Chapter 323

Chapter 323

Diana POV

Faust: "I've already received word—Jane and Frank from Northdale registered their marriage in Northdale. Diana, the younger York daughter, and James have also gotten their certificate. One married into Northdale nobility, the other into New Valley nobility. With these two great families backing them, it'll be hard for the York family not to rise. Besides, Diana single-handedly established Apex Global Enterprises in Moly City, took it public within years, and secured an important position there. The sisters are formidable. It's not impossible for York Group to return to its peak..."

Before he could finish, the study door burst open.

Elizabeth stood in the doorway, face drained of color.

She'd been eavesdropping outside.

Hearing that James and Diana had registered their marriage, she couldn't stay calm anymore.

Her face pale, she stared at Faust. "What did you just say? James and Diana... are already married?"

Faust nodded coldly. "Yes."

Elizabeth suddenly lost it. She rushed over like a madwoman, grabbing Faust's arm and screaming, "You're lying! You're lying to me, aren't you? How could James marry Diana? That bitch—what right does she have? Is she even worthy?"

She screamed hysterically, raging.

Victor was already furious, and thinking that Elizabeth had caused all of today's disasters made him angrier still.

He slapped her hard across the face, pointing at her and cursing, "You idiot! How many years did we give you? How much money did we invest in you? Fine, you couldn't win James's heart, but then you pull that stupid stunt and drag the entire Carrington family down with you. And you still have the nerve to throw a tantrum? How did I raise such an idiot?"

Elizabeth fell to the floor, completely stunned.

She clutched her swollen, aching cheek, staring at Victor in disbelief. "Dad, you hit me?"

Victor didn't spare her another glance. He called for servants. "Send her to a psychiatric hospital. Let her receive proper treatment and calm down."

When he said this, Victor was exceptionally calm. His face showed no trace of fatherly affection, only disgust.

Elizabeth was terrified. She clung desperately to the study door, screaming at Victor, "I'm not going to a psychiatric hospital! I'm not sick! I won't go!"

The servants dragged her away.

She screamed in utter breakdown.

Her crazed appearance bore no resemblance to the glamorous Carrington family heiress she'd once been.

Mrs. Carrington rushed over at the commotion. Seeing Elizabeth like this, she was horrified.

Though she didn't know what had just happened, considering recent events, she knew Victor was at his limit.

She didn't dare intervene, only tried to reason with her daughter. "Beth, listen to your father. Calm down for a while. I'll find an opportunity to talk to him later."

Elizabeth's last shred of hope vanished. She screamed in disbelief, "No! No! Mom, save me! Save me, Mom..."

Mrs. Carrington responded with silence.

The truth was, though the Carrington parents loved their daughter, that love was built on a foundation of self-interest.

Especially with Elizabeth's recent actions repeatedly disappointing them.

Mrs. Carrington still felt some maternal affection. Victor felt none at all.

Elizabeth was dragged all the way to the car. Her piercing screams echoed throughout the mansion.

In the study, quiet returned.

Faust looked at Victor. "Uncle, are you really giving up on Beth?"

Victor: "She's still a Carrington daughter. The money we invested in her can't go to waste. At least she has good looks. Keep tabs on the psychiatric hospital. Have them train her properly. When she's ready, bring her back and arrange a marriage alliance."

A marriage alliance—that was Elizabeth's final value.

"Yes."

Faust agreed.

...

James POV

After leaving the restaurant, I headed straight to my villa.

The gate opened.

Harvey was about to drive in when a car horn sounded nearby.

Harvey looked over. "Mr. Howard, that looks like Ms. York's car."

I saw it too.

I rolled down the window and looked toward Jane. "Ms. York, what a coincidence."

She didn't waste words. She pulled a metal box from the storage compartment and held it up. "Diana's things. I'm bringing them over for her."

Only then did I get out and walk over to take it.

Jane's tone was indifferent. "These were left at the York estate. They look pretty old. I don't know if they're still useful to her. You can give them to her."

"Thanks."

I took the box.

Jane nodded briefly and told Blake, "Drive."

I returned to my car with the metal box.

As Harvey drove through the gate, he glanced back, clearly curious about what was inside.

Then he met my cool stare.

Harvey laughed awkwardly. "Ms. York really is ice-cold. Right at the door and she didn't even go in to see her own sister."

I didn't respond.

Once inside, I dismissed Harvey and took the metal box upstairs.

Diana was in the bathroom showering.

I sat in the bedroom, looking at the metal box. It really was old.

The metal surface had faded. It must be from over a decade ago.

And Jane had personally delivered it.

This morning, Diana's luggage had been sent over by Jane's people.

But for one small box, she came herself?

I suddenly had a feeling—could this box contain something related to the secret Diana kept locked in her heart?

She'd married me now, but I still didn't know why she'd broken off our engagement back then.

Maybe the answer was in this box.

I wanted to open it.

But when I reached for it, I hesitated. It didn't feel right to look through her things without permission.

After a moment's hesitation, I walked to the bathroom and knocked.

Diana thought I needed to use it. She turned off the water. "I'll be a while longer. If you need the bathroom, use another one."

Me: "I'm not in a hurry. Jane brought something over for you. She said to see if you still need it."

Diana: "What is it?"

I paused. "How would I know?"

Diana: "Just leave it there. I'll look when I come out."

I said nothing, standing by the door without leaving.

The water stopped. Soon, Diana's tentative voice came through. "Or... could you look for me?"

"Sure."

I answered cheerfully and walked away.

I took the box to the living room and carefully opened the metal container...