Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

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“Well, well,” Phineas scoffed. “Turning down a man with a house and six–figure engagement gift for this pretty boy? You’ve lost your mind, Joycelyn.”

Despite Ellison’s commanding presence, Phineas had convinced himself he faced just another nobody. His fear morphed into contempt.

“Watch out, Joycelyn. Men like him always turn abusive, Octavia chimed in, twisting the knife.

Ellison’s arctic stare pierced Octavia’s facade, making her stumble back.

Ellison wiped his hand fastidiously after touching Cedric, then stroked Joycelyn’s hair with surprising gentleness. “It’s okay. I’m here now. Where does it hurt?”

Joycelyn pressed against him like a lifeline, voice cracking. Just bruises. But they took my phone and purse.”

“Return them.” Ellison addressed the group before him, his tone brooking no argument.

Cedric practically threw the items at them.

“Listen here, boy, Phineas’s bluster had dimmed but hadn’t died Marriage to her comes with a steep price tag engagement gift plus raising expenses, totaling 240 thousand doars. Got that kind of cash?”

“Fine, I’ll sell everything I own.” Ellison passed Joycelyn her purse with theatrical gravity.

The Mercers‘ eyes gleamed with greed while Joycelyn clutched Ellison’s shirt, silently begging him to stop.

“Though that’s an interesting demand,” Ellison said smoothly, since my wife’s birth father passed away years ago. If anyone deserves such a generous sum, it would be him–not the stepfather who’s trying to sell her off

Their faces darkened as his mockery registered. Only Joycelyn relaxed, recognizing his game.

Ellison seated Joycelyn carefully before taking his own chair, legs crossed elegantly as he surveyed the wolves in their den

“You’re married?” Iris’s shock colored her voice, “When?”

Joycelyn replied calmly.

be so reckless?” Iris’s face paled.

“Weren’t you desperate

off?” Joycelyn’s wire turned to glass “Better my choice than being sold

silence, Looking back now, she could see how her blind devotion to

bombshell left

even if you’re not his own blood.

from watching her golden payday

house? No car?” Lyra’s words dripped venom, “Get divorced you can’t pay

Feb

Chapter 14

looking away like a

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said smoothly. “Luckily, my wife atrepts me. I bought her

words detonated like a bomb. The Mercers exploded in outrage while Iris stared in disbelief at having such an unreasonable son–in–law. Her

how could you- Iris began.

he treats me well, so don’t

all just here for money anyway, she thought strategically. Better to let Ellison fight fire with

shameless about living

me something. When have you ever given my mother

his kept man” role

to your mother, one hundred

daughter to yesterday’s prospect. Perfect match.” Joycelyn stood,

aristocratic bearing incongruous in the

abandon your mother?” Iris stumbled forward, shoved by her husband.

new family Joycelyn marched out without

shouted as he followed them out. “Pay up, or we’ll make

froze him

into the

faces turned ugly with thwarted