Chapter 18 Caroline? Itâs You?
Caught between his grandfather, who raised him, and his biological mother, David knew he couldnât afford to offend either of them.
Richard was adamant against the divorce. As the patriarch of the Ellison family for decades, he wasnât accustomed to his decisions being overturned. Now that the marriage he had personally arranged was at risk of falling apart, he was furious.
To make matters worse, the one pushing for the divorce was none other than Harper, someone heâd always looked down on.
Harper, on the other hand, was set on having David marry the daughterâinâlaw she had chosen for him. She dreamed of a new marriage that would bring her the joy of holding a chubby grandson and basking in familial bliss.
âDavid, you tell us,â Harper said, looking at him. âWhat do you think? Iâll respect your opinion.â
She had already spoken to her son privately and was confident in his answer.
Richard, of course, understood that with Davidâs current status and power, Caroline was no longer a suitable match. But letting Harper have her way? That was a blow to his pride he couldnât bear.
Thus, Davidâs grandfather calmly yet pointedly spoke up. âDavid, youâve undoubtedly risen to great heights. But I know exactly how you managed to take control and climb to where you are now.â
David raised an eyebrow. âOh? Please, elaborate, Grandpa.â
âYou were taught by meâyour methods, your cunning your strategies. Iâve seen it all. The battle for control, you won it. And you won it decisively and brilliantly. Andrew couldnât match you; heâs a fool. The Ellison family could never be entrusted to him, or it would crumble in no time.â
âThroughout your struggle with Andrew, I stayed out of it and didnât intervene. Why? Because I believe in one thing, to the victor goes the spoils. But, Davidâ¦â Richardâs tone grew sharper. âDonât think for a moment that my silence meant ignorance. I may be old, but Iâm not blind.â
Richard had laid it bare. He was fully aware of Davidâs entire plan, including his staged death.
For a moment, Davidâs lips curled into a slight smirk. His grandfather was indeed a shrewd man.
Caroline, on the other hand, felt a chill run through her as she listened to their exchange, The Ellison family was terrifying. She was no match for any of them, not even close.
If she hadnât stumbled upon Davidâs secret when she did, she would have remained oblivious to everything.
Now she realized the full extent of the familyâs ruthlessness. Richard had been a silent observer, watching his grandsons vie for power without interference, knowing only the strongest would emerge victorious.
In this family, blood ties meant little compared to the pursuit of power.
âThatâs enough,â Richard said, his words measured as if to assert control over the conversation. âDavid, while itâs true you married her during a low point in your life, she didnât abandon you when you had nothing. Trust my judgmentâI chose your bride for a reason. Sheâs the right match for you.â.
1/2
16:16 Fri, Feb /
Chapter 18 Caroline? Itâs You?
Davidâs expression remained unreadable, but coldness lickered in his eyes.
Finished
Abandon him? Be there for him at his lowest? What a joke. Caroline had married him thinking sheâd be a widow soon, and sheâd admitted it herself.
The audacity of this woman.
Meanwhile, Harper turned her gaze to Caroline.
Truthfully, she had never met her daughterâinâlaw in person before. Seeing her today, Harper couldnât help but feel a twinge of pity. The girl stood silently with her head bowed, her face hidden behind strands of loose hair.
In Harperâs eyes, this girl was just another victim, swept up in the whirlpool of the Ellison familyâs power struggles.
âPerhaps we should hear her opinion,â Harper suggested. âA divorce requires both parties to agree, all.â
Immediately, all eyes turned to Caroline.
David casually cleared his throat, a subtle yet unmistakable warning in his posture.
Sheâd better not try anything foolish.
after
âMy opinion isâ¦â Caroline lifted her head slowly, her pale, delicate face resolute. âIâm willing to divâ¦â
Before she could finish, Harper suddenly gasped in shock.
âCaroline? What are you doing here?â
1
â©
B