Mrs Prescott

Elliot’s Perspective – My Mother Wants to Meet Susan

I should have expected this.

The moment my mother pursed her lips at dinner, I knew she wouldn’t let it go. She wasn’t the type to accept something just because I said so—especially not when it came to my love life.

So when she called me into her private study the next morning, I already knew where the conversation was headed.

I shut the heavy mahogany door behind me and crossed my arms. “What is it, Mother?”

She was seated on her pristine white couch, legs crossed, a cup of tea in her manicured hands. Her posture was regal, as always. Cold. Calculating.

“I want to meet her,” she said without preamble.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. “No.”

Her brows lifted. “No?”

“You heard me,” I said. “Susan doesn’t need to be subjected to one of your tests.”

She sighed, setting down her teacup. “Elliot, don’t be ridiculous. She’s about to marry into this family. It’s only natural that I meet her.”

“No, what’s natural is you trying to intimidate her.”

Her lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “If she’s worthy of being your wife, then she shouldn’t be intimidated, should she?”

I clenched my jaw. “Mother—”

“I will only give my blessing after meeting her,” she cut in smoothly. “That’s final.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “You think I need your blessing?”

She gave me a pointed look. “Do you think your father gave me his blessing so easily when we first married?”

I stilled.

She smiled. “No, he didn’t. But I proved myself. And now, I’m giving your little fiancée the same opportunity.”

I hated how she said it. Like Susan was some girl plucked from the streets, completely unworthy of the Prescott name.

I met her gaze, unflinching. “You don’t get to decide if Susan is worthy. I already have.”

She tilted her head. “If she’s as wonderful as you claim, then what are you so afraid of?”

I gritted my teeth. She was baiting me, and I knew it.

But what choice did I have? If I kept refusing, my mother would only push harder—maybe even make a public spectacle out of it.

I exhaled through my nose. “Fine. But you meet her on my terms. Neutral ground. And if you try to humiliate her...”

She held up a hand. “I would never.”

I shot her a cold look. “We both know that’s a lie.”

Her smirk widened, but she said nothing.

I turned on my heel and walked out, already dreading the conversation I’d have to have with Susan.

By noon, I was sitting in my office, staring at my phone like it was my worst enemy. I had been in back-to-back meetings, but my mind was elsewhere...on how the hell I was going to break this to Susan.

I knew she wouldn’t like it. Hell, I didn’t like it. But my mother was relentless. If I didn’t handle this the right way, she’d find a way to corner Susan on her own, and that was something I refused to let happen.

With a heavy sigh, I picked up my phone and dialed her number.

It rang twice before she answered. “Prescott Industries, Marketing Department. Susan Hart speaking.”

I smirked despite myself. “Since when did you get so formal with me?”

She sighed. “Since I’m at work, and you’re technically my boss. What do you want, Elliot?”

I leaned back in my chair. “We need to talk.”

Her tone immediately shifted. “About what?”

I hesitated for half a second before going straight to the point. “My mother wants to meet you.”

Silence.

I could hear the faint shuffling of papers, but she didn’t say a word.

“Susan?” I prompted.

Then she scoffed. “But I haven’t even said yes to you yet.”

I shut my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. Of course, she would say that.

“Susan, come on.”

“What?” she said innocently. “I don’t remember agreeing to marry you.”

I sighed. “That’s beside the point right now.”

“Is it?” she teased. “Because it seems like you and your mom already decided my fate.”

I groaned. “You know that’s not how this works.”

“Do I?” she challenged. “Because, Elliot, this is insane. Your mother already dislikes me, and now you want me to go sit across from her and pretend she doesn’t think I’m some unworthy woman trying to trap her precious son?”

I rubbed my temple. “Look, I know this isn’t ideal, but I need you to trust me. I won’t let her do anything to hurt you.”

Susan was quiet for a moment.

I could practically hear the gears turning in her head.

Then she let out a long sigh. “When and where?”

I blinked. “So… you’ll do it?”

“Do I have a choice?” she muttered.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Not really.”

She groaned. “Elliot, I swear to God...”

“I owe you,” I interrupted, my voice softening. “Big time.”

“You bet your ass you do,” she said dryly.

I laughed. “I’ll send you the details later. Just… try not to overthink it.”

She exhaled. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one walking into the lion’s den.”

I grimaced. “Fair point.”

“Damn right it is.”

I could hear the frustration in her voice, but I also knew Susan...if she truly didn’t want to do this, she would’ve shut it down immediately. The fact that she agreed, despite her hesitation, meant more to me than I could put into words.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

She huffed. “Yeah, yeah. You better make this up to me.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I murmured. “I plan to.”

And with that, we hung up.

Now, I just had to survive this damn dinner.