Marriage Resumption (Valeria and Hackett)

Chapter 270

Elsie was momentarily caught off guard. They had been engaged in a casual conversation, and he broached the subject of marriage out of the blue.

Though she had once yearned to wed Kaden, now... it seemed that the desire to marry him had lost some of its intensity.

"I mean, let's tie the knot. Hackett has kept his word, the engagement banquet is off, and Valeria is hack. With everyone's attention diverted, why don't we secretly get married?"

Kaden couldn't contain his impatience any longer. If they waited any longer, it felt like even a cooked duck would have time to take flight.

"L.. isn't that a bit rash? Clayton would be furious if he found out, and... Furthermore, her eagerness to marry wasn't as genuine now. Or perhaps marrying Kaden held a different appeal than it once did. "And besides what, Elsie? Are you trying to say you no longer want to be with me?"

"... I'm not saying that. It's just that... my family is in turmoil now, and I don't have the emotional bandwidth to consider my affairs. She was reluctant to admit the change in her heart, yet the truth appeared to be undeniable At that moment, approaching footsteps echoed through the garden, hinting at someone's stroll.

Elsie appeared frantic. "Kaden, you've got to leave right now. Clayton and the others are heading this way. He'll be furious if he catches you here."

"Elsie. 1.."

"Whatever you have to say, save it for a phone call. Please, Kaden, go!" Elsie pleaded desperately, glancing back at the approaching group, drawing nearer by the moment.

Once, she had been willing to defy Clayton, eager to be with Kaden. But now, fear had taken hold. She dreaded Clayton's reaction, worried he might sever ties with her.

Kaden still hoped to make a good impression on Clayton as a prospective son-in-law. He silently retreated and slipped away with no other option.

"This is our family's garden. When you were just a child, you had a special fondness for the camellia tree. Loretta insisted on keeping that tree just for you, anticipating your return. Clayton reminisced.

Valeria gazed at the picturesque scenery but could not recollect anything from her early years before age five.

At that moment, Mrs. Maddox noticed Elsie standing there and spoke up. "Elsie, why are you standing here by yourself? Are you still upset? Valeria just returned, and I got a little carried away, but I didn't intend to neglect you."

Maddox approached and gently

Elsie momentarily and then looked up

little huff in her mind, appreciating that Alex had some

Alex suddenly quipped, "She shed tears because she caught

Tue, Nov 15

Chapter 270

statement left everyone present momentarily

Hackett couldn't help but crack a

age against Elsie.

nasty talk? Who's crying over their looks? You're the one who's shed tears over your appearance!" Elsie felt her anger reaching a boiling point. Was tids child a predestined adversary, chosen by fate

of frustration. "Why are you

felt even more aggrieved, her defiance clear. "Child? Can children go around calling others ugly! Why

tension. "Alex, that's not acceptable. You can't just

Alex, who cheekily

it's not right to speak

Anyone who vies for daddy's attention with mommy is a troublemaker!" Alex declared with an air of arrogance, showing no sign of

silence, and they all understood why Alex harbored such

Elsie

no words left, realizing that her past kindergarten anties had left a negative impression on

getting late. We should head

silently yearned for her to stay the night, yet he hesitated to speak too much,

Why don't you stay over tonight? We have plenty of empty rooms in

she had grown so close to Valeria, and she couldn't

warm smile but politely declined. I'm sorry, but I have some commitments tomorrow, and besides, Alex has his

plenty of time in the future. Tomorrow, I'm planning