Chapter 5. His at fault

Lizzie

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I got home feeling defeated, but I will never give up. I will show him what I got. There's no way that he will win this. I have tried to escape all the means to marry him, yet here I am in this war again.

It's not yet over, Elizalde!

"I can't believe this, dad! Why did you lie?" I looked at my father, desperately looking for answers.

"I-I didn't know what was happening. I swear." He raised his right hand, looking at me innocently.

Okay, I believe my father. There's no way he will agree to this.

"I didn't know what are you talking about, my dearie. Is there something wrong with your meeting with Mr Miranda? What are his demands?"

I look at him suspiciously and grab his cold drink. I drink the whole bottle. I need to wake up from this dream. I hope this is just a dream, but it's not. It's a freaking nightmare!

I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and then faced him.

"Dad, the owner of the winning bid was no other than Elizalde El Del Real."

He blinked in astonishment and covered his mouth using his hand. My shoulder dropped. My father is innocent. He didn't know this. I was right. He's innocent. I know he was desperate to find a solution without even doing a background check on them.

"Oh, I see?" I turned away and sat down on his chair.

"How many bidders did we get, Dad?" I asked, trying to find a solution straight away. 

I will return the money to the highest bidder, Elizalde, and we will get the second bidder in place.

"We only got one, Lizzie."

My mouth parted.

Only one? One? Only him and no other? Huh, is he kidding me?

"That's the truth, my dearie. You can ask Samuel if you don't believe me."

Like me, my father's shoulders dropped, too, as I could read the expression on his face. It was like he was staring at an empty wall.

"No wonder they were so keen to get into the business. They even offered twice the price of what we put on the market. Hmm, how generous of him. And as always, Elizalde never fails to impress me," he proudly said.

My mouth twisted. Ugh, I hate it! But it feels like I have no other option.

"What does he want?"

"Ugh, what do you think?"

He smiled and shook his head. "That boy will never give up on you, Lizzie, and I love that. He's sincere and a fighter!"

My father's hand was raised in a shape of a ball as approval of that asshole.

I can't believe this!

"Gentleman, his ass," I mumbled and rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Liz, give him a chance. I know it's hard for you, but this is an advantage to our business. I'm happy to be tied back at them. I can't wait to tell this to your mother and - "

"Don't you dare, Dad!" I cut him off. "As much as possible, I don't want you to tell this to anyone. I haven't made up my mind yet. I will find a way to get out of this problem and give Elizalde back his money, for Pete's sake!"

He nodded calmly. "Okay. It's your decision and not mine. I'm sorry about this, my dearie. I hope I can be of any help, but the demands of our debts from different banks made me hopeless. My best solution is to sell everything, my dear, and I'm happy to do that."

I shut my eyes, and my hand fisted. It is easy for my father to say his piece, but I cannot give up some of my shares that belong to my late mother.

"I'll think about it, Dad. I have to go."

"Aren't you going to stay for dinner?"

"No, Dad, thank you. I need to see someone." I turned away, ready to get out of his library.

"Are you coming tomorrow night for dinner? I hope you didn't forget."

I took a deep breath and looked at him. "I will, Dad. I will see you tomorrow." I calmly said and faked my smile.

When I exited my dad's building, I dialed Mr. Jackson's number. He's our family adviser and lawyer. Whatever legal moves and decisions we were facing regarding the company and personal activities, we discussed them with him first. It's better to avoid making any mistakes.

I arrived at his office, and his secretary, Josephine, served me a can of Coke and a chocolate cupcake. It's tempting not to eat the cake. Mr. Jackson knows how to get me out of a diet.

I gobbled the chocolate cupcake in three goes and drank my Coke. Mr Jackson is still on the phone, talking to someone. I can hear him laughing. I couldn't see him. And here I am, waiting inside his office, eating some cupcakes. I ended up eating three pieces in size as big as my palm.

God, I was that hungry and didn't realize the time. It was past five o'clock in the afternoon.

That possessive jerk will pay for this. It's all his fault!

"Relax, calm down, and act like a professional adult, Liz," he advised and winked at me.

I was about to say a lot, but that didn't happen. So instead, I composed myself and acted according to what he just said. . . to be like a professional adult!

I was surprised that Mr Jackson knew everything. My father called him before I came here and explained the details. He was that person Mr Jackson talked to five minutes ago. And now, with nothing else to say, I have no choice but to listen with my mouth partly open! I regretted coming here.

"Thank goodness that was over!" My body slumps onto the soft mattress, feeling exhausted.

"That's what you get. Haven't you learned your lesson, Elizabeth? Lawyers and advisers are like that. To think Mr. Jackson does family counseling and everything. Do you even think of which side he will be on?"

I looked at Emma on the dressing table, straightening her hair. And from lying down, I sat on the edge of the bed. I have yet to tell her anything. But perhaps she knew that the meeting didn't end as I wanted. She had no idea who it was at all.

"Are you going out?" I asked. I usually don't care about her dates and nights out with someone. But tonight, I felt like I needed to breathe some fresh air.

"Yes, with Bubbles. Do you want to join us?" she weakly smiled.

I looked at the time on my wristwatch. It was still early—eight o'clock on the dot. I haven't had my dinner, and I'm hungry.

"I didn't cook anything because I was sure you would come with us. And I guess I was right?" She stood up and pulled me upright.

"Go change. Let's have a nice dinner, okay? And let's party. It would be best if you relaxed, girl. You've been busy and stressed with everything about your family. It's time to chill." So she said and directed my body into the walk-in closet, her small tidy space walk-in closet.

"Wear the clothes that I prepared hanging in there. Hurry!" She continued.

And as soon as the door was closed, I heaved countless times. My mind was clouded with different emotions and anger. And Mr Jackson's advice was not helpful.

"This is the easiest solution, Elizabeth. The deal was done before we knew who it was. If you want to return El Del Real's money for no valid reason, then that's considered bridging a contract. Your father has already used seventy percent of the money to pay the debt. How confident can you return the money and its demands in three days? If not, your father will go to jail. Think about it, Elizabeth, and come back to me. Let's talk again."

Mr Jackson's words were spot on. He was right. How can I provide it back in three days? I couldn't bear to watch my father going to jail because of this. I would take it if I could send my stepmother to my father's place. She can rot in hell.

Huh, what am I thinking?

I came out wearing the clothes that Emma had prepared. And as soon as she saw me, her eyes beamed with excitement.

"I'm glad you're finally coming out of your shell, Lizzie! After your heartbreak to Kristoff, you tried your best to get over him, and I'm so proud of you." She patted my shoulder.

"Let me correct you. I never tried because it came naturally."

"Because it was not true love, Lizzie. You were never in love with Kristoff, to begin with. Haven't you thought of that?"

I twisted my mouth and chuckled. "I didn't think you were a fortune teller, Em. Maybe next time you can also guess who will be my husband?" I challenged.

"Tsk, easy! It's written all over the stars. It's Elizalde!" she said confidently.

My mouth parted, and she turned away with a smirk.

Huh, I can't believe it! How come these people knew everything that was happening? My goodness, me. I'm doomed. 

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C.M. LOUDEN