Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

So that’s why he’d paid such a high price for the painting–he meant it as a gift to curry favor with Grayson on Medea’s behalf.

No wonder he’d been so generous.

“But you don’t have to take it out on the painting. It’s expensive. Throwing it away is such a waste.” Eliza only felt sorry for the artwork.

Then you deal with it. List it on a secondhand site for one dollars, get it out of my sight.”

Grayson truly despised it. If Eliza hadn’t come over, by tomorrow it probably would’ve been in the dump.

That’s too much of a loss.”

Loss? I was going to toss it anyway. If it brings in one dollars, that’s profit.”

Sometimes Eliza just couldn’t fathom rich people’s logic.

she could tell Grayson really would throw it away.

io she offered a middle ground: “Uncle Young, how about this? I’ll find a professional appraiser to value the painting. Whatever it’s worth, I’ll pay you.”

You like it? Then just take it.” Grayson barely thought about it.

liza had expected that. “No. I’ll only buy it. If you give it to me, I won’t take it. And with my solution, you’d still be at a loss–it’s basically the same as gifting it.”

Grayson knew her temperament. If it was a gift, she’d never accept.

o he compromised. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

fter she’d kept him company over a cup of calming tea, Eliza got up to leave.

fancy had also packed her plenty of food along with the medicine–fruit, fresh shrimp wontons, other easy–to–fix meals and reminded her not to just subsist on nstant noodles. “It’s not healthy,”

liza felt embarrassed. Every time she came, she ate and left with things,

ut Nancy was delighted. “Eliza, come more often when you have time. Whenever you’re here, Mr. Young eats more and is in better spirits.”

Okay.” Fliza agreed readily.

it the door, Nancy kept fussing, telling her to drive safe.

Don’t see me off,” Eliza said, and stepped outside, only to freeze in shock.

What the-

How was Calvin here?

ike seeing a ghost.

Grayson was surprised too.

‘Calv? What are you doing here?”

Nancy was genuinely pleased to see him.

Calvin’s expression shifted quickly from startled to his usual cool detachment. “I came to pick up medicine.”

‘Oh, but I haven’t brewed it yet,” Nancy said anxiously.

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Chapter 158

Just give it to me. I’ll have someone decoct it.”

I’d rather do it myself. What I made earlier should last you till tomorrow. Come back then.”

Okay.”

liza heard everything, and suspicion rose.

alvin was sick?

ut she didn’t ask. She was ready to leave–when his voice stopped her.

Eliza, wait. I need to talk to you.”

he had no interest in any dealings with him and was about to refuse.

ut Calvin’s face was serious. “It’s important.”

even he called it important, then it must be.

Eliza waited outside.

e stepped in, said a couple of words to Grayson, and came back out–not even a full minute later, hasty as anything.

What is it?” Eliza asked. “Say it.”

Let’s talk outside,” Calvin said, not wanting his father to hear.

he followed him out of the estate. Once outside, he spoke before she could.

‘m getting engaged.”

iza: “???”

or a moment, she really wanted to throw everything in her hands straight at his face.

hat was the “important” matter? Was he insane?

efore she could erupt, Calvin added, “My father opposes the marriage and refuses to attend the engagement. I can’t force him–not with his health as it is. ancy says he barely eats, sits in a daze, his spirits so low. So I thought-”

You want me to persuade Uncle Young to attend your engagement banquet?”

liza looked at him like he was deranged.

e paused. “No. I just hope you can spend more time with him. Right now he listens only to you and Nancy.”

You don’t need to say it.”

he had already promised Nancy.

And…” His eyes lifted, cold and indistinct, pupils douded “My father may act rashly. On my engagement day could you be with him?

Your fiancée already sent me an invitation,” Eliza reminded him

Ignore it.”

Of course. Medea was eager for her big day. She wouldn’t want unwanted faces there. Sending the invite had been nothing but a victor’s show of triumph

liza had never intended to go anyway.

Waste of her time and her money.

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Chapter 158

Calvin, ever thoughtful of Medea.

Anything else? Say it now.”

Eliza glanced at the time as if unwilling to spend another second near him.

My father…” His lashes lowered; his voice was unreadable. “I’ll entrust him to you.”

hat made Eliza frown.

Why did it sound like he was arranging hospice care?

le was just getting engaged, not dying.

he didn’t get it. Not at all.

Even now you’re outsourcing your filial duty? He’s your father. No matter what I do, I can’t take your place.” Eliza felt she’d wasted enough time on this man.

gain. A total waste.

And if your father is so against it, why insist on going through with the engagement now?”

Vas he really that desperate to marry Medea?

orget it. You couldn’t reason with a love–blind fool.

Whatever. As long as you’re happy.” Eliza cut him off and walked away.

his time, Calvin didn’t stop her. He only stood still, watching her figure retreat. Something stormed through his chest, heavy and violent. His eyes grew dark,

hadowed.

When Eliza got home, Nancy messaged to ask if she’d arrived safely, and reminded her to refrigerate the fruit and freeze the wontons.

he did as told.

While sipping her herbal medicine, she remembered something and asked Nancy, “By the way, why’s Calvin taking Chinese medicine too? Is he sick?”

Oh, just a cold that weakened his system. He’s been coughing for a while. Western medicine didn’t help, so he’s been on a TCM regimen.”

liza had vaguely heard he’d been ill–she hadn’t realized it had lasted this long.

and still, even like this, all he could think about was marrying his so–called first love.

rue love really was invincible.

the no longer suspected possession.

Now she suspected Medea had cast some spell.

Or maybe carried some “irresistible heroine” system.

Otherwise, how could she explain it? Why Calvin would defy his sick father, ignore family and career, and still chatge headlong into this engagement?

Abandoning everything. For love.