Ch. 61..65: My Sugar And Your Spice Chapter 61-65
Chapter 61
He went to look for Amelie? S-So he heard everything I said to her?
Laura felt her mind go blank. Her legs buckled and she almost fell, but she managed to hold onto the wall just in time.
“Leo!” A silvery voice sounded.
Amelie! Laura stared at her boss and Amelie, but they didn’t run into each other. Instead, Amelie was getting further away.
The next moment, Elyse showed up. A smile curled her lips, and her gaze was filled with love-love for Leo. She approached him and held his arm tightly. Oh, so it was just Elyse. The boss almost ran into Amelie, but he
missed her.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Look at me, getting scared out of my wits.
“Why did you bring me here, Leo?” asked Elyse quietly. She remained smiling, though there was confusion in her eyes.
Leo patted the back of her hand. “Just a checkup, that’s all.”
“I just did a full-body checkup, though.” She put on her best elegant smile.
“One more time for good measure.” Leo stared into Elyse’s eyes.
He had made an appointment for a checkup of her eyes. The doctor told him the donor was a girl named Amelie, but the doctor in Quinn Town told him the one who consulted him about living donation
was someone called Elyse. He only knew one Elyse, and that was Elyse Clayton. She was the one who donated her cornea to him. Leo chalked the inconsistency between the doctors’ testimonials as a slip of the tongue. Measure twice and cut once, though.
Elyse touched her eyes, which were her most beautiful trait. They glistened and gleamed all the time. When she met Leo’s eyes-ones that were also filled with love-she would put on a timid, sheepish smile.
Leo took that smile in another way. He thought she wouldn’t want him to find out she donated her cornea to him. That was why he didn’t tell her he wanted to verify that the donor was her. “You should go in now,” he muttered.
Laura watched as her boss took Elyse away. She was still confused about the whole situation. She didn’t hear the conversation Leo had with the doctor, so she had no idea that they talked about the donor, and now, Leo was taking Elyse to the ophthalmologist’s room.
However, she did know that Elyse’s sight was almost perfect. Is he trying to find out who the donor is? Dammit. Laura stood around and waited until Elyse had gone into the room alone, then she called her.
“Yes, Laura? If it’s alright with you, can this wait?” asked Elyse softly.
Standing before her were tons of machines that were built to check one’s eyesight. The ophthalmologist was already waiting for her. The old Elyse would have flown into a rage just from this call, but now she had to make herself out to be a polite and mature woman, so she spoke softly.
“Don’t hang up!” said Laura quickly. “This is important!”
Oh, is it? Elyse covered the microphone on her phone and apologized to the ophthalmologist, “Sorry, doctor, but can I take this call?”
“Of course.” The ophthalmologist nodded. He was surprised that Elyse was so polite. She was a top celebrity who had starred in popular dramas and appeared in many ads. Most celebrities like her would be arrogant and insufferable, but not her. Thanks to that, the ophthalmologist was willing to give her some leeway despite his packed schedule.
Elyse approached the window and whispered, “Okay, speak.”
Laura took a deep breath. “Elyse, Mr. Alston is looking for the donor of the cornea.”
Elyse was unfazed by the news. Instead, she said calmly, “Is that so? Well, that’s good, then. I shall thank them personally if he manages to find them.”
Wait. Why isn’t she panicking? Laura’s heart was racing. “The donor is a high school girl, and it was a living: donation.”
“What?” Elyse finally looked surprised. Living donations weren’t something most people dared to do. Hmm, but then the Alstons did put up a huge bounty for it. Some people would even sell their kidneys for that kind of money. A cornea’s nothing. Going blind in one eye is a lot better than losing a kidney. The donor is a teenager, isn’t she? Teenagers will do anything for money, huh.
There was no time to analyze the whole affair, so all Laura said was, “This whole thing feels off. Be careful.”
“Yeah. Why is Leo searching for her?” A frown furrowed Elyse’s forehead. Even if it was a living donation, the Alstons must have spent enough money to keep the donor away from them permanently. They have no reason to come back. Unless… something’s wrong with Leo’s eyes.
She denied that thought immediately. Leo goes for an eye checkup every year, and Laura has shown me the results. They’re all normal.
“Listen to me, Elyse. Whatever you do, just make Mr. Alston think your eyesight’s gone bad. Really bad,” suggested Laura. She might be Leo’s assistant, but she was also Elyse’s confidant. She was the one who helped Elyse in her relationship with Leo.
