“Let’s see who’s the one who’s fucked. Elvira proceeded to kick Perry’s ass until he howled in pain. He stopped swearing and soon begged for mercy.
Elvira couldn’t marry Calvin any more. She also understood that she wouldn’t get Marsh back. Thus, Elvira decided to stop pretending to be weak.
After beating Perry, Elvira was sweating. Her hair was messy and her clothes rumpled. She held her high heels in her hand as she left the room.
The opposite door opened and three men walked out, with Zach in the lead.
Elvira froze.
Zach frowned. The man on Zach’s right eyed Elvira, thinking. This chick looks like she just had a wild time. Who’s the lucky guy? The man on Zach’s left was expressionless, as though he didn’t see Elvira.
“Mr. C
“Mr. Gilbert. What a coincidence.” Elvira greeted Zach and awkwardly smoothed her hair.
“You know her, Zach?” Samson Lawson was surprised.
“You guys
go
ahead. I’ve got stuff to do,” Zach ordered.
“But Zach… Spike Riley covered Samson’s mouth and dragged him away, not allowing him to stick his nose into Zach’s
matters.
Samson was furious. He wanted to know who Elvira was but Spike was tougher than him.
Zach looked at Elvira coldly. Elvira closed the door behind her quickly, saying, “Erm. I gotta go.” She thought it best to leave since Perry was knocked out.
Zach grabbed her and pressed her up against the door. Anger surged in him. However, Elvira felt guilty but didn’t want Zach to know she had a violent side.
“Is this what you mean by not being involved with other men?” Zach’s expression grew increasingly dark. Elvira had rejected him this morning, only to book a room with another man.
“What?” Elvira didn’t understand.
Zach pushed Elvira aside and took out his universal room key card. He wanted to see the man Elvira chose over him.
Elvira stopped him. “You can’t go in.”
“Move!” Zach opened the door and strode in.
Elvira looked around nervously. Seeing no one, she slipped in and looked at Zach.
Zach was shocked to see the bloodied and unconscious man. He turned to look at Elvira. So, Elvira looked like that because she was beating him, not sleeping with him?
“It’s not my fault. It’s self–defense. My stepmom is behind this. I came here to deliver a contract but he got all touchy–feely.” Elvira’s voice grew firmer as she explained,
Zach felt complicated. He didn’t expect her family to treat her this badly.
Perry heard voices and his eyelids moved. Elvira noticed and grabbed a vase to smash him with.
Zach stopped her. “Don’t. That might kill him.”
“Let’s leave then. Don’t let him see you.” Elvira threw the vase aside and fled with Zach. When they left the room, Elvira whispered, “Don’t let him see you. You’re just an ordinary guy and your grandma is sick. You can’t offend rich blokes like
them.”
Zach was moved. Elvira only felt relieved when they were out of the hotel. She hailed a cab and pushed Zach in first. She told
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6:15 PM
Chapter 12
the driver to drive before asking Zach, “Where are you going?”
“Lunch.” Zach gave an address.
Elvira’s phone rang. It was Amber. “Elvira, how dare you beat Mr. Bacchus up when I kindly found a rich man for you? Mr.. Bacchus said that unless you marry him, he’ll sue you and put you in jail. Go beg for his forgiveness now,”
“If he’s so good, let Judy marry him,” Elvira retorted.
“Judy is going to marry Calvin. How can you compare to her? If you bring us trouble, your dad will kick your ass.” Amber was panicking. She had made the introduction, hoping to make some money. Now Perry wouldn’t spare any of them. Elvira got her into serious trouble.
Elvira snorted. “You and Judy are so alike. If you both want to play the third party, do it. Count me out. Besides, I’ve nothing to do with family.” She hung up.
Elvira didn’t notice Zach send a few messages before putting his phone away when Elvira was done.
“Your stepmom? She’s mean to you?” Zach asked.
Elvira smiled bitterly. “That’s the understatement of the year. She would kill me if it helped her daughter. She even ruined my brother. I used to dream of… Never mind. Talking about the past won’t change anything.
The sorrow on Elvira’s face made Zach’s heart ache. So Elvira and him both had evil stepmothers.
Zach held Elvira’s hand. Elvira wanted to pull away but Zach held firm, saying, “Don’t forget. We’re married.”
“But isn’t it fake?” Elvira felt awkward, remembering what happened this morning.
“The license is real. Zach looked at her and continued, “Give what I said this morning some thought.”
“Mr. Gilbert, my family situation is complicated. I don’t want to burden you with it,” Elvira explained earnestly.
“You mean, it’s not that you don’t like me?” Zach’s irritable mood miraculously calmed.
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