Chapter 33 Smoldering in Silence
Timothy loosened the top few buttons of his shirt, his tongue brushing over his lips.
He opened Facebook, found Elizabeth's profile picture, and sent her a message: [Stuffing cash into boxer briefs?]
Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he spoke in a cool, even tone to the men across from him. "Today, I took her away."
In this place, outsiders almost never left alive. Those who tried usually became food for the crocodiles.
Atticus, the man who ruled this territory, gave Timothy a cold, measured look. "Give him the woman."
Hestia Sharp, her sun-bronzed skin marred by visible wounds, was shoved toward Timothy. He stepped aside; he didn't take her.
Hestia collapsed to the ground, biting her lip, refusing to cry. At last, she could leave this hell on earth.
Joe's mouth twitched faintly before he stepped forward to lift Hestia into his arms.
Elizabeth's phone chimed with a notification, but she didn't check it. She sat back on the couch, long legs crossed in a lazy pose, every inch of her radiating allure. Armando stood in front of her.
"So… how exactly do you plan to punish me for Mindy this time?" she asked, her tone casual, almost bored.
Armando's brow furrowed, his eyes locked on her.
"Armando, Elizabeth threw juice at me," Mindy said, hooking her arm around his. His gaze turned icy, and she immediately let go.
"This isn't a place for you," he said, his words meant for both Mindy and Elizabeth.
Armando was a man consumed by his work; unless absolutely necessary, he avoided nightlife. He was disciplined, clean-cut, and wealthy—qualities that had once drawn Elizabeth to him.
Elizabeth didn't want to get entangled with them any further. She uncrossed her legs, stood, and spoke with deliberate precision. "Mr. Johnson, keep Mindy in check. Don't let her think she can bite whoever she sees. And where I go is my business. Understood?"
Mindy, standing close to Mabel, lashed out with a slap. Mabel tried to dodge but still caught part of the blow.
Elizabeth's eyes went cold as she raised her hand and struck Armando's face—hard. The sound cracked through the air, shock rippling through the room. No one had expected Elizabeth to hit Armando.
He touched the side of his face, his gaze locking onto hers, a flicker of anger in his otherwise cool eyes.
Elizabeth had already pulled Mabel behind her as bodyguards on both sides closed in protectively.
"Mindy hit Mabel. I hit you. Consider us even," she said, her voice sharp with fury.
Even after striking him, she didn't feel satisfied. She turned, lifting Mabel's chin to check the mark—it was only a little red, thankfully.
Mabel grinned, clearly impressed by Elizabeth's boldness. "I'm fine," she said.
Elizabeth's lips curved in a faint smile.
Mindy looked at Armando, tense. "Armando?"
The left side of Armando's face was already swelling fast — proof that Elizabeth had hit him hard.
"Elizabeth, you bitch!"
Matthew stepped into the office just in time to see Mindy baring her teeth, ready to lunge at Elizabeth.
The bodyguards stepped in, keeping Mindy from getting anywhere near her.
Matthew had no idea what had happened in the short time he'd been away.
He walked over, frowned, and said coldly, "Ms. Johnson, quite the show of power. This is my turf."
Armando ordered the bodyguards to pull Mindy back, then shot her a frosty glance. "Mindy."
That cool, sharp look was enough to make Mindy settle down.
Elizabeth met his gaze without flinching. "Mr. Johnson, I sincerely hope that from now on, the Johnson family pretends not to know me. And in advance—congratulations to you and Ms. Scott on your upcoming wedding. Mabel, let's go."
Mindy's voice rose, her anger boiling over. "Armando, you're just going to let her walk away? She hit you!"
Matthew stepped into the office, catching sight of Mindy lunging toward Elizabeth. The bodyguards blocked her.
He arched a brow at Armando's reddened cheek—Armando had been hit, news Matthew found delicious.
Mabel turned to Mindy, her eyes flashing. "You slapped me. I won't forget it. Just wait."
Matthew's smirk faded. He waited until Elizabeth and Mabel were gone before turning to Armando. "Ms. Johnson dared to hit Ms. Simpson. I'll be informing the Robinson family. Leave my club. From now on, the Sutter family's establishments are closed to Ms. Johnson."
Mabel clung to Elizabeth's arm on the way out. "Elizabeth, I'm sleeping at your place tonight," she said with a playful pout.
Elizabeth was genuinely touched by Mabel's loyalty. "Alright. Sorry about tonight."
"Nothing to be sorry for," Mabel grinned. "It was a bit of a buzzkill, but we'll go out again next time!"
Elizabeth laughed softly. "Deal."
Back home, Elizabeth handed Mabel a fresh set of pajamas and a new pair of disposable underwear. "You shower first," she said.
Once Mabel disappeared into the bathroom, Elizabeth finally checked her phone. Timothy's message made her pause. How did he know about that stunt with the stripper's underwear? The memory made her cheeks warm.
She deliberately didn't reply. Best to pretend it hadn't happened.
The apartment had two bathrooms. Elizabeth covered her injured left hand with protective film, grabbed her clothes, and headed to the other bathroom.
While she was washing her hair, her phone rang from the small hanging basket by the sink. She ignored it, but the ringing started again.
Grabbing a towel, she wiped her eyes. With only one usable hand, she couldn't wrap her hair, so the damp strands clung to her bare shoulders.
She reached for her phone—Timothy. Water dripped from her lashes. She hadn't noticed it was a video call until she hit "accept."
Elizabeth brushed the water from her eyelashes with the back of her hand and turned the phone toward herself. "What is it?"
Their eyes met. Timothy's handsome face filled the screen, his brows lifting slightly, his gaze deep and unreadable. He said nothing.
Elizabeth ended the call without a word.
Timothy stared at the blank screen, his posture still relaxed. It was just a face.
Joe quietly left the room.
Elizabeth felt heat rise to her cheeks. She glanced at the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was all smoldering allure.