“Why?” Elyse wondered why she had to do that. “I don’t want to lie to him.” She came back this time determined to marry Leo and get her happily ever after. Furthermore, she promised herself that she’d treat him well.
“Elyse, a white lie won’t kill anyone. Certainly not a relationship. In fact, it’d help you guys,” Laura persuaded patiently.
Laura liked Leo as well, but Elyse was leagues better in the looks department alone, let alone everything else. She envied the fact that Elyse was a celebrity. Dating a celebrity would be better than dating an assistant, or that was what she thought. She knew she wouldn’t be worthy of Leo, so Laura expressed her love in another way-by helping Elyse get Leo.” Just…” Laura took a deep breath. “Just do as I say. Make him think you’re the donor.”
“But this is insane!”
Not even the old Elyse would do that, and she was properly crazy back then.
Laura gripped her phone tightly. “Elyse, listen to me. That girl donated her cornea without asking for anything in return. If Mr. Alston finds her, he will return the favor. And think about it. Why did the girl donate her cornea willingly?”
“Um…” Elyse gripped her phone tightly as a sense of crisis overwhelmed her. She was clear about the implications. There was only one reason for that girl to donate a part of her willingly. Love. I used to be young once I know how far crazy people can go. She opened her mouth, but her chest suddenly felt heavy. It stopped her from saying anything.
Laura continued, “You finally got back with Mr. Alston after going through so much. There’s no need to cause more problems. Just make him think you’re the donor, and he’ll stop the search for that girl. Then, you can move on to the next stage of your relationship. You said you’re taking this seriously, so make him forget the past. Take his attention completely Bring back the good old days.”
Oh, that was Elyse’s dream.
Laura struck a nerve, which left Elyse feeling that Leo wasn’t treating her as he used to, and she had been
trying to make him look at her once more. Should I do it? She clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her flesh and her knuckles turned white, and finally, she steeled her resolve.
Chapter 62
Half an hour later, Elyse emerged from the room. She stared at the ground, her hair tumbling down her shoulders. She twirled her hair as she called out, “Leo.”
Leo approached her. “So? How was it?” he quickly asked.
“You should ask the doctor.” Elyse turned around and looked at the doctor.
“Oh, everything’s normal. Don’t worry about it,” answered the doctor.
Leo felt a weight lifted off his shoulder only to be replaced by a question. “Everything’s normal?”
“Yes, now let’s go.” Elyse tugged on Leo’s hand and tried to drag him away. She did not want to stay any longer.
Leo let her drag him away. His arm was pointing to the ground, and he tried to hold something, but all he grasped was air. So, she wasn’t the donor? Who was it, then? Elyse…. Amelie… Leo muttered the names under his breath.
He’s not moving? Elyse pushed him. “I’ll have to use the restroom, Leo. Wait for me here.”
Deep in his thoughts, Leo instinctively grunted. After she was gone, he mused over the question of the identity of his donor. Then he made a call to Quinn Town’s hospital.
“I’m looking for Dr. Philips from ophthalmology,” he quickly said.
“Who are you? And what business do you have with Dr. Philips?” asked the staff.
“Just do it!” he snapped.
Shocked by his tone, the staff member quickly went to look for Lily.
Lily had just finished examining a patient when the staff member came in and told her she had a call. She approached the staff member, impatiently taking her surgical gloves off. “I’m busy. What is this?”
The staff member apologetically said, “He sounds urgent. Probably important.”
Lily took the phone. “Who is this?”
“It’s me, Leo,” answered Leo. “Dr. Philips, I would like to know more of this Amelie you spoke of.”
“I’m sorry?” Lily froze for a moment, wondering what he meant by that.
“You gave her full marks for her eyesight, but she can barely even see. What if she comes after us? It’s going to be a scandal.”
“She wanted this. Insisted on it, even. It’s not like I had a choice.”
“That’s one crazy patient. If she doesn’t want anyone to find out she has bad eyesight, she shouldn’t have
corne to us.”
“Ely. I mean, celebrities can be crazy. She probably didn’t want her fans to find out. It might cause a hit to her reputation. Just let this slide.”
The medical staff’s conversation did not escape Leo. He swiveled around and saw a doctor and a nurse quickly trotting into the distance. He didn’t get much from the conversation, but he overheard them talking about Elyse The content of that conversation shook him to the core. He darted toward the doctor and grabbed his shoulder. Then, he swiveled the doctor around.
