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

be so reckless?” Iris’s face paled.

“Weren’t you desperate

Joycelyn’s wire turned to glass “Better my choice than being sold like caule”

forcing her to endure, give in, and suffer in silence, Looking back now, she could see how her blind devotion to filial duty

left the Mercers reeling.

Octavia recovered first. “He raised you, even if you’re not his

watching her golden payday

“Get divorced you can’t pay

Mon, Feb

Chapter 14

under Ellison’s measured gaze, looking away

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smoothly. “Luckily, my wife

Iris stared

you-

is, Joycelyn cut her off smoothly. “He may not have money, but he treats me well, so don’t worry.” She added with subtle bite, “Besides, isn’t this what everyone wanted? Me married off?”

here for money anyway, she thought strategically. Better

so damn shameless about living off a woman

me something.

kept man” role while the Mercers sputtered, outmaneuvered

take it–but pay the marriage gift to your mother, one hundred seventy thousand dollars. And we won’t give

yesterday’s prospect. Perfect match.” Joycelyn

with innate grace, his aristocratic bearing incongruous in the

really abandon your mother?” Iris stumbled forward, shoved

new family

know where you work, Joycelyn!” Phineas shouted as he followed them out.

him mid–step.

into the elevator, leaving the apament behind

the Mercers‘ faces turned