Chapter 492 Watching the Fun
"Who are you to talk about my dad? If it weren't for him, you and your mom would probably be wandering who-knows-where right now! You’re nothing but an unwanted child. Grandpa threw you out back then, remember? It was my dad who insisted on bringing you back into this family.Without him, you wouldn’t even be standing here, you’d be gone."
"You do realize that it was your father who did me the favor, not you, right? He helped me, which is why I’m still here fixing the mess he left behind. But you, what gives you the right to yell at me? Elowen, have I spoiled you so much that you've forgotten your place? Is that why you think you can run wild, causing problems every time I turn around?"
"Why shouldn’t I? Do you actually know why people respect you as president? It’s because I didn’t want the position, that’s the only reason you were handed the title."
"If I truly wanted that position, who exactly do you think you would be today?"
Elowen refused to back down, as she always had. She was the legitimate heiress of the Mitchell family, yet somehow, over the years, everyone had shown Eleanor a hundred times more respect than they showed her. It was as if Eleanor was the Mitchell family heiress, and Elowen was the bastard child.
When it came to arranged marriages, sacrifices, and contributing to the family’s interests, Eleanor should have shared the burden.
But in the end...
All the responsibilities fell squarely on her shoulders, while every advantage and reward conveniently flowed to Eleanor.
Eleanor laughed, as if Elowen had just told the funniest joke in existence. "Go on then! I’ll gift it to you. You think you can handle that kind of pressure?"
"Elowen, do I need to remind you? I pulled strings and paid money to get you that college degree. What qualifications do you have to sit in this position?"
"Eleanor..."
Without warning, Eleanor flung her freshly brewed coffee straight into Elowen’s face. The bitterness soaked her skin, trickling down her cheeks, burning not just her eyes but her pride.
"Elowen, think it over carefully."
"I'm giving you two choices. One, behave yourself and stay in Emerald City as Mrs. Carter. Two, I'll personally send you back to Regal City, confiscate your passport, and have someone watch you."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Watch me."
Elowen was escorted downstairs. Just as she left the elevator lobby and was about to get in her car, she heard someone call her name in surprise.
She turned around to see Selene standing behind her, briefcase in hand.
"What happened to you? Did someone throw coffee on you?" Selene looked her up and down.
Feeling humiliated and exposed, Elowen’s expression hardened. She changed the subject. "Why are you here?"
"I’m here with my boss to see a client. Someone going through a divorce—apparently a managerial-level employee from your family's company."
Elowen didn’t care in the slightest. Just remembering last night made anger flare in her chest again.
"You're at the Celestia Group now?"
"Yes."
"Is the rumor about Mr. Brown and Thalia true?"
Selene's heart skipped a beat. After returning to work, she'd occasionally heard snippets about the rumor, but only snippets. Apparently, William didn't like people gossiping within the company. Years ago, someone had been caught discussing leadership gossip and was fired on the spot.
Naturally, no one dared to push their luck.
She hadn’t thought much about it earlier, but hearing Elowen ask made her think quickly. "I’m not sure, honestly. I haven’t heard anyone in the Celestia Group mention it."
Elowen understood.
So maybe it wasn't true?
Who knew if the so-called proof online was real or fake.
"Let's add each other on WhatsApp! Makes it easier to stay in touch."
"Sure."
That evening, the atmosphere inside the Jimenez Mansion’s living room was unusually formal. Everyone sat upright and alert, waiting for William to arrive. Strictly speaking, this was William's first time stepping foot in the Jimenez Mansion.
"Mr. Jimenez, Mr. Brown is here."
The moment William entered, the air seemed to freeze over. Every spine in the room straightened as all eyes shifted toward him.
"You're here. Have a seat."
William walked in and took the seat directly across from Steven.
It was just a dinner, but people reacted in different ways, some ate without tasting anything, some drifted off in their minds, some were so tense they could barely chew, Only William remained entirely unbothered, the faint curve on his lips showing he was in a remarkably good mood.
During the meal, Sean raised his glass repeatedly to toast, saying all the usual polite, formal things.
William raised his glass in return. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked casually, "Why don’t I see your uncle?"
The "uncle" William referred to was Sean's biological father, Dione's younger brother. This man should have been nearing retirement age, but had been schemed against by Dione and ended up in prison, where he remained to this day.
William’s question was not innocent.
He wanted to stir the Jimenez family’s resentment toward Dione.
"You'll see him eventually." Steven changed the subject. William smiled and nodded.
His gaze drifted across the room before settling on Sean’s wife, Bella Jimenez.
He couldn't help but think of what Thalia had said.
Even when William looked at people casually, his gaze was strong and dominating. With one sweep of his eyes, Bella felt a chill run down her spine.
Her startled eyes met his briefly, but before she could decipher the meaning behind his gaze, movement by the doorway pulled her attention.
When Michael came in, the emotion in Bella's eyes was so fleeting that William almost missed it. That look... it was as if she'd seen a lover she hadn't seen in lifetimes.
The moment he appeared, longing surged through her, fierce and uncontrollable.
Restraint, control, unwillingness, anger, grievance, struggle, longing - it was all there.
It was interesting.
William leaned back against his chair, his fingertips slowly rotating his wine glass, watching Bella with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Under the table, where no one could see, Sean squeezed Bella's palm.
She quickly pulled her gaze away and lowered her eyes, concealing every emotion.
You said you would be here at seven," Steven said coldly as Michael took his seat late.
"Traffic."
"Mr. Brown, sorry."
William lifted his chin slightly. "It's fine. Have a seat."
He was supposed to be a guest. Yet today, his presence carried the weight and authority of a host.
Everyone in the room, from Steven who'd stepped down from a high position to the servants in the house, was completely dominated by his presence.
At his words, Eileen’s expression darkened with resentment.
"Thanks, Mr. Brown," Michael said.
Sean pulled back the jealousy in his gaze and glanced toward Bella. In a soft, controlled voice, he said, "Didn't you say you had a video call with someone at eight?"
Bella was stunned. She'd never said anything like that.
Was Sean trying to get her away from the dinner table?
"Looks like she hasn't eaten much. Leaving the table already?" William didn't mind stirring up trouble.
He thought to himself that it would be great if Thalia were here - she loved this kind of family drama gossip.
"It's something important. I'll excuse myself. You all enjoy your meal." Not wanting to make things too awkward, Bella left the table. As she went upstairs, despite her unwillingness, she had no choice.
As her footsteps faded on the stairs, William looked up and glanced over, catching sight of someone standing by the second-floor railing, crying.