“M-Mr. Alston?” The doctor was surprised to see Leo here. Leo was a regular, but it wasn’t time for his yearly checkup just yet.
Leo yanked the doctor toward him and hissed, “Tell me about her eyesight. Elyse’s eyesight.” If looks could kill, the doctor would have been dead.
Shaken to the core, the doctor froze up, unable to utter a single word.
“Now, calm down,” the nurse softly said.
Finally, Leo let go of the doctor. “Give me the results.”
The doctor rubbed his shoulder. Ow. I can’t even lift my arm. How on earth is he so strong? He looks so slim and frail.
Oh. He wants the result? The doctor pulled his hand back. “Sorry, but that is strictly confidential information. I am not at liberty to give it away unless the patient gives their consent.”
“She’s with me. Refuse, and I’ll have to make her go through another checkup. And this time, I’m going in with her,” Leo snapped.
The doctor’s legs buckled. “Fine.” He sighed and handed the result to Leo.
Leo quickly skimmed through the results, but every line he read made him suffocate even more. Immersed in his thoughts, he missed the eventual reply from Lily. She said, “I do not know her full name, but her father’s a famous cobbler.”
Alright, that should be enough time. Finally, Elyse emerged from the restroom, pretending she played no part in this act of revealing her bad eyesight to Leo’. She played her part perfectly all thanks to her professional vocation as an actress. “Leo.” She quickly approached Leo. “Sorry for the long wait.”
Leo stared at her dumbly.
Despite knowing what he was thinking about, she feigned ignorance. “What is it?”
And Leo held her shoulder tightly. “Why did you lie?”
“Sorry?” Elyse froze. W-What’s with that question? This shouldn’t happen.
Her legs were trembling. Did he see through my life? Impossible! No. Just when I finally got his forgiveness. Just when he finally agreed to date me. A-And now we’re back to square one.
No. Square zero.
I broke his heart four years ago, and now I’m impersonating the one who saved him. He’s going to hate my guts. He’ll find that girl and do everything he can to return the favor. He’s that kind of man. And that girl likes her, so she might ask him to marry her.
Laura might have assured her that the girl left no useful trail behind, but Leo could find out anything if he just dug for it. A sense of despair rose within her, culminating in rivulets of tears. She burst into tears and held Leo with trembling hands. “B-Because I love you so, so much. I love you too much.”
Elyse knew that Leo was someone who cared a lot for those he loved, but he cared none for those he spared no sympathy for. Even if Elyse were to give her everything she had, he would never accept it. She could imagine how mercilessly he would shove her away, and despair almost crushed her heart.
But then, Leo hugged her. He hugged her so hard, she almost couldn’t breathe.
Elyse heard his heartbeat and his shallow, pained breath. “I know, but you shouldn’t have risked yourself. How do you expect me to live with this?”
“Sorry?” Elyse covered her mouth. Wait, is he…
Leo kept her tight in his embrace, his mind replaying the doctor’s comment. “She’s almost blind in her left eye.
And there are marks of surgery. There’s no cornea in there.”
He felt a pang of guilt rising in his heart again, and it coursed through his body like an undulating wave of pain. Elyse felt his tears drip onto her neck. “Even if I’d go blind forever, I wouldn’t want you to do that for me. I wouldn’t want it, Elyse.”
She felt his hot tears. Almost scalding, even. It was her first time seeing him so emotional. Even when she was embroiled in a scandal four years ago, even when Amelie forced him to marry her, all he did was clench his fists, but now he was crying. For her.
Elyse was only acting at first but now she truly felt the emotions, so she cried harder. Whew. Good thing he didn’t find out.
Good thing I didn’t tell the doctor to tell him I have bad eyesight. An inadvertent’ revelation works better. And good thing he didn’t see through my lie. Right, with this trump card in my hand, I can finally be the one he cares about the most now.
Someone broke the silence when they were locked in a loving embrace.
Chapter 63
“Oh, ew. I don’t particularly like watching animals make out.” Julia leaned on the wall, her arms crossed. She was looking at the couple in disgust. Julia had that kind of look that could strike anxiety into those who met her eyes. It felt like she could see through the deepest, darkest secrets of anyone she looked at.
