Chapter 217
Olivia rarely showed such pity for Elora. "Leopold won't break up with you. I won't allow it. Lisbeth will never marry into our family."
Elora was deeply moved. "Mrs. Hearst."
Olivia grasped her hand, a flash of determination in her eyes.
Leopold had recovered his memory now and couldn't accept the current situation for a while—that was understandable.
But as his mother, she needed to help her son make the right choice.
"Lora, don't worry." Olivia patted Elora's hand, her tone firm. "As long as I'm alive, the Hearst family's daughter-in-law will only be you. I'll talk to Leopold."
"Mrs. Hearst." Elora lifted her head, a flash of calculation crossing her eyes before quickly transforming into gratitude and concern. "Please don't fight with Leopold. I don't want to cause a rift between you because of me."
"Silly child." Olivia sighed. "You're the daughter-in-law I've chosen. If Leopold acts foolishly, I as his mother must intervene."
Elora wiped her tears, forcing out a smile. "Actually, Mrs. Hearst, Leopold might just be acting impulsively. Perhaps if we hold the wedding sooner, he won't overthink things anymore."
This suggestion was exactly what Olivia wanted to hear.
She understood her own son. Once married with that formal status, even if he had to bear the responsibility of the marriage, he would never easily seek divorce.
No matter how much resentment he harbored toward Lisbeth, ultimately, he'd have to let go.
"You're right. As long as the wedding isn't held, Leopold won't settle down. In that case, let's hold the wedding as soon as possible." Olivia pondered for a moment. "End of next month—how does that sound?"
Elora was ecstatic inside but showed hesitation. "Won't that be too rushed? I'm afraid we won't prepare adequately, and Leopold might not agree either."
"Not rushed at all." Olivia made the final decision. "The Hearst family can prepare a wedding in two weeks. It's settled. I'll find someone to pick an auspicious date."
Elora listened obediently, appearing docile and willing to follow Olivia's arrangements.
"I'll make sure to give you both a grand, proper wedding." Olivia was even more determined to have Elora marry in first.
Her primary goal was to completely cut off Leopold's hopes. "Lora, you just focus on preparing to be a bride. Leave everything else to me."
"Mrs. Hearst, you're so good to me." Elora lowered her head submissively, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curving upward.
She'd waited for this day far too long.
But before her smile could fully spread, a cold shout came from the doorway. "No!"
Both women turned simultaneously.
Leopold stood at the living room entrance, his face ashen, eyes coldly fixed on them.
He'd clearly been standing at the door for a while, having heard their conversation.
"Leopold." Elora quickly stood up, panic flashing in her eyes.
Olivia also rose, her expression displeased. "When did you come out? Eavesdropping on our conversation? Well, since you heard everything, it saves me having to notify you. Your wedding with Elora should be put on the agenda. You've been engaged for a long time, and you're both not young anymore. Get married quickly and bring Dennis back."
Her plan was perfect.
Bring Dennis back, and Leopold would have no reason to see Lisbeth anymore. All those romantic feelings—as long as they didn't see each other, everything would become ancient history.
Leopold walked in step by step, his gaze fixed directly on Elora. "Elora, are you certain you want to discuss wedding plans with my mother?"
The ice in his tone made Elora involuntarily step back.
"Leopold, let me explain..." Elora's voice trembled. "I came today because Mrs. Hearst called, saying you weren't feeling well. I was worried about you."
Leopold laughed coldly, as if seeing her for the first time. "I never imagined you could say something like this. You know our situation better than anyone. You know full well we can't get married, that I won't agree, yet you came to my mother behind my back. What? Trying to force my hand?"
His head throbbed, his mood turbulent, his words cutting like knives. "Are you that desperate to get married? Or do you think you can't marry anyone unless I agree?"
Elora's face turned deathly pale.
Seeing this, Olivia immediately stepped forward, shielding Elora behind her. "What are you yelling about? What did Lora do wrong? Which part of what she said wasn't true? You're still hung up on that Lisbeth. Am I wrong?"
"Mom!" Leopold whirled toward Olivia, suppressed fury in his voice. "Can you please not interfere in my affairs? Elora and I will handle our own situation!"
"My biggest regret now is letting you handle it yourself!" Olivia's voice shot up. "When you brought Lisbeth home back then, your father and I disagreed, but you insisted on marrying her."
"Then you wanted to divorce her, insisting on being with Elora. Weren't those your choices? Don't forget—you're engaged to Elora! You made Elora waste three years of her youth, and now you say you don't want to marry. Are you even a man?"
Olivia had been holding these words in for a long time.
Leopold clenched his fists, pain surging through him. "You're right. It's all self-inflicted. These are sins I brought on myself."
Those words hit Elora like a slap across the face. She staggered back a step.
Leopold called her a sin?
She swayed unsteadily, tears instantly flooding out. "Leopold... what... what did you say..."
Olivia trembled with fury, pointing at Leopold's nose. "You rebellious son! You personally agreed to the engagement! Now you want to back out? Don't even think about it! This wedding will happen!"
"I won't do it!" Leopold raised his voice, too. "You want me to marry a woman I don't love at all? I'd rather die!"
"Then go die!" Olivia spoke rashly in her anger. "For a woman who doesn't want you anymore, you'd abandon your family, disregard your parents—if you're so principled, why don't you just die?"
The moment those words left her mouth, the air instantly froze.
Leopold looked at his mother, eyes bloodshot, lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
Elora was so frightened she didn't dare breathe.
After a long silence, Leopold suddenly laughed.
A desolate, desperate laugh. "Fine... Since Mom wants me to marry her so badly, why don't you marry her yourself? After all, you've never cared what I actually want."
His voice was soft, trembling slightly. "But in this lifetime, except for Lisbeth, I will never marry anyone else."
With that, he turned and strode away.
"Leopold, come back here!" Olivia shouted after him.
The door slammed shut with force.
Olivia shook with rage. "What an absolute bastard!"
Elora lowered her head, wiping tears, secretly anxious inside.
She hadn't expected Leopold to be so resolute. Before, she'd heard about how much he once loved Lisbeth, but having never witnessed it herself, she'd scoffed at it.
Only now did she truly understand the depth of that feeling.
But her hatred for Lisbeth only deepened.
Why hadn't Lisbeth just died abroad!
Olivia turned her head, seeing Elora's heartbroken appearance, and her resolve only hardened. This daughter-in-law—she'd decided on her.
Even if Leopold hated her for life, she couldn't give Lisbeth another chance to return.
Absolutely not.
"This wedding must happen."