her eyes finally adapted to the brightness, she discovered she had ruined a perfectly potted housent. Anything from the Deleons must be valuable On the other hand, Tanner leaned against the handrail and looked at her coldly. A slight pang of guilt crept into her heart when their eyes met, and she averted her gaze, looking elsewhere, not daring to look into his eyes. "What are you doing?" Tanner asked. His tone was cold and monotonous. She must havee down barefooted at such ate hour to avoid being discovered by him. But what was she trying? Was she sneaking out?! Eliza had wanted to say she wanted to make him coffee, a little pick-me-up. However, she couldn''t bring herself to say it out loud. Despite her eagerness to do something for him, she was still rather embarrassed to say it herself. Besides, she had just screwed up; she should apologize first, no? "I... I identally knocked down the housent. I''m sorry." Her face appeared pale after all that shock. Tanner''s expression changed in a sh, noticing something, but then turned livid in no time. To him, her ashen face was because she was startled, caught trying to escape. He then slowly walked over to her. And grabbed the woman still squatting on the floor up. Eliza was still in a daze, but she quickly returned to her senses when she was suddenly lifted up and pinned against the wall. By the time she reacted, he had grabbed her by the neck. Her dainty face nched in an instant. Eliza''s neck was thin and slender, and he could snap it if he used a bit more strength. F*ck! He still couldn''t bear to do it. Even if she wanted to run away, even if he was rough, he still made sure she didn''t step on any shards. The veins on his arm bulged, not because of how hard he grabbed her but how much he restrained himself. He had to use all his reasoning to stop his hand from choking her. A maddening thought then came to him. She wanted to run away! She actually wanted to run away! "What are you trying to do?" His growl was like never before, and his fathomless gaze burned with fury. Eliza was rendered dumbfounded. She had only broken a pot, but Tanner''s eyes were bloodshot, looking as though he''d strangle her at any moment. Did the nt mean a lot to him? "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it-" She wanted to apologize, but Tanner interrupted her impatiently. "Say it; what were you trying to do?" His growl shocked her, rendering her gaze somewhat dull. "I wanted to make you coffee." Though he grabbed her neck, he didn''t put much pressure on it; she could breathe fine. She was genuinely scared, blurting out her words, sounding breathless, and her breathing was rapid. As she stood trembling under his grip, Tanner was stunned. She She was just trying to make him coffee? Seeing that Eliza was truly scared, Tanner ruled out the possibility that she was lying. However, he also knew even if she were really lying, he would still choose to believe her. He''d choose to be in denial when it came to her. Her answer put out his raging anger in an instant, reced with deep affection. As his tensed muscles rxed, he pulled her into a tight hug. He had wronged her. The hug was more intense than any other the two had ever shared, and Eliza felt Tanner knocking the air out of her lungs as though he wanted to knead her into him. Fortunately, the hug didn''tst too long, but just as she thought she could finally breathe, he attacked her lips. Eliza was already stupefied, and now with all this, she was even more befuddled. And she was still in a blur when Tanner calmed down. By the time she focused her gaze on him, he was looking uneasy; what a rare discovery. "Are Are you okay?" Eliza''s voice was as soft as a mosquito. Still feeling out of breath and scared out of her wits, she wondered if she had driven him mad. Why did he look more unpredictable now? "I''m sorry, I really didn''t mean to break the pot. It must have meant a lot to you, right?" This silly girl. How could a mere pot be any more important than her to him? However, he did not intend to exin his rage to her. Gently pulling her into his arms, he buried his head in the crook of her neck, sniffing her scent greedily Her scent could ease his mood even better. "I''m sorry. It''s all okay now." Chapter 59 Why Did You Come Down Again Chapter 59 Why Did You Come Down Again Eliza''s eyes widened in disbelief. What did he say? Sorry? Tanner Deleon, the Tanner Deleon would apologize?! "By the way, when had your voice returned?" His deep voice traveled to her ears again. "I..." After not speaking for a long time, she wasn''t used to the sudden ability. As she had been too tense, she hadn''t even realized it. She was sure she still couldn''t speak when she left the bed. Tanner had already realized it the moment she spoke; it had been a while since hest heard her voice, after all. But it still sounded somewhat different; she''d probably have to rest her vocal chord a bit longer. However, he had let his fury get the better of him just now. He couldn''t control his temper when the thought of her leaving came to him. He had brought the topic up then to solely distract her. He knew he must have looked terrifying and had frightened her. "Why did youe down again?" Tanner released her, wrapping his arms around her waist loosely. Hisposure had only gotten Eliza alerted. His mood was too unpredictable; she dared not answer lightly, searching in his gaze only to find it filled with anticipation. Staring at him with vignce, she replied carefully, her voice still rather weak, a little croaky,ced with doubt. "Make you coffee?" It was an answer, but it sounded more like a question. "Go on then." Tanner said as he ruffled her hair, his eyes smiling. Eliza''s heart fluttered looking at him, but at the same time, dubious. She couldn''t believe she saw affection in his eyes; she must be dreaming! Adjusting her breathing, she tried to regain her senses. Then, she caught the ceramic shards that were still on the ground. "But this, I I should clean the floor up first." Eliza bent down as she spoke, still feeling a little scared from their exchange earlier. She did not know the actual reason Tanner was angry, only thinking the housent must have been really important to him. Tanner''s hands were still on Eliza''s waist, and with a gentle lift, she was back standing. "Someone will see to it tomorrow." How bad would his heart have ached if she cut herself picking up the shards? Her only task now was to make him coffee. With that, he led her to the kitchen without another word. As they passed the stairs, Eliza deliberately checked the sides. There weren''t any switches, so how did the lights switch on when he came down? As if he could read her mind, Tanner gently twisted the spherical structure with his free hand. And just like that, the brightly lit hall turned pitch ck. Eliza was taken aback. What sorcery was that? The darkness onlysted for a moment before the lights switched back on again, and Tanner withdrew his hands at the same time. "This..." Eliza still hadn''t recovered from the surprise. The spherical design was verymon; possible to find it in any other homes as well, so she never thought to touch it. "There are lots of secrets in this house. This is only one of them." Tanner kept one arm around her as he said indifferently, leading Eliza to shudder, a little scared. Why did she have a feeling this house was as unfathomable as its owner? Arriving at the kitchen, Tanner consciously reached for the coffee of his choice from the cab. The coffee beans had been processed beforehand. All Eliza needed to do was grind and make it. Taking over the bag, Eliza didn''t need to take a closer look to know it was Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The Deleons sure were an affluent family; even their coffee was the finest. "You still have a lot of work, don''t you. Why don''t you head upstairs first?" When Eliza noticed Tanner had no intentions of leaving, she hurriedly shooed him away. