Chapter 18
Elizabeth's POV
I was on the sofa, midway through a bite of dessert, when Aiden's voice came from the side. I froze, my fork hovering, and slowly lifted my gaze to him.
Aiden was wearing a well-tailored gray suit, with a tall and straight figure and a handsome face. By his side stood a woman dressed gently.
Bianca. Her eyes swept over me, a slow, deliberate appraisal that lingered on my face for a solid five seconds.
"Ms. Spencer." Bianca reached out her hand to me, but her other hand still clung tightly to Aiden's arm in an intimate manner.
I didn't move. It was Aiden who lost his patience first. "Elizabeth, Bianca is saying hello to you."
"I see that," I said, looking directly at Aiden, my expression wiped clean of any warmth. "So, at an event like this, where everyone is watching, you're not worried people might get the wrong idea with Ms. Johnson hanging off your arm like that?"
The room was filled with guests, and their proximity was close enough that anyone who had seen us at the last gala would immediately start whispering.
Aiden blinked, momentarily taken aback, before offering an explanation. "Bianca isn't feeling well. She needs to hold onto me to keep her balance."
"So, Ms. Johnson is that frail?" I rose to my feet, my gaze locking with Bianca's. "To be honest, you look quite healthy. Positively glowing, in fact."
As if on cue, Bianca let out a delicate cough, her face crumpling into a picture of wounded innocence. "Ms. Spencer, I think you've truly misunderstood the nature of my relationship with Aiden. It's not what you think."
"I haven't misunderstood a thing, nor do I particularly care," I cut her off flatly. "Aiden and I aren't officially married yet. If you two are genuinely in love, I'm more than willing to step aside."
The words hung in the air, bold and liberating. Both of them froze, their heads snapping toward me in unison.
Aiden's body went rigid. He stared at me, a flicker of something I couldn't quite name—nervousness, maybe—in his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean, Elizabeth?"
I had never said anything of the sort before. The tension radiating from him was, frankly, a surprise.
Then, the unexpected happened. Aiden actually disentangled himself from Bianca's grasp and strode to my side.
"Everyone knows our relationship," he said, his voice firm. "Of course, I don't want them to misunderstand."
Bianca stared at the empty space where his arm had been, a visible panic washing over her face. She clearly hadn't anticipated this outcome. I was a little stunned myself, turning to look at Aiden. This was the first time he had ever chosen me, ever chosen me, so decisively.
"Isn't Ms. Johnson unsteady on her feet? You should probably go support her," I said, the words coming out almost automatically as I shifted away from him.
He only stood beside me now, but I no longer cared. I even felt a physical sense of disgust.
Aiden acted as if he hadn't heard me, closing the small gap I had created. "You're pregnant, too. It's only right that I stay with you."
Beside us, Bianca's expression had soured completely. Her eyes, fixed on me, were now laced with undisguised hatred.
I remained calm, my gaze drifting between the two of them before a small, humorless laugh escaped my lips.
Since Aiden had suddenly decided to play the part of the devoted fiancé, watching Bianca's face crumble was a rare and, I had to admit, satisfying spectacle.
The birthday banquet was about to begin. As I started toward the grand hall, Aiden fell into step beside me, adopting a protective posture.
Bianca trailed behind, her face ashen.
I had just turned to enter the main hall when I nearly collided with a solid, unmoving figure.
The man's deep-set features were cast in the full glow of the chandeliers, his face a work of art so exquisitely sculpted it was hard to look away. But it was his eyes that held you captive. That face, it was Alex.
The Windsor family had sent him.
I couldn't be sure, but I had the unnerving feeling he'd been standing there, watching me, for some time. Beside me, Aiden seemed to stiffen at his appearance, a subtle shift in his posture that screamed tension.
My heart gave a little lurch. After all, it had only been a few days since I'd escaped from Starlight Manor, taking his car in the process.
Alex did not look like a man with a forgiving nature. Was it possible he had tracked me here just to settle the score?
I swallowed hard, a genuine knot of fear tightening in my stomach.
"Mr. Windsor." It was Aiden who spoke first, his recognition immediate and precise.
