Chapter 17 Collecting the Debt
Vivian froze for a moment, her computer-like brain beginning to connect the fragments of gossip that had exploded across the Upper East Side news portals since morning. She placed her phone on the table and stared at Elijah with sharp, narrowing eyes.
"Wait a second." Vivian paused, her voice rising an octave in shock. "Elijah, the news this morning said that Morgan abandoned his wife at the mansion right after the wedding for that woman named Marissa. And if I recall correctly, the name of that poor bride was Elena. Don't tell me..."
Vivian let the sentence hang, waiting for her brother's answer. Seraphina also turned toward him, her face no longer filled with mockery, but with an overwhelming sense of curiosity.
"Hey, why is that woman's name exactly the same as Morgan’s wife? What is her full name?" Vivian demanded a definitive answer from Elijah, who remained silent.
Elijah swirled his whiskey, watching the golden liquid dance before finally answering in a voice that was incredibly calm yet possessive.
"Elena Vance," Elijah said shortly. "Or for the time being, she still carries the last name Morgan Valdez. But don't worry, I’ll be erasing that damn name from her identity very soon."
Seraphina nearly dropped her wine glass; her heart practically leaped out of her chest.
"Good grief, Elijah! You’ve truly lost your mind! You slept with a new bride who was just abandoned by her husband on their wedding night?" Seraphina exclaimed.
"She’s the one who came to me," Elijah defended coldly, recalling how Elena had pulled his towel in front of the bathroom door. "She wanted to get revenge on her husband by hiring a 'gigolo.' And I simply provided the service she requested. So now, I am her personal gigolo. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Service?" Vivian laughed hysterically. "You aren't a servant, Elijah! You are the owner of Blackwood! Do you have any idea what this means? If the media finds out the Blackwood heir is involved in a scandal with the wife of the city's third-wealthiest man, New York will suffer an economic earthquake!"
"Let New York crumble for all I care," Elijah replied nonchalantly, tossing back the rest of his whiskey. "Morgan threw her away like trash. So, whose fault is it if I pick up that gem and keep it in my private vault?"
Elijah rose from his chair, walking toward the exit of the family room with a stride that brooked no argument.
"Julian will continue to report her every move at the office. Make sure no one in this house disturbs her. And Sera..." Elijah stopped for a moment and looked back at his eldest sister. "Tell Mom I won't be coming to the family dinner tomorrow. I have an appointment to pick up my debt collector at the jewelry office."
Without waiting for a response from his two stunned sisters, Elijah walked out.
As the main door closed with a heavy, dull thud, the atmosphere in the family room turned chillingly tense. Seraphina and Vivian remained silent for several seconds, as if still trying to process the madness that had just come out of their younger brother's mouth.
"Did he really just admit to being a gigolo?" Seraphina whispered, setting her wine glass down with trembling hands.
"I think he hasn't just admitted it, he's already performed his duties," Vivian replied, shaking her head, no longer able to understand the mind of their youngest—the only son and the most pampered child in the family.
"Elijah Blackwood—the man who won't even shake hands with just anyone because of hygiene issues—is willing to be a 'man for hire' for Morgan Valdez's wife?" Seraphina added, just as bewildered as Vivian.
Ridiculous?
Absolutely.
Vivian stood up and began pacing across the expensive Persian rug, her face etched with deep anxiety.
"This isn't just a scandal, Sera. This is a disaster. Morgan might be a prick for leaving his wife, but he’s still the third-ranking man in this city. If he finds out his wife has turned to the primary heir of Blackwood—and has likely already been bedded—I’m certain he won't stay quiet," Vivian stopped pacing, looking seriously at Seraphina.
"We have to tell Mom about this right now," Vivian stated firmly.
Seraphina nodded quickly. "Yes, Mom needs to know. At least Mom might be able to persuade Elijah more gently before he actually locks Elena Vance away in one of his secret properties."
"But remember, Sera," Vivian cut in with a sharp tone of warning. "Don't say a single word to Dad. Do not let Father know about Elijah's determination to be a homewrecker, or the fact that he's become a personal gigolo."
Seraphina furrowed her brow, realizing how dangerous their father could be when enraged.
"You're right. If Dad finds out his family's pride is being used as a childish joke by Elijah, he won't just destroy Morgan," Seraphina whispered in horror. "He will flatten this entire city and everything in it just to erase that shameful stain from the Blackwood name."
Vivian immediately reached for her phone. "I’ll call Mom and ask her to come home early from the foundation event. We need to come up with a plan before Elijah actually picks that woman up this afternoon. I don't want to see Blackwood Industries ruined just because of a heartbroken woman."
Meanwhile, the two sisters didn't realize that outside, Elijah was already in his Mercedes, staring at his luxury watch with a predatory smile.
"Time to head to the bar. I need to see the manager. After all, aren't I one of their exclusive gigolos now?" Elijah murmured casually as he signaled the driver to start the engine.