Chapter 10
During breakfast, Elisa didn't say a word to Howard, not even glancing his way.
While she was chatting with William, Howard suddenly handed her a small, fancy box.
William, catching on to Howard's attempt to make peace, showed a knowing look and left to give them some space.
Elisa was taken aback and asked coldly, "What's this?"
Howard's tone was just as stiff. "Open it and see."
Elisa opened the box and was shocked to find a necklace with a sparkling obsidian diamond inside. Wasn't this the one she had seen in an auction catalog a few days ago? She had stumbled upon the auction invitation in the documents Adrian had brought, with the items to be auctioned attached. She had casually mentioned to him that the necklace was beautiful. How had Howard known and bought it?
It must have been Adrian who had told Howard, but she hadn't expected him to buy it, especially since she had heard the necklace had sold for $1.4 million.
Elisa looked at Howard in surprise.
Howard still had a cold expression. "Don't overthink it, I just picked it up while I was at it."
Elisa was feeling a bit touched when Howard's phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID. It was Victoria.
Howard immediately picked up the phone. "I'll take this call."
He went to the backyard to answer it.
That name made Elisa calm down.
She snapped the necklace box shut and mocked herself inwardly, 'How pathetic I am, almost swayed by a necklace.'
She almost forgot that $1.4 million was just pocket change to Howard.
Over the years, Howard had never deprived her of material things.
He could give her everything she wanted—money, designer bags, clothes, various luxury items, even luxury cars—except his love.
In that sense, Howard was a good man in some ways, at least he wasn't like some men who were stingy with their wives but generous to their mistresses.
Just like the plot in many novels where he did nothing wrong but didn't love her.
The absurdity of this plot happening to her made Elisa feel suffocated.
But then she thought, 'No matter what I think, it doesn't change the fact that Howard is cheating. Why would I make excuses for a cheating man?'
With that thought, the little bit of emotion she felt earlier vanished completely.
When Howard finished his call and came back, he saw the necklace on his seat and looked at Elisa in confusion. "What are you doing?"
Elisa, having finished her meal, wiped her mouth with a napkin and slowly said, "I shouldn't accept such an expensive gift right now. After all, we're getting divorced. You should give it to the person you truly love."
Howard thought Elisa was being unreasonable.
He had already given her a gift, so why was she acting so aloof? If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have bought the necklace. Who else could he give it to?
Howard was about to lose his temper when he remembered the call and realized Elisa was referring to Victoria.
Suppressing his anger, he patiently explained, "I was just discussing some work with Victoria. Can you stop overthinking?"
"Overthinking?" Elisa laughed bitterly, mocking him, "You're the CEO of the Brown Group, and she's a celebrity. What work could you possibly discuss?"
Even if he wanted to lie, he shouldn't use such a ridiculous excuse.
"Why can't we discuss work?" Howard frowned, clearly annoyed. "Forget it, I can't explain it to you."
Elisa wasn't surprised by his words; he always said that when he couldn't explain himself.
William, who had been watching from a distance, heard their argument and immediately walked over to intervene. "Why are you two arguing again?"
William scolded Howard, "Didn't I tell you to make it up to Elisa? How did it turn into an argument?"
Howard, with a cold face, stubbornly said, "I wasn't arguing with her, it was clearly..."
He paused, glanced at Elisa, and angrily said, "Forget it, I have nothing to say to her. I'm going back to the office."
He shouldn't have shown Elisa any kindness. If he ever backed down first in an argument again, he wouldn't be a Brown!
Howard grabbed his coat and was about to leave when Elisa called out, "Wait!"
Howard thought Elisa had come to her senses in those few seconds, but she handed him the gift box instead.
Elisa coldly said, "Take your stuff back!"
Howard stared at the box in his hand, even angrier.
Furious, he heard William give a stern order, "Argue all you want, but how can you leave Elisa here? Take her home before you go back to the office!"
Howard didn't move, so William got angry, slapping his shoulder hard and scolding him, "You idiot, did you forget everything I taught you? How can you treat Elisa like this?"
Elisa stood by William, soothing his back and advising, "Grandpa William, don't get angry, it's bad for your health."
She glanced at Howard, showing no intention of speaking up for him.
Howard didn't understand why William always sided with Elisa. It was him who was William's biological grandchild.
Seeing no benefit in continuing to argue, Howard had to do as William said.
He looked at Elisa and impatiently urged, "What are you waiting for? Let's go! I have an important meeting later."
With that, he walked out.
Elisa didn't want to ride in Howard's car, but she didn't want to worry William either. She gave William a hug and reluctantly said, "Grandpa, I'll go now."
William reminded her, "Be careful on the road. If Howard dares to bully you again, tell me."
Hearing this warmed Elisa's heart, and she nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
Knowing that Howard didn't have much patience, Elisa hurried up to avoid any further arguement.
As she stepped out the door and down the steps, she missed a step and almost twisted her ankle.
She stood there for a few seconds, patting her chest in relief.
At that moment, Howard rolled down the car window and urged again, "Why are you dawdling? Do you need someone to carry you down a few steps?"
Elisa rolled her eyes and angrily got into the car.
She slammed the door, turned to look out the window, and ignored Howard.