Chapter 263

As soon as Eleanore spoke, the room fell silent.

Darnell paused too. He thought, ‘If this really gets out of hand, these ladies have connections. Jeremiah doesn’t care. But what about Clifford?’

Jeremiah stood there with a blank face, his cold eyes showing no warmth.

Just then, a stern voice came from the entrance of the dessert shop. “What wouldn’t I allow?”

Everyone’s eyes widened as they turned to the doorway. They saw a man in a black suit standing there with a stern. expression.

They were all taken aback. For none of them had ever expected the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Clifford Chavez, to personally appear here.

Clifford was different from Jeremiah. He was an influential figure who appeared frequently on TV news.

Although Eleanore called Clifford’s name with enthusiasm, she had only seen Ethan on TV. Seeing him in person made her too scared to say a word.

Everyone present, except for the Chavez family and Yvette, felt the same shock as Eleanore. He once skillfully debated many at international conferences as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaving everyone scared.

Darnell felt his body tense up, his heart pounding hard. He thought, ‘First Jeremiah comes, and now Clifford is here, too. Don’t they realize what a huge impact they have?’

Clifford simply glanced at everyone casually. The gaze that lingered on Jeremiah was just a second longer than on everyone else. His mind was completely occupied with Aurora.

Aurora was so vague and unclear on the phone, and her texts were just as ambiguous. Even though Clifford could tell she was fake crying on the phone, he was still worried sick. He was given a moment of peace in his life.

Clifford saw the sorry state of the women across the room, his expression became serious, and he frowned slightly. He already had some guesses in his mind. He moved past everyone and stood in front of Aurora, who was sitting in a chair. First, he glanced at Aurora. He made sure she wasn’t hurt anywhere, which made him feel less worried. Then his gaze swept to Yvette sitting next to Aurora, and he paused slightly.

He had noticed her as soon as he entered. He found Yvette and Aurora pretty close. He was quite surprised because Aurora might seem easygoing on the surface, but she was actually quite selective. She hadn’t been this close to anyone in years.

Aurora had already put her phone away and stood up to face Clifford. Moments ago, she was excitedly playing a game, but her expression shifted instantly. She immediately threw herself into Clifford’s arms, crying.

The speed at which she switched her expressions was truly astonishing.

“Oh, honey. They bullied me. I was so scared all alone. Luckily, I know a bit of martial arts. Otherwise, you might never see me again,” She finished speaking and blinked her eyes.

A fifty-year-old woman making such expressions didn’t seem fake at all, but rather adorably innocent. Of course, it was the familiar fake crying that Clifford knew well.

Aurora didn’t even shed a single tear. According to her, a woman’s tears were more precious than pearls, and crying even once was a huge loss. In Clifford’s arms, Aurora appeared so petite and perfectly snug.

Darnell’s face stiffened slightly. He thought, ‘Jesus! Her mood swings are faster than a tiger’s.’

Even Eleanore and the others were baffled by Aurora’s sudden display of fragility. When Aurora was hitting them, she wasn’t this weak. They all thought Aurora was an actress and no wonder Clifford was so taken with her.

Eleanore and a few others immediately opposed Aurora, “Mr. Clifford Chavez, you really shouldn’t be deceived by Aurora. She was the one who started it,”

“Yes. We can all attest to that. Look at how badly she hurt us.”

“She started it, Mr. Clifford Chavez. She’s just putting on an act for you.”

In spite of everyone’s presence, Clifford held Aurora even tighter in his arms.

Aurora leaned closer to whisper to Clifford. Her hand was on his waist, hidden under his suit, so no one could see except Yvette.

Aurora pinched the skin on his waist a little harder, and Clifford let out a hiss. He thought, nothing good ever came from her throwing herself at him like this.

Aurora whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Act well. I’m a poor little woman who got bullied, and you’re the good husband who’s going to stand up for me. If you don’t perform well tonight, forget about sleeping in bed. Humph.” What Aurora thought was a private whisper was clearly heard by Yvette sitting next to her.

Yvette lowered her eyes. Her long, thick eyelashes concealed the smile in her eyes. With deep, dark eyes, she casually tapped her toes. She turned her head slightly to give Jeremiah a lazy look, then watched nonchalantly as Aurora and Clifford showed off their affection.

Jeremiah looked on helplessly. He thought, ‘Don’t you two have any restraint with Yvette so close? You better not lead Yvette astray.’

Jeremiah gritted his teeth. He wasn’t surprised that Aurora was getting hooked on acting. There was nothing he could do. He had to play along with it, or he’d be sleeping in the study again tonight. “Aurora, keep acting. Let’s see what happens when we get home.”

Aurora wasn’t scared at all. She pretended to pat his shoulder sarcastically. “Put on a good show. I believe you can do it.” With those words, Aurora unhesitatingly slipped out of Clifford’s arms. Then she went on fake crying, looking so earnest it was almost funny. “Honey, you have to stand up for me.”

Clifford adjusted his suit, giving a cold glance at the anxious women arguing in front of him. His voice was cold. “I know exactly what kind of person Aurora is. If you didn’t provoke her, why would my gentle and kind wife, who’s scared of even killing a chicken, lay a hand on you? Her actions show you must have said or done something.” He spoke with such confidence, as if it were the absolute truth.

Aurora sneakily gave him a thumbs-up.

Clifford saw it and playfully scratched her palm while holding her hand. “Be good.”

Aurora obediently nodded, looking every bit the dutiful wife.

If Jeremiah hadn’t seen Aurora catching and slaughtering chickens on the farm when he was a kid, he might have believed it too.

Darnell’s eye twitched slightly. He thought, ‘You make a definite statement without even asking, firmly convinced it is the others who provoke your wife first. Truly lovesick!’

Clifford turned to Darnell. “Darnell, can you tell me what happened?”

Caught off guard by being called out, Darnell quickly went over everything again, including Jeremiah’s plan to sue these women for slandering soldiers.

After listening, Clifford stared blankly at Eleanore, Gloria, and the others. He said seriously, “Let me tell you all. My son’s choice of girlfriend is none of your business. Who dares say my son is just fooling around? In the Chavez family, we don’t divorce. Only death separates us, and we would never toy with anyone’s feelings. What’s it to you what kind of a person my daughter-in-law is?”

Clifford knew that given Aurora’s personality, something must have truly pushed her to the edge for her to react so intensely.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have beaten them.

Clifford’s words left Eleanore and her group speechless. Since he had personally stepped in and acknowledged Jeremiah’s girlfriend’s status. They couldn’t say anything more. Now, they were filled with regret and fear, but it was too late. Eleanore and some others tried to stammer out something, but Clifford didn’t give them the chance.

Clifford turned to Jeremiah. “You did well. I’ll cover the seven million.” He practically confirmed Jeremiah’s intent to sue these women for slandering soldiers.