Chapter 18: Caroline? It’s You?
David stood at the center of the heated family discussion, caught between two formidable forces: his grandfather, who had raised him and held the reins of power for decades, and his biological mother, who was relentless in her push for a new marriage for David.
Richard, David’s grandfather, was adamantly against the divorce. For decades, he had been the patriarch of the Ellison family, and his word had been law. The idea that his carefully orchestrated plan could be overturned so easily angered him deeply.
On the other hand, Harper, David’s mother, was insistent that David marry the woman she had chosen for him. She envisioned a life with the joy of a grandchild and a new chapter of family happiness. The tensions between her and Richard were clear, with each standing firm in their desires for David’s future.
“David, you tell us,” Harper said, her gaze unwavering. “What do you think? I’ll respect your opinion.”
Her words were filled with the conviction of someone who had already made up her mind. She had spoken with David privately and believed she knew how he would respond. Yet Richard’s stance couldn’t be swayed, and the situation became a game of pride between them.
Richard, cool and measured, spoke up again.
“David, you’ve undoubtedly risen to great heights. But I know exactly how you managed to take control and climb to where you are now.”
David raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
“Oh? Please, elaborate, Grandpa.”
Richard leaned forward, his gaze intense.
“You were taught by me—your methods, your cunning, your strategies. I’ve seen it all. The battle for control, you won it. And you won it decisively and brilliantly. Andrew couldn’t match you; he’s a fool. The Ellison family could never be entrusted to him, or it would crumble in no time.”
David smirked slightly, his grandfather’s words reflecting the truth of his rise to power. But Richard’s tone grew sharper as he continued.
“Throughout your struggle with Andrew, I stayed out of it and didn’t intervene. Why? Because I believe in one thing— to the victor goes the spoils. But, David…” Richard’s tone darkened. “Don’t think for a moment that my silence meant ignorance. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”
David’s lips curled into a faint smile, understanding that his grandfather was far more perceptive than anyone had given him credit for.
Caroline, standing quietly at the side, felt a chill run through her as she listened. The Ellison family was a terrifying force—far beyond what she had ever imagined. If she hadn’t stumbled upon David’s secret when she did, she would have remained completely oblivious to the extent of their power struggles.
In this family, blood ties meant little. Everything was about power, control, and who could outwit the other.
Richard’s voice once again broke the silence.
“That’s enough,” he said, as if asserting his dominance over the conversation. “David, while it’s true you married her during a low point in your life, she didn’t abandon you when you had nothing. Trust my judgment—I chose your bride for a reason. She’s the right match for you.”
David’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a sharp edge to his gaze. He didn’t speak, but the tension in the room was palpable. Caroline had married him thinking she would be a widow soon, and the audacity of her now—pretending to be a devoted wife—was almost too much to bear.
Meanwhile, Harper shifted her attention to Caroline. Though she had never met her daughter-in-law in person before, she now took a moment to examine her closely. Caroline stood silently, her head bowed, her face mostly obscured by her hair. To Harper, Caroline seemed like just another victim—someone caught in the crossfire of the Ellison family’s ruthless power struggles.
“Perhaps we should hear her opinion,” Harper suggested, her voice soft but insistent. “A divorce requires both parties to agree, after all.”
At Harper’s words, all eyes turned to Caroline. The room fell silent, waiting for her response.
David subtly cleared his throat, a warning in his posture. Caroline could feel the weight of his gaze on her—if she dared to say something foolish, she would face the consequences.
Caroline slowly lifted her head, her expression calm but resolute. Despite the fear that gripped her, she spoke with conviction.
“My opinion is…” she began, but before she could finish, Harper suddenly gasped, her face pale with shock.
“Caroline? What are you doing here?”
The room froze as all eyes turned to Caroline in surprise. Harper’s words echoed in the silence, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had shifted beneath Caroline’s feet.