Elyse stiffly removed herself from Leo’s embrace. She elegantly pushed her hair back and shot Julia a look of disapproval. “Miss White, that was inappropriate, especially for someone of your stature.”
Oh, here we go again. This b*tch never leams her lesson. Julia sneered. “The adage goes ‘honesty is the best policy’, not ‘honesty is inappropriate.”
“You called us animals. We’re not animals, Miss White,” Elyse argued.
“But all I see are animals.” Julia looked around and sneered. “It takes a lot more than mere clothes to make a human. Oh wait, I shouldn’t have called you animals. That’s an insult to them. At least they’re loyal to their humans. Some men won’t stay loyal to their own woman. They’d rather date a skank instead.”
Nobody but Julia would say something insulting, yet she managed to make it sound pleasant rather than vulgar.
Leo had kept quiet this whole time, but now he finally spoke. “What are you trying to say?” He raised his head, but his gaze was not on Julia. He was looking at someone behind Julia.
It was none other than the returning Amelie. I leave Julia for two seconds and she’s gone. Darn. She’s already unhappy about my divorce. Now she knows Leo is here, I bet she’s going to trash-talk him. She quickly went to look for her friend, and just like she expected, Julia was insulting Leo.
Amelie heard her insulting Leo and Elyse, and it made her feel helpless. She was about to drag her friend away when Leo opened his mouth, so she locked eyes with him.
His eyes were devoid of any emotion. Icily, he asked, “You wanted the divorce. You gave up all reimbursement. I offered recompense, but you refused, and proudly. Why did you complain to your friend, then? I thought you were happy with the divorce.”
Before Amelie could say anything. Julia retorted, “Oh please, like she needs your money. Your whole family is a sack of dicks. Slave drivers who should’ve gone extinct centuries ago, and yet you survived. You worked my friend to the bone and never even thanked her, and you expect her to stay in the hellhole you call home? Please, no amount of recompense can heal the scars you left on her. No. Amount. So, save your money. You need it to fill your broken, empty soul.”
Even Leo felt affronted by that comment, and he had heard a lot of insults in his life. He was incensed. Not only did Julia fire off at him, but she also dragged his whole family through the mud.
Nobody had insulted his family ever since he took over. His face was black as thunder, and a storm brewed in
his eyes
“If you remain friends with someone who has no sense of decorum or courtesy, you will have no future.” Instead of arguing with Julia, Leo opted to speak to Amelie instead. No, he was giving her a cold reminder, more like. I am a businessman. A powerful man. I do not have to stoop to her level. He then held Elyse’s hand. “Let’s go.”
“Hold it right there, Leo, Amelie stopped him.
Initially, she just wanted to take her friend away. Arguing with Leo was not in her plan, but now, she wasn’t about to let that insulting comment go. She blocked the path of the leaving couple.
Elyse instinctively stood on her tiptoes and straightened her back, trying to look taller than Amelie, but Amelie didn’t even spare her a look. Her eyes were on Leo “My friend shoots straight, but you have no right to criticize her. At least she cares about her friend. At least she’d help a friend. But you?” A smirk of contempt curled Amelies lips. “You dumped your pregnant wife all alone in the freezing cold, leaving her for dead.
You’re no more courteous than scum.”
Leo felt something squeezing his heart, and he came to a halt. He tried to argue, but not a single word came out of his mouth, and he looked awkward.
But then Elyse spoke quietly. “Why bring up the past? Do you still wish to get back with Leo, Miss Dillon?”
That changed things around. Elyse managed to make Amelie sound like a jealous woman trying to get back with her ex-husband instead of a woman standing up for her friend. With an excuse in place, Leo assumed the position of indifference at once. “If that is what you had in mind, then I suggest you give up.” He then turned around. “Why didn’t you stop her?”
His bodyguards stayed silent.
Amelie laughed mirthlessly. “You have an active imagination, good sir. Maybe you should be a writer.”
“Agreed. You don’t own this place. We can come and go as we please. No reports needed,” Julia snapped.
The ladies shared a smile.
“Let’s go.” They held hands and turned to the exit.
As Elyse saw them off, a frown started creasing her forehead. This should’ve been my best moment in life, but they came and ruined it. She wanted revenge. After all, she had never been a generous woman. All her kindness and generosity were just a front. Now that her best moment was ruined, she would make Amelie suffer as well. Gently, she said, “Miss Dillon, I shall be dating Leo from now on. You’re alright with that, aren’t you?”
