Chapter 444 Making Peace
The thought brought a flicker of gloom to Eliza’s eyes.
It was a shame.
She hadn’t been able to come back as a child and had spent eighteen bitter years with the Rivers family.
Eliza set down the trinket in her hands and smiled at Nolan beside her. “But still, having brothers like this already makes me really happy.”
Tristan truly treated her like a real sister.
And the other three brothers were just the same.
What more could she ask for?
Nolan looked at her and smiled softly. “And now you don’t just have brothers like them. You have me. I’ll always be by your side.”
Warmth spread through Eliza’s chest at his words.
Just then-
A sudden cough came from the doorway.
Only then did they realize Christian had been standing outside, eavesdropping on who knew how much of their conversation.
“You two don’t even bother speaking privately anymore. I heard everything,” Christian said.
Caught off guard, Eliza instinctively pulled her hand away.
Blushing, she scolded, “Christian, can’t you knock before you walk in?”
Seeing her flustered, Christian feigned innocence. “That’s not fair. I did knock. You just ignored me.”
Then he turned to Nolan. “Right, Mr. Hayes?”
“…I’ll head back to my room. You two go ahead and talk.”
Nolan understood that Christian wanted to speak with Eliza, so he politely left the room.
Once he was gone, Christian stepped forward and said, “Eliza, Halbert might not be great with words, but he really does care about you. You should go see him.”
“I don’t want to.”
Eliza turned away. “Halbert was against Nolan the entire time we were in Westbrook. Now we’re overseas and he’s still doing it. I’m not going to bother.”
“He’s just a little stiff. But when it comes to family, he’s solid. You should talk things out before it gets worse.”
Eliza fell silent for a moment.
Aside from always arguing with her about Nolan, Halbert really had been good to her.
“…Fine. But I’m only doing this for your sake.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear.”
Christian gave her shoulder a pat. “I’ll take you to him. He’s in his room and refuses to come out. Say a few
–
kind words just don’t start another fight.”
“OK! Relax. I got this.”
After making their pact, Eliza followed Christian out of the room.
He led her to Halbert’s door.
The door was tightly shut.
Christian knocked. “Hey, brat. Stop hiding and come out.”
“Leave me alone.”
Halbert’s voice came through the door – followed by the sound of a pillow hitting it.
Christian called out again, “Your little sister’s here to make peace. What kind of man are you if you don’t come out?”
Maybe it was Christian’s words, but this time Halbert finally opened the door.
As it creaked open, Eliza saw Halbert standing there with a dark expression, clearly still fuming.
Even Christian felt a bit awkward seeing him like that.
He gave Eliza a quick look, signaling her to say something.
Eliza stepped forward naturally and said, “Halbert, I came to apologize.”
“Apologize? You? Since when do you apologize?”
Halbert didn’t buy it for a second.
He’d known Eliza long enough to know her apologies always came with strings attached.
This one was probably no different.
–“I’m serious.”
Eliza looked him straight in the eye. “I really came to say sorry. I shouldn’t have talked back to you before. I was wrong. I hope you can forgive me.”
Halbert stared at her, half in disbelief.
He still couldn’t believe those words were coming out of Eliza’s mouth.
She, meanwhile, kept looking up/at him with a face full of wide–eyed innocence.
“Hah. Now that you’ve got Nolan, suddenly you’re sorry? What did they offer you to say this? Just say it. No need to play games.”
Halbert let out a cold snort. “I don’t need your rich–girl apologies.”
Eliza had come over calm and collected, but that set her off.
“That’s it. I’m done. You deal with him yourself.”
She turned to leave, but Christian quickly grabbed her arm and whispered, “He’s all talk. He’s been worried sick about you. Don’t listen to his nonsense. Just hang in there or the next few days are going to be hell for all of us.”
Eliza clenched her teeth and swallowed her frustration.
She turned back to Halbert and said, “I’m sorry, Halbert. I won’t do it again. Please don’t be mad. I swear! won’t argue with you anymore.”
