Chapter 22 Elijah’s Unease
A young man behind Tasha, named Brad, stepped forward with an arrogant swagger while fiddling with his sports car keys. He eyed Elijah from head to toe, then erupted into a mocking laugh loud enough for other carnival-goers to hear.
"Well, well... listen to that! A toilet cleaner?" Brad sneered, poking Elijah’s shoulder with his index finger. "Did you hear that, Elena? Turns out this poor guy isn't just good at flirting; he’s a world-class bullshitter. Boutique licenses? College scholarships? Who do you think you are? God?"
Elijah stood like a statue. His face betrayed no anger; instead, his gaze was vacant, as if Brad were merely a buzzing fly. Elijah's silence only made Brad feel more superior.
"Look at his face! He’s too scared to even talk back," Brad mocked again, moving closer to Elijah’s face. "Listen, Loser. In this city, money is power. My father has shares in the largest law firm in NYC. With one snap of my fingers, you’ll end up rotting in a cell for daring to threaten us."
Elena felt a tightness in her chest. She wanted to defend Elijah, but he tightened his hold on her shoulder, signaling her to remain quiet. Elijah let every foul word spill from Brad’s mouth, memorizing every detail of their faces and voices to be executed later.
"Is this all you’re capable of, Elena?" Tasha chimed in snidely. "You used to be the school’s 'golden girl,' and now you’re just a pathetic woman defending a delusional madman."
After a few tense seconds, Elijah finally took a long breath. He didn't respond to Brad’s provocation at all. Instead, he looked down at Elena with a gentle gaze that contrasted sharply with his previous cold aura.
"Let’s go, Elena," Elijah said softly. "The air here is starting to feel filthy from the stench of the trash coming out of their mouths."
"Hey! You’re running away!" Brad shouted as Elijah began to pull Elena away. "You coward!"
Elijah kept walking without a single backward glance. Once they reached a quieter area near some park trees, Elena stopped. Her eyes were glassy as she looked at Elijah.
"Why did you stay quiet, Elijah? You didn't even deny it when they insulted you," Elena whispered, her voice trembling.
Elijah smiled thinly, his hand brushing Elena’s cheek, which was cold from the night wind.
"Dealing with them would only waste my precious time with you, Darling. A lion doesn't need to roar to prove its power to noisy sheep."
He leaned in, kissing Elena’s forehead gently. "Let it go. I don't want the rest of your night ruined by unimportant people. We should head home; you need rest to design tomorrow."
Elena nodded slowly, feeling calm within Elijah’s protection.
The city bus that night glided peacefully through the glittering streets of Manhattan. Elena leaned her head on Elijah’s shoulder, feeling emotionally drained after the confrontation at the carnival.
Elijah let her lean on him, his fingers idly playing with the ends of her hair in a seemingly relaxed motion, but his eyes were fixed sharply on the window.
"Those people earlier... who were they exactly?" Elijah asked in a calm tone, as if it were merely idle conversation.
Elena sighed heavily. "The loudest woman was Tasha. Her father, if I recall correctly, owns a chain of mid-range boutiques in Queens. She’s hated me ever since I got the design scholarship."
Elijah nodded slowly, his mind recording the data like a scanner. "And the guy who pushed my shoulder? Brad, right?"
"Yes, Brad," Elena replied quietly. "His father is a junior partner at a law firm. He’s always thought he was the best because of his father’s political connections. The rest are just their followers. I don't know why they still hold a grudge even years after graduation."
"Junior partner at which law firm?" Elijah probed further, his voice remaining soft in Elena’s ear.
"Miller & Associates, I think. Why are you asking so specifically, Elijah?" Elena looked up slightly, glancing at Elijah's profile.
Elijah smiled thinly—a smile that hid his true emotions. "I just want to know the size of the 'trash' bothering my girl. If I know the type of trash, I know which broom to use to sweep it away."
Elena let out a small laugh, thinking it was just Elijah’s way of cheering her up. "You talk like a mob boss. Forget it; they’re annoying, but they have the kind of power that can make life difficult for an ordinary man like you."
Elijah only gave a short hum in response. He pulled her closer, letting her drift back into her thoughts.
Unbeknownst to Elena, Elijah was typing a brief message on the phone hidden behind the giant teddy bear.
\[Miller & Associates. Terminate all Blackwood Group retainer contracts with them tonight. For the boutique in Queens, send tax inspectors and the health department tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Ensure they are bankrupt before lunch.\]
Elijah tucked his phone away. To him, hurting Elena was an invitation to a storm. He would ensure those people would beg for the chance to be toilet cleaners, just as he had promised.
"Just sleep, Elena," Elijah whispered, kissing the top of her head. "Tomorrow morning, New York will feel a little cleaner for you."
Elena fell asleep within minutes, her breathing steady and soft against Elijah’s shoulder. Elijah remained still, holding his position so as not to disturb her. However, his gaze toward the reflection of city lights in the bus window gradually turned dark.
His thoughts drifted far away to a vast estate in Greenwich, where the head of the Blackwood family reigned. Alaric Blackwood. That man was the definition of absolute power and impossible standards.
Elijah knew all too well that while Seraphina and Vivian could be swayed by feelings, Alaric could not. To Alaric, humans were divided into two categories: those on the same level as the Blackwoods, and those who were merely tools or distractions.
Even though the Vance family had stable property and logistics businesses, in Alaric’s eyes, they were still commoners lucky enough to taste the crumbs of New York’s economy. Furthermore, Elena was currently the wife of the Valdez family—a family whose business Alaric was already targeting for destruction.
"Father will never let this jewel into his palace," Elijah murmured almost inaudibly, his voice like a hiss.