Chapter 149 The Jinx
If, as Simon had suggested, Harrison had truly driven her away, then with the Reed family rejecting her and the Frost family unable to accommodate her, Mandy would genuinely end up homeless.
Mandy became compliant. She left obediently.
Meanwhile, Elena stood beside the car, fuming with anger. She glared at Harrison, furiously berating him.
"I said I didn't want to ride in your car, but you insisted I take your car back, and now look at the trouble you've brought."
"Harrison, you are truly a jinx!"
The insult left Harrison completely unable to counter.
He was Harrison, CEO of Frost Industries and the most powerful bachelor in Pinewood City. Both businessmen and women considered it an honor to associate with him.
Yet here was Elena, actually calling him a jinx, someone who brought bad luck?
He was clearly so attractive, how could he possibly be a jinx?
Harrison wanted to properly debate this point with Elena. If that was how she defined him, he simply couldn't accept it.
With this in mind, Harrison reached out and caught Elena's arm.
"We need to talk," he told her. "I accept that I brought this trouble, but how did I become a jinx? Since we've met, nothing unfortunate has happened to you, has it?"
"You need to apologize, otherwise I won't let you leave."
After speaking, Harrison pulled Elena closer, wanting to be more intimate with her, to show her what kind of pleasure this so-called "jinx" could bring her.
Unexpectedly, Elena first gave him a cold look, then flashed him a mischievous smile. The next second, Elena raised her high-heeled foot and stomped directly onto Harrison's foot.
The sharp pain was unbearable.
He lifted his foot and cried out.
Seeing his comical reaction, Elena couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
She taunted Harrison. "Jinx, you are a jinx. I'll crush you, you jinx."
Having said her piece, Elena felt immensely satisfied. Under Harrison's pained gaze, she gracefully walked away in her high heels.
After the pain subsided, Harrison leaned against his luxury car, rubbing his chin as he watched Elena float away. His eyes reflected even greater appreciation for her.
This Elena could be both active and calm, gentle when gentleness was called for, wild when wildness was needed, and seductive in a way that Harrison found irresistible.
He seemed increasingly drawn to her.
Meanwhile, after leaving Harrison, Elena walked home in her high heels, humming a tune with a cheerful mood. Whenever she thought of Mandy's furious, gesticulating expression, she felt satisfied.
Harrison wasn't entirely useless.
He was wealthy, good-looking, and most importantly, had eight-pack abs that could satisfy her needs in bed.
Now he had an additional function—using him to irritate Mandy was incredibly satisfying.
Both harboring their own thoughts, they returned to their respective homes.
Connor and Lily, seeing Elena return, rushed to greet her.
They called out in unison. "Mom!"
Hearing her children's affectionate calls, Elena felt a surge of comfort.
She reached out and swept Connor into her arms, gently kissing him before extending her hand to embrace Lily.
Lily hesitated briefly, then threw herself into Elena's embrace.
When Elena's lips brushed against Lily's cheek with a light peck, Lily could barely contain her excitement.
A mother's kiss, a tender kiss—this was how a mother should be.
Lily nestled in Elena's arms, unwilling to let go.
Elena hadn't noticed that Lily and Mia had switched identities.
Holding Lily, who was not particularly heavy after her surgery, Elena said softly, "Mia, I've been busy with work lately and haven't had much time to look after you both."
"Why do I feel like you're lighter than before? You don't feel as heavy in my arms."
Elena's words startled Connor.
Lily had recently undergone heart surgery and was still in the recovery period. After such a major operation, her weight would naturally decrease.
Elena's sudden observation left Lily flustered, unsure how to respond.
Fortunately, Connor, young but clever, quickly intervened.
"Mom, you say Mia has lost weight, but even I've gotten a bit thinner," he said urgently. "We've been living abroad all this time and suddenly returned home. Our habits and rhythms are different, so it's understandable if Mia can't eat much and has lost some weight."
"Isn't that right?"
With Connor's explanation, Elena found it quite reasonable.
She gently squeezed Lily's frail little body and said, "Connor makes a good point. Starting tomorrow, I'll reduce my workload and spend more time at home, making you both some delicious food to help you gain weight."
Hearing Elena's words, both Connor and Lily were delighted.
They both threw themselves into Elena's arms, laughing and playing.
Bronte, busy in the kitchen, heard the joyful sounds from outside. She poked her head out, wearing an apron.
Seeing such a heartwarming scene, she couldn't help but smile.
It was often said that children were a mother's treasures, and that young children benefited from spending more time with their mothers.
In contrast to the warmth in Elena's home, the Frost residence was rather unsettled at this moment.
Provoked by Elena, Mandy returned to the Frost house in tears.
Victoria, who already disliked Mandy, would not have allowed her to stay temporarily at the Frost residence if not for Lily's sake.
Now seeing Mandy enter the house crying, she gave her a displeased glance.
Ignoring Mandy's tears, Victoria immediately criticized her.
"Mandy, how are you looking after the child? Earlier you said you were taking Lily out for a walk, but then you sent her back with the nanny. Where did you go?"
"I've told you countless times that Lily has just had surgery and is still recovering. Can't you be more attentive when caring for her?"
Mandy, already upset, was now being reprimanded by Victoria. She couldn't help but complain.
"Mrs. Frost, I had something to attend to, so I sent Lily back with the nanny."
"It's just too unfair."
Seeing Mandy in such a fit of tears, Victoria became immediately interested.