The ladies stopped in their tracks. Julia was about to come up with a retort, but Amelie held her back. Confused, Julia mouthed, ‘Why aren’t you doing anything? I can mess with her easily’.
Amelie gave her a look that said, Calm down. She turned around slowly and set her sights on Elyse. “Congratulations. Send a marriage invitation my way. We might have had our difficulties making progress in the more… important areas, but I’d still like to congratulate you.”
The couple’s faces fell.
First, Elyse thought, She’s not fazed at all? And then she thought, Wait a minute. She just professionally called me a b*tch. “Why you little…” She pointed angrily at Amelie, her face contorted with rage.
But the ladies were long gone. Elyse turned to Leo and complained, “That was a bit too much, don’t you
think?”
But Leo wasn’t listening. He stood petrified; it was as if he just saw Medusa’s eyes. When Amelie spoke to them, there was not a hint of emotion in her eyes. She looked at him like he was a stranger, and it hurt him.
Elyse had to call out to him a few more times before he snapped out of it. He looked at her coolly, ignoring what she had to say. His mind was still on Amelie, and everything Elyse said was filtered out. “Let’s go.”
Elyse bit her lip, disgruntled. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but now it’s ruined. She wanted to throw a tantrum, but Elyse had promised she’d be a good girl around Leo. In the end, she suppressed her frustration and nodded. “Fine.”
When Elyse and Leo reached the hospital’s entrance, they ran into the two ladies once more. This time, someone was standing in front of the ladies.
When Elyse saw who it was, she gasped. “Hey, that’s Chris, isn’t it? Why are they with him?”
Chapter 64
Chris was one of the more famous guys in upper society. Leo was known for his business genius, while Chris was known for his racing skills. Yes, he was a racer, and a good one at that too. He won a few professional racing competitions and was a model for a lot of car dealerships’ advertisements.
Chris and Leo were second cousins as their grandparents were brothers. A guy like Chris talking to a no-name useless woman like Amelie? Elyse was shocked. She tried to see Amelie’s face, but her back was turned toward her. She couldn’t see Chris’ face either. Only Julia was facing her, and she looked delighted.
Elyse clenched her fists. She couldn’t believe Chris was talking to those women. He might be famous, but he was also haughty. Even she got nothing but a cold shoulder every time she tried to say hi. If it were someone else, he wouldn’t even give them a second of his time. Yet he stopped to talk to them. They must be special. Who is Amelie to him?
Elyse’s mind was assailed by a thousand thoughts, and she turned her attention to Leo, trying to find solace. But to her chagrin, his eyes were fixated on the trio before them as well, though he was inscrutable. I wonder what he’s thinking. Ever since that wench congratulated us, he has been acting weird.
Elyse’s heart skipped a beat, but she remained composed. Then, she pretended to have just thought of something and giggled with a hand over her mouth. “Oh my, look at me. Overreacting for nothing. Julia is famous for her tendency to make friends. She gets a lot of high-profile guests during her live stream. I bet she’s asking him to co-star in her next stream.”
Yeah, Chris is here for Julia, not Amelie. He didn’t stop for Amelie. He did it for Julia, she thought.
Amelie underwent a dramatic change after the divorce. She became gorgeous, confident, and stunning. It was like she was a whole different person, and yet that couldn’t change the fact that she was the daughter of a mere cobbler. She’s nothing but a peasant. A peasant who will never be on par with us. Her life will amount to nothing. No need to fear someone like her. At this thought, she held Leo’s arm. “It’s not every day we run into Chris. We should say hi.”
Leo grunted almost inaudibly, and they approached Chris.
Through the corner of her eye, Amelie noticed her ex-husband and his new girlfriend approaching. Her lips curled downward, and she wished to leave. “See you later, Mr. Alston.”
She dragged her friend away and walked in the opposite direction to where Leo and Elyse were going. They were like two parallel lines, but when they passed each other, Amelie didn’t even turn around. She kept whispering to her friend, and then they went by Leo.
Leo saw her smile. It was beautiful, and her eyes twinkled like stars-beautiful and unadulterated-in the sky. Her forehead gleamed and her cheeks were rosy. He had never seen her like that. She glimmered like an elf walking in a city. Once again, he painfully realized how much she was ignoring him, and she didn’t do it on purpose. It felt natural like she didn’t care about him.