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Though he was a sight to behold, he would still distract her! She didn''t want to leave too bad of an impression on him, seeing it was her first time making him coffee. Holding the bag in her hand, she felt somewhat uneasy. Even though she knew how to make coffee, she had never used such expensive beans before. What was more, this was authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, and its annual output was very little, still hadn''t been imported to the area, hence the high price. If this daily consumable was taken seriously, the price could increase ten folds. The Stone family hadn''t reached this level of luxury. Meanwhile, Tanner stood. And his stillness only got Eliza anxious. "Go on, go back up!" Tanner tried to hold back his smile; grumpy Eliza was too adorable to him. He had to admit, her annoyance would make him happy. Unknowingly, his Eliza was slowly acting more and more like his wife. He didn''t leave immediately but inched closer to her instead. Growing wary, she backed up as he advanced. Backed up against the cab, nowhere to run, Tanner leaned closer, propping his arms against the cab, trapping her within. Eliza knew she couldn''t retreat any further, but she kept leaning backward. However, he would inch closer the more she leaned. Being in such an intimate position got her heart pounding wildly against her chest. Tanner then leaned against her ear and whispered. "No sugar, please." Originally blushing, Eliza became stumped hearing his words. Tanner''s smile slowly turned into a mischievous grin, having the urge to tease her again. "Were you expecting something?" He cooed in her ear with his mesmerizing voice, gently blowing on it while doing so. She wasn''t expecting anything, okay?! Eliza''s blush turned from bashful to annoyance, shoving him out angrily. "Get out, shoo, scram!" Tanner smiled brightly with his back facing her. He was happy, so he didn''t mind being shoved at all. Right then, he looked like any ordinary husband, face brimming with joy. Too bad, though, Eliza didn''t catch his smile. After pushing him out, she mmed the door shut. This man, seriously! She took a deep breath; since he was now out of the way, she should get down to business. The big bag of coffee had already been unsealed, so Eliza guessed he already had a few cups of it before. But she had never seemed to have seen him drink coffee before, had she? Taking the grinder, she put some beans in before pressing the ''fine'' button. She knew the more concentrated the coffee was, the better it tasted. Everything was going smoothly, but her mind wandered a little; furious Tanner still left a minor trauma in her. A pair of strong arms suddenly circled her waist, and the next thing she knew, she had fallen into a man''s embrace. "How''s it going?" It was Tanner''s voice. Shocked, Eliza couldn''t believe he was still here. Hadn''t he gone upstairs?! Despite being a little flustered, she concealed it well. "It''s almost done. Why did youe back down?" Tanner didn''t answer her. He had indeed returned to his study, but he couldn''t focus, his mind constantly wandering to his beloved in the kitchen. She must have looked gorgeous attentively making coffee, as alluring as when she was engrossed in her art. Since he was wasting time sitting here, he might as well go downstairs. And sure enough, he couldn''t help approaching her when he saw her in an apron, making coffee. The red mark from when he grabbed her neck still hadn''t faded. With one hand, he slowly caressed her neck. The intense aroma of coffee lingered in the air then. Eliza stiffened at his action, nervous, despite the gentleness. "Tanner..." Seeing Tanner put his hand down, she thought he had felt her nervousness. However, he then started nibbling her neck, making her tickle, a little ufortable. Unable to see his expression, Eliza suddenly got bold. "Nibble, nibble, nibble; what do you think my neck is? Bread sticks?" Her suddenint got Tanner stumped for a moment, and his gaze darkened. Bread sticks? What kind of analogy was that? Then again, was she inviting him? And just like that, he twisted her words. "Is this an invitation?" Tanner''s deep voice traveled to her ears, and the next thing she knew, he turned from nibbling to biting. His hands got busy in the meantime as well. "Stop it! The coffee is almost ready." Eliza cried out, wanting to stop his actions. She was making coffee, yet he came to turn her on! Focused on squirming, she didn''t even notice she sounded tender. However, just as she thought she''d have to outsmart him, he immediately quieted down after she spoke, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist, only nibbling her neck every now and then. After a long time of siphoning, the coffee was finally ready. Eliza reached out to switch the burner off; being in his arms, her face was burning hot and the arm holding the handle was shaky. "Come on, you can do better than that." Despite his criticism, he ced his hand on hers and helped her pour the coffee into a serving pot. They had never had such a moment before, leading Eliza to be bashful. "Aren''t you busy with work? Why don''t you head upstairs, and I''ll bring it up." "Okay." He nted a kiss on the back of her ear before letting her go. She didn''t look back, only hearing steady footsteps fade away. She couldn''t believe it; since when was he so easy to talk to? Anyhow, he had finally left. She always had a hard time breathing whenever he was around. Now that he was gone, she slowly let out a murky breath. Howe she had never realized Tanner could be so clingy?! Eliza served as she wondered, taking a tray out gingerly cing the serving pot and cup onto it. The lights were switched on her entire way up to the second floor. Tanner must have done it when he came up. Being a girl, Eliza was naturally sensitive to such behavior and thought it hadn''t been easy for Tanner to be able to go to such lengths for her. She''d be lying if she said she wasn''t moved. Entering the study, she saw him taking a nap with his elbow on the desk, propping up his head. The warm lights shining on him made him look shadowy and dreamy. As the strong aroma of coffee slowly wafted through the room, Tanner slowly opened his eyes. With that, Eliza walked to him and ced the tray on his desk before leaving, never saying a word. But no way was Tanner going to let her go so easily. Unsurprisingly, she fell into his arms again. "Don''t you have anything to say to me?" Tanner fiddled with a lock of her hair while propping his other hand on the table, blocking her path. It seemed that she''d have to express something, or this troublesome man wouldn''t let her leave. "Rest early." Eliza said superficially and even deliberately looked concerned. However, Tanner didn''t budge; his gaze turned intriguing. "I still have a lot to get done." He''d love nothing more than being in bed with his Eliza, but he had dyed these documents for far too long, so it was impossible, or he wouldn''t have her making him coffee. He wasn''t too happy with her response. She clearly knew he had to work overtime, yet she still decided to annoy him with ''rest early''?! Chapter 60 She Had to Be the One to Do It Chapter 60 She Had to Be the One to Do It Eliza naturally couldn''t leave if Tanner wouldn''t move. But she had no idea what in the world he wanted! Catching a glimpse of the coffee pot, could it be that he wanted her to pour it for him? As she poured the rich coffee out, its aroma filled the room. With that, Eliza cupped the teacup and handed it to him. "Give it a try?" In truth, she was also curious how her first Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee tasted. Quirking his eyebrow, Tanner took the teacup from her with the hand that fiddled her hair, not intending to let her go anytime soon. As the coffee warmed his taste buds, Tanner was surprised; she could make a decent cup of coffee. With a straight face, he slowly ced the cup down. "How is it?" Eliza asked nervously, her face filled with expectation and curiosity. "It''s alright. It''s drinkable." His nd response was a blow to Eliza, a little dejected. What was there to be disappointed about? Tanner was not short of anything; he had plenty of people making good coffee for him. It made perfect sense for him to say that, no? Tanner could tell she was dejected; he hadn''t meant to crush her, but his words turned out like that. "Disappointed? It''s already high praise." He wanted tofort her, but when had the great Mr. Deleon everforted anyone? So his stiff tone didn''t sound the slightestforting. Eliza adjusted her mood. He was right; the man right before her was Tanner Deleon, after all. It wasn''t that she wasn''t good, but he was too finicky! "I''m getting a little sleepy." After suffering a blow, she naturally didn''t want to stay any longer. She still sounded a little croaky when