Chapter 217
Standing Before Love
âWe were lucky you were there last night. I dragged Tilly into the mess; fortunately, sheâs fine.â
Elliot chuckled but he changed the topic swiftly and they started chatting about something else. Myra, however, did not notice the cunning and mischievous sparkle flash through his eyes.
During their journey, she phoned Tony to remind him to take care of his health. She advised him to have his dinner on time while instructing him to head back to the Hart Residence after work.
Well, Miss Ivyâs speech has left an impact today. He is a career-oriented man in his thirties, and his stomach and lungs are not as healthy as they once were. I am sure that Old Madam Hart will take good care of him if he returns to the Hart Residence. There are more people there too, so he wonât feel lonely.
âAre you really not coming back tonight?â Tony asked again from the other end of the line. His voice was huskyâhe was most probably smoking out of boredom.
Myra glanced at Elliotâwho was pretending to focus on drivingâfrom the corner of her eyes. She cleared her throat lightly while keeping her voice down, and she turned away slightly as she murmured, âIâll be back tomorrow and Iâll do everything you say then, alright?â
Her cheeks felt hot after saying that.
Tony, who was seated in his office chair, took a huge puff from the cigarette. Then, he narrowed his eyes while taping the cigarette butt. The frost in his long and narrow eyes melted, and a trace of a smile flashed in them as he hummed in agreement. âGive me a call if anything crops up.â
âI will.â
After listening to Myra using such a gentle and tender tone to speak with Tony while instructing him softly, Elliot had the sudden urge to have a relationship with a woman too. As for the woman I want⦠The figure of the woman, who was as enthusiastic as a puppy last night, popped into his mind.
His mood lightened suddenly when he thought of how cute and sweet she was.
Soon, they arrived at the Stark Residence. Myra was just about to get out of the car when she suddenly thought of something, so she turned around to look at Elliot. âYoung Master Elliot, do you have business ties with the Chase Group?â
Elliot wasnât expecting such a question from her, so he froze for a beat. However, he shook his head immediately. âThatâs impossible; Iâd rather take a detour with my eyes closed when it involves the Chase Group. How could I possibly have any business ties with them?â
Most importantly, Iâd like to live a long life. Why would I have any business with that sc*mbag behind Tonyâs back?
Myra was confused. âIn that case, have you lent this car to someone else?â
âWhy?â Elliot immediately went on the alert but he maintained a casual façade.
âWell, itâs just that I saw a similar car in Bradfort City,â Myra answered and she looked deep in thought.
âHow is that possible? My car is the only one in the whole world! I would never lend my car to anyone else if they arenât related to me!â Elliot explained hastily because it involved his love for his car and his dignity as well.
Without even thinking about it, Myra murmured, âWell, what if Tony is the one borrowing the car from you?â
After asking that, she felt that she was being foolish. In the end, she smiled at Elliot shyly. âWell, I was just checking. Donât worry about it, though. Iâll get going now. Thank you! Iâll definitely treat you to a meal next time!â
Elliot kept his cool while waving at Myra and waited until she made her way into the Stark Residenceâs courtyard.
Myra then thought to herself, In all honesty, itâs none of my concern who has driven that car. However, I keep noticing that car for some strange reason and I canât help but feel that something is amiss. Itâs probably due to the pressure Iâve felt in the company lately. Myra shook her head while staring at the familiar yet strange place in front of her, and she spaced out for a bit. This place used to have my best memories, but it also harbors my most painful memories too. She recalled the purpose of heading back today and she inhaled deeply; she rearranged her facial expression to maintain a blank façade when she marched forward.
Behind her, Elliot was feeling slightly anxious but he wasnât sure why.
Myra was just asking about this car and to be honest, Iâve only lent it to Tony before. However, why did she ask about it? And so, Elliot phoned Tony since he couldnât figure it out.
The phone connected but it was complete silence on the other end of the line. Elliot felt rather helpless at the vast difference in treatment. Myra was chatting and laughing when she called Tony just now, and she even looked shy! I am very sure that Tony did not give her the silent treatment earlier.
