Chapter 23
His words were meaningful.
Elizabeth lowered her gaze, avoiding his penetrating stare. "I hope I can make it through this ordeal."
Jacob didn't press further, but his scrutiny and doubt hadn't entirely dissipated.
Elizabeth's appearance was too coincidental. Her composure and tactics were nothing an ordinary spoiled heiress could possess.
He said nothing more. Lunch ended in a subtle, tense atmosphere.
Elizabeth knew Jacob's suspicions hadn't been quelled.
But she wasn't worried. Without concrete evidence, her story held up.
And Nightfall's existence—she would never let him know about that.
Light, quick footsteps approached, growing louder. A small figure burst into the dining room, making a beeline straight for Elizabeth.
"Mommy!"
Jack had clearly wolfed down his meal and couldn't wait to find her.
He latched onto her leg like a koala bear.
Elizabeth bent down and scooped him up. Jack immediately wrapped his arms around her neck, nestling against her with complete trust.
Jacob watched his son's unusual attachment to Elizabeth, his expression unreadable.
He fell silent for a moment. Just as Elizabeth was about to excuse herself, he spoke up, "Ms. Windsor."
His voice was even, betraying no emotion. "Since Jack is so attached to you, and your situation at the Windsor family seems less than ideal."
He paused. "Why don't you move into the Smith residence temporarily? Until the wedding."
Elizabeth's arms tightened slightly around Jack.
Moving into the Smith family would be like jumping from one cage into another—one far more difficult to control.
Under Jacob's watchful eye, many of her operations would be severely restricted. Especially anything related to Nightfall.
She almost refused immediately.
But Jacob seemed to read her hesitation and added, "You'll retain all your freedom. The Smith family won't restrict your comings and goings or interfere with your outside affairs. I have only one requirement—"
His gaze settled on Jack. "Spend time with him."
The condition caught Elizabeth off guard.
Was Jacob willing to grant her that much personal freedom?
Just so she'd spend time with Jack?
She looked down at the child in her arms.
Jack stared up at her with bright, hopeful eyes. He seemed to understand what Jacob had said, his small hands clutching her collar tighter.
The refusal died on her lips.
She quickly weighed the pros and cons.
Staying at the Windsor residence meant Charles openly coveting her shares, while Sophie and Vivian circled like venomous snakes ready to strike at any moment. Impossible to guard against them all.
But the Smith family... Though Jacob himself was dangerous, he kept his word. If he promised not to restrict her freedom, he'd honor that commitment. At least in the short term.
Besides, moving into the Smith residence would send a powerful message. To Charles, to Henry, to Vivian—all of them would think twice before making a move against her.
A double-edged sword, yes. But wielded correctly, she could use Jacob's influence to solidify her position and advance her plans more efficiently.
With that settled in her mind, Elizabeth met Jacob's gaze and smiled slightly. "Since Mr. Smith has extended the invitation, I'd be foolish to refuse. For Jack's sake, I can move in temporarily. I hope you'll remember your promise."
Jacob seemed mildly surprised by her ready agreement, though he didn't show it. He simply nodded. "Naturally."
"Mommy's staying with me?" Jack apparently understood, his face lighting up like a Christmas tree as he confirmed it, still clinging to Elizabeth's neck.
"I'm staying with you." Elizabeth patted his back gently, giving him the answer he wanted.
Jacob watched them embrace, his expression complex.
He'd made this suggestion primarily to satisfy his Jack's attachment. But part of him—he couldn't deny it—wanted Elizabeth where he could monitor her. Investigate her more easily.
And this woman seemed equally willing to leverage the Smith family's power for her own purposes.
Mutually beneficial arrangement. Nothing more.
"Tina," Jacob ordered, "prepare the east guest suite for Ms. Windsor."
"Yes, Mr. Smith." Tina bowed in acknowledgment.
Elizabeth carried an elated Jack as she followed Tina to her temporary accommodations.
After deciding to stay at the Smith residence, Elizabeth remembered Pacquiao's private dinner party tonight.
She needed to attend. Pacquiao operated on Jacob's level—if he'd sent her a personal invitation, she had to show. Not going would be a direct insult. Elizabeth didn't need unnecessary enemies.
She addressed Tina, who was showing her around the guest room. "Ms. Rivera, I have an event to attend tonight. My gown is still at the Windsor residence. I need to go back and get it."
Before Tina could respond, a low voice cut through the air from behind them, decisive and final. "No need."
Elizabeth turned. Jacob had appeared without warning, standing in the shadow of a pillar, his eyes dark and unreadable as they fixed on her.
"You're attending an event?" He moved closer, his tone flat but carrying invisible weight. "Whose event?"
Elizabeth's mind raced. No point hiding it—he'd find out anyway. Better to be upfront. "A private dinner party hosted by Mr. Pacquiao."
"Pacquiao." Jacob repeated the name, his lips curving into a cold smile.
His gaze sharpened as he studied Elizabeth.
Pacquiao had sent the invitation directly to her.
So she did have connections to Pacquiao's camp.
Coincidence? Or calculated?
Saving Jack, getting close to him, and now linking up with Pacquiao. This woman had ambitions.
His tentative goodwill toward her—what little existed because of Jack—evaporated.
The moment "Pacquiao" left her mouth, the last trace of warmth vanished from his face.
"Busy woman." Sarcasm dripped from his words.
Elizabeth caught the ice in his tone, but she didn't care what he thought of her.
She only needed to achieve her objectives.
"Mr. Smith, I'm simply attending an event I was invited to."
"Invited?" Jacob let out a harsh laugh. "What's your relationship with Pacquiao? Why would he invite you?"
Elizabeth bristled at his attitude but kept her voice neutral. "I don't know him, Mr. Smith."
He stepped forward, his imposing frame casting a shadow over her, his voice dropping to a dangerous register. "I'm going with you."
Elizabeth's pupils constricted slightly.
Jacob wanted to accompany her?
This completely derailed her plan to attend alone and keep a low profile.
With him at her side, she'd be boxed in. All eyes would be on the two of them.
And weren't these two supposed to be at odds? Wasn't Jacob worried Pacquiao might try something at his own party?
The same way he'd love nothing more than to take Pacquiao out.