Chapter 45

Missy had been left abroad by Ronald and Teddy, and she was already fuming with anger.

Moreover, just as her scheme was nearing fruition, she discovered that Ronald had effortlessly suppressed the news she had meticulously orchestrated to completely ruin Elsie, causing her anger to intensify.

She was also terrified that Ronald would find out she was behind it all.

Just then, Ronald’s icy voice emanated from the phone. "Missy."

She froze, bringing the phone to her ear, her voice filled with grievance. "Ronald, how could you leave me and go back home alone?"

Ronald listened to her complaints without a hint of emotion.

He continued talking about his own matters, as if he hadn't heard a word Missy said. "Stay home and take care of yourself. I'll arrange for someone to look after you."

"And don't ever show up in front of Elsie again."

Missy's heart skipped a beat, a bad feeling rising within her. She felt like Ronald already knew what she had done, but she didn't dare to ask directly.

She could only tentatively ask, "Why? Did Elsie say something to you?"

"Missy!" Ronald's voice suddenly rose, then, as if remembering her pregnancy, he restrained his emotions. "Don't play dumb!"

"As long as you behave, I'll keep my promise. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Missy's pupils dilated, and Ronald's angry words made her tremble with fear.

What was there not to understand?

Ronald clearly knew what she had done!

She didn't dare say another word, simply replying with an "okay" before handing the phone back to Teddy.

Teddy took the phone, respectfully saying, "Alright, Mr. York, I'll make sure Ms. Forbes gets home safely."

...

[Hello, Ms. Taylor, this is Elsie Forbes. When would you be available? I'd like to see the house again if possible.]

Half a month later, Elsie sent Aline another message, her words sincere and heartfelt.

When Aline saw it, she was surprised that Elsie, who hadn't contacted her for nearly half a month, was now reaching out to see the house again.

Considering Elsie's status, she truly had no need to rent a house.

Aline: [Aren't you the wife of the president of the York Group? Why do you need to rent a place?]

Perhaps Elsie was contemplating her response, as it took ten minutes for Aline to receive Elsie’s message again.

[I am already in the divorce cooling-off period with him, and soon I will have nothing to do with the York family.]

[I really like your house, so I'd like to see it again. If everything's okay, I'll sign the lease.]

Aline lit her cigarette, took a drag, and replied, [Alright, I'm home. Come over.]

By the time Elsie arrived, an hour had passed.

Seeing Aline waiting on the first floor, Elsie quickened her pace and gently patted Aline's shoulder, smiling at her.

Aline raised an eyebrow, nodded, and without saying a word, led Elsie upstairs to open the door, letting her inspect the house.

The more Elsie looked, the more satisfied she became.

Initially, she hadn't planned to move out so soon, as she wasn't sure how to bring it up with Bruce.

However, the incident caused by Missy had a significant impact not only on her but also on the sanitorium.

Thinking about the crowd that had gathered at the sanitorium's entrance, she couldn't help but feel guilty.

She had caused Bruce so much trouble.

She typed on her phone to ask Aline.

"I'll rent this place. How do we sign the lease?"

Aline stubbed out her cigarette, put her hands in her pockets to hide her momentary panic, and said, "This house belongs to my dad. He's not home right now, so we can't sign the lease, but you can move in first."

"Okay, that works." Elsie agreed without much thought.

Subsequently, she went to the sanatorium to gather her belongings.

"What? You're moving out?" Bruce's jaw dropped in astonishment. He looked at Elsie, then turned to Albert, his face full of disapproval.

"You knew Elsie was moving out? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Albert leaned against the wall, distant and cold, not saying a word.

Bruce felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to see Elsie.

Elsie blinked her big eyes at him, shaking her head, as if to say, "Don't blame him."

She gestured gently with her hands, "Don't blame Albert. I told him not to tell you."

Bruce frowned, looking at Elsie's calm expression, unable to believe she was truly at peace.

The video incident had only happened a few days ago.

Could Elsie, driven to unconsciousness by the harsh words of netizens, so easily regain her composure?

Could she really let it go so easily?

Impossible!

Bruce's voice was full of concern and worry. "You're not in a condition to move out right now."

But Elsie shook her head with a smile, her eyes gentle and warm, like a breeze on a summer day.

She gestured with her hands, "I've finally gotten away from Ronald and Missy. I want a fresh start."

"And it's not right for me to keep troubling you and the nurses here, right?"

Bruce shook his head again, taking a deep breath. "You're a patient. It's our job to take care of you. Don't overthink it!"

Elsie suddenly fell silent; her smile vanished

Her gestures were weak. "But I don't want to stay here."

"Everyone here knows I'm the person in that video, but no one wants to ask me what really happened!"

"Every day I stay here, I wonder if people are talking about me behind my back. The pressure is too much!"

Seeing the tears welling up in Elsie's eyes, Bruce's heart tightened, a sharp pain spreading through him.

After a long pause, he finally agreed. "Alright. But you have to come here every day to practice your pronunciation for two hours."

Elsie smiled again, nodding repeatedly.

"Okay, don't worry. I'll definitely come!"

With Bruce and Albert's help, Elsie quickly packed everything.

Elsie took one last look at the small room she had lived in for a while, placed the key on the shoe cabinet by the door, and left with Bruce for the rental house.

"Here's the key. You'll need to pay the utility bills yourself at the property office. If you don't know how, you can give me the money, and I'll pay them for you." Aline's eyes swept over Bruce, her tone businesslike.

Elsie nodded obediently, her eyes sparkling as she looked around the rental house.

Bruce's gaze fell on Aline's outfit, showing no emotion as he softly asked, "Has the lease been signed?"