Elliot inhaled deeply. âTony, I need to ask you somethingâ¦â
âSpill.â Tony was crushing the cigarette butt in the ashtray and the last shred of warmth from chatting with Myra earlier had vanished completely from his tone.
Elliot wept in his heart. I canât believe that Tony is so cold and distant toward me. He licked his lips before asking, âDo you remember the time you borrowed my car?â
Elliot was speaking slower than usual as he continued, âWell, Iâm talking about my gold Aston Martin.
Remember the time you mentioned that you wanted to take it for a spinââ
Before Elliot could complete his sentence, Tony scowled slightly and he interrupted, his tone light, âWhat about that?â
âWell⦠Nothing much, actually. Itâs just that Myra asked me earlier if I was having any business ties with the Chase Group. Based on what she said, I think she saw my car parked in the Chase Groupâs parking area.â Elliot felt that the situation must be much more complicated than that. I think Tony must be keeping something from me. After pondering it for a while, Elliot asked, âTony, you would never have any business relations with the Chase Group. Apart from the Hilliville project, are you hiding something else from Myra?â
Myra could not enter the main entrance of the Stark Residence because the locks had been changed long ago. Besides, she had thrown away the keys to Stark Residence too.
She stood outside the door to ring the doorbell but there was no response for a long time. Myra smiled self-deprecatingly as she stood at the door.
Since they have invited me over for a meal, it is impossible that thereâs no one in the Stark Residence. I am sure that someone must have heard the doorbell ring, which means they are deliberately making me wait outside. Is Rachel trying to tell me that she is the true mistress of the Stark Family?
Myra did not return to the Stark Residence to be bullied, so she dialed Cameronâs number straight away. Once the call was connected, she spoke calmly without waiting for him to say anything. âEither send a locksmith to your house or come back right now and hand me the key.â Cameron must have had a role in it since Rachel wants to invite me to dinner. Hence, Myra did not mince her words.
The line went dead after Myra said her piece.
Soon, the main entrance of the villa opened. A housekeeper was supporting Rachel and they were both walking carefully toward the main entrance via the courtyard. Once they got closer, Rachel continued walking while smiling at Myra warmly. âMyra, Iâm sorry that you had to wait for such a long time. Actually, I was about to open the door for you, but I was in such a rush that I almost slipped and fell. That is why Mrs. Fletcher is here to help me. Please donât be angryâ¦â
Once upon a time, Myra thought that she would never return to the Stark Residence againâespecially not to meet Rachel Parker.
Iâve forgotten how long I havenât had this feeling. Itâs a mixture of anger, fear, feeling sorry for myself, pain⦠The emotions were like sharp knives piercing through her heart. The final memory stopped at one with Rachel lying on the ground in a pool of blood, whereas Myra stood beside her while wearing a cold expression.
The woman in front of Myra was dressed in elegant clothing. Her well-maintained skin made her look barely 40 years of age, and she looked gentle and kind.
Who would ever imagine that sheâs hiding an evil heart underneath her gentle façade?
Now, sheâs pregnant again and sheâs inviting me back to the Stark Residence for dinner⦠Myra scoffed deep down but she maintained a faint smile on her face. âIn that case, you should be careful, Rachel.
Youâll be devastated if you lose your child by accident from the fall.â
Rachelâs expression stiffened when she heard Myraâs comment, but she forced a smile anyway. Then, she asked Mrs. Fletcher to open the door of the courtyard.
The housekeeper was no longer the same one from the past. This one looked as if she was afraid that Myra might harm Rachel because she was observing Myra like a hawk.
Once she opened the door, Myra marched straight into the villa, navigating her way in a familiar manner.
Behind Myra, the housekeeper spoke to Rachel in an unhappy tone. âMaster Stark has chased her out of the Stark Residence but she acts as if sheâs still the young lady of the Stark Family. Sheâs so shameless!â
Rachel felt better deep down but she continued to look furious on the surface, and she reprimanded Mrs. Fletcher straight away, âMrs. Fletcher, you are not to talk about the young lady like this in the future; sheâs Master Starkâs child too!â