Chapter 27
Elizabeth's POV
This was the first time I'd seen Alex truly angry.
My legs went weak beyond my control. Lisa caught me just in time and helped me back upstairs to my room.
After closing the door, the piercing screams from downstairs still penetrated through and reached us. My body couldn't stop trembling.
"What's going on? Who are those people? Why are they being beaten?"
Lisa handed me a glass of warm water, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "They all betrayed Mr. Windsor. This is the punishment they deserve. Mr. Windsor is furious right now, you'd better stay away from him."
I swallowed hard, my voice tight. "If he keeps beating them like this, they'll end up crippled, won't they?"
The back of the man closest to us was already a bloody mess, yet Alex showed no sign of stopping, as if he wanted to break every bone in his body.
Lisa unconsciously looked away, seemingly used to this, only repeating in a low voice, "They betrayed him first. This is what they deserve."
A bone-deep chill rose from the bottom of my heart. I clearly realized that if I didn't behave, I might be the next one to receive this treatment.
Alex was far more dangerous than I could have ever imagined.
His emotions were like a bomb without a countdown timer. I had to find a way to escape from him quietly.
"Are you okay?" Lisa saw how pale I looked and brought the water glass to my lips. "Drink some water first. I'll bring dinner up here, you can eat in your room."
Thinking of that suffocating atmosphere downstairs, I didn't want to invite trouble, so I nodded at her.
I was indeed hungry, after all, I'd been working on design sketches all afternoon.
Dinner was as lavish as always, but I had no appetite.
I didn't know how much time passed before the screams downstairs finally stopped, and the entire villa fell into deathly silence. I mechanically put food in my mouth, but my eyes were fixed on the door, completely lacking the courage to go out.
Halfway through the meal, the door was pushed open silently. The first thing I sensed was that familiar, cold, oppressive presence behind me.
Lisa immediately lowered her head without a word, and only then did I realize Alex had come in.
I couldn't help but shudder, putting down my utensils and slowly turning around.
"Mr. Windsor." I didn't even dare look him in the eye. My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, completely unable to guess his intention for appearing here.
He had just treated those people so cruelly, and now he was coming to find me, this definitely wasn't good news.
"Elizabeth, do you still want that bracelet?"
Remembering Lisa's words, my throat went dry. I quickly shook my head. "No need, you can keep it for now."
Those who betrayed him would be punished. The only leverage I had to occasionally be willful in front of him was the child in my belly.
Alex must know I'd been watching earlier. By asking this question now, he was testing me. If my answer didn't satisfy him, I didn't dare imagine the consequences.
His gaze fell on me. I pressed my lips together and met his eyes again. "Mr. Windsor, I'll take good care of myself and protect our child. Please rest assured."
"Rest assured about you?"
Alex walked closer step by step, reaching out to grip my chin and forcing me to look at him. "Do you know the Smith family is in trouble?"
"What?"
I hadn't expected Alex to bring up the Smith family on his own.
A phone was tossed onto my lap, the screen showing a trending news headline: #Aiden's Fiancée Mysteriously Disappears#.
I clicked in and found the comments were indeed attacking Aiden, speculating whether he'd deliberately staged this whole thing to target me.
I didn't notice that as I looked at these messages, Alex's gaze was glued to me, observing me closely.
Not missing any change in my expression, he even proactively tested me. "Public opinion is very unfavorable to the Smith family right now. If you came forward to clarify, everything could be settled. What would you choose?"
I looked up and finally saw that scrutinizing look in his eyes. I tried to make my voice sound firm. "Of course, I won't come forward. I'd love for the public opinion to blow up even more, so everyone can see Aiden's true colors!"
This was exactly the result I wanted. Once I disappeared, Aiden would naturally be the prime suspect.
Besides, even if I wanted to leave, Alex would never really let me go.
"Mr. Windsor, are you showing me this just to test my attitude?" I tried to maintain surface calm, looking directly at him. "I have no feelings left for Aiden. I hope you won't misunderstand."
Though I still didn't understand what exactly Alex cared about, or why he always emanated that barely perceptible anger whenever Aiden was mentioned.
I stared at him, waiting for an answer.
Alex's expression didn't change at all, still carrying that sharp look that seemed to see right through me.
"Haven't you always hated staying here? If I gave you a chance to leave right now, would you take it?"
I instinctively avoided his gaze. This question left me not knowing how to answer.
My silence had clearly already given him his answer. He let out a cold laugh.
"Elizabeth, you still want to run away, don't you?"
"No, that's not it!" I immediately denied it in panic. "Anyone who's restricted like this would feel uneasy and scared, right? I'm no exception!"
Alex's expression showed no emotion. I couldn't read his true thoughts at all and could only explain based on instinct.
A trapped person wanting to escape was the most normal reaction. I didn't think there was anything wrong with what I said.
But Alex's eyes were just too cold, piercing my heart like ice.
"But I'm still here, aren't I?"
In the end, I successfully admitted defeat, sighing in resignation. "Mr. Windsor, I promise I'll behave myself."
If Alex had deliberately let me see him punishing his subordinates, then his goal was achieved.
My fear was written clearly on my face without any disguise.
That oppressive gaze lingered on me for a few seconds before finally slowly withdrawing.
"You'd better."
He finally turned and left. I immediately collapsed into the chair, but my wildly beating heart showed no signs of calming down.
Lisa looked at me with concern. "Are you alright?"
I shook my head with a bitter smile. "Mr. Windsor's moods really are unpredictable. I'm really afraid I'll say something wrong without knowing it and upset him."
Lisa couldn't even refute this, her face showing some agreement.
After dinner, I pretended to be very tired and wanted to rest, so Lisa left the room.
As night deepened, I tiptoed out of my room.
Alex was indeed frightening, but sitting around waiting would only make me more anxious. I decided to come out and investigate the situation again, maybe I could find where he'd hidden the bracelet.
As long as I could steal back the bracelet and escape, I could completely break free from Alex's control!
I was calculating my plan while cautiously observing the rooms on both sides of the hallway, but when I touched one of the doors, I fell straight through into the room.