she spoke, making Tanner''s heart ache. "Okay, but one more thing." Eliza was curious. "What is it?" Quirking his lips, Tanner held her with one hand and pointed to his cheek with the other. He wanted a kiss. He couldn''t be any more obvious with his demand, and Eliza''s gaze at him turned a little disdainful. So this was what he had in mind from the very beginning! He sat there liberally, taking in her judgemental gaze, making sure he got his kiss before letting her go. She had to be the one to do it! Committed, Eliza closed her eyes and inched toward him. It''d be a waste not to kiss such a perfect man. She wouldn''t suffer any losses anyway! However, she was moving slower than a slot, and Tanner couldn''t stand it anymore, going in for the kiss himself. Keeping her eyes closed, Eliza felt as if she had bumped into something soft, a little fleshy. This was his cheek? Tanner couldn''t be this chubby. But before she could open her eyes, Tanner invaded her lips! What the hell?! Wasn''t it just his cheek?! The taste of coffee still lingered in his mouth, his kiss, domineering yet gentle. He was too gentle that night; she didn''t want to push him away. Eliza didn''t resist, and Tanner didn''t push his luck; the kiss remained tender and lingering. As the kiss ended, Eliza came back to her senses only to discover she had wrapped her arms around Tanner''s neck during their kiss. The two were barely an inch apart, and she could feel his warm breaths. Just now, she had sumbed to her desires again "I am very pleased with your performance." Tanner''s voice was husky, and their breathing was erratic. Eliza thought she was bing obsessed with his voice; her heart would tickle every time he heard him speak. Cupping her cheek with one hand, Tanner nted a deep kiss on her forehead. "Go on, go to bed." She hadn''t fully recovered; she still needed to rest. Face flushed, braingging, Eliza nodded nkly before making her way to the bed. Tanner watched her leave before turning his gaze over to the coffee on his desk, smiling. It was already turning cold, but the smile on his face got him looking Blissful. It was still early when Eliza stirred, and perhaps she had slept too much the day before that she felt a little heavy-headed. Just then, Tanner''s voice came from the study. "Bring all the papers over." Papers? He was probably talking to Fran, wasn''t he? Amidst her dizziness, she could feel one side of the bed sink. Tanner sat beside her, feeling her forehead, ensuring her fever had brokenpletely. "Come on, rise and shine." Tanner pinched her nose as he spoke, and when she opened her eyes, she seemed to have seen him mouthed Piglet? With that, Eliza was instantly wide awake. However, seeing his grave look, he didn''t look like the type to give people nicknames. "Go and wash up." There it was, his typical cold,manding voice. Eliza deprecated in her heart, "What did she say? Tanner''s an alpha male; no way he''d do something cute like that." Despite her heavy head, she still dragged her feet to the bathroom. After she was inside, he chuckled. "Piglet." They went downstairs for breakfast. It was drizzling that day, and the air was mixed with the smell of mud. The weather was turning colder, Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. so Eliza put on a cardigan. Like the dinner the night before, Tanner dragged her into his arms, so she sat obediently in hisp. It had been a long time since shest had the mood to watch the weather; she hadn''t drawn for a long time as well. She could feel the techniques she learned from Nichs slipping from her fingers. Since she was in a good mood, why not do some practice? Eliza wasn''t the only one in a good mood, Tanner as well. He already instructed Fran to bring all the work over. He''d stay home while Eliza recuperated in the next few days. Their rtionship was finally turning for the better; the missus was finally smiling at him. He should strike while the iron was hot. "Don''t you have to go to work today?" Eliza asked him as they ate. She couldn''t understand why he had Fran bring all his work back home. Breakfast was the usual, sd, sandwich, and milk. Tanner kept his focus on his te, not looking at her. "It''s raining outside." No way was he going to tell her the truth. Then again, even a child could tell he was lying. Would he get even a drop of rain on him when he either drove or had the chauffeur drive him? He was the epitome of a pathological liar, wasn''t he? But then she didn''t call him out, lest she didn''t mind dragging herself into trouble. So, she decided to echo his words. "Yeah, it''s quite heavy." And she went back to her food. Tanner looked at her coldly. It was clearly a drizzle; what did she mean by ''quite heavy''? Not knowing she had gotten Tanner miffed again, Eliza was happily eating when her te was suddenly taken away. Holding her breakfast, Tanner didn''t care it was hers at all and ate away, never putting the te down. Eliza protested, the corner of her lips still stained with sd dressing. "That''s mine..." "It''s all the Deleon''s." Breakfast or Eliza. His words got Eliza wanting to m her cutleries on the table. All the Deleon''s? Then why give her the food in the first ce?! He was clearly bullying her. And Tanner''s gaze proved she was right. It was the second time she focused on her food and ignored him! He had really gotten himself a piglet! "Mr. Deleon, I''ve brought all the papers." The two were falling out when an inharmonious voice came. Fran received two res then. One was his boss, looking entirely grim, as though saying, "I''m teaching Eliza to always put me above everything else here; why must youe and ruin the moment?!" The other re was from Mrs. Deleon. However, despite her anger, she was obviously only taking it out on him. But did she realize her adorable re was just as intimidating as an angry bunny? Sure enough, Mr. Deleon was much scarier. s, he should quickly drop his boss''s work down and run off. Then again, he seemed to have chosen the worst timing to show up. Though he was wailing on the inside, he looked utterly unruffled. It was the most essential quality of being Tanner''s right-hand man. "Drop it and leave." Watching aside, Aunt Bell came in and saved the day. "Why don''t I bring them up for you, Mr. Wilson." Fran looked gratefully at Aunt Bell. Everything was in the car, and he did not know where the study was; he happened to be in distress of where to leave the papers. And that was the end of the episode. Coming back to Eliza, she still wanted to eat, looking at the man wiping his mouth somewhat resentfully. She wasn''t a fan of sandwiches, but Aargh, how maddening! Tanner caught her stare and shot her a warning nce. Just like that, she chickened out, quietly picking up her ss of milk, taking her time drinking it. Tanner sighed. It seemed that she''d never get what he wanted with that intelligence of hers. "Remember, Ie before everything else." Eliza was stunned. This man was way too tyrannical! Just when she was still dumbfounded, Tanner got up. He then straightened his sleeves. After that, Eliza heard his voice. "Aunt Bell, make another bowl of sd." He took her sandwich away and handed it to Ms. Bell. "Don''t make sandwiches anymore." He never looked over at her the entire time, but his every word was about her. Aunt Bell obliged and immediately sent the orders to the kitchen. This was nothing to him, but it still got Eliza''s heart racing. She must have gone mad! Tanner leaned toward her side. "Eat up." Hardly ever this pleasant; he really didn''t want to piss her off. He had a feeling she would foolishly follow anyone who tempted her with snacks. He gave her a nce before he left. It was contempt! She was sure of it. Tanner was still intimidating, but it seemed that she was no longer afraid of him from then on. Her gaze never left even when he had disappeared from the stairs. Everything that had ever happened to them felt as though it was just yesterday, and those horrible days all felt like a dream. No, in actuality, she couldn''t tell which was a dream, the past sadness or the present happiness. She sat alone, lost in thought, when Aunt Bell called out to her. It took barely any time to get the sd ready, and it was served to her in no time. "Thank you, Aunt Bell." She thanked her habitually. "You''re wee, Mrs. Deleon. Please enjoy your meal." Joyous, Ms. Bell was all smiles; she couldn''t be more pleased to see Mr. and Mrs. Deleon