Chapter 140

Elysia couldn’t just walk away from her marriage – without a divorce, the kids couldn’t be registered under her name. Without that, everything would be a hassle.

School, health insurance, you name it – all required proper documentation.

“Look, if you’re hitting any rough patches these days, just holler at me. I might not be king of the hill, but after all my years in Jindale City, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to lend a hand.

And don’t you play the stranger with me. We’re not just old school pals; given your bond with Winona, I can’t very well leave you in the lurch. She’d have my hide if she found out,” Zane assured her with a friendly nudge.

Elysia offered a polite smile in response, “Thanks.”

That smile, however, didn’t go unnoticed by Tarquin.

After settling things with Elijah, he called the butler, Heath, over; he had to dash off to the office.

He happened to pass by the hospital entrance just then.

The traffic light ahead was red, over 40 seconds left.

Tarquin peered through the car window at the two figures chatting amiably at the entrance and snorted.

Lowell, behind the wheel, followed Tarquin’s gaze and spotted Zane and Elysia.

“Why’s Ms. Thomne at the hospital again?” he asked.

Tarquin’s voice dripped with scom, “Blind, are we? Can’t you see she’s here to see someone? Didn’t they say she and Zane were just friends?”

“The talk around town is just that. Zane’s her senior and son–in–law to the Newsom family. His wife’s their only daughter, Winona, and she’s best friend with Ms. Thorne. So naturally, Elysia and Zane are tight,” Lowell explained.

Elysia, “Best friend, indeed,” Tarquin mocked, as though suggesting Elysia was cozying up to Zane behind Winona’s back.

Lowell failed to sense any romance in the air, “They’re friends, after all. What’s the harm in meeting up privately? If Winona were in Jindale City, it’d probably be a threesome.”

Tarquin shot back, “No sense of decency, some folks. Never changes.”

Lowell was puzzled, “What’s got you so riled up about Ms. Thorne? You seem to have it out for her. Is it because she kissed you?”

That remark only fanned the flames. Tarquin bristled, feeling… violated, in a sense!

As Lowell went on, “I mean, you didn’t lose out when Ms. Thorne kissed you. After all, you’re a man, and she’s a woman.”

Tarquin grabbed a newspaper and smacked it against Lowell’s head, “Feeling too cocky these days?

Fancy a stint out in the border town?”

Lowell felt a chill down his spine and quickly recanted, “Ignore me. I take it back.”

Who’d want to go to a border town, facing nothing but rubble all day?

Just look at Charlie. Six months there and he’s as dark as night, looking like a refugee. He’d be lucky to find a wife when he’s back!

Tarquin gave Lowell a cold look, then turned back to look for Elysia. But she was no longer in sight at the hospital entrance.

“Keep tabs on her!”

“Oh, and I heard that Ms. Thorne suggested getting a cat for Corbin. Mrs. Denton obliged, and the kid’s over the moon. Maybe we should get Elijah a cat too, cheer him up?”

“Elijah doesn’t like cats!”

“Seems like Elijah isn’t a fan of Ms. Thorne either.”

Tarquin frowned, considering how much Corbin adored Elysia, he’d assumed Elijah would feel the same.

But apparently not…

Lowell sheepishly added, “You made Ms. Thorne cry today. Think she’d still be up for looking after Elijah?”

Tarquin’s displeasure was palpable, “Whether she’s willing is irrelevant. She doesn’t call the shots!”

“Whether Lowell tried a different angle, “So, do we still want Ms. Thorne to come over tomorrow?”

Tarquin didn’t immediately respond. He hadn’t quite figured it out yet.