Chapter 323: The Person in the Way
The dining room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation during dinner.
Elodie was quite the storyteller, regaling the children with funny tales from the hospital and amusing patients she'd encountered, making the kids burst into giggles.
"Elodie, did that old man really drop his dentures into the soup?" Emma asked with wide eyes.
Elodie dramatically replied, "He really did! And then he asked the nurse if she could fish them out so he could keep using them!"
"Hahaha!" Ethan doubled over with laughter.
Though Jasper maintained his composed expression, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
Emily couldn't help laughing either: "Elodie, don't teach the kids bad habits."
"How is this teaching bad habits? This is life education! The children need to know to take good care of their teeth!"
Emma nodded vigorously, "Right, right! I'll brush my teeth really well so I never need dentures!"
"Good girl," Elodie said, patting Emma's head.
Just then, the door opened.
Charles had come home.
He took in the harmonious scene in the dining room—three children gathered around Elodie, Emily laughing happily—and felt a wave of complex emotions.
On one hand, he was glad Emily had such a good friend as Elodie.
On the other hand... he was a bit jealous.
Usually, at this time, it would be him enjoying this warm family moment with Emily and the children.
Now with Elodie here, though the atmosphere was livelier, he felt like his place had been usurped.
"Daddy!" The children ran over to him.
Charles scooped up Emma and ruffled Jasper and Ethan's hair: "Why is it so lively today?"
"Elodie's here!" Emma announced.
Charles looked toward Elodie, raising an eyebrow with a somewhat sarcastic tone: "How rare. What brings Dr. Garcia here?"
Elodie grinned, "What? Don't I get a welcome? Mr. Windsor, we've known each other for years—no need to be so formal, right?"
Charles and Elodie had indeed known each other for a long time.
Through Emily, they were friends. Charles appreciated Elodie's straightforwardness and sincerity, and Elodie respected Charles's competence and responsibility.
But that was the extent of it.
The moment Elodie tried to monopolize Emily's time and space, Charles got annoyed.
"Of course you're welcome," Charles said through gritted teeth.
He walked over to Emily and kissed her forehead, "Why didn't you let me pick you up?"
"Elodie was with me, so I brought her home," Emily explained.
"Mm." Charles nodded, sitting down beside Emily.
Dinner continued.
Charles watched Elodie having fun with the children, feeling increasingly aggrieved.
Jasper, who was usually reserved with people, was actually showing Elodie his violin sheet music.
Ethan was demonstrating his martial arts moves for her.
Emma had given Elodie one of the lollipops she'd been saving for her parents.
Charles: "..."
He looked at Emily and silently inquired with his eyes: Is she staying here tonight?
Emily whispered, "Elodie's been kicked out by her father, and she's suspended from the hospital. She has nowhere to go, so I'm letting her stay here for now."
Charles frowned: "For how long?"
"I don't know. Until she finds a job and gets settled."
Charles's expression darkened.
Elodie noticed and deliberately said, "You're not going to kick me out, are you? Surely the great Mr. Windsor isn't that petty?"
Charles smiled without warmth, "Of course not. Dr. Garcia can stay as long as she likes."
"Good, I was worried about disrupting your married life."
Charles: "..."
He was indeed worried about that.
After dinner, the children went to play while the three adults sat in the living room.
"Emily, I don't think this arrangement is appropriate," Charles said.
"What's inappropriate about it?" Emily asked.
"Elodie is an adult. She should have her own independent living space. Besides, having her here isn't very convenient."
Elodie interjected, "What's inconvenient about it? I won't interfere with you two. You do whatever you normally do—just pretend I don't exist. I just need a small bedroom, that's all."
Charles glanced at her: "You think that's possible?"
"Why not? I promise, after nine PM I absolutely won't leave my room. I'll give you plenty of private space."
Charles: "..."
Emily couldn't help laughing: "Alright, Charles, Elodie really has nowhere else to go right now. I don't feel comfortable with her living alone somewhere unsafe."
Charles thought for a moment, then said, "How about this—I have a villa in Westbrook with excellent security measures. It's in one of the safest gated communities in the city. Elodie can stay there, and I'll arrange for people to look after her."
Elodie's eyes lit up: "Really?"
Charles nodded, "The villa is already furnished and move-in ready. I'll hire housekeeping and cooking staff, and take care of all the utilities. Also..."
He pulled out a black card and handed it to Elodie: "Take this card. Unlimited spending—buy whatever you want."
Elodie accepted the card, nearly moved to tears: "Mr. Windsor, you're so kind! I..."
Charles cut her off, "Stop. I just don't want you disrupting my alone time with Emily."
Emily: "..."
Elodie: "..."
Emily said helplessly, "Charles, could you be a little more tactful?"
Charles replied matter-of-factly, "Why should I be tactful? I'm telling the truth. With her living here, it really is inconvenient for us."
Elodie pursed her lips: "Fine, considering you're giving me a villa and a credit card, I won't hold it against you."
She thought for a moment, then added: "But Mr. Windsor, I have one more request."
"What request?"
"Could you... have Nathan protect me?" Elodie asked hopefully.
Charles refused without hesitation: "No."
"Why not? Emily's so worried about me—wouldn't having Nathan protect me be safer?"
"Nathan is my right-hand man. I can't do without him," Charles said.
This was true.
Nathan wasn't just his assistant, but also a friend he'd grown up with. They had an excellent relationship, worked together seamlessly, and were brothers who could confide in each other.
But at this moment, Charles was thinking: As long as he could preserve his alone time with Emily, throwing Nathan under the bus... wasn't entirely out of the question.
"But..." Elodie was about to say more.
Charles suddenly changed his mind: "However, I can have Nathan drive you to the villa."
Elodie's eyes lit up again: "Really?"
Charles nodded, "He should be at the office now. I'll have him come over."
He pulled out his phone and called Nathan.
"Nathan, come to the house. Drive Elodie to the villa in Westbrook."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end: "Mr. Windsor, I..."
"That's an order. Come over now."
"Yes, sir." Nathan hung up.
Elodie was so happy she nearly jumped up.
Though she couldn't see Nathan every day, having him drive her to the villa was still good.
At least they could have some time alone together.