Calvert’s POV
“What do you mean by that?” Morris frowned deeply.
“Everyone knows,” I sneered coldly, “everyone but your family, it seems.”
The hotel owner, standing nearby, quickly chimed in, “That Eldzier is nothing but a lowly personal assistant. How dare he shout and boss around Sir Calvert like that?”
The servers all nodded repeatedly in agreement.
“Miss Lizbeth has been protecting Eldzier this whole time. To outsiders, it looks as if he’s her boyfriend.”
“Three years, and now another three years—are you just toying with Sir Calvert like a fool?”
“Every word out of Miss Lizbeth’s mouth is that Eldzier is doing it ‘for her own good.’ Does that mean Sir Calvert treats her badly?”
Hearing these voices rise one after another, Morris was stunned at first. Then, his face darkened with displeasure.
“Calvert!” he barked. “I am your future father-in-law, and you’re just going to stand there while outsiders insult me? And over such a trivial matter, you’re talking about breaking off the engagement? Don’t be ridiculous! Do you not care about our family’s reputation at all?”
As I had expected, her daughter was just like him. Their faces and words were cut from the same mold.
“How about you? Have you ever cared about my reputation?” I fired back.
“What reputation?” Morris scoffed. “Marrying my daughter isn’t enough for you? If you truly loved her, if you were sincere enough, three years wouldn’t matter. Heck, even ten years of waiting wouldn’t matter.”
He gave a cold snort, his tone full of authority when he continued, “I’ll arrange a press conference. You will admit it was your mistake. Just say you drank too much.”
“And remember,” he added, “that just because people respect you like an heir doesn't mean you really are one!”
In truth, over these past three years, as the Sternfels grew stronger, Morris had grown more arrogant toward me. This man truly believed it was his own family’s merit.
“See him out!” I ordered.
I set down my wine glass with a heavy thud, letting the three words cut the air like a blade.
Morris’s eyes bulged with rage. He threatened, he blustered, but I didn’t spare him another glance. I just let the bodyguards drag him out of the hotel.
Originally, I intended to stay the night at the hotel. But then, a message from Lizbeth appeared on my phone.
[I’m sorry. I was wrong.]
[Come home. Let’s talk this over properly. Please?]
She… admitted she was wrong?
It felt almost unreal, a fleeting dream. Still, with a sliver of hope burning in me, I hurried home.
But the moment I stepped through the door, a faint and tipsy voice drifted from the bedroom.
“Eldzier… stop messing around.”
My heart lurched violently. I crept toward the bedroom, pressing close to the door, peering through the small crack.
Inside, Eldzier was holding Lizbeth tightly in his arms.
“Miss Lizbeth,” he whispered, his tone thick with lust. “Didn’t you say you liked my body? Didn’t you say I outclassed Calvert in every way? Touch me, then.”
He grabbed her hand and pressed it against his abdomen, his voice low and urgent. “You promised me once you’d grant me a wish.”
He paused, then said, “I want you—just once.”
Before I could blink, his mouth crashed down on hers.
Lizbeth gave a token struggle at first. But soon, she yielded—sinking into his embrace, into his kiss.
A sharp pain ripped through my chest. My whole body trembled uncontrollably. With shaking hands, I lifted my phone and recorded it all. Then, I turned silently away.
Outside, cold rain lashed across my face. I dragged deep, trembling breaths of smoke into my lungs before dialing my father.
“Dad,” I said hoarsely, my voice shaking, “I’ve thought it through. Lizbeth isn’t worth it!”
Perhaps he heard the tremor in my voice. Perhaps he already guessed what had happened. He cut straight to the point.
“What do you want to do?”
I clenched my teeth, my eyes flashing cold. “Since I was the one who lifted her family… then I will be the one to destroy them.”
