Chapter 9
I shot Steven a glare. “I got tangled up with a stray dog on the road.”
Steven just smiled, but didn’t say a word, focusing on the road as he drove us out of the parking garage.
We were just about to pull out when I saw Louis limping after us.
“Elise, wait up! Who’s the guy in the car? Get out!“}
Steven glanced in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable. “You know him? Should we stop and wait for him? Looks like he’s struggling a bit.”
His foot barely lifted off the accelerator as he spoke.
I shook my head, my voice flat. “I don’t know him.“}
At my words, Steven smirked, clearly satisfied. “Well, if you don’t know him, then let’s lose him.“}
Louis was gone when Steven and I finished discussing the new project and returned to the office.
I quickly instructed my team to monitor things closely for the next few days–no unauthorized people were allowed in the company.
…B
The next day, after wrapping up some work on the project, Steven and I headed to a restaurant to discuss a tender.
And, of course, Louis showed up again.
This time, he showed up with a bouquet of roses, knelt before us, and pulled out a ring like some over–the–top, lovesick fool.” “Elise, will you marry me again?“}
Unaware of the truth, the diners around us believed it was some romantic surprise proposal.”
They started cheering, urging me to say yes.
A few even raised their phones, eager to record the ‘moment.‘
I stood up and looked him dead in the eye.
My voice was calm, my stare colder than the ice in my glass. “Louis, does it feel good to put on a show that only moves you?“}]
Never one to back down, Steven stepped in and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Anderson, I’m sorry, but proposing to my fiancée right in front of me? Doesn’t seem appropriate, does it?“}
I was about to push Steven off, but he leaned in close.
“Do you think this will get rid of that mangy dog that’s been following you?” he whispered.}
I froze, my hand halfway to pushing him away, but then I wrapped my arm comfortably around Steven’s neck, using the gesture to express my clear intent.
“Louis,” I said firmly, “as you can see, I already have a fiancé. So stop pestering me, alright?“}]
For a split second, I thought Louis might finally get the message. But then, without warning, he swung a fist at Steven.>
Seeing the movement, Steven acted quickly, letting go of me to protect me. He shoved me to the side as Louis charged at him, fists flying.
The two of them quickly got into a scuffle.”
Louis, seething, shouted between punches, “Hoffman, your family can’t even make it into the capital, and now you have the guts to fight me over a woman? My marriage with Elise isn’t even over yet–so you’re just a third party!”
“You’re not even worth liking, Elise,” he mocked. “Don’t you know about the Jefferson family curse? I suggest you get lost before you end up losing your life and regretting it.”
Without a second thought, Steven kicked Louis’s prosthetic leg, sending him stumbling.
“So that’s how your legs ended up like this?” Steven asked coolly, looking down at him.
“Anderson,” he continued, his voice steady but harsh. “It seems you’ve really wronged Elise. If you hadn’t, you wouldn’t be in this situation. So what gives you the right to threaten me? “D
Louis collapsed to the ground, his face pale as he struggled to sit up.
Onlookers quickly pieced together the truth from the argument.
“So, the guy proposing is the one who messed up and got abandoned. Now, he’s back begging for forgiveness,” one of them muttered.
“Don’t forgive him, Miss! Cheating is either a one–time mistake or a never–ending habit,” another person said.
“Both men are good–looking, but I’d definitely pick the one who isn’t crippled,” a third voice added with a laugh.”
The crowd grew bigger, and it became clear we couldn’t continue our meal in peace. The tension in the room was palpable.}]
Grabbing my hand, Steven gently but firmly led me through the crowd and toward the exit. I wasn’t looking for a scene, but Louis certainly had no idea how to stay out of the spotlight.
When my grandparents found out what had happened that day, they immediately arranged to increase my security on the way home.”
But as I drove home later that evening, I had no idea that Louis, who had been hiding in the backseat of my car the whole time, crawled out from behind me.
