More Than A Favor

Chapter 108

Ces

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I stayed silent and just listened, not wanting to upset Ashton by saying the wrong thing. My thoughts drifted to my own parents‘ car accident. Had it truly been an accident, or was there something more sinister behind it? I was too young at the time to understand the details. Ethan had handled everything, and perhaps he was the only one who knew the truth. I decided I’d ask him when we saw him later.

Ashton didn’t say another word since I wasn’t speaking either, and the silence stretched between us as

we continued the drive.

When we arrived at the Mercer estate, the automatic gate recognized my car, and I was able to drive straight into the yard.

The housekeeper, Tina, was outside. When she spotted us, she greeted me warmly. “Elaine, you’re back! Let me inform Mr. and Mrs. Mercer right away.”

“There’s no need, Tina. I’ll head inside myself,” I replied with a smile.

Her gaze flicked to Ashton as he stepped out of the car and walked over to my side. I could see the curiosity in her expression, so I looped my arm through his and introduced him. “Tina, this is my boyfriend, Ashton.”

Even though Tina was the housekeeper, she’d been with the Mercers longer than I had and was close to Tessa. It was important to put on a convincing show for her, too.

Ashton nodded politely. “Hello, Tina.”

“Hello,” she replied, though her tone betrayed her disapproval.

In everyone’s eyes, I was still supposed to be Logan’s fiancée. It was only natural for them to feel uneasy seeing me with another man. Tina’s reaction was just the beginning–I’d have to face Ethan

and Tessa’s reactions next.

I ignored the tension and walked toward the main hall with Ashton by my side.

Even before entering, I could hear Tessa’s sharp voice criticizing Ethan. “You’re great at being a chairman and managing thousands of employees, but you can’t even manage your own sons! Both of them are nothing but troublemakers!”

Ethan remained silent, and I could imagine him pretending to be deaf, likely burying himself in his phone or a magazine.

“Tessa, are you pretending I’m invisible again?” she snapped, her voice rising in frustration.

Even though they loved each other deeply, bickering between them wasn’t uncommon. But something must have upset Tessa more than usual to make her this angry today.

I respond, you’ll just nag me even more,” Ethan finally replied, his tone casual.

“I

and raised them, and now I’m just a nuisance? Ethan, you’re a scoundrel! Don’t you dare touch me!

witness Tessa sitting on Ethan’s lap, trying to

froze in the doorway, unsure whether

washed over me. Here we were, pretending to be a couple,

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display of genuine affection between

it. It was better to avoid them for now.

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back away, Tessa’s dog barked excitedly at me. I’d spent a lot of time with it during my stay at the Mercer estate, and it seemed it hadn’t

when he noticed Ashton and me standing at the door, his face flushed briefly with embarrassment. He quickly

muttered,

to me. “Elaine, you’re back! Have you eaten

lied, realizing only then that I hadn’t

eaten.

don’t you ever come home for dinner?” Tessa chided softly. Although she seemed

him–she was simply expressing her discomfort in

finally acknowledged Ashton. “You must be Elaine’s

arm gently. He responded smoothly, “Hello, Mrs. Mercer.

a curt nod. “You’re a friend of Elaine’s,

seat by then. I walked over to him and handed him the gift I’d brought. “Happy

smile as he accepted the gift. Then,

Mr. Mercer,” Ashton

“Have a

called for Tina to bring coffee and fruit. As we settled into our seats, I could feel Tessa wat ching Ashton

you can skip the party just because you brought Ethan his gift early. He and I won’t allow

and see through my plan to avoid the

so easily. I smiled and replied, “Of course not. Ashton and I will

making it clear that if I attended, Ashton would be by

There will be many outstanding young men at the party. A