Chapter 8
“I don’t know, I just saw it when I sink to the bottom. I figured it must be important to you, so I grabbed it,” Ella explained, handing over the pendant. “If you think you can’t keep it safe. I can help you get a safety deposit box at the bank.”
Jaden said nothing, simply clutching the pendant tightly.
Seeing this, Ella didn’t push the matter. This isn’t over,” she declared, still fuming. She decided not to give in this time. I’m not backing down From now on, no one’s going to mess with you while I’m here, she vowed, accustomed to his silence.
After showering. Ella heard a ruckus outside. The construction crew had arrived, their noise echoing through the yard.
“What are you doing? Are you out of your mind! I’ll call the cops Rose yelled as the workers began filling in the pond.
“Ella, what’s your problem” Rose asked, glaring at her.
“That pond’s a danger. It almost drowned me, and now it terrifies m
me. I’m having it drained and filled in, Ella replied calmly.
“You’re going too far. This is my place!” Rose snapped.
Jaden married me, so I’m part of the Watson family too. He’s put up with enough here without anyone backing him up. But that’s changing now. If you don’t want it getting out that you mistreat your stepson, you’ll fill in that damn pond and fire all those useless servants who can’t swim, Otherwise… Ella let the threat hang in the air.
“Are you threatening me?” Rose’s voice was high–pitched with disbelief.
“Yeah, exactly, Ella replied with a nod.
Just then, Frank walked over. Rose ran to him, sobbing, Honey, Ella really crossed the line. You need to do something”
“It’s just a pond. If she wants to fill it, let her,” he said quietly “Enough of this. It’s embarrassing. What will people think if they hear about this?”
Rose wanted to argue but went silent under Frank’s stern gaze.
Amid the chaos at Watson Villa, Ella left holding Jaden’s hand, saisfied
“Don’t worry.
With me here, no one will mess with you again. I’ll always protect you,” she said
Jaden glanced down briefly feeling a strange emotion.
A few days later, Ella took Jaden to a boutique to try on wedding suits. The wedding was fast approaching. She had hoped to design the suits herself, but with the date drawing near, they settled for tailoring ones off the rack,
While Jaden was being fitted, Ella tried on her wedding dress with the help of the store attendant. It fit almost perfectly but required some waist adjustments.
Gazing at herself in the mirror, she felt like she was in a dream. She was truly getting married. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Jaden standing behind her, now in his suit.
Jaden had to admit, Ella looked stunning Bathed in soft light, her skin glowed, and her features outshone even the dress itself.
He approached, pulling her close and giving her waist a playful squeeze. She gasped softly, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.
“Looks good.” he said briefly, slipping into his usual role as a
fool.
Ella didn’t find this sudden intimate moment odd since they would need to be close at the wedding.
“You look great, too,” she replied, finally noticing his model–like physique, broad shoulders, and long legs. He was a real heartthrob. If only he weren’t a fool, he’d be irresistible to women.
“Okay, I’ll senle up. Ella said, slipping back into her clothes and leading to the register. Since the dress was tailored with added jewelry, she wanted to check the bill Surprisingly, she discovered something interesting-
“Men’s ties Shoes! I didn’t buy these, Ella said, noticing unfamiliar items.
“Another Ms. Willow bought those. She said you’re family and put all her shopping on your tab, the cashier explained.
Ella’s expression hardened. “Show me the purchase records,” she said, seething with anger.
Grace had been using the Willow name to pay her bills for years, totaling millions, including gifts presumably for Harry.
Chapter
Ella felt her blood boil as she realized she had been treated like a fool, funding Grace’s affair with Harry.
She was furious not only because she had been paying for Grace’s food, cosmetics, and luxuries, but also because Harry, who was fully aware of the situation, had turned a blind eye. Despite knowing about Grace’s expensive gifts, Harry pretended not to see what was going on. By doing so, he allowed Grace to continue leeching off the Willow family and ploning against her.
Fighting back tears, Ella crouched in a comer, tracing circles on the floor to calm herself down–her quirky way of finding peace.
Jaden watched, feeling a mix of sympathy and frustration. Unable to stand by, he approached, took out a wet wipe, and gently cleaned her fingers.
She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears
“Did you get robbed!” Jaden asked gently.
“Yeah, I got ripped off big time, she choked out. It wasn’t just about the money; it was the betrayal and feeling stupid that hurt the most
“That could be considered a crime,” he said.
Ella’s foggy mind suddenly cleared Jaden was right–Grace had committed a crime. Considering the amount of money involved, it was clearly financial fraud. Ella could either reclaim her money or ensure Grace spent years behind bars.
魚