in love. Eliza took her time. It was the same sd, but it didn''t seem to taste as good anymore. Hurriedly taking a few mouthfuls, she went back up too. Tanner worked away in the study; she didn''t bother him but took out her drawing block and looked out to the courtyard. The drizzling rain moistened the earth, but even so, it couldn''t keep the flowers blooming; the whole garden withered. It was somewhat pitiful to see them all gone just like that when Aunt Bell had spent so much time and effort taking care of them, when they had kept herpany for so long. While lost in thought, her phone rang. Pulling it out, the screen showed the name she least wanted to see, Raelyn. Chapter 61 Missing the Family Chapter 61 Missing the Family The phone call had rained on her parade when her life had just turned for the better. Hesitant, but she still answered it. "Hey, Eliza." As ever, Raelyn''s voice was gentle and sweet. "Raelyn." Raelyn''s call stressed her out, gulping. "Eliza, I miss you. It''s been a while since I came back, but you''ve nevere home. Dad had been too hasty then; please don''t be mad at him." Raelyn''s gentle voice and words made Eliza feel like crying. She calmed herself down, not wanting her to learn of her situation, or she''d definitely be sad for her. In actuality, she was also missing home a little. Even if her stepfather didn''t treat her well, her sister and Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. mother still loved her. Gracelynn as well; they had barely been in touch since she got married. She hadn''t seen them in a long time Eliza felt a lump in her throat, trying her best not to cry, but Raelyn only continued speaking when she didn''t hear Eliza respond on the other end of the line. "Eliza, Mom misses you very much too. No matter how busy you are, you have toe home once in a while." "I miss you guys too, Raelyn." Sadness was overwhelming Eliza, making her hard to breathe; Raelyn''s every word was hitting the weakest spot in her heart. "Then, can youe back this weekend? We should spend some time together as a family." Raelyn took the opportunity to invite her. Eliza deliberated. It was a Friday that day, so the weekend would be the following day... She hesitated, but she really missed her family. "Okay." Eliza promised; it''d be a good chance to meet up with Gracelynn as well. But then... would Tanner let her leave "Okay, I''ll have the chauffeur go to Gracelynn''s ce to pick you up tomorrow then." There was joy in Raelyn''s voice, but Eliza, on the other hand, didn''t sound as happy. Eliza was the one who stole her man and took her spot. She hadn''t forgotten how her beloved little sister lied to her; if Eliza loved to act so much, she''d y along as well! Wickedness shed across Raelyn''s eyes as she lolled on the sofa, ying with her hair. Sure enough, Eliza became nervous at Raelyn''s suggestion. "No... It''s okay, Raelyn. Things are a little different at Gracelynn''s; I''ll go back on my own." Raelyn''s lips quirked into a cold smile, but her tone was considerate as ever. "Okay,e back as soon as you can. Travel safe." "Okay, I will." "Alright, I need to get back to my lesson; we''ll talk when youe back." "Okay, bye, Raelyn." "Bye." Something came to Raelyn after she ended the call, and she opened the album. She was all smug when she flipped to the photo she took in Sunset Bar, musing, "Just you wait, Eliza Stone! Tomorrow will be the day your heart shatters to bits." Eliza was the reason Tanner had been treating her so coldlytely. How could she not loathe her?! She had been going to Moth Intelligence to bring Tanner lunch. However, she never saw him, and whenever she asked Fran, he''d change the topic and avoid her questions. After receiving a cold shoulder for a few days straight, even she could see the women in thepany looking at her with mockery and disdain. But when she scrutinized, there wasn''t anything wrong with their expressions. She knew they dared to look down on her because they thought she''d be forced to say goodbye to her position as Mrs. Deleon when she had constantly been bringing Tanner''s lunch despite his absence for a few days straight! When had she, the first youngdy of the Stone family, ever suffered such grievance?! And no doubt it was all Eliza''s doing! Next to her was the photo taken when she had someone stalking Tanner. The marriage certificate was an absolute eyesore; how infuriating! It was time for everyone to see the photo. It was time everyone learned what ''the second youngdy of the Stone family'' was truly like! After the call ended, Eliza was a little uncertain. She had promised her sister just like that; what if Tanner said no? What if Raelyn figured out their rtionship?! Then again, if she didn''t ask for his permission, she couldn''t even leave the house, let alone go back to her family, would she? Making up her mind, she decided to just ask. He was right there anyway; he wouldn''t do anything to her anyhow. Though it was just autumn, and it wasn''t freezing, she had already changed into a pair of cozy winter slippers, pitter-pattering as she walked. Her feet were cold all year round, and her mom would get her some cute thin ones back home. But the ones she was wearing then were prepared for her. She was rather surprised when she discovered it. Peeking from the archway, she saw Tanner working away. It''d be wrong if she went in just like that; she''d bother him. "Come in." Tanner had heard her footsteps and ordered before she even spoke. With that, she went in quietly. He had already put his work down when she dragged her feet to him, looking at her leisurely. "Can I... make a trip home?" She asked gingerly. "Aren''t you home?" He had heard her call. Raelyn wanted her to go back to her family, but he couldn''t help reminding, she was already his wife, and this was her home; she''d have to watch her words. Stumped, it took Eliza a second to understand what he was referring to. His every emphasis about their marriage would get her bashful. So she blushed. "I haven''t gone back for a long time." "Have you forgotten how they humiliated you?" His words roused her memories. Her stepfather had forced her to kneel and asked for that sc*mbag''s forgiveness! It had happened so long ago; she had already left it in the past, but who would''ve thought he still remembered. "I kind of miss my mom." Eliza looked at her toes as she spoke, sadnessced in her tone. She had really been away from home for too long. The feeling hadn''t been so intense until Raelyn called; she''d leave now if she could. Though her stepfather was horrible to her, her mom genuinely adored her. "Now?" Tanner''s face was sullen, expressing his displeasure. He had brought all his work home to spend more time with her, but this ungrateful one wanted to leave right then. Eliza shot her head up. He didn''t give her a direct answer, but she could tell it was still a yes! "No, no, not now, tomorrow." Eliza hurriedly told him the schedule, worried that he''d change his mind. He didn''t look like he was in a good mood then, and she was nervous, afraid she''d identally piss him off, and she could only She then peeked at his face; he seemed to have softened a little. The following day, huh? That meant that they still had a whole day together. At least she still had a heart. "I''ll go with you." Tanner''s sudden suggestion sessfully scared Eliza out of her wits. "Doesn''t a new husband need to apany his wife home after marriage? Sorry for being negligent." Tanner had his intentions. No way was he going to admit he was worried this silly one would be bullied in her own family. Eliza naturally didn''t know what he had in mind, only that his words got mixed feelings surging within her. How dare she go home as a wedded woman when she had been so careful not to let anyone know?! "No, no, it''s fine." She waved her hand repeatedly, nervous. "I just wanted to see how everyone is doing. You don''t have to be bothered." Tanner stared at her. He was a man of his word, not to mention he had done so with her best interest in heart; how dare she refuse him? Eliza felt uneasy under his threatening gaze. She wasn''t as fearful of him anymore, but that was only limited to normal circumstances. Her back would still stiffen when he turned grave. She dared not make another move, only looking at him. Tanner was still straight-faced as usual, but he sighed inwardly. He would undoubtedly forever give in when it came to