Chapter 58 Stay On
Timothy returned to Greenview Mansion.
Emma was curled up on the sofa, her long hair loose over her shoulders, a pregnancy test clutched in her trembling hand. Her eyes were clouded with uncertainty.
Timothy glanced at the test. Two lines.
She was pregnant.
He sank into the sofa, legs crossed, posture relaxed yet detached. "Any thoughts?"
Emma's gaze was unfocused. She bit her lip, the color deepening under her teeth. "I don't know."
He studied her for a moment. "Tomorrow, we'll go to your hospital for a proper check."
"Alright." Emma tugged at the corners of her mouth, trying to smile, but it wouldn't come.
This child had arrived far too suddenly.
Timothy told her to go upstairs and rest. She had barely reached the first step when she turned back. "I want to keep this baby."
Her lips pressed together.
"Think it through. This child will be born without a father."
Emma's mouth tightened further.
"And your parents may not approve," Timothy added evenly.
Emma knew the Sutter family would never allow her to have a child out of wedlock.
But she had already decided—she would keep it.
When she finally went upstairs, Timothy checked his phone.
Elizabeth had already gone home with a newly purchased kitchen knife.
He left Greenview Mansion and drove to the Faith Residence apartment complex.
Mabel answered the door, surprise flashing across her face. "Timothy… what brings you here?"
"Just wanted to see you."
"Me?" She pointed at herself. "You came to see me? Well, that's unexpected."
From the kitchen came the rhythmic thud of a knife against a cutting board. Elizabeth didn't look up, her expression cold as she kept chopping.
Timothy stepped into the living room and glanced toward the kitchen at the sound.
"Elizabeth is cutting up a chicken," Mabel explained. "Timothy, you didn't just drop by for no reason, did you?"
Elizabeth heard his voice from the kitchen.
When she finished cooking, she carried the dishes out and found Timothy still sitting in the living room while Mabel stared at a mindless TV program.
He looked over at her.
Elizabeth met his eyes briefly before setting the dishes on the table.
Mabel quickly set down the remote and hurried to help carry the rest of the food.
It was polite, with guests in the house, to ask if they'd eaten.
Elizabeth, despite her mood, kept her manners. "Mr. Robinson, have you had dinner?"
Timothy's gaze lifted, his dark eyes steady on hers. "Not yet."
Elizabeth said nothing.
"Would you like to stay and eat with us? Elizabeth's cooking is amazing," Mabel offered enthusiastically.
"Sure. Thank you."
Elizabeth had made more food than she and Mabel could finish alone. One more person wouldn't hurt.
She went into the kitchen for plates and cutlery.
Timothy followed.
When she reached up to take a plate from the cupboard, her shirt lifted slightly, revealing a narrow waist.
His sudden closeness made her turn her head in surprise.
"I'll get it," he said quietly.
"Thanks."
She stepped aside to let him take the plates, then carried a serving dish of mashed potatoes out to the table.
During dinner, Elizabeth's phone rang. It was Yosef.
"You suddenly skipped work today," he said, his tone edged with disapproval. "That's not acceptable."
Elizabeth's lips curved faintly. "So you're planning to keep employing me?"
Yosef scoffed. "Do I look like I'm short on money?"
She smiled lightly. "Mr. Sutter, you're too kind."
Timothy glanced at her, setting down his fork beside the plate.
When she hung up, Timothy rolled down his sleeves, buttoned the cuffs, and stood. "Delicious. Thanks for having me."
Mabel still didn't understand why he had come at all.
The next morning, Elizabeth went to work at TechStrong.
Yosef noticed her healthy complexion, no trace of sleepless eyes. "I thought I'd see red-rimmed eyes today."
Elizabeth looked up from the stack of files she was sorting. "Sorry to disappoint. I'm not that fragile."
She hadn't yet taken her revenge. There was no way she'd collapse so soon.
She knew she still wasn't strong enough.
Yosef, hands in his pockets, gave her a long look. "Make me a coffee. We've got a meeting at the Johnson Group at ten."
She broke eye contact and went to brew the coffee, placing it on his desk.
Yosef loosened his shirt collar, revealing smooth, pale skin. "Ms. Penrose, if you'd rather not go to the Johnson Group, you don't have to."
Elizabeth arched a brow. "Why wouldn't I? It's my job."
She left the office without waiting for a reply.
Yosef watched her confident stride and realized he'd been worrying for nothing.
Outside the Johnson Group's meeting room, Armando's gaze flicked to Elizabeth beside Yosef, a faint crease between his brows.
"Mr. Johnson," Yosef said with a smile, "what's with the look?"
"Nothing," Armando replied coolly.
Inside, Yosef had even worn a tie—unusual for him.
When the meeting ended, he bit down on a cigarette, jaw tilted, brows drawn. "Ms. Penrose, the tie you tied for me is choking me."
Elizabeth sighed and walked over to loosen it.
Standing close, she lowered her gaze, fingers deft on the knot.
Armando passed by, his expression cooling as he saw her with Yosef.
Tom, behind Armando, followed his gaze. Elizabeth had often tied Armando's ties in the past, her touch gentle then.
Back in the car, Yosef's eyes fixed on her, dark and unreadable.
Elizabeth met his stare.
Yosef asked, "Why exactly does Armando want me to fire you?"
"I didn't think you'd ask." She leaned back lazily, pulling out lipstick. "Even if you ask, I won't tell you."
Yosef said nothing, turning to Uriah, the driver. "Celestial University."
Elizabeth didn't ask why.
They arrived around twelve-thirty, just as students were leaving for lunch.
Yosef made a call. "I'm outside the school gate. Come out."
Ten minutes later, a sweet-faced woman in a school-style skirt knocked on the car window.
"Let her in," Yosef said.
Elizabeth raised a brow, stepped out, and let Mina Clark in.
Uriah got out too, gesturing for Elizabeth to close the door.
She understood immediately and walked away with him.
The car was tinted against prying eyes, but not soundproof.
"Lana's gone?" Elizabeth asked.
"Now it's Mina," Uriah said awkwardly. "She's a teacher, not a student."
Elizabeth nodded. Yosef changed lovers every few months.
When the door opened again, Mina stepped out, cheeks flushed, her walk slightly off.
She glanced at Elizabeth's figure with a flicker of envy.
Elizabeth didn't look at her, simply returned to the car.
The scent inside was heavy, and tissues littered the floor.
Yosef lounged carelessly, his shirt rumpled, the dark fabric of his trousers damp. He made no effort to hide it.
Elizabeth sprayed perfume.
The sharp fragrance hit Yosef's nose, making him sneeze.
"Ms. Penrose…"