Forced to meet his gaze, I found myself pinned by those bottomless, dark eyes. A wave of unease washed over me. Being stared at with such intensity would make anyone nervous.
"H-hello," I stammered, feeling pathetic as I feigned a first meeting. Aiden's eyes flickered to my face, gauging my reaction. He had to know this was the man who had forcibly taken me away that day.
Alex remained silent, his stare unwavering.
The atmosphere grew heavy, oppressive. Behind me, Bianca was gawking, her eyes fixed on Alex's face, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks. I caught the hint of red as I tried to avert my gaze, and my eyebrows shot up.
What was this? The woman perpetually entangled with Aiden was blushing at the sight of a more handsome man? Was she really that fickle?
"The banquet is starting!" someone in the crowd called out, and guests began to file toward the hall. I seized the opportunity.
"Let's go. The banquet's beginning, Grandma will be waiting," I said, brushing past Alex. As I moved, I could feel his gaze following me, a tangible weight on my back.
Aiden, seeing me move, quickly followed, not forgetting to glance back and give Bianca a slight tug to urge her along.
We all entered the grand hall, and the birthday celebration officially commenced. I took my seat beside Aiden, but a moment later, the chair next to me was pulled out. A figure sat down.
That same dark, brooding gaze fell upon me again, and my nerves instantly went taut. I turned my head stiffly, my eyes once again meeting Alex's.
I couldn't take it anymore. I leaned in close, whispering in a voice only he could hear. "Mr. Windsor, holding me against my will like that… it's called kidnapping. It's illegal."
If I hadn't managed to escape, I might still be trapped there. With so many people around, even someone from the Windsor family wouldn't dare cause a scene, right?
Alex merely let out a soft, dismissive sound and turned his attention to the stage.
Whispers erupted behind me, most of them about him. The current head of the Windsor family was notoriously private, and the insignia on Alex's clothing was a clear indicator of his status.
The name alone was enough to spark rampant curiosity and speculation.
The banquet proceeded smoothly, and soon it was time for the presentation of gifts.
Bianca, escorted by Aiden, walked to the front with an exquisite gift box. "Mrs. Smith, this is a piece of jewelry I had specially commissioned for you, from the renowned designer S."
She raised her voice just enough, and the name alone sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd.
"Designer S? Hasn't she been retired for years?"
"The last time one of her pieces went to auction, the price was astronomical. How did this Ms. Johnson get a custom piece?"
"You don't think it's a fake, do you?"
Thanks to Bianca's announcement, all eyes were on her.
Under the weight of their collective gaze, she presented the box. I gave a subtle nod to one of my own people and then made my way to the stage as well.
The box was opened, revealing a jewelry set themed around dandelions.
The craftsmanship was flawless, captivating everyone at first glance. The beauty of the set seemed to convince the audience of its authenticity.
Grandma's face, however, instantly darkened. Her eyes turned cold as she looked at Bianca.
"Take it away," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.
The smile on Aiden's face froze. He looked at his grandmother, confused. "Grandma, Bianca went to great lengths to prepare this for you. Don't you like it?"
Her head snapped toward Aiden, her eyes blazing with fury.
Just then, a voice called out from the audience. "Is he even her real grandson? How could he not know that Mrs. Smith despises dandelions?"
"Exactly! He's already engaged but spends all his time with this Bianca woman. And now he brings a gift of dandelions? It's hard not to think he did it on purpose!"
"What a waste of a piece by Designer S!"
"Speaking of which, can I buy it? If Mrs. Smith doesn't want it, I'd be happy to take it off her hands."
"Get in line! If anyone's buying it, it's me!"
The comments from the crowd made Bianca's face drain of all color. She finally understood.
She looked helplessly at Aiden, her eyes pleading.
The gift she had spent so much money and effort on was the one thing her target loathed most.
Her grand plan to win favor had backfired spectacularly, turning her into a laughingstock.
It was at that moment that I stepped forward, signaling to my aide.
He quickly approached, handing me a similarly ornate gift box.
"Grandma, don't be angry," I said, my voice calm and clear. "Why don't you see what I've brought for you?"
In front of everyone, I opened the box.