Leo clenched his fists. Before Amelie, he never thought someone could change so much. It felt like magic. She was a different person entirely. Even now, he could remember how she acted two days before the divorce. She had stood in his path with her head hung low, and when she raised her eyes, he remembered seeing love, hope for reciprocation of her feelings, and caution in them.
But it hadn’t been a month since then, and already she treated him like he was air. He was already annoyed by the mockery she dished out earlier, and now her dismissive attitude hit his ego hard. A wave of pain originated from his heart and spread to his entire body, and his face fell.
Elyse had to call out to him a few more items to snap him out of his stupor. “Chris is calling out to you, Leo.” He looked up coolly, and Elyse looked at him awkwardly There was a smile on her lips, but the look in her eyes spoke of embarrassment He was staring at her right in front of me. This is humiliating It was supposed to be the best day of her life, and yet all she tasted was the bitterness of defeat.
“Chris,” said Leo.
Chris had his hands in his pockets, and there was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “You feel more dangerous
after the divorce, Leo. Feels like you’re about to kill someone. What’s the matter?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Chris made it sound nonchalant, but Elyse got the underlying message, and it annoyed her. What did he mean by that? Is he trying to say Leo’s upset about the divorce?
She held her anger back and explained, “He’s handling a big company. Every decision he makes will affect hundreds of families. It’s only natural that he’s solemn.” Then, Elyse huddled closer to Leo to indicate to Chris that they were dating.
Chris got the message, and he nodded with a smile.
“So why did Julia meet up with you? Is she trying to ask for a collaboration?” She pretended to be curious about Julia when in reality, she just wanted to find out more about her enemy.
“No.” Chris shook his head. Just when Elyse was about to change the subject, he added, “I met up with them.”
“Y-You met up with them?” Elyse felt her heart leap into her throat, and she stared at Chris in disbelief. He’s an even more arrogant guy than Leo, and yet he came to see those two? That is unbelievable.
Chris didn’t entertain Elyse’s curiosity further. Instead, he turned his attention to Leo. “We’re holding a small racing event. Wanna come?”
“Not interested,” answered Leo calmly. His eyes were still recovering High-impact activities were not recommended for him.
“Aw, but I wanna go, Leo,” said Elyse. She heaved a sigh of relief in silence Good He was only talking to Julia, not Amelie. She swung Leo’s arm. “Come with me, please ”
Elyse used to be a racer as well, and a veteran at that. She had some skills, and this competition was the perfect one to show them off. She also wanted to vent her frustration and use this chance to tell the whole. upper society that she had gotten back with Leo.
“Ah, it’ll be worth your time.” Chris smirked at Leo. “There’s going to be a surprise.”
“Ooh, what kind of surprise?” asked Elyse curiously.
Chapter 65
Chris dug his ear nonchalantly and tilted his head. “Dash might show up. I’ve asked Julia to call her. It’d be awesome if she could make it.”
Boreas and Dash were famous names known only to the fans of racing. They were the top racers around. Chris was Boreas, while Dash’s real identity was still a mystery.
Elyse didn’t care about Dash that much. With or without her, Elyse knew she could still take second place at least. She did practice her skills all these years. Of course, Chris would take first place since he had the advantage Guys were generally better than girls in this area. I bet Leo will think better of me if he sees me getting second place. She wanted to show herself off to him. “Leo, can we go? Pretty please.” She swung his arm again.
Leo pursed his lips and looked at her. “Are you sure your eyes can take it?”
“Oh…” Shoot. I just got my eyes checked, and the doctor practically told him I was blind in one eye. She felt rivulets of sweat drenching her back, and her legs almost buckled for a moment. However, fortunately, her mental fortitude held firm, and she recomposed herself. “It’s alright. I’m used to it.”
“Very well, then.” He nodded. He was reluctant to join, but Elyse had done so much for him, so he figured it was only right of him to spoil her for a bit.
Elyse was filled with delight when he relented to her nearly unreasonable request. He showered her with love right in front of Chris, and that stroked her ego. She stood on tiptoe and tried to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Leo.”
Almost instinctively, Leo stepped aside, though it wasn’t an obvious dodge. There was barely an inch between them. Most people would have missed that gap and thought they had kissed.
However, Elyse was well aware of whether her kiss had landed on his cheek or not. She froze up awkwardly, though she quickly hid her disappointment and put on a coy smile.
