Chapter 5
There were way too many strings attached between Eden and Elvira.
If Eden divorced her, he'd be the one losing out big time.
Not once did Eden ever bother to ask how she felt about any of it.
He was dirty inside and out.
Elvira decided that she was done with him.
Eden's phone rang. It was the hospital.
Claire was awake.
As soon as the call ended, he grabbed his crew and bolted out the door.
After Elvira got her phone, she made a call.
The call was picked up almost instantly.
"You won the bet. I'm getting divorced, then I'll marry you," Elvira said, her voice unwavering.
The guy on the other end instantly whistled. "Yes!"
He sounded like he'd just won the jackpot.
Elvira let out a self-deprecating smirk.
"It's your first time walking down the aisle, and I'll be on my second marriage. Seriously, what's there to be so happy about?" she joked.
Back then, everyone was dead set against her marrying Eden, who was deep in debt, including her parents.
In order to not bring any trouble to the Rice family, Elvira chose to leave them.
At that time, her father, Algernon Rice, had already lined up a match for her. It was a guy from the Vargas family in Threshaar.
He was also the guy Elvira was talking to on the phone at that moment, Dustin Vargas.
When Elvira left, Dustin went out of his way and traveled from Threshaar to Akanden just to find her.
Dustin asked, "Elvira, how about we make a bet?
"I bet your feelings will get hurt. If that ever happens, don't cry. just call me. Our engagement still stands."
Elvira felt nothing but emptiness, as if her heart had gone completely numb.
Dustin brushed off her words, a confident grin tugging at his lips as he said,
He said, "Elvira, wait for me. I'll make you my bride."
*****
Elvira barely had a chance to heal up before her assistant called her away.
The Becker Group's rise to glory wasn't just Eden's doing.
Over the years, Elvira had cared for the Becker Group as if it were her own child.
She'd been working on a project for ages, pouring in countless hours, manpower, and resources, and finally got the other side to say yes.
She barely had time to throw her things together before hurrying straight to the golf course.
But the moment Elvira set foot inside, a man's scream rang out, sharp and sudden.
The sound was so familiar that it sent a jolt through Elvira. She stopped dead.
When she rushed over, Claire was clutching a long, thin key, its tip smeared with blood.
She was huddled off to the side, looking as small and scared as a quail.
When she saw Elvira, she panicked and dropped the key to the ground.
Claire stammered, "I didn't mean to!
"I was just trying to help Eden. This man suddenly got too close to me and tried to take advantage of me!"
Elvira's forehead pulsed with anger, her eyes burning red.
Her hand shot out, landing a fierce slap on Claire's cheek with a sharp crack.
Elvira spat, "You idiot. Mr. Meyer's got ringing in his ears from working too hard. He was just trying to catch what you were saying!"
Claire's face went ghostly pale.
Elvira didn't spare Claire another glance. She just hauled Charlie Meyer, who was still crying out in pain, straight to the hospital.
By the time she finally made it home, it was already late, and she was dead tired.
But the moment she stepped inside, a fierce slap came out of nowhere, aimed right at her face.
Elvira stood there in shock, completely motionless.
Her cheek was burning with pain. Eden glared at her with a cold, dark look.
"Elvira, that slap was for Claire. I'm settling the score for her," Eden said.
Right then, there was a commotion upstairs. Claire came stumbling down, her face blotchy and tear-streaked as she made her way over.
Claire choked out, "Elvira, I know I'm not as good as you. not as smart, not as pretty, not as classy or refined. But even if I'm at the bottom, I'm still human.
"I was just trying to protect myself from being harassed at work. Not everyone can just shrug it off when someone gets handsy, like you always do!"
Claire's crying got more and more out of control, like the whole world was out to get her.
Eden pulled her into his arms, feeling sorry for her and trying to comfort her.