Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 Tessa Was Right

Tessa didn’t even bother to ask if Eloise was okay with it. She just grabbed Eloise’s arm and pulled her along.

Felice and Bertha huddled together, watching the three of them head into the elevator.

“What’s going on?” Felice asked.

“Seriously, it’s one thing for Ms. Hayes to ask Eloise out for dinner, but now she’s bringing Mr. Hayes along too?

“Wasn’t she the one who couldn’t stand Mr. Hayes? I thought she hated him, like, really hated him,” Bertha added.

“Who knows? I can’t figure it out,” Felice replied.

There was a high-end restaurant right downstairs from Hayes Group. Tessa grabbed Eloise by the arm and dragged her inside.

Eloise pulled her hand away. “Ms. Hayes, I’ll walk on my own.”

Tessa pouted but let her go.

When they sat down, Tessa nudged Eloise right into the seat next to Beckett. “Eloise, you sit next to Beckett,” Tessa said.

Beckett didn’t say a word. He just poured Eloise a glass of water.

Tessa looked them over. “Eloise, Beckett’s really sweet to you.”

Eloise paused for a moment. “Mr. Hayes is always a gentleman.”

“Really? He only acts like a gentleman around you. He’s definitely not like that with Giavanna. Right, Beckett?” Tessa said.

Beckett just took a sip of water and didn’t say a word.

Tessa just shrugged it off. “Beckett, you don’t care about Giavanna at all. It’s Eloise you like. I know it.”

Eloise stared at Tessa in shock, couldn’t believe Tessa just blurted it out like that.

Even though Eloise already knew how Beckett felt, neither of them had ever brought it up. She just kept acting clueless.

But now that Tessa had said it out loud, Eloise couldn’t keep up the act anymore. She ga awkward glance.

an

Beckett just kept sipping his water, not saying a word.

Eloise finally spoke up. “Ms. Hayes, that’s not true. Please don’t say things like that. Ms. Jenkins and Mr. Hayes are about to get engaged. Don’t let Giavanna get the wrong idea.”

Tessa grinned. “Eloise, be brave. Don’t be scared. I’ll help you deal with Giavanna. You like Beckett, and he likes you too. You two should be together. Forget what everyone else thinks.”

Eloise said, “Ms. Hayes, Mr. Hayes and I are just boss and employee. Please don’t say things like that.”

Tessa grinned. “Hey, relax, it’s just us here. No need to hide anything. Quit pretending.”

Eloise had had enough. With Beckett still silent, she got up. “I need to go. You guys enjoy your meal.”

Tessa didn’t try to stop her.

Eloise slipped out of the high-end restaurant, rounded the corner, and found a quiet pasta place nearby. She ordered a plate of pasta and ate quietly by herself.

Back at the high-end restaurant, Tessa asked, “Seriously, Beckett, why didn’t you go after Eloise? You just let her leave?”

Beckett set his glass down and shot her a cold look. “What are you trying to pull?”

Tessa grinned. “Just trying to play matchmaker for you and Eloise.”

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Chapter 78 Tessa Was Right

“Tessa, can you stop already?” Beckett said, his tone frosty.

Tessa let out a cold laugh. “Come on, don’t tell me you don’t like Eloise. I’m just helping you chase after the girl you want.

“Eloise is totally your type. She’s gorgeous and sweet. You should just marry her. Or how about you two secretly get married? That’ll make Giavanna back off for good.”

Beckett didn’t even bother to reply. He just got up and walked away.

Eloise was halfway through her pasta when Beckett slid into the seat across from her.

“Hey, can I get what she’s having?” Beckett called out to the owner.

Eloise looked up. “Mr. Hayes, why didn’t you stay at the fancy place?”

Beckett shrugged. “I lose my appetite eating with people I dislike.”

Eloise just pressed her lips together, lowered her head, and kept eating her pasta without another word.

Beckett’s gaze lingered on the crown of her head. Eloise had thick, glossy hair. “Eloise, about what Tessa said… ” he started.

Eloise cut him off. “Mr. Hayes, don’t worry about it. I didn’t take it to heart. Tessa just doesn’t want you to marry Giavanna.

“She’s worried that if you get the Jenkins family’s backing, you’ll end up getting control of Hayes Group, so she’ s just causing drama.”

“Eloise, Tessa was right. I like you,” Beckett said, his voice steady but sincere.

Eloise stared at him, lost for words.

Beckett went on, “I want to be with you. I meant every word I said to you that day. But my dad, because Grayson was putting pressure on him, tried to keep us apart.

“He wanted to transfer you out and even tried to set me up with Giavanna. I had no choice but to back down.” ‘Grayson? Eloise never imagined he had anything to do with this,’ she thought, stunned.

She was silent for a moment, then looked up. “I’ve been acting like I didn’t know. Why did you have to say it out loud?”

Beckett met her gaze, steady and honest. “I don’t want to hide anymore. I just wanted you to know how I feel.” Eloise sighed. “So what if I know? Forget about you leaving the Hayes family. Even if y

you. We’re never going to happen.”

Beckett looked wounded. “Wow, that’s blunt.”

“Mr. Hayes, you’ve always known that, haven’t you?” Eloise replied.

I just don’t like

Beckett lowered his head, his hair shadowing his face, masking whatever he was feeling. Of course he knew that Eloise’s heart belonged to Grayson. Jealousy ate at him, driving him crazy.

He asked quietly, “Eloise, if I let go of everything about the Hayes family, would you think about being with me?”

“No,” Eloise replied, her voice clear and unwavering.

Beckett managed a sad little smile. He’d known all along. But he just couldn’t give up; he had to ask anyway. Eloise set her fork down. “Mr. Hayes, when things were really tough for me, you gave me a chance and helped me so much. Working with you has honestly been a good time.

“Now that you’re back in Ekloland, I know you’ll keep doing amazing. As for me, I think it’s time I said goodbye. I’ve been thinking about leaving for a while, and I guess I’m finally saying it.

“I’ll submit my resignation when I get back. Please sign off on it, Mr. Hayes.”

Beckett looked up sharply. “Eloise, don’t quit. I still need you.”

Eloise gave him a small smile. “Mr. Hayes, Felice and Bertha are both great. You can trust them, or just bring someone new on board.”

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Chapter 76 Tessa Was Right

“No one else is as dependable as you. Eloise, I’m not asking you to be with me. Just stay, alright?’ Beckett said, sounding genuinely hopeful.

“Mr. Hayes…” Eloise hesitated.

“How about this? Stick around until I marry Giavanna. Once my spot at Hayes Group is locked in, you can quit if you want.

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