Chapter 34 Timothy, Shameless and Charming
Mabel sprawled across Elizabeth's plush king-sized bed, tapping out a quick message to Timothy to gripe about being slapped.
Once her little tale of woe was sent, she shifted gears to bragging.
Mabel: [Elizabeth's bed... so soft!]
Timothy: [What?]
Mabel, grinning to herself. She texted: [And I'm going to curl up next to Elizabeth and sleep.]
Timothy could only shake his head at her childishness. He'd never set foot in Elizabeth's bed himself.
He typed slowly, each word deliberate: [Send me a photo of Elizabeth asleep and I'll forgive you both for going to that male revue.]
Mabel stared at the shameless request, then looked over at Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, Mr. Robinson actually wants me to sneak a picture of you sleeping."
Elizabeth's mind jumped straight back to the bathroom incident. Her tone iced over. "Is he out of his mind? Give me your phone."
She snatched the phone from Mabel, hit the voice message button, and shot into the mic, "You're a pervert."
Timothy recognized her voice instantly. He'd already guessed Mabel would spill—and that was exactly the point.
Her insult only stoked the desire he'd been holding back. Doctor or not, Timothy had always been a man of extremes—cold as the Arctic when detached, hot as the equator when tender.
His phone battery was dying, but with the last bit of charge he sent her a voice clip. He even sang, coaxing her in a low, smoky tone.
"Elizabeth, darling, open the door... open it now... I'm coming."
Timothy's deep, raspy voice filled the room.
Elizabeth flushed scarlet from ears to neck.
Mabel clapped her hands over her ears. "Timothy is the worst."
Timothy chuckled softly, knowing Elizabeth was probably fuming. He was about to plug in his charger when gunshots cracked outside.
In Novaria, firearms weren't restricted.
The next day.
Sherry was out with friends, telling them she'd be getting married soon.
They congratulated her, asking who the lucky man was.
Sherry's smile was gentle, almost coy. "My first love."
"How romantic. You must have a wonderful relationship."
Women loved to boast sometimes. Sherry basked in the praise—until her phone rang.
It was Mindy, sobbing, begging her to come to Emerald Park.
"Sherry, Armando wants me to apologize to Elizabeth's friend. I refused, and now he's threatening to send me abroad... to some remote backwater."
Mindy's voice made Sherry frown. This fool had gotten herself into trouble again.
Sherry excused herself from her friends. "Something came up... Let's catch up another time."
By the time Sherry reached Emerald Park, she could still hear Mindy crying.
"I only touched her face a little! Why should I apologize? Elizabeth even hit you!"
Sherry's brow twitched. Last night, when Armando came home with his left cheek swollen, she'd asked what happened. He hadn't answered.
Now she knew—it was Elizabeth.
Bronte spotted Sherry and scowled. "You should be resting for the baby. Why are you here?"
She already disliked Sherry for hanging around Armando despite knowing he was married. This only made her opinion worse.
Sherry stood awkwardly. "Mindy called me, so I came to check on her."
Beatrix gave a cold snort. "What good will you do here?"
Beatrix disliked Elizabeth, but she didn't like Sherry either. In her eyes, neither woman was worth much. If Armando listened to her, Sherry would never have married him.
Sherry bit her lip, looking at Armando with quiet pleading.
Armando gestured for her to sit. "Sit here."
Sherry smiled faintly at him.
"Sherry, please talk to Armando. I don't want to apologize—it would humiliate me."
Armando had always known Beatrix had spoiled Mindy into being delicate. He hadn't realized she was also foolish.
Beatrix was still angry. "Why did you go looking for Elizabeth? You must apologize, and it's to Mabel, not Elizabeth."
Mabel was Manuel's third wife and Timothy's cousin. Of all people to provoke, Mindy had chosen her.
Beatrix rubbed her temples. "Why can't any of you just stay in Border Ridge City instead of running here?"
Bronte sighed. "Armando, if Mindy won't listen, send her abroad."
She cared for Mindy, but maybe distance would teach her some sense.
Mindy felt betrayed. "Grandma, Elizabeth is an outsider and you care for her more than me—your own granddaughter."
"Enough. If you don't go, I'll send you abroad tonight." Armando's patience snapped.
He turned to Bronte. "Grandma, I'll handle this. Please rest."
Bronte, feeling unwell, nodded and let someone wheel her back to her room.
Sherry took Armando's wrist gently. "Let me talk to Mindy. I'll try to persuade her."
Armando had business with the Johnson Group to deal with. He nodded and went upstairs to his study. The slap mark on his cheek was too obvious—he wasn't going to the Johnson Group today.
"Mrs. Johnson, I'll take Mindy to talk for a while." Sherry moved to Mindy's side, addressing Beatrix.
"Fine." Beatrix waved them off, irritated.
Sherry led the still-upset Mindy to the back garden.
"Sherry, even you want me to apologize? Mabel's no better than Elizabeth—getting involved an old man at such a young age!"
Mindy knew she had no choice but to apologize, but it still burned. Elizabeth would laugh at her.
Sherry glanced around to make sure they were alone before speaking. "You'll apologize to Ms. Simpson, but if you still feel wronged, there's another way."
Mindy's tear-reddened eyes lit up. "What way?"
Sherry hesitated.
"Sherry, tell me! What way?"
Mindy pressed her urgently.
Sherry finally leaned in. "Mindy, Armando mustn't know."
Mindy thumped her chest in mock oath. "I won't tell anyone. You can trust me."
Sherry whispered in her ear. "Tonight the Howard family is hosting a birthday banquet. Elizabeth will probably be there. You can..."
Mindy's eyes gleamed as she nodded.
Elizabeth was working on a music score when Calista called to remind her to return to the Howard family that evening.
"I know."
"Bring your husband."
Elizabeth arched a brow. Apparently, no one in the Howard family knew she and Armando were divorced.
Her tone was cool. "Mom, we're divorced."
"What?"
Calista's voice shot up, her face darkening. She had spent weeks bragging about Elizabeth marrying into the Johnson family.
"Why didn't you tell us? The Johnson family gave you shares! Why throw that away?"
Calista was furious.
"Don't come tonight. It would be embarrassing."
Elizabeth's lips curved faintly. "Fine."
They hung up.
Half an hour later, Calista called again.
"Natalia wants her big sister to be there for her eighteenth birthday."
Elizabeth gave a short, dry laugh. "This is the last time, Mom. Don't ask me again."
Calista didn't take her seriously—she was still her daughter.
After hanging up, Elizabeth no longer felt like working on her music.