Chapter 119 Rebecca's Move
Rebecca stared at her teacup with a blank expression. She stirred slowly, but her mind was clearly elsewhere.
Across from her, Catherine sat upright, hands folded on the table, waiting patiently for the older woman to speak first.
"So," Rebecca's voice finally came—still soft, but firm. "What did you want to discuss, Catherine?"
Catherine exhaled quietly. She'd been planning this conversation for days.
Ever since Elliot chose Audrey. Ever since she heard he was holding a press conference to announce his marriage to that pathetic secretary.
"Auntie, you knows I don't have bad intentions," Catherine said carefully. "I just want to make sure you understand something."
Rebecca glanced at her briefly before sipping her tea. "Go ahead."
Catherine chose her words carefully. "I won't talk about myself. I won't push my own wishes. But... do you truly believe Audrey deserves Elliot?"
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You know who she is. Where she comes from." Catherine leaned forward slightly, eyes locked on the older woman. "I know you're trying to accept it. But I also know you still have doubts."
Rebecca was silent. Her face remained calm, but the slight shift in her eyes told Catherine she wasn't entirely wrong.
Catherine pressed on. "Audrey doesn't come from a good family. Her background is... complicated. Messy, even. She brings problems that could drag Elliot down. All of us, even!"
Rebecca exhaled slowly. "I don't judge people by their background, Catherine..."
"But you have to consider the risks!" Catherine didn't back down. "Audrey has secrets. Scandals. Things she's hiding. Aren't you afraid that someday—it'll backfire? That things from her past will hurt Elliot? Hurt your family?"
Rebecca's gaze sharpened. "I trust that Elliot knows what he's doing. He's not a child anymore."
"But you're his mother!" Catherine insisted. "You want what's best for him. And I just want to make sure you've thought everything through before fully accepting her into this family."
Silence.
Rebecca finally set down her teacup and looked at Catherine more seriously. "I've thought everything through, Catherine."
Catherine frowned. "Then can you truly accept her?"
Rebecca didn't answer immediately. She looked toward the window, watching the fading afternoon light. Her mind drifted to Elliot—how her son used to be so cold, so untouchable.
But since Audrey, there was a change she couldn't ignore.
"I'm a mother," Rebecca finally said. "I can't close my eyes to my son's choices. And I can't ignore the fact that since he's been with Audrey, Elliot has become more... alive."
Catherine fell silent. She couldn't deny that Elliot had changed since that woman appeared.
But she also knew love alone wasn't always enough to sustain something.
"I'm not blind, Catherine." Rebecca continued. "I know Audrey isn't perfect. But who is? You? Me?"
Catherine pressed her lips together tightly.
Rebecca looked at her more gently now—though something in her eyes said otherwise. "I appreciate your concern. I know you only want what's best. But this decision isn't mine. Or yours."
Catherine bit her lip, holding back the urge to say more.
Rebecca sipped her tea calmly—but her gaze had sharpened.
She'd known from the start this wouldn't be casual small talk. Catherine never did anything without purpose.
"But Auntie—"
The sharp clink of Rebecca's teacup made Catherine flinch.
The older woman's expression hardened. "You speak as if you know her better than I do."
Catherine tensed. "That's not what I meant. I just—"
"You sound desperate to corner Audrey." Rebecca's gaze sharpened further. "From the moment you started, you've talked about her past. Her wounds. The possibility she might bring trouble to Elliot. But have you ever asked yourself—who truly loves Elliot? Who stayed by his side when everyone tried to control his life?"
Catherine was silent.
Rebecca leaned back, studying the younger woman with an assessing gaze. "You came here to make me doubt Audrey. Instead, you've only convinced me I made the right choice in accepting her as my daughter-in-law."
"Auntie..."
"I know you have feelings for Elliot." Rebecca cut through the pretense. "And I don't blame you. You're a good woman, Catherine. Smart. Elegant. From a respectable family. But that's not enough to make someone happy."
Catherine's hands clenched beneath the table. She fought to stay calm—but inside, turmoil churned.
Rebecca exhaled, then suddenly looked at Catherine more sharply. "Speaking of Audrey and Elliot..." She tapped her fingers on the table. "I want to ask you something."
Catherine swallowed. "What is it?"
Rebecca held her gaze—direct, unflinching. "The Fairmont family lunch, some time ago. Elliot felt strange after drinking something. And you were with him."
Catherine's expression flickered. "What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean." Rebecca leaned forward, eyes unwavering. "Elliot isn't the type to lose control easily. But after drinking whatever it was, he felt something was wrong. And coincidentally, you were there."