her. What was more, her attitude seemed to have improved a lottely. On that ount alone, he couldn''t keep stopping her. "Come back as soon as you can." It was an absolute yes now; Eliza rejoiced. She couldn''t believe he agreed so easily; she had thought he''d at least sneer. "Okay. I''m just going to stay over one night." Eliza answered immediately. He caught her every expression, even the surprise that shed across her eyes. He still didn''t want to let her off so easily; Tanner had always been good at fighting for his benefits. She was only inches away from him. Gently circling her waist, he slowly pulled her closer, and with a tug, she fell onto hisp, trapped in his arms. Eliza didn''t struggle, knowing it''d be useless anyway, so why not cooperate? After spending more time with him these few days, she had gotten a clearer understanding of his temper. Tanner was naturally in a better mood when she was well-behaved. He faced his cheek to her as he leaned closer. Thinking back to the night before, Eliza knew it was the same request, a kiss. Eliza squirmed; she didn''t mind being intimate with Tanner, but she was still shy about making the first move. Tanner wasn''t going to let her go without getting that kiss, still facing his cheek at her. Everything he had done was to force her to get used to his presence, invading her heart. He wanted her body, soul, and heart to belong to him alone. He would neverpromise when it came to disciplining his Eliza. Neither of them spoke nor moved. After a moment of stalemate, Eliza still made the first move, giving him a peck on his cheek. Still that notion; it''d be a waste not to kiss such an outstanding man. She had clearly been coerced, but she thought she was the one who got the bargain. Eliza only left the study after being forced to engage in a make-out session. Her cheeks were burning; surely, she was blushing. Feeling blissful, she couldn''t help smiling bashfully. She was surprised when she realized what she was doing. So this was how it felt to be in love. What should she do? He was bing more and more important to her. If there really came a day she couldn''t bear to leave him Eliza dared not imagine that future her. Massaging her temples, she thought she''d put that worry aside. After all, she wasn''t the one with the final say anyhow. She returned to her original spot and picked up the pen again. Just the thought of being able to see her family made her thrilled. She wondered how everyone was doing; there were surely some changes. While letting her mind wander, she worked on her lines, practicing all the techniques Nichs taught her,pleting the design for the day. Chapter 62 Gracelynns Text Chapter 62 Gracelynn''s Text It was finally the following day. Eliza stirred bright and early. After Tanner was done with his work the previous day, he spent the rest of his time with her. No matter if she was sketching or listening to music, he''d just cuddle with her back to him, doing absolutely nothing. She was rather bashful about his sudden gentleness. "You..." She wanted to ask why he clung to her, but she then thought it didn''t feel right as soon as she spoke, an absolute buzzkill. Plus, their position was super intimate! "Don''t say a word." Tanner mumbled. She wouldn''t understand how distressed he was when he scooped her out of the cold bathwater. Now that it was in the past, he felt secure holding her quietly in his arms. At night, she even had to prove to him she had fully recovered, no more dizziness, no more sore throat, no more weak limbs! She didn''t get why he was so concerned, but she''d be lying if she said she wasn''t happy; he really had her swooned! Tanner''s sleeping face was right in front of her; only when he was asleep did he not appear so intimidating. "Morning, Mr. Deleon." Whispering, she snuck a kiss on his forehead while he was asleep. She traced his sharp features lightly as shetched her gaze on him, only getting out of bed a whileter. The sound of running water came from the bathroom; Eliza had gone to wash up. Back in the bed, Tanner opened his eyes, his smile revealing his good mood. "Morning, Mrs. Deleon." Seeing Tanner was still in deep slumber when she came out, she tried to keep the noises down, not wanting to rouse him, putting on some light makeup to make herself appear more dainty. With that, she tiptoed outside, slowly closing the door. Breakfast was almost ready, and Eliza waited patiently on the sofa, texting Gracelynn. "Gracelynn, how have you beentely? I''m free today. Do you have time? I''ve missed you." Gracelynn didn''t reply to her, but she wasn''t in a hurry either, snuggling on the sofa, flipping through the channels. There generally wasn''t anything interesting in the morning, so she turned the TV off after changing a few channels. Gracelynn still hadn''t replied, but Aunt Bell had gotten the breakfast ready. After setting the table, Aunt Bell first invited Mrs. Deleon to the dining table before going up to tell Mr. Deleon breakfast was ready. It was spaghetti for breakfast that day, and it smelled amazing. However, Eliza didn''t look too happy. Apart from waiting for Tanner, there was another reason she didn''t touch her te. Then again There was also a bowl of cherry tomatoes on the table. No one would notice if she snuck a few bites, right? Usually, only Aunt Bell would stay aside when they had breakfast. The other servants had other work to do, so there wasn''t anyone else there right then. It would still take some time before Tanner came down; it should be fine if she ate a couple. Having that thought in mind, Eliza quietly popped a few in her mouth. Ms. Bell caught what Mrs. Deleon was doing as soon as she came down, but she only smiled and said nothing. To give her more time to mit her crime'', she consciously walked to the kitchen. Mrs. Deleon sure was adorable Eliza was sitting upright, waiting when Tanner came down. He naturally saw the sad-looking bowl of cherry tomatoes on the table. Aunt Bell wouldn''t make such a rookie mistake; this piglet must have snuck a few bites. Eliza was also a little mortified; she had only nned to eat a couple, but she had been the only one downstairs, so there were only a few left by the time she realized. Anybody with the right mind could tell why. Having a nagging feeling that Tanner was looking at her with a judgmental gaze, she looked up, and sure enough, she saw a hint of contempt beneath his eyes. Eliza wanted to exin herself but didn''t know what to say, looking all hesitant. Tanner took his seat, speaking with morning hoarseness. "I can still afford some fruits." He thought her reaction was exceptionally adorable, teasing her; sure enough, she was even more mortified. Quirking his lips, he was in a good mood all because he was pleased with Eliza''s performance that morning. So be it that she snuck a few bites of the cherry tomatoes; after all, he had long known he had gotten himself a piglet. After the minor episode, they began eating. The spaghetti was delicious, but she never liked them very much growing up. Raelyn loved spaghetti, so breakfast in the Stone residence was quite often that. But she would be criticized nearly every time as she wasn''t good at picking them up. She''d either twirl too much spaghetti up, or she couldn''t twirl any at all. On the contrary, Raelyn''s sophistication was on apletely different level. It was hard to look elegant eating pasta, but Raelyn could do it. Because of their drastic differences, her stepfather would diatribe her or her mother. But she still adored her older sister. Not only was she talented, but also graceful; she was the epitome of perfect. Just when she thought Raelyn''s actions were already great, Tanner was on a whole nother level than Raelyn. He used the fork with ease, never making a sound the entire meal. He was even a sight to behold when he ate while she struggled with the spaghetti. Eliza was upset, and Tanner was speechless. She was probably the only woman who''d struggle so much eating spaghetti. His grandmother minded etiquette and manners so much. Did he really have to groom her into somewhat a socialite? Tanner was already done with his te, watching Eliza, who had trouble twirling with her fork, stab the spaghetti vengefully. She thought eating spaghetti was the worst! At the thought of Tanner seeing her horrible table manners, she surrendered no matter how delicious it was! "I''m done." She pushed the te away and