Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 239

Chapter 239

he remark made Sutton flush; only then did he realise why Eliza’s smile had been so thin.

veryone at the table read their own meaning into the words, yet they all raised their glasses to Medea with practiced enthusiasm.

candals? Failed projects?

lone of it mattered as long as Calvin kept signing the cheques.

ven President Klein–the man who had stood them up twice–was here tonight.

hat was why Sutton had sighed that Calvin treated Medea “better than words can say“.

ideed, few men at the table could swear they would show the same loyalty to their own partners.

ledea herself made no mention of past no–shows of Klein; instead she magnanimously toasted the tardy guest.

he message was clear: with Calvin around, she could not be toppled.

he lifted her glass as hostess and welcomed the room.

Imost every name in Washington’s business circles was gathered; news travelled faster than the wine.

ithin minutes Eliza saw the photos on a CEO’s Facebook feed.

›meone had already christened the dinner:

he Gold–Candea Banquet.”

ea from Medea, Can from Calvin–high–literary couple–name, impossible not to ship.

More she closed Facebook she noticed Calvin had liked the post.

e seemed satisfied with the new portmanteau.

ackily she’d never deleted him after that perfunctory “add friend“; otherwise she’d have missed the fresh news.

he smaled to herself–quietly, happily.

ector caught it. “What’s so funny?”

Cothing, important.”

se could hardly say she was shipping her ex with his current fiancée,

ector, every inch the gentleman, let it drop and regaled her with stories from his grass roots inspection tour the week before.

e was a born raconteur, she laughed again.

he meal flew by in easy good humour

irs. Wade dropped in to inspect the restaurant, spotted Eliza and was about to greet her until the noticed the young man upquisite

he dialled her son on the spot.

laxter was in a meeting.

Mum, I’m busy–call later.”

10.39

Chapter 239

‘Call later and you’ll be drinking Eliza’s wedding wine.”

???”

le ducked out of the workshop to a quiet corner. “What do you mean, wedding? She’s getting married?”

If you don’t hurry up you’ll be toasting her groom.”

Mum, you scared me! What exactly did you see?”

I’ve sent the photo–look for yourself.”

he shot was art–house quality: soft light, leaning–in postures–pure rom–com poster.

ven Baxter thought they looked like a couple.

e stared at the picture, then posted it in the small clique–chat and tagged Calvin.

Are Eliza and Hector a thing now?”

he first to surface was the perennially Josh:

Looks like work to me.”

ext, Gideon: “Could be more than work. They’re both single, after all.”

alvin replied last: “Normal either way.”

he off–hand tone made the others wince.

e really didn’t care, exactly as if there had never been anything between him and Eliza.

edea waited until Calvin spoke, then flicked in:

Ve haven’t met up in ages. When we’re all back in Washington let’s get together.”

Ideon jumped first: “I’m free any time.”

axter and Josh, for form’s sake, typed “ok“,

edea then messaged Gideon privately: “Want in on the superconductor project?”

the past he would have thrown money blindly, but now he hedged.

Medea, I’d love to, but you know I’ve got zero say in Kallis Medical–can’t make the call.”

er eyes cooled. She reminded him, “Last I checked, Kallis Medical is surnamed Kallis, nat Grant”

he moment the merger moved half a step forward Eliza rang Mrs. Vega.

his time Vega answered.

le told herMrs. Vega was in hospital

he words slammed into her.

You know part of it already.” he went on.

She told me breast cancer.”

10:28

Chapter 239

That’s only half. She has severe heart disease–can’t risk surgery.”

liza’s mind went white.

lo wonder Mrs. Vega kept saying she was running out of time.

he wanted to offer comfort, encouragement–anything–but her throat locked.

BroadTech is the last thing she cares about. Please, Eliza.”

I will,” she whispered.

he call left her hollow long after it ended.

hen Belle crept in–three days AWOL, tiptoeing like a burglar.

liza sat on the balcony in the dark.

ssuming she was asleep, Belle exhaled–until the lamp snapped on.

Explain where you’ve been.”

esus–you scared me!” Belle’s knees almost buckled.

he was already feeling guilty and on high alert, so when Eliza suddenly spoke up, it scared her half to death.

liza turned on the light directly, her sharp eyes fixed intently on her.

he sense of pressure was overwhelming.

he longer Eliza stared, the more guilty Belle felt.

er head was practically shrinking into her shoulders, but she refused to back down verbally.

Went to North Mountain Church with my grandma to pray.”

Grandma? Never heard of her.”

Seighbour granny, technically.”

o prove it she produced a peace talisman. “See? Got one for you too.”

liza recognised the yellow pouch–she had an identical one in her car.

elle wheedled, “I prayed for a long time -my legs are hurt and you Interrogate me?”

liza didn’t answer, turning, to walk toward the other side.

Where are you going? Aren’t you going to take care of me?”

The first aid kit!”

Oh.” Belle perked up again, quickly lying down on the sofa, waiting for 1liza to tend to her wounds.

As Eliza cleaned the wound on her knee, Belle hissed in pain, “Be gentler It hurts so much!

“Why did you have to go begging for this? Climbing 99 steps to get a blessing charm in this season are you trying to rule your knees?”

Belle made a surprised sound. “How did you know there were 99 steps?”

Eliza fell silent.

10.30

Chapter 299

Realizing what had happened. Belle started cursing, That bastard Young is really something else!”

dra asked her to switch legs but noticed suspicious marks near her inner thigh. Why are there red marks on your inner thigh?”

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