Chapter 160
“I’m here to help you, but this tone you’re using when you speak to me doesn’t quite sit well,” the figure spoke to Elyse.
His towering figure blocked the light, making it impossible to see his face clearly. All that was left was the menacing sound of his voice, sending chills down Elyse’s spine.
She furrowed her brow, “So, Mr. Albert from earlier…”
“Smart.” The figure snapped his fingers, even this simple gesture exuding a malicious aura. “I made the call to Mr. Albert, using his family to threaten him to make him cooperate with you. So, how do you plan on showing gratitude for this favor?”
“Gratitude?” Elyse was far from grateful. Instead, she was fired up. “Who gave you the right to take matters into your own hands? I am who I am, Elyse Clayton.”
Whenever she remembered that she was merely Amelie’s stand-in, Elyse felt like her pride was trampled in the
mud.
It was nothing but humiliation!
Instead of becoming enraged as he listened to her words, the figure let out a low chuckle that was sarcastic and ironic, just like before.
Elyse was so frustrated that she was ready to start fuming. “It’s easy enough to say that you don’t want to be Big Eyes. All you have to do is tell Leo now that you are Elyse, not the Big Eyes that had been stuck in this run-down place with him for a year.”
Elyse sprang up from her bed when she heard those provocative words. “You think I won’t dare? Don’t underestimate me. Even without Leo, I, Elyse, can still live well.”
With that, she headed towards the door.
At this moment, she was finally being true to herself. The title of Amelie’s stand-in was a knife to her heart. The man didn’t stop her, and his voice was unwavering as he said, “Think carefully. Once you’re no longer Amelie’s stand-in, all the wrongs you’ve done will come to light, including what you did to Leo tonight with the spiked drink.”
Her steps forward felt like they were suddenly cursed, unable to move another inch. Elyse stiffened, letting the embarrassment wash over her. The courage that had just flared up was now gone, shrinking back to what it previously was.
The man approached her slowly, gently gripping her shoulder. “You’re a smart person and should understand the importance of this title. Oh, and don’t forget to use this title to tighten the leash on Leo. Never let him escape this cage.”
“What What’s your purpose?” Elyse wasn’t foolish, knowing the man wouldn’t help her for no reason.
He chuckled, his voice dark, making Elyse’s chest feel tight. “My purpose is not important. What’s important is that you’re dependent on Leo in every way right now, aren’t you? Without the title of the Big Eyes, why would Leo help you? Who do you think you are? To be blunt, with your current situation, even if you were to be a walk-on, it’s unlikely anyone would want you. Isn’t it because Leo is supporting you from behind that you’re still the glamorous Elyse Clayton?”
Those straightforward words hit Elyse like a barrage of arrows, piercing her with pain, embarrassment, and anger. Each word hit its mark, leaving her fuming. Then, in a fit of rage, she grabbed whatever she could find and hurled them at the person. But it was all nimbly dodged.
Elyse threw with every ounce of energy she had until she was gasping for air like a fish about to suffocate. Toward the end, she even had to use her hands to support herself.
Yet, the man had disappeared without a trace, slipping away unnoticed. She clenched her jaw, her eyes filled with a fiery hatred, which all finally coalesced into a determined resolve. She tightened her fists, ready to face whatever was to come.
The next day, Amelie woke up utterly exhausted. The previous evening had been spent in a grueling meeting with her legal team, followed by hours of online research that had bled into the wee hours of the morning. Given the looming court case, she had decided to stay put in the same house instead of returning to the city.
As she rubbed her tired eyes, thoughts of the pending trial filled her mind and a knot of anxiety formed in her gut. She had heard that Melissa had hired none other than the top divorce lawyer in town, the legendary Lori Walker, who was renowned for never losing a case of this nature. The thought only added to her already frayed
nerves.
As she peered into the mirror, she was not surprised to see dark circles under her eyes, a testament to her exhaustion. Nevertheless, it was not the weariness that scared her but the thought of losing custody of her child. The thought alone was like a hot iron branding her heart with pain.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her phone rang.
She assumed it was her company, so she immediately picked it up and put it to her ear.
The voice on the other end was polite, “Is this Miss Dillon? I am from Mr. Oconnell Law Firm. Our boss is very interested in your divorce case. Can we talk about it in detail?”
“Mr. Oconnell?” Amelie was momentarily stunned.
The name of the boss of Oconnell Law Firm, Mr. Oconnell, was on par with that of Lori Walker.
Mr. Oconnell isn’t intimidated by the Alstons’ influence and is willing to help me?
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