Chapter 125
But this lie had now become the strongest shield protecting her and Jack, silencing all the gossip.
Jacob felt the woman in his arms trembling and crying, and he held her even tighter.
He looked up, his icy gaze sweeping once more over Dave, who had collapsed on the floor looking utterly defeated, and all the guests below with their complicated expressions.
"Anyone else have questions?" His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable pressure.
No one dared to respond.
Jacob withdrew his gaze and looked back at his wife and child in his arms. Deep in his eyes, a flash of complex, indecipherable emotion passed through.
The lie had been spoken, and there was no turning back now.
From now on, Elizabeth's past and Jack's origins would be firmly tied to him.
This might not be the best solution, but at this moment, it was the most direct and effective way he could think of to protect her under his wing.
As for the truth, perhaps it was better for everyone if it stayed buried forever.
He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on the top of Elizabeth's head, his voice low and firm, "Continue the ceremony."
The second half of the engagement party proceeded in a strange and solemn atmosphere.
Jacob's earth-shattering announcement had been like a bombshell, stunning everyone and completely shutting down all possible gossip.
No one dared to criticize Elizabeth's past anymore, at least not openly.
Dave was helped away, looking utterly defeated, not daring to say another word.
The guests all put on smiling faces, congratulating Jacob and Elizabeth with words full of flattery and blessings, as if the shocking confrontation had never happened.
Elizabeth stayed close by Jacob's side, accepting everyone's blessings.
She maintained a proper smile on her face, but inside, her emotions were in turmoil.
During a break in the party, Elizabeth excused herself to touch up her makeup and temporarily left Jacob's sight, walking alone to a relatively quiet terrace outside the banquet hall to get some air.
The night breeze was cool, brushing against her flushed cheeks and chaotic thoughts.
Just then, a figure with heavy perfume quietly approached her.
"Ms. Windsor, oh no, should I call you Mrs. Smith now?" Lilith Moretti's voice rang out, unable to hide her schadenfreude.
Elizabeth didn't turn around, just looked calmly at the night view in the distance.
Lilith walked up beside her, standing shoulder to shoulder, lowering her voice with a tone of self-righteous sympathy, "That scene just now was so embarrassing. So Mr. Smith married you because of that child. I knew it. How could someone like Mr. Smith, for no reason, care so much about a woman who... well, had that kind of experience."
She watched Elizabeth's expression, and seeing no reaction, grew bolder and continued her "heart-to-heart", "Actually, Ms. Windsor, as a fellow woman, I really feel for you. Eighteen years old, such a good age, and then... sigh. And Mr. Smith, too, if he was the one who did it back then, why didn't he take responsibility earlier? Making you suffer all these years, being called shameless and having a child out of wedlock. If he really cared about you, how could he let you suffer like this?"
She was trying to stir up resentment and dissatisfaction toward Jacob in Elizabeth.
Elizabeth finally slowly turned her head to look at Lilith.
Her eyes were calm and emotionless, as if looking at a clown, or perhaps... at an idiot.
Lilith felt a bit unnerved by her gaze, but still forced herself to maintain an "I'm doing this for your own good" attitude, "Ms. Windsor, don't look at me like that. I'm saying all this because I really want to help you. Think about it, will you really be happy with Mr. Smith? What he feels for you is probably more responsibility and guilt, right? He had to marry you because of that child. How long can this kind of marriage last?"
She leaned in closer, her voice even lower, with a tempting tone, "I can help you. Help you get away from Jacob. I have ways to make him give you up voluntarily, without hurting the child. I actually quite like Jack. Don't worry, if you're willing to leave, I'll take good care of him for you, treat him like my own. I can even help you find a man who truly loves you and doesn't mind your past, so you can live the rest of your life peacefully and happily. What do you say? Want to consider my offer?"
The more Lilith spoke, the more she thought her plan was perfect. A woman like Elizabeth, who had lost her family's support, must be extremely insecure and afraid of the future.
With just a little manipulation and temptation, she could definitely convince her!
Then, when Elizabeth voluntarily left Jacob, she could move in, comfort Jacob, and generously accept his child. Jacob would surely be moved and see who was truly right for him!
She could already see herself victorious.
Elizabeth quietly listened to her finish, still showing no expression on her face.
The night breeze blew the loose strands of hair by her temples, making her profile look cold and distant.
After a few seconds, she finally spoke softly, "Ms. Moretti."
"I'm curious," she tilted her head slightly, examining Lilith with an almost scrutinizing gaze, "where did you get the idea that I need your help? And where did you come up with the conclusion that Jacob and I won't be happy together?"
Her tone was flat, yet carried a condescending mockery.
Lilith was caught off guard by her question, her face looking somewhat unpleasant, "I'm doing this for your own good! Mr. Smith, he..."
"How Jacob is, is my business." Elizabeth interrupted her, her tone suddenly turning cold. "Whether he's responsible, whether we're happy, has nothing to do with you. As for Jack..."
She paused, a flash of real coldness in her eyes, "My child doesn't need your kindness, and certainly doesn't need you to take care of him for me."
Lilith was stung by her merciless rejection and cold attitude, becoming angry from embarrassment, "Elizabeth! Don't be ungrateful! I'm trying to help you out of kindness, and you..."
"Save your kindness for yourself." Elizabeth interrupted her again, the corners of her mouth even curving into an almost pitying smile. "Lilith Moretti, I suggest that instead of wasting time here scheming about unrealistic things, you should think about how to clean up the mess you and your family have recently made."
"I heard Ms. Moretti treated Mr. Scott like an opportunist trying to climb up through women during their meeting, and even publicly humiliated him. How impressive."