Chapter 58
Elizabeth's POV
Jasper also caught the underlying meaning and quickly gestured for us to proceed.
The man who had previously insisted on having the upper hand in everything now acted like a waiter, leading the way for Alexander.
It wasn't until we walked out of the lounge that he stopped.
"Mr. Windsor, you and Ms. Spencer enjoy yourselves. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll go rest for a bit."
Alexander showed no intention of acknowledging him, so I responded on his behalf.
Just as we left the lounge, a figure rushed straight toward me.
"Elizabeth!"
Mindful of the other party guests around us, Aiden deliberately lowered his voice, but I could still hear the anger in it.
He glared at me, but his steps halted when he saw Alexander.
"What happened between you and Jasper?"
He was clearly wary of Alexander and didn't dare come closer. His voice became hesitant, and I couldn't help but smile.
"That doesn't seem to be any of your business. I think you should be worrying about your own company right now."
The Smith Group was already in chaos, yet Aiden still had time to question me here. He really had put all his hopes on securing this partnership with Jasper.
When I mentioned the company, Aiden was obviously provoked. The anger on his face became more apparent, but he didn't lash out as I'd expected.
Aiden's expression shifted, and he suddenly smiled at me.
"Elizabeth, I know you would never do this to me. You're just too hurt, aren't you?"
He tentatively moved closer to me, his expression making me nauseous.
So he'd figured out the hard approach wasn't working and decided to try the soft one?
"Elizabeth, we dated for so many years. You still love me, don't you? You wouldn't watch the Smith Group go bankrupt, and you can't bear to see me hurt, right?"
His softened tone sounded like pleading, but the purpose behind it was too obvious.
I couldn't help but frown and pointed to the figure behind him.
"You're saying all this to me—what do you think Ms. Johnson behind you will think?"
Panic flashed across Aiden's face. He almost instinctively looked behind him and met Bianca's gaze.
Aiden immediately walked toward Bianca, the worry and urgency on his face looking genuine.
Witnessing this display of real emotion, I still found it incredibly ironic.
Whether someone loves another person or not really shows clearly. In all the time Aiden and I were together, I rarely saw him show me this kind of expression.
All Aiden ever showed me was coldness and exploitation.
I unconsciously tightened my grip on Alexander's arm, and he easily noticed.
"What, are you sad again?" The teasing tone came from above my head, his deep voice magnetic, like a feather brushing my ear. I couldn't help but shrink away slightly.
Alexander put his arm around my waist, preventing me from moving too far away.
Those eyes stared at me intently, and I quickly denied it, "Of course not."
Sad over him? I'd stopped doing such foolish things long ago.
I just felt disgusted and even more that it hadn't been worth it.
I didn't know if it was my imagination, but after I hastily denied it, Alexander's lips seemed to curve up slightly.
The expression changed too quickly for me to catch it.
Aiden stood by Bianca's side, explaining something, but seeing that Alexander and I were about to leave, he quickly stepped out to block our path again.
"Elizabeth, even though our engagement is canceled, for the sake of all the years we were together, can you please not interfere with me seeking partnerships?"
Bianca kept her head down, her expression showing barely concealed impatience.
She seemed to have no interest in dealing with me at all.
"Seeking partnerships? What are you talking about?" With Alexander by my side, I wore an exaggerated smile. "You're the one who failed to win Jasper's favor. Why are you telling me this?"
Aiden thought about the humiliation of being kicked out, and his expression nearly cracked. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Isn't it because of you that my partnership with Jasper fell through?"
He carefully glanced at Alexander. "You already have Mr. Windsor's protection, so why are you still targeting me?"
"First, I'm not targeting you. Second, partnerships are earned on merit. It's a fact that Jasper wants to work with me. If you're not happy about it, go talk to him. Stop blocking my way."
Bianca stepped forward with a cold snort, "Ms. Spencer, I'm asking you—are you done yet? You just want to get Aiden's attention this way, don't you? You two are over. Can you please stop appearing in our lives?"
I looked at the angry Bianca and smiled instead of getting angry. "Ms. Johnson, weren't you supposedly too weak to even get out of bed? How come you look so healthy and rosy-cheeked to me?"
In my ears, I seemed to hear again those words Bianca had said at the hospital that I'd overheard. She was the one trying to attract Aiden's attention!
Playing pitiful and weak! Everything was just to trap Aiden, for her own benefit!
Someone like that actually had the nerve to say these things to me. In a way, I had to admire her nerve.
Bianca was caught off guard by my words, and her eyes started darting around.
She stammered without immediately refuting me, and I had no intention of giving her the chance.
I continued bluntly, "What, no words to defend yourself? You look healthier than me! Have you been faking illness to deceive Aiden all along?"
Now Aiden also looked her over, following my gaze.
Bianca's face instantly lost all color and turned pale. She grabbed Aiden's hands and quickly said, "Aiden, how can Ms. Spencer say such things? I felt a bit better today, so I pushed myself to come to the party with you. Why would she say these hurtful things?"
As soon as Bianca spoke, Aiden's initially doubtful expression immediately changed, completely convinced by her.
Seeing him like this, I couldn't help but laugh coldly.
Although I knew about Bianca's fake illness and even had a recording as evidence, I didn't plan to completely expose her pretense at this moment.
Because it wasn't enough yet!
Right now, Bianca's deception of Aiden wasn't deep enough!
I wanted to watch Aiden sink deeper and deeper, completely deceived by Bianca, and then reveal everything, letting Aiden know what betrayal really felt like.
After Bianca had stabilized Aiden, she smiled at me, her eyes showing some smugness.
"Ms. Johnson, I think you're quite impressive, but don't misunderstand—I've long lost interest in Aiden."
I leaned closer to Alexander, mimicking her smug smile from just now, "Look, the man by my side is ten thousand times better than Aiden. Any normal person would know how to choose, right?"
Alexander and Aiden—standing together, it was obvious who was more worthy of love.
Bianca showing off her relationship with Aiden to me was simply asking for humiliation.