Henry froze for a second, and then he burst out with laughter. Elena stared at him. Suddenly, she called out, “Second Young Master Sharp, watch out for the car.”
Watch out for the car? When Henry looked ahead, his heart tightened, and he swerved the steering wheel in his hands. His Cayenne had barely managed to pass the side mirror of a big truck. A fraction more to the side, then two vehicles would ram into each other.
The big truck was out of its lane to overtake the car in front of them, but the driver did not notice the incoming traffic. They could blame it on the truck if they were to get into an accident, but they would suffer more injuries than the trucker. The Cayenne screeched to a stop at the side of the road. Henry stared at the unruffled girl; he was so angry that if he had any pimples, they would pop.
“You—” She had remained so calm even though they almost got into an accident. He did not know how to describe that girl. Was she fearless, or was she insensitive?
“Second Young Master Sharp, that was completely on you.”
Elena calmly pointed out, “You weren’t paying attention to the road.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” He was well-known for his mild temperament, but he did not know why he would get so ruffled whenever he was with her.
“I told you as soon as I saw it.” That was not a lie.
She had been in deep thoughts. People say that women should take extra care not to get into a man’s car at night. They were right, and she had regretted her ignorance. She had been so absent-minded after she found out that he would go to Aryastan soon.
Henry glared at her as he exhaled in relief. He knew that it was his fault, so he did not blame her. He was just unwilling to concede.
“You are also at fault. Why did you make me laugh?”
“It was a serious question.” What was so funny about that?
“How could I be interested in big brother’s… interested in Eldest Young Master Williams’s woman? Please don’t look for me even if you wanted to have an affair.” Did she think that he was unaware of Michael’s infamous temper?
“If we were together, he would disfigure me, for sure.”
Elena frowned. She suddenly recalled what Eldest Young Master Williams had said in the dark stairwell. He had vowed to kill any other man that she was with! Henry had made a joke, but the girl’s face paled. She did not think that it was funny.
“Forget it. You seemed to be in a bad mood. I’ll take you back to your dormitory.”
He restarted the car engine and glanced at her.
“Just because a man takes you to his car doesn’t mean that he wants to be intimate with you.”
Elena did not say anything; she nodded and responded softly, “Mmm.”
It was a rare occasion where Elena had no response for him. Henry drove his car back onto the road. Elena looked out the window, and her heart tugged in knots. She could not calm down.
The atmosphere in the car was awkward as both of them were silent. Henry was about to turn up the music when Elena’s mobile phone rang. Her hand trembled when she saw the caller ID; it was the old madam! Michael’s grandmother rarely used the phone, but Elena had memorized her number from her past life.
“Grandmother,” Elena said softly as she picked up the call.
The old madam at the other end of the phone sounded agitated.
“Elena, why… Why did Michael announce in the newspaper that he had dissolved his engagement to you? Was it because of Ava?”
The old madam coughed twice. Perhaps she had talked too fast. She took a moment to catch her breath before she squeezed the phone tight.
“Is it because Ava’s stay at the WongRiver Pavilion? If you are unhappy about that, I can get her to move in with me. I won’t let her disturb you both, okay?
“Elena, Michael is a good boy. Please don’t get angry with him. Michael would be a good husband for you…”
Elena’s nose twitched, but she pretended to be calm and smiled at the phone.
“Grandmother, Eldest Young Master Williams, and I don’t have feelings for each other. We only got engaged so that you’d be happy.
“I realized that I don’t love Eldest Young Master Williams, and he has no feelings for me. We won’t be happy if we are forced to be together.”
“Elena, I know that you like Michael. You won’t be able to lie to me.”
The old madam was upset. Ava was her granddaughter. She should be happy that she was with Michael, as she had initially intended. However, what about Elena? She had been dumped so openly, could she find happiness in her future?
Even though Elena was not her granddaughter, she still loved her. It was difficult to retract one’s love once it had been poured unconditionally. The old madam was also upset at the thought of someone mistreating Elena.
“Elena, where are you now? I would like to see you. I really want to see you.”
She was afraid that Elena would never visit her again at the Williams’s mansion because of Michael.
“Elena, don’t you want to see me?”
“Grandmother, it’s so late now, you should be resting!”
Even if she wanted to see the old madam, she would not dare to go to her at that late hour. She could always visit her the next day. However, the old madam had insisted. She was terrified that Elena would never visit her again.
“You can come and sleep at my place for one night. Let Grandmother accompany you.”
Elena was a little embarrassed. The old madam was afraid that she was still upset because Michael had dumped her. No matter Elena’s explanations, the old madam insisted on seeing her. Eventually, Elena had to agree to see her that night.
“Going to the Williams’s?” Henry did not deliberately eavesdrop on her conversation. How could he not hear it when she was just beside him?
“Mmm.” Elena nodded and looked at him. “Is it convenient? Otherwise…”
Henry cut into the left lane, made a U-turn, and then they were on their way toward the Williams’s mansion. Elena bought some sportswear at a small shop along the way and changed into it.
When she got into the car again, she looked more relaxed with the sporty look. It was completely different from her sexy and alluring look. She let go of her hair and then tied it into a chic ponytail. It was true that a beautiful lady would look good in anything. His big brother had not lied when he claimed that she was a beautiful girl.
Henry drove his car into the Williams’s family compound and stopped in front of the main building. The valet opened the door for Elena as Henry asked, “Do you need me to wait for you?”
“No, there are plenty of drivers here. I’ll get someone to send me back later.”
Second Young Master Sharp was a busy man. She felt guilty that she had taken so much of his time. Henry did not say anything, but he waved and beckoned for her to go.
Elena missed the old madam, so she did not waste any more time with him. She strode hurriedly toward the back of the house. The old master was probably not home that night. Otherwise, the old madam would not be allowed to stay up that late.
The old madam had waited for them at the living hall. When she heard footsteps from outside, the old madam looked up and saw a girl appeared in her peripheral vision.
She looked so immaculate, radiant, pure, and perfect! The old madam stared at her for a few moments before her breathing labored.
“Talia! Talia! You are back! You are finally home!”