Chapter 432 She’s Not Leaving
Halbert sat on the couch, his expression dark. “Let her stay at the Hayes place forever if she wants. Don’t come crawling back.”
One of the bodyguards glanced at him cautiously. Lately, Halbert had been getting angrier more often → especially when it came to Eliza.
They all knew the original plan was just to follow orders from Mr. Tristan. But somewhere along the line, Halbert’s “supervision” had become voluntary.
“Uh… I think maybe she just went out for dinner. Worst case, she’ll be back by midnight. If she’s not back by then, maybe we can call her-”
“You think I need your input?”
Halbert’s frustration flared. “Tristan should never have sent Eliza to Westbrook. This place is a cesspool. The Hayes family is full of infighting and shady power plays. It’s not safe here thinking?”
not for her. What was Tristan
“Well… if that’s the issue, why not just call Mr. Tristan and explain things? Maybe he’ll bring her home.”
That actually made sense to Halbert.
“Yeah. That could work.”
If he told Tristan what was really going on in Westbrook, surely Tristan would bring Eliza back. Anywhere would be safer than this mess especially away from the Hayes brothers.
–
With that thought, Halbert pulled out his phone and dialed Tristan.
It was nearly eleven by the time Nolan dropped Eliza off at her building.
Surprisingly, Halbert wasn’t there to meet her. No scolding, no lurking behind the curtains.
Just as she found it odd, Nolan murmured beside her, “Go on up. He’s probably waiting inside.”
“Okay.”
Eliza took the elevator up and opened the door to her apartment – no Halbert in sight.
Where had he gone?
He was usually the first to nag her for staying out too late. Why the sudden change?
Maybe he was still sulking over the phone call she’d hung up on.
The next morning, Eliza stirred awake, still half–asleep – until the sound of movement snapped her fully
alert.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, only to find people hauling her things out of the room.
08:44 Wed, 23 Jul VOO
Chapter 432 She’s Not Leaving
“What are you doing?”
The movers paused, startled.
“Ms. Suc,” one of them stammered, “Mr. Sue told us to pack up your things. So… should we keep going. or…?”
Eliza’s mouth opened to argue, but a cold voice cut her off.
“Keep moving.”
It was Halbert, walking in from the hallway, face unreadable.
Eliza frowned. “Halbert, what’s the meaning of this?”
“Nothing. Just clearing out some eyesores. We won’t be staying here much longer.”
“What do you mean ‘not staying here? What are you talking about?“.
Halbert’s voice was eerily calm. “I called Tristan last night. You’re too close to Nolan. I don’t feel safe leaving you hère. Tristan’s sending people today to help pack. As soon as I’ve processed your withdrawal from school, we’re heading back overseas.”
“You-”
She froze.
So that’s where Halbert had disappeared to last night.
“Keep going. Don’t leave anything behind,” Halbert barked at the movers.
They rushed to obey, too afraid to delay.
Eliza snapped, “You want to leave? Go ahead. But I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s not your decision. It’s Tristan’s.”
“Oh really? When did Tristan say I had to go back overseas? I must’ve missed that.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.”
Halbert dialed the number and shoved the phone into her hand.
Annoyed, Eliza answered. “Tristan. Did you tell Halbert I have to go back?”
“Me?” Tristan sounded confused. “When did I say that?”
Halbert jumped in, trying to save face. “Tristan, you said so last night. Don’t you remember?”
“I said they could help pack up some things
– that’s it. I never said anything about her leaving.”
Halbert froze. His plan just blew up in his face.