put her fork down. Tanner tried not tough. Done? She barely touched the te! This probably had to do with why she ate so many cherry tomatoes. "You''re done?" "Yeah." Eliza didn''t look happy. It was torture not to be able to eat such good cooking! Tanner picked up her fork and twirled the spaghetti with barely an effort, bringing it right to her. He did it so effortlessly that Eliza was rendered dumbfounded, eating the spaghetti he fed before she knew it. "You saw that?" His voice was as alluring as ever. "Uh-huh." Eliza nodded at once; he looked exceptionally charming right then! Plus, she had finally learned what it was like to be fed. No wonder he kept insisting that she feed him. Tanner was pleased to see her infatuated, smiling. "You''re not allowed to leave until you''ve finished everything on your te." He pushed the te back to her, still smiling. The sudden twist got her dumfounded again. "I..." Would she know what to do with just one demonstration? Of course, not! Tanner sat next to her, having no intention of leaving. His Eliza didn''t need to be intelligent or quick- witted; she only had to get her basic etiquette and manners down well enough to appease his grandmother. With Tanner insisting, she resignedly continued her struggle with the spaghetti. She had wondered why he had let her go back to see her family so easily. Lo and behold! Spaghetti! She couldn''t believe he purposely hampered her with it! She was really horrible at twirling. Seeing that it was gettingte, she could only beg that he showed her some mercy. "Tanner, I need to go out today." "Mm." Of course, he knew; he had even permitted it. "It''s getting a littlete, don''t you think? I should get going." "You can leave after you finish your food." Tannermanded and threatened. Eliza gritted her teeth. With a stir of her mind, she decided to change her n. Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. "Don''t you have to go to thepany today?" "Don''t try to change the subject." He mercilessly cut her n short. How could someone twirl her spaghetti well when she even had trouble cutting up her steak? Though Tanner wanted to groom her, she was doubtful of her capability. The air was tense, then Eliza''s phone beeped all of a sudden. It was Gracelynn''s reply! Her phone was right next to her, but Tanner''s limbs were longer, reacting faster than her. So unsurprisingly, the phone ended up in his hands. "I''ll give it back to you after you''ve finished eating." Another drastic measure. "I don''t mind getting you a new one." Tanner wasn''t going to budge, so she had no choice but to try. Sure enough, Eliza was the type to perform under pressure. She had promised Raelyn, so she had to go to the Stone residence; Gracelynn had replied to her, so she had to read it. Hence, after many attempts and Tanner''s prompts, she was finally able to twirl up a good amount. A messy battle, but it finally ended. Tanner was neither pleased nor not with her performance. She still had to work on her twists, but she could at least do it now. After returning her phone, he went upstairs. "Come back soon." He said in her ear. Eliza wiped her mouth as her gaze followed him, her eyes smiling. Tanner really meant well. Though she didn''t get why he was so insistent, she had at least gotten rid of one of her haunting trouble. Despite the torture andplications, she felt a great sense of aplishment. She then rushed out. Learning her lesson, she had the chauffeur send her, seeing she was already Tanner watched the car leave on the second-floor window, feeling a little strange. So this was how it felt to watch a beloved leave. Eliza finally had the time to check Gracelynn''s text after getting into the car. "Eliza, where are you? How are you doing?" "My life now is a mess. I didn''t want to tell you, but I can''t take it anymore. You''re my best friend; you''re the only person I can talk to." "I''m free in the afternoon. Let''s meet at Hot Treats Cafe. We haven''t seen each other in a long time." Hot Treats Cafe used to be their favorite spot to hang out. Reading her text, Eliza''s heart twinged. What had happened when she wasn''t around? Chapter 63 Returning to Stone Residence Chapter 63 Returning to Stone Residence The Stone residence wasn''t far from where she and Tanner stayed, but Eliza still had the chauffeur detour the city center. She didn''t dare expose any telltale signs going back to her family this time, anxious. After calming down, she got out of the car and hailed a taxi to the Stone residence. A bad feeling kept stirring within her as if something horrible would happen. Could it have anything to do with Gracelynn? Her text was indeed worrying. Clenching her phone in her hands, Eliza felt very disturbed, both anxious about returning to her family and concerned about Gracelynn. A smooth ride, and she reached the residency in no time. It was around noon when Eliza entered the main door. Marco didn''t have Tanner''s taste, disying every valuable item he got. The interior design was even There was a backyard with some flowers and grass, but it was used for weing guests and holding parties. The various high-end decor there gave the area a secr feel. Marco usually never allowed anyone to go there as well. The servants were all busy. The ce was massive, and they had a lot of cleaning to do; their daily workload was rather heavy. No one paid any attention to Eliza the entire time. The ce sure hadn''t changed even a bit, as aloof as ever. Upstairs, Raelyn stood in front of the monitor, pleased with what she was watching. What did it feel like to be back, my dear Eliza? Because of Tanner, she must be well respected in that mansion, but so what? She was still nothing here. It didn''t feel good falling from the heavens, did it, Eliza? Raelyn left the monitoring room and locked the door. Only she and her father held the keys to the control room. That pair of mother and daughter were, after all, outsiders no matter how; they could neverpare to her before her father. Ironic, though. It probably had to do with gics that Eliza loved to steal other people''s men like her wh*re of a mother. Who did they think they were to be a part of her family?! For years she had borne the shame of calling that woman her mother. It wouldn''t be outrageous to find a bit of pleasure in her beloved daughter''s misery, would it? After all, that woman valued her father more than her life. No matter what she did, her so-called mother would tolerate it. But now, it was time to greet her sweet little sister. Raelyn came down in a long dress, looking elegant andposed. "Eliza." Just then, Eliza was in the hall, slowly walking toward the stairs. The Stones had a spiral staircase with a massive crystal chandelier hanging in the middle. Coupled with the surrounding treasures, Raelyn looked even more elegant and otherworldly. "Raelyn." Eliza''s voice was still a little croaky. She didn''t dare look Raelyn in the eyes as no matter how hard she tried to forget, guilt would begin surging within her the moment she saw her. In the end, her rtionship with Tanner was nothing but a mistake. Raelyn always knew what to do in front of others, holding Eliza''s hands with affection and reproach in her voice as if she was sincere. "Honestly, Eliza, you promised toe back early. Look at the time now; it''s already noon!" "How are you doing out there? Juste home if you''ve suffered any grievances. We''re all here for you." Her kind words were like torment to her, gradually feeling a lump in her throat. Raelyn was so sweet; she felt nothing but ashamed. She bowed her head slightly, suppressing the urge to tell her sister everything. "I''m doing quite well out there; you don''t have to worry about me." Raelyn sneered, seeing Eliza filled with guilt. Eliza''s unusual mood hadn''t gone unnoticed to Raelyn. Yeah, how could she not be doing well when she lived with the man her sister yearned to be with?! "Dad''s not home; he''s working away in thepany. Mom is in the room upstairs. Do you want to go talk to her?" Eliza nodded, smiling at her. It was nothing more than a sensible smile, but it was an eyesore to Raelyn. Watching her go up, Raelyn wanted nothing more than to tear that phony b*tch to shreds despite the smile on her face. Eliza could have her smug little moment a while longer; she won''t be able to smile soon. Watching her disappear from the stairs, Raelyn returned to her room. Eliza knocked on her mother''s door. "Mom." When