---- Chapter 78 There were always people who, failing to get close to Jonathan , would take the roundabout route -cozying up to Edward, whispering sweet nothings in his ear to gain favor. In front of me, though, he always acted like he was perched on some untouchable pedestal. The only time he ever showed an ounce of warmth was when he looked at Alicia. Naturally, I wasn't about to play along.

I stood my ground and said, "If you've got something to say, say it right here." His face darkened, his breathing grew heavier-and suddenly, he clutched his chest and exhaled with a sharp groan. Everyone panicked. "Mr. Ford Senior! Are you alright?" "Someone call a doctor!" Mr. Guzman's face turned pale as a sheet. He turned to me, panicked and angry. "Elise! How could you upset Mr. Ford Senior like this?" What? Funny. Most of the time, it felt like he was only Alicia and Jonathan's family.

What did he ever have to do with me? I stayed still. Edward shot me an icy glare as he struggled to catch his breath. ---- After a long pause, he finally rasped out, "Come with me. I need to speak with you in private." Mr. Guzman stepped in close and lowered his voice. "He's not in good health. Just go with him. If something happens..." And then what? I thought bitterly. Were they going to blame me for murder? I forced a polite smile and followed him without protest.

Jonathan had told me before-his grandfather didn't have much time left. He didn't look it today, barking orders and spewing accusations just fine. But if he happened to keel over while yelling at me? I'd probably be the one held responsible. No thanks. We reached a meditation room inside the Zimmer residence. Edward stopped walking. Despite the slow pace, he walked with complete steadiness . You'd never guess he was supposedly hanging by a thread. "Sit wherever you like," he said.

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He didn't sit down himself -so obviously , I wasn't about to either. Iremained standing behind him, unmoving. Then he turned and looked me over from head to toe. "You're not the same girl you used to be." "Is that so?" I said coolly. "After everything I've been through, if Iwere still the same, wouldn't that just mean I've ---- learned nothing?" He let out a low laugh and finally sat down. "You've always resented me, haven't you?

Always pretending to be respectful on the surface, but deep down, wishing I'd drop dead. Right?" I said nothing. I didn't know exactly what 25-year-old Elise had felt toward him, but if he asked me now? He wasn't wrong. Edward took a deep breath. "I told you time and again- Jonathan insisted on marrying you, so I reluctantly accepted it. lonly had one request. I want you to treat Alicia well." His cloudy eyes bored into mine.

"Just because you're his wife doesn't mean you get to bully Alicia." I frowned . "Who's bullying who, exactly? There's a limit to how biased you can be. Or maybe you're just too old to see straight anymore-can't tell right from wrong?" It was the first time I directly confronted him like this, but I couldn't care less anymore. He coughed suddenly, about to speak again, when the butler rushed in, looking panicked. "Bad news, Mr. Ford Senior! Ms. Guzman attacked Ms.

Zimmer again!" "What?" Both Edward and I turned sharply toward him. The butler was panting, breathless. "Mrs. Guzman had ---- already taken her daughter away, but the moment she got in the car, she jumped right back out, came running back, and pinned Ms. Zimmer to the ground. No one could pull her off! Mr. and Mrs. Guzman said to just leave her here and let you deal with her!"