Standing by the side, Chris had also seen what had truly transpired. He pursed his lips as he pressed his thumb against the corner of his lips thoughtfully before saying, “Miss Clayton, if one has to request to get the one whom they love to participate in an event, doesn’t that speak something about their significance to the other person? And if the other person were to refuse, then all the more embarrassing it would be for them, don’t you think?”
He was trying to say something-Leo would have agreed to her request from the get-go if he did like Elyse from the bottom of his heart. She wouldn’t even need to implore it, and he would have proposed that they go together, especially when the event was a dangerous one. When she tried to kiss him, he dodged her attempt. On the surface, it looked like Leo was embarrassed about the public display of affection, but Chris knew that wasn’t the case. In truth, Leo hadn’t truly accepted Elyse. Chris was a guy, too. He knew what Leo was thinking.
Elyse was smart enough to catch on to the implied message. Her face turned red with embarrassment, and tears glistened in her eyes. She then looked to Leo for help.
Leo furrowed his brows slightly as he pulled her into his embrace apologetically. Then, he shot Chris a look. “Quit spouting nonsense.”
His coming to her defense offered her small comfort, though she’d take any comfort Leo offered.
Chris refrained from making further comments. He told Elyse the time and venue of the event before leaving in his car
At the same time, Julia and Amelie had gotten into their car. Julia pleaded, “Please, just go. It’s not like every day we get to race, and there’s nothing to do at the company. We have all the free time in the world.”
Calmly, Amelie said, “Bria is still waiting for me. And my dad, too. He must be worried sick about me.”
“Nope. I have called your dad, and he told me to take you around town. I’m sure he wouldn’t even mind if you
hadn’t gone home for a week.” Julia controlled the steering wheel with one hand while wagging her phone smugly with the other. “As for Bria, she told me to film a video of your racing.”
Amelie remained silent after hearing that. Well, I guess I don’t have a choice since Dad and Bria have given her the green light.
“Hey, it’s not like we’re gunning for the champion spot. Just going to have some fun. Besides, I’m the top co- driver in the industry. It’s been four years since I saw some action. It wouldn’t hurt to entertain me just this once, right?” Julia and Amelie used to be partners, and both of them had conquered a lot of competitions.
Amelie couldn’t say no when her friend was putting on the puppy pout, so she nodded.
Julia pounced on her friend and showered her with kisses once she saw her finally agreeing to it.
Amelie went pale with shock. “Keep your eyes on the road!”
up for Night came, and Elyse arrived at the competition venue, wearing an all-white racer suit. She put her hair the occasion, and her skin gleamed like pearls under the light. With a stunning man like Leo by her side, she commanded everyone’s attention immediately.
“So, they are together.”
“What a perfect match.”
“I thought Leo never came to such events since it’d hurt his eyes.”
“Probably his girlfriend wanted to come, so he indulged her.”
“Honestly, Elyse is one heck of a woman. She’s a big star and a racer.”
Elyse heard all the praise, and it stroked her ego once more. She put on a polite smile and nodded at everyone. Then, she huddled closer to Leo.
It was a show to everyone in the arena. Only rich kids could afford to race, and they would tell their friends and family that Elyse had gotten back with Leo. Soon, the whole upper society would know of the news.
Chris stayed far, far away from her. He leaned on his car languidly. Everyone thought Elyse was being all elegant and noble, but he thought she was just putting on an act. Unlike his cousin, Chris was a playboy who had seen many kinds of women. One look at a lady, and he’d know what kind of woman they were. Elyse might act generous and kind, but she’s actually a fake and petty gold digger. And that’s the most disgusting kind of woman. However, he wouldn’t comment on his cousin’s relationship. It’s not my problem, anyway.
After a round of praise from the crowd, Elyse held Leo’s arm and approached Chris. She knew Chris didn’t like her, but she could use Leo to shut his mouth. Leo was the leader of the Alstons and the boss of Genesis. This will undoubtedly put Chris in his place and make him stop mocking me.
When she was only a few yards away from him and about to knock him down a peg or two, he held his phone. and ran into the distance. She could feel the wind brushing against her skin when he darted past her. And he didn’t even throw as much as a glance at me! She was fuming in silence.
Everyone noticed Chris running into the distance, and they followed him.
Okay, what’s going on? Elyse brushed his dismissive attitude aside and stopped one of the guests. “Hey… Did something happen?”
“It’s Dash!” the guest answered.