the door opened, the woman inside had put on heavy makeup, but it still wasn''t enough to cover up the wrinkles on her face. She was dressed morously, but Eliza only paid attention to the gradually white head of hair. Her mother seemed to have aged even more. Penelope was obviously excited, sizing Eliza up with a loving gaze. She had thought her daughter was no longer willing toe back. "Eliza, it''s good that you''re back." She pulled her into the room. They hadn''t seen each other for a long time; a proper chat was way overdue. Of course, she missed her mother after not seeing her for so long. Eliza was very happy that day; she hadn''t had the chance to talk to her mother before she rushed off thest time she came back. She didn''t know if her mother would still love her as much after learning about her situation. She knew just how much her mother loved her husband. "Now that you''re back, don''t leave in a fit of pique anymore. Your father won''t be angry anymore if you apologize to him sincerely. Be good, okay?" Penelope wanted to keep Eliza by her side. Now that Raelyn was back as well, they could still protect Eliza if anything happened to her. But her mother''s wish was definitely impossible; Tanner would never agree. He had only allowed her to Eliza shook her head, refusing. "No, Mom. I... I''m not staying at Gracelynn''s anymore. I got myself a ce. It''s quite lovely." They hadn''t seen each other for a long time, and Eliza looked excited, so Penelope didn''t notice her ears were flushed. She only thought Eliza was still sad about what happened back then. "Eliza, my baby, you''ve suffered so much. It''s my fault; it''s all my fault. Don''t me your father." "Okay..." Eliza nodded, somewhat self-deprecating. What right did she have to do so? Besides, he had supported her and her mother for so many years. The servants had invited them down for lunch not long after they started chatting. The meals in the Stone residence were different from the ones in Tanner''s mansion. The ingredients used in Tanner''s mansion were simple but sophisticated and refreshing; it was clearly made with a lot of effort. However, the Stone family''s dishes were luxurious; delicacies were typical on the table, always a feast, always having leftovers. She used to think it was like this in all affluent families until she moved in with Tanner that she was beginning to realize. Because of how influential the Deleons were, no one dared to nitpick no matter what they ate, while someone like Marco, who was eager to show off to the public, aimed for extravagance in whatever. The difference between them could indeed be seen everywhere. After the three took their seats, the servants served fresh fruit juice in no time. "Your father is not here today, so just rx; no need to restrict yourselves. Alright, let''s eat." Penelope was the matriarch of this house anyhow, so it made sense for her to lead the meal. Raelyn turned to Eliza. "Eliza, you haven''t been home for such a long time. Nothing beats home; make sure you eat up." Despite her words, Raelyn didn''t think so. Rx? No need to restrict herself? Her upbringing and ss reflected in her daily life; they weren''t just for show. Penelope''s words must actually only be for Eliza. Everything Raelyn did was slow and graceful, sitting only on one-third of her chair with her back straight. Every spoonful she took was steady, and she wouldn''t stuff her mouth. Raelyn''s every move reflected her manners. But looking to her side, Eliza was theplete opposite. She never watched her dining etiquette, taking whatever she liked, eating however much she wanted. She knew it was improper, but she was never taught as a child, nor did she know what to do. Realizing she was a nobody in this home when she grew older, she never thought too much about bing a socialite. If it weren''t for that, she wouldn''t have been so frustrated with her cutleries that morning. Come to think of it, Tanner must have secretly despised her table manners many times. Shocked that her mind drifted to him, she immediately sat straight, focused on eating, no longer daring to let her mind wander for fear of revealing anything. Fearful, Raelyn was right next to her! The head seat was for Marco, so it was vacant; Penelope sat next to it. She was cautious with her table manners as she had put in a great deal of effort back when she wanted to be a part of this family. Look at Raelyn and Eliza; they were worlds apart. Marco groomed Raelyn''s temperament and manners, even providing her with various lessons since she was a child. As for Eliza, she knew Marco never bothered himself with this daughter, so she never brought it up with him. She was also so busy pleasing him that she neglected to teach Eliza any etiquette and manners. s, it was all her fault, but Eliza still hadn''t made any progress despite being an adult now. Penelope was a little disappointed in her failure. "Eliza, eat slowly. Be like your sister; that is what ady should do." The girls were too different; she had to bring it up. Comcent shed across Raelyn''s gaze before it returned to normal. Stumped, Eliza had just stuffed a mouthful of mashed potato. Hadn''t her mother just said not to restrict herself But no matter, she was long used to it. She''d be "Mom, Eliza is still young. Now that she''s finally back, let her enjoy her meal." "You really spoil her." Despite Penelope''s reproach at Raelyn''s kind words, she was all smiling. She had watched Raelyn grow up, and she had grown up considerate. That was probably why Tanner fell in love with her. Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Looking back at her own child, she began to worry again. She would definitely have to thank heavens if Eliza could marry into a good family. Eliza just ate away as she pleased, long used to all this. She was then more worried about Gracelyn, wondering how she had been doingtely. And precisely because she had other things in mind, she was much more natural in front of Raelyn, no longer as panicked as when shest returned. Finishing her meal in no time, she got ready to head out. "Mom, Raelyn, I''m meeting with Gracelynn in the afternoon. It''s almost time; I should get going." Chapter 64 Gracelynns Current Situation Chapter 64 Gracelynn''s Current Situation Eliza got up as soon as she announced. Seeing that, Penelope called out to her. "Eliza, you just came back; how are you going out already?" Penelope wasn''t too happy about it. She had been living with Gracelynn until she moved out recently. So why the rendezvous as soon as she came back? "Mom..." Stumped, Eliza choked on her words. She nearly blurted she hadn''t seen Gracelynn in a long time. Thus, she immediately corrected herself. "We... I, we have something going on. It''s urgent. I have to go now." Leaving these words behind, she fled. Penelope didn''t put too much thought into it, but Raelyn knew why. How shameless; who knew just how many people she had lied to! "Why the rendezvous as soon as she''s home?" Penelope couldn''t help murmuring. "Mom, maybe Eliza has gotten herself a boyfriend. She is all grown up now; you don''t have to worry too much." Raelyn smiled gracefully, and her suggestion stumped Penelope. Yeah, the two girls never met up so frequently in the past. How did she not think of the possibility? Leave it to Raelyn and her wit. "Oh, that brat! Why wouldn''t she tell us? I She has to let me see what kind of guy he is still!" Penelope got anxious; this child was simply too naive. After all, she was the second youngdy of the Stone family; there''d inevitably be men with ill intentions. "Rx, mother; I''m just guessing. We can ask her when shees backter." Raelyn''s calmness eased her mind gadually. "Okay, we''ll ask Eliza when shees back." Eliza trotted out of the door. The Stone residence wasn''t far from the city center; she managed to hail a cab very quickly. Her heart pounded as she got into the vehicle, wondering if her mother and sister got suspicious when she acted so abnormally. Sitting jittery, clenching her phone, it wasn''t until she didn''t receive any calls or texts from home even after a long while that Eliza gradually eased. She arrived in the city center swiftly. Though it wasn''t as hot as in the summers anymore, there weren''t many people on the streets at noon. She settled the fare and alighted the vehicle. She came out early; it was only one-thirty. Despite her early departure, she saw Gracelynn