That was Francis’s voice. He sounded indignant, and Elena was stunned. Eldest Young Master Williams… Did they mean Michael? Why did Michael say that he wanted her? She had always been Michael’s woman! Joseph was also very angry, but he was more reserved with his feelings as compared to Francis.
“That’s what he said.” When he thought about Michael’s casual expression when he made that request, Joseph had an urge to smoke.
“No way! That bastard! We can’t give Elena to him!” Francis punched the wall. The Garcia family would never trade their women for the sake of gains and glory!
Joseph turned around, looked at the distant sky, and lightly said, “I didn’t agree.”
Francis knew that his eldest cousin brother would never agree to such an unreasonable condition. However, Joseph must have been exhausted during those days. Even though Francis was not part of it, he could tell.
As he stood behind Joseph, Francis could feel that he carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. It was a burden of the entire Garcia family. Francis hated himself. He had been reluctant to be part of Garcia Corporation, so he was not much help at such a difficult time.
“Brother Joseph, when Grandfather got you into Garcia Corporation, did you… Did you ever resist it?”
There was one thing that Francis remembered vividly. From an early age, he knew that Joseph liked to paint. Joseph’s dream was to become a painter. As for Francis, he was used to a carefree life. There were many things that he wanted to do, but business was not one of his interests. Therefore, he had been very frank with his grandfather and confessed that he did not want to work at Garcia Corporation. What about Brother Joseph? Francis had not heard about Joseph’s dreams after they grew up.
“Why should I resist?” Joseph looked at him as if he was a child who had not grown up. Joseph was only a year older than Francis.
“But…”
“Besides, you have rebelled against the family’s arrangement. What am I supposed to do about it?”
Joseph smiled, but he had a lot on his mind those days. He looked dejected even when he laughed.
“It was only you and me who could have taken over Grandfather’s work. If both of us left, Grandfather would be so furious that he might…”
The word ‘die’ seemed unlucky in their situation.
Joseph did not finish his sentence. He looked at the time and said, “If you have nothing to do, stay and watch over them. I still have something to do. I will leave now.”
Francis knew that his cousin had to deal with a lot of things.
He nodded. “Go on and work hard. I’ll watch over the women at home.”
“Alright.”
Joseph could rest assured when there was a man at home.
“Take care of Elena. We must take good care of her health.”
Even though Francis did not think that there was a need to take extra care of Elena’s young and healthy body, he knew that Joseph must have had a reason to say that.
He nodded. “I know. Don’t worry.”
Joseph glanced at the door in the distance. Even though he was uneasy, he had to leave. Since he could not seek help from Michael, he would have to go back to his original plan: to communicate with the company’s board of directors.
Someone had tried to acquire Garcia Corporation’s shares, so he got his people to buy however much they could get their hands on. Despite the high price that they offered, they were not as fast as that person. Someone wanted to get their hands on Garcia Corporation. They thought it was Michael, but he was not Ava’s partner. They were still confused about it, and that person seemed talented and seamless!
After Joseph left, Francis was about to go back to his grandfather’s ward when he saw a slender figure around the corner.
“Elena?” Francis froze. He met her gaze and then looked at the direction that Joseph had left.
Suddenly, he felt anxious. “Elena, when did you come by? Just now…”
“I heard everything that I needed to hear.” There was no expression on Elena’s face. She had disguised her shock and confusion.
“So, Michael said that he wants me?”
“No… No, you must have heard it wrong. How is that possible?”
Francis’s smile went stiff. Joseph wanted to keep the matter from the women in their family. How would they know that Elena would overhear their conversation?
He smiled at her and tried to lie to her. “Brother Joseph said that you used to know Eldest Young Master Williams. They are all from Bentson.”
“Second Cousin Brother, is there a point to lie to me now?”
Elena walked forward to face Francis’s uneasy smile. “I heard your conversation. Michael said that he wants me as an exchange.”
There was not much expression on her face. She was so calm that it did not look like something someone her age could manage, but she did it.
“Elena…”
“What did Brother Joseph plan to discuss with Eldest Young Master Williams? What was the thing that they wanted in exchange?”
She blamed herself. She had been too engrossed in the search for her grandfather and stayed by his side after he was found. She had utterly neglected the affairs in Garcia Corporation. She thought that she did not know much and would not be much help to them at all. She felt as long as Joseph was there, the matter would be resolved eventually.
Nonetheless, she had forgotten that Michael was very likely one of Joseph’s opponents. Joseph was an influential figure in City L, but he might not stand a chance against Eldest Young Master Williams. Elena had never seen Michael lost a battle in his business dealings—not in her previous life, nor the new one. Furthermore, there was also the mysterious force behind Ava!
Francis hesitated. He did not know if he should spill the beans. Joseph would not want him to say anything more about it, but it seemed as if Elena would not give up so easily.
He sighed and looked at Elena. Then, he asked, “You and Michael…”
“I was his woman. We were together before. Then we went separate ways, and then…”
She bit her lower lip. It was a disgrace, but why should she bother to hide it since things had developed to that stage?
“Then, for some reason, I am still his woman… No, to be specific, I’m just his toy.”
“Elena!” Francis had a stern look on his face. How could she say such a thing about herself?
However, Elena was calm about the statement she had made.
She met Francis’s gaze and smiled. “That is a fact, and there is nothing for me to hide. Second Cousin Brother, tell me. What does Brother Joseph want to talk to Eldest Young Master Williams about? What did he want in exchange from Eldest Young Master Williams?”