Chapter 79 Disgusting
It was eight o'clock in the morning, the hour when the city's veins clogged with traffic.
Cars in every lane were inching forward, drivers gripping their steering wheels with tight knuckles, all in a rush to get to work.
Two-wheeled electric bikes, however, glided through the chaos with smug ease, weaving between the lines of stalled vehicles.
Elizabeth's red sports car, impossible to miss, had no choice but to crawl along with the rest.
She glanced again at one of those sleek electric bikes as it zipped past her. The rider disappeared into the distance in seconds. Maybe, she thought, she should buy one herself.
She tapped her Bluetooth earpiece. "Any luck finding someone suitable at the school?"
Lyle's voice came through, accompanied by the faint clink of a coffee cup. "We've found three so far. But lately, the Starlight Group has been putting constant pressure on Quin Agency."
Elizabeth's lips curved into a faint smile. "I've been prepared for that for a while now. Keep me updated on Jessa's progress."
They spoke about work for a few more minutes before ending the call.
Elizabeth steered her car down into TechStrong's underground parking lot. The cool concrete swallowed the sound of the city above. She stepped out, heels clicking against the floor, and headed toward the elevator.
Her gaze swept across the lobby, landing on Ron.
Back when she was with the Howard family, she and Ron barely spoke. Whenever they crossed paths, they treated each other like strangers. She knew exactly why he was here today.
"Elizabeth, can we talk?"
The recent upheaval in the Howard family had left Ron looking worn and pale. Bruce had called him when Elizabeth filed charges against Calista, and Ron's disgust toward her had been absolute.
Elizabeth smiled, the kind of smile that didn't reach her eyes. "And you are?"
She truly needed to remind herself—over and over—that since waking up from the car accident, she had no memory of anyone she hadn't met afterward.
Ron's smile was thin, brittle. "I'm Ron. Your half-brother."
He didn't sound proud of the fact.
"But I'm working right now," Elizabeth replied coolly. "And honestly, there's nothing to discuss. I'm not withdrawing the charges, so don't bother appealing to some sense of mother-daughter bond."
It was office hours; everyone was arriving for work. Standing here in the middle of the lobby to hash out family drama was inappropriate—and she had no intention of giving him the chance to speak further.
She stepped to leave.
Ron reached out and grabbed her arm. His voice dropped low. "Elizabeth, you can't be this heartless. No matter what, she's still your mother."
Elizabeth almost laughed.
Some people would never understand the pain unless it happened to them.
Her eyes went cold. "If you have time to chase me down, you'd be better off finding Calista a good lawyer. Let go."
"She's telling you to let go, and you're still hanging on?"
Yosef walked through the entrance just in time to see Ron's hand on Elizabeth's arm. He came to stand beside her, his presence towering and solid.
The chairman of TechStrong. A Sutter. The Howard family had never been able to get into that circle.
Yosef didn't look like any chairman Ron had ever seen. Short-sleeved T-shirt, casual pants, arms corded with muscle, hair cropped short, a cigarette between his teeth—he looked more like a street enforcer than a corporate executive.
Ron released Elizabeth and forced a stiff smile. "Mr. Sutter, I was just talking to my sister."
Yosef tilted his head, plucked the cigarette from his mouth. "Miss Penrose, you've got a brother?"
Elizabeth's lips curved faintly. She started toward the elevators, Yosef falling into step beside her.
Ron didn't follow. He caught a fragment of Elizabeth's voice: "Not a real brother."
She pressed the elevator button. When the doors slid open, she gestured for Yosef to step in first.
"Miss Penrose," he said as he entered, "I haven't had breakfast yet."
Elizabeth's heels clicked as she joined him. "What do you want to eat?"
"Bacon. Ham burger. Coffee."
Her expression didn't change. "You've got a sandwich. And you've got a meeting at ten—you'll need to change."
Fortunately, TechStrong's lounge kept a few spare suits on hand. Yosef wolfed down the sandwich, brushed his teeth, and under Elizabeth's frosty gaze, changed into a suit.
When he stepped out, she was waiting with a dark red tie in her hands.
Yosef tilted his chin, eyeing her handiwork. "Miss Penrose, be honest… isn't this tie hideous?"
Elizabeth didn't even look up, her fingers moving with practiced ease. "No, your eyesight is."Yosef sighed in mock despair. "You know, Miss Penrose, that's a terrible way to treat your boss."
Elizabeth checked the time. "We should go."
The Silverlight City conference was attended by the city's most successful figures. Journalists crowded the venue, chasing interviews.
Bodyguards escorted Yosef and Elizabeth inside. By coincidence, their seats were beside Armando and Tom.
Elizabeth gave Tom a polite nod.
Today's focus was artificial intelligence—its development and future. Yosef and Armando would both be speaking.
Armando was on stage now, his cool gaze sweeping the audience. He spotted Yosef leaning close to Elizabeth, speaking quietly.
Elizabeth lifted her eyes, meeting Armando's for a moment before her smile faded and she looked away. She continued her calm, reasoned argument with the ever-persistent Yosef.
In the end, Yosef got his way—walking on stage with the speech in hand. Why use his brain when he had a perfectly good script?
The conference concluded with a networking dinner.
"Miss Penrose, long time no see."
"Long time no see."
"You're working for Mr. Sutter now?"
"Yes."
Networking events were perfect for slipping away unnoticed. Elizabeth hadn't expected to run into Armando again.
His tie was loosened, an unusual lack of polish for him in such a setting.
Elizabeth turned, intending to leave. But suddenly, her hand was caught. Without warning, she was pulled into the stairwell.
Her brows drew together.
He pinned her against the wall.
The stairwell was quiet, the air heavy.
His voice was cool. "Elizabeth."
She met his gaze, hers not just cold but edged with dislike. Maybe it was that flicker of disdain that provoked him.
His grip on her arm tightened.
Elizabeth's eyes dropped to his hand. "Let go. You're hurting me. If you have something to say, say it—this isn't necessary."
Armando's gaze fell to her lips. His eyes carried an invasive intent that made her recoil inside.
He leaned in, his mouth close to hers, as if to confirm something in his own mind.
Elizabeth's face hardened. Her right hand was trapped, but her left was free. She slapped him, nails raking across his cheek.
"Disgusting." Her voice was steady, her eyes locked on his. "Mr. Johnson, devoted to your first love… what exactly are you doing right now?"
Her words made him falter. He released her.