Chapter 84 Something's Not Right
The dinner with Robert and Aiden was set at the Carlton Hotel, a place Timothy favored when he wanted privacy and impeccable service. The private dining room was already prepared by the time Timothy and Joe arrived.
"Apologies for being late," Timothy said with a faint, easy smile as he stepped inside.
"It's we who arrived early," Robert replied warmly. He and Aiden rose from their seats, waiting for Timothy to settle before they sat down again.
Timothy was not the kind of man to make a meeting feel like an interrogation. Even when business was at hand, he preferred to keep the air civil, the edges smoothed. Tonight was no different.
A waiter entered with the first course, the scent of wine and seafood drifting through the room.
"The Carlton has a new chef who specializes in New England cuisine," Timothy remarked casually. "The dishes are worth trying. Please, enjoy."
Joe stood to pour wine for Robert and Aiden, then resumed his place beside Timothy. The two guests exchanged a glance—Timothy's tone tonight was relaxed, almost cordial. Perhaps this was indeed about a marriage arrangement.
Robert picked up his fork and speared a piece of lobster. He tasted it, eyebrows lifting slightly. "Drunken shrimp," he noted.
Timothy's smile deepened. "Yes."
The shrimp was tender, infused with the fragrance of wine, the flavors melding into something that lingered pleasantly on the tongue. Timothy sampled a piece himself, nodding approval. He turned to Joe. "Have the chef prepare another serving and send it to Elizabeth. She should try it."
Joe's smile was knowing as he reached for his phone to call the manager. Robert heard the name and felt a flicker of curiosity, but chose not to press.
Aiden joined in lightly, "Emma loves the Carlton's roast duck. It's one of their specialties."
The conversation remained polite, circling around food and harmless topics. No mention of marriage, no talk of family alliances. By the end of the meal, Aiden was beginning to wonder if they had misread the invitation entirely. Perhaps Timothy intended to discuss such matters on another day, in a more formal setting.
Leaning back in his chair, Timothy loosened his collar slightly, his posture easy, almost indolent. "The roast duck here really is exceptional. Joe, have the kitchen prepare one to send to Elizabeth."
Joe inclined his head. "Of course." He hid his amusement—this was the second time Timothy had mentioned Elizabeth tonight.
Robert's mind turned over the name, but no clear image came to him.
"I hope you both enjoyed the evening," Timothy said as he rose. "I have another meeting shortly, so I'll take my leave."
Robert and Aiden stood as well, smiling broadly. "Thank you, Mr. Robinson, for your hospitality."
Timothy left first, while Joe stayed behind to escort them to the hotel entrance. Their car was already waiting.
"Thank you, Joe," Robert said as they reached the door.
"My pleasure," Joe replied with a polite smile. He bent slightly toward Robert, his voice low and courteous. "Mr. Sutter, Elizabeth is Mr. Robinson's girlfriend."
He closed the car door gently. Inside, Robert sat in stunned silence, turning to Aiden, whose expression mirrored his own.
As the car pulled away, Aiden frowned. "Robert… what did Joe mean by that?"
Robert rubbed his forehead. The pieces fell into place. "Mr. Robinson made himself perfectly clear tonight. He has a girlfriend."
"Call Emma. Ask her what's going on."
Robert's irritation grew. If Timothy had a girlfriend, why hadn't Matthew warned them? Matthew was supposed to be a friend to Timothy—and Emma was his cousin.
Before Aiden could dial, Robert called Matthew. The younger man was in the middle of an indulgent evening when the phone rang. He paused, wondering if he'd done something wrong lately.
"Dad?"
"What's the matter with you? Mr. Robinson already has a girlfriend, and you didn't think to tell us? Do you think embarrassing the Sutter family helps you? Emma is your cousin."
The rebuke came sharp and fast. Matthew waved the woman beside him away, picking up the thread of the conversation.
"What girlfriend?" he asked, then remembered a trending post on Instagram. "You mean Elizabeth?"
Matthew's thoughts ran parallel to Yosef's—Emma herself hadn't objected, so meddling seemed unnecessary.
"Elizabeth who?" Robert pressed. The name tugged at his memory.
"Armando's ex-wife," Matthew said. Recognition lit in Robert's eyes.
"Mr. Robinson is interested in a divorced woman?" Robert's tone was incredulous.
Matthew had no answer for that. Robert ended the call and handed the phone to Aiden. "Call Emma. We need to hear it from her."
Aiden obeyed, relaying the details of the dinner and Joe's revelation. On the other end, Emma set down her glass of milk, her fingers absently tracing the rim. "Dad, he does have a girlfriend. Armando's ex-wife, Elizabeth."
Aiden's voice spiked. "Then what about you? Why would he give you the Blue Heart diamond for your birthday if he doesn't care for you? And what about letting you live in Greenview Mansion? Is he just playing games?"
Robert reached over, taking the phone from Aiden before his temper could do more damage. "Emma, tell me plainly—what is going on between you and Mr. Robinson?"
Emma bit her lip. "Uncle Robert, Elizabeth is divorced. The Robinson family would never accept her. I thought…"
Robert understood enough. "Be careful not to provoke Mr. Robinson. You represent the Sutter family."
"I know. Thank you, Uncle Robert."
After she hung up, anxiety settled over her. The Blue Heart diamond had been a calculated request, framed as a sentimental keepsake because Erik once promised it to her. As for Greenview Mansion, she had admired its gardens and the rare flowers she loved to paint. Timothy had given her the property outright and moved out the same day.
Recently, he had told her to go to Joe if she needed anything, not him—because Elizabeth would be jealous. Tonight's dinner had been his way of making boundaries clear.
Emma folded her arms on the table and lowered her head, tears slipping free. She had thought Erik Brown's death meant an open path to Timothy. She hadn't counted on Elizabeth.
Her mind drifted back to the masquerade ball years ago. She had invited Timothy, but when the mask came off, it was Erik standing there.
Meanwhile, at a small park near Faith Residence, Timothy sat beside Elizabeth on a bench. He told her about Erik and Emma.
"Erik was fond of Emma. When she agreed to be with him, he took me out drinking for an entire night."
"Four months ago, he covered a business matter for me. His plane went down."
Elizabeth looked at him, the weight of his loss settling over her. She knew what it was to lose someone important.
Her thoughts turned to Emma. Something about it all felt… off. "Will you keep looking after her?" she asked.
Timothy arched a brow. "She can go to Joe if she needs anything. Her household has staff."
Elizabeth fell silent. Timothy used the pause to pinch her cheek, his tone light but edged. "Emma's carrying Erik's child. She chose to keep it."