already sitting inside when she reached Hot Treats Cafe. However, Eliza was a little hesitant. That was Gracelynn''s figure, no doubt, but her haggardness got her doubting. Gracelynn sat in a corner, looking out the window with a soulless gaze, not even responding when Eliza was close. Eliza had only wanted to approach her to get a clearer look at first, but the closer she got, the more horrified she became. Gracelynn didn''t grow up filthy rich, but she didn''t have to worry about when her next meal would be or not having a roof over her head, and she lived a carefree life too. Looking at her now, she seemed to have aged in a heartbeat. Her outfit didn''t look good on her, and she didn''t wear any makeup at all. In the past, even if she was still heartbroken over her husband''s multiple love affairs, she''d still insist on dressing up before leaving her house no matter what. "Gracelynn." Eliza called out to her hesitantly, still having a hard time believing. Gracelynn came back to her senses; her supposedly youthful and exuberant eyes now looked dull and lifeless. Slowly turning her gaze to the direction of the voice, she then smiled, seeing it was Eliza. "Eliza, you''re here." Hearing her weak voice, Eliza worried that she might actually pass out the next second. Slowly sitting down next to her, Eliza only thought her throat felt dry. "You... What happened?" Hearing her words, Gracelynn immediately burst into tears, choking with sobs. Eliza had never seen her like this before; she was at a loss of what to do. She couldn''t help ming herself for being too immersed in that... uncertain marriage, neglecting what Gracelynn was going through. She didn''t know what had happened, so she naturally didn''t know how tofort her, only embracing her, patting her back. Her embrace brought warmth to Gracelynn''s bleeding heart, and slowly, she calmed down. She then mumbled in Eliza''s arms. "Eliza, I''m divorced." The news shocked Eliza beyond words. "Gracelynn, why did you... get a divorce?" She took pains to mention the word ''divorce''. Gracelynn''s husband was their senior. The two of them were so sweet in school that many people envied them, and there was a time they were inseparable after they got married. Gracelynn fully supported his career at that time, and Eliza had also contributed to it. However, it seemed that a man would change after achieving some sess in his career... It was evident how much Gracelynn loved her husband from how she put up with his constant love affairs. Eliza knew she had always been trying to salvage this rtionship. However, it seemed that being gentle and tolerant could not keep a man''s heart. Gracelynn was met with such a significant affair, yet she wasn''t by her side when her best friend needed her most. Eliza dared not imagine how she even managed to ovee it. "Ever since he brought up the divorce, he became hell-bent. He doesn''te home at all but still sends me the divorce papers every day." Gracelynn took her time to tell the story after she was moreposed. "One letter a day; I really can''t stand it anymore. Sometimes, I really want to just sign my name and give up everything. There''s nothing left in this marriage anyway." "But whenever I pick the pen up, I can''t help but put it down again." "Then, he would send me intimate photos of him with all sorts of women every day." "I can''t believe he forced me like that!" Gracelynn got emotional again, so Eliza quickly caressed her head tofort her. "I got used to it somehow." "Then, when I was at work one day, a... young woman in luxurious clothes walked up to me." Eliza mused, "Gracelynn didn''t choose a job rted to fashion design after graduating but worked as a guide, rmending fabrics and their costs to customers." She wasn''t working in a bigpany, so no one influential would go there, by right. Listening to her words, Eliza could tell the story would turn for the worse Gracelynn continued opening up to her. "Her first words were, so you''re that wife that went through hardship and poverty with Mr. Pace?" "Eliza, you have no idea how vile she sounded, how disdainful her gaze was." "I really... I..." This must be the one that really tipped her over the edge; she was even talking faster now. "Alright, alright, don''t think about it anymore. Let''s not talk about those upsetting things..." "No, no... I want to." Being in her arms, Eliza couldn''t see Gracelynn''s face, but she could tell she was already choking with sobs. "She... she said, leave Cason and she''d give me... twenty million. Then she chucked both the check and divorce papers on the table." Gracelynn was shaking as she spoke. "If it wasn''t for her I wouldn''t have known he had hooked up with... a bratty affluent youngdy." "I, I was thinking... why didn''t she... just throw it at my face?!" "Alright, alright, calm down, take your time." She was very emotional, so Eliza could only try her best tofort her. "My colleagues wanted to help me... but I refused." "And then I got impulsive, and I I just signed it." Gracelynn moved away from her arms right then. The tears helped put some brightness back into her eyes, finally looking a little more alive. "Twenty million, I''m telling you." She took a deep breath. "That''s a lot of money." She then suddenly tittered. It pained Eliza to see her best friend doing awfully. "I I can save it in the bank, and I won''t have to work for the rest of my life!" "Do you know how she looked at me when I signed the papers?" "She was reeled. Then after looking into my eyes, sheughed insolently." "She then diatribe loudly, saying I loved money like it was my life and that I could sell anything for it..." "She then said marrying me was the stupidest decision Cason has ever made!" Gracelynn was emotional, speaking rapidly. "I, I''m not." "I didn''t want to..." "I wasn''t greedy for his money..." She was speaking incoherently again. Eliza could only gently pull her back into her arms. She was currently like a mentally unstable patient, drifting between consciousness and disorientation. This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. "Okay, okay, it''s all in the past now. You''re okay." She tried to calm her down andfort her softly. "Did I make a mistake..." Gracelynn''s voice was very soft, and Eliza thought she heard Gracelynn''s heart shatter. "Gracelynn, you made the right decision. That man isn''t worthy of your gentleness. You weren''t wrong." Eliza long wanted to persuade her, but that was her life, her marriage. It wasn''t her ce to tell her what to do. Now that Gracelynn was being brave, she had to support her decision no matter what. "But... I thought I wouldn''t feel anything anymore. Why does my heart still hurt so badly?" "I realized after divorcing him that... I still love him." "I don''t want to let go..." After expressing all her thoughts with difficulty, Gracelynny in her arms and cried. She had been all alone in the past few days, not daring to tell her parents about the news, shouldering everything herself. She was genuinely exhausted and neededfort, feeling much better now that she had said it all out. Eliza was already teary-eyed, and as she continued tofort Gracelynn, Tanner popped up in her mind. Maybe in a few days, she would end her short marriage with tens of millions just like Gracelynn. As the sadness engulfed her, she shed a drop of tear and quickly wiped it away. Gracelynn wasn''t emotionally stable; she couldn''t affect her any further. In fact, it was just a matter of time until she would leave Tanner. No matter how reluctant she was, he wasn''t hers. Maybe she''d have to attend her sister''s wedding one day and give them her blessings... Gracelyn had it better than her; at least she had a rtionship with her beloved. "Okay, okay, it''s all in the past now. You''re a brand new you." Those words were for Gracelynn and for her future self to hear as well. Gracelynn was much more rxed after venting it all out, crying in her arms, slowly falling asleep... Knowing she was worn out, Eliza didn''t wake her up, letting her lean against her, finding her a more The cafe was rather high-ss, and all the waiters were well trained. She hadn''t managed to make an order since she walked in, and someone finally came to them after their table calmed. "Hello, what can I get you?" "One mocha. Thank you." Eliza replied, and the coffee scent-filled night suddenly popped up in her mind. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!