Chapter 7: Why Didn’t You Accept Marriage Before?
When David’s gaze landed on Elizabeth, her face immediately lit up with joy. She blushed, her voice sweet as she said, “Mr. David, let me serve you some tea.” She walked toward him with the teapot, pushing Caroline aside without a second thought. Caroline stumbled back several steps, barely catching her balance. The audacity of it all left her stunned.
Elizabeth had once looked down on David when she first heard about the proposal. Back then, she had scorned him, seeing him as nothing more than a convenient option. But now that David was in control of the Ellison Group, she was quick to flatter him and shamelessly throw herself at him. Caroline saw it all too clearly.
Samantha positioned herself carefully, making sure Caroline couldn’t interrupt the scene unfolding before her. Caroline wasn’t blind to their petty schemes.
David slowly turned the teacup in his hand, a slight frown crossing his face as he stared into the contents. “Mr. David, do you not like the tea?” Elizabeth asked eagerly, a hint of concern in her voice. “I’ll prepare a new pot for you right away!”
David didn’t respond immediately. He set the teacup down with a soft clink, his eyes never leaving Elizabeth’s face. “That won’t be necessary,” he said, his voice cold.
Elizabeth’s smile wavered, but she pressed on. “Seeing you frown, I was worried my hospitality wasn’t enough to please you,” she said softly, leaning closer to him, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I’ve always heard how extraordinary you are, Mr. David. Meeting you today, you truly stand above the rest; no one compares to you.”
David leaned back slightly in his chair, maintaining a clear distance. “If that’s what you think, why didn’t you agree to the marriage from the beginning?”
The question hit Elizabeth like a blow. She froze, her mouth opening and closing without words. The truth was, she had avoided him back then. She could never admit that to David, though.
David’s patience was wearing thin. From his investigation, he had learned that the room he had entered by mistake on his wedding night was reserved under Matthew’s name. The Brooks family had only two daughters—Caroline had been in the bridal suite, which left Elizabeth as the only possibility for the other room. It had been dark, so he hadn’t seen her face. But the graceful figure, the soft scent, and the delicate touch had all left an indelible mark on him. It had been her first time, and every clue pointed to Elizabeth being the woman that night.
Yet the Elizabeth standing before him now seemed like a completely different person. His irritation grew with each passing moment.
David tugged at his tie and glanced over at Caroline, standing far from the scene. Frowning, he called out, “Why are you standing so far away? Come here.”
Caroline’s eyes met his, and without missing a beat, she replied, “There’s no place for me at your side.”
Her words carried weight, and the subtext was clear to everyone in the room. Elizabeth’s face faltered slightly before she forced a smile. “Caroline, don’t overthink it. I was just so excited to see Mr. David and wanted to speak with him a bit longer. That’s all.”
Caroline wasn’t having it. “I’m not overthinking it,” she shot back, her voice unwavering. “But whether or not you are, you know that better than anyone.”
Elizabeth’s attempts to charm David were as clear as day, practically written across her face. Caroline wasn’t sure if David was deliberately ignoring it, or if he simply didn’t care and enjoyed the attention. After all, wasn’t that how most men were? Tempted by flattery, unable to resist?
David observed Caroline’s sharp tone, a side of her he hadn’t seen before. He stood abruptly, crossing the room to her. Without warning, he reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “A place by my side isn’t handed to you; it’s something you fight for and keep. Understand?”
Caroline met his eyes with a steady gaze, her voice calm. “No, I don’t.”
She had once thought that marrying into the Ellison family would mean a quiet life—perhaps even the peace of widowhood. That simple life had seemed enough. But now that David had become the most powerful man in the family, everything had changed. Her expectations had been shattered, and she was left questioning her place.
Being adopted, how could she stand beside him? How could she possibly match up to him, especially after everything that had happened?
David didn’t wait for a response. “Then step aside,” he said coldly, dismissing her with a wave. Turning to Matthew, he added, “I need to talk to you alone.”
Caroline stood there, a lump forming in her throat. The room felt suffocating, as though all the space had been drained out of it. She could feel Elizabeth’s eyes on her, but she refused to let herself be consumed by it. Whatever happened next, she knew she needed to keep her composure. This wasn’t over
