"Thanks for this time." Eric paused for a moment before finally speaking in a calm tone.
He glanced at the shocking wounds on Henry’s face but couldn’t bear to look for long. If it weren’t for him, it would’ve been Ella who was disfigured.
Rachel, you really have a death wish.
"It’s fine. I just happened to run into Ella... This was fate. My mom owes you too much..." Henry’s voice dimmed.
"I’ll contact the most renowned professor from Country W to treat your injuries," Eric said coolly. Despite his hatred, Eric was a man who knew how to distinguish between right and wrong. At least he wasn’t foolish enough to believe Henry orchestrated this incident himself.
No one would joke about their own face like that.
"Alright, thank you, brother," Henry said softly. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll go give my statement."
Eric glanced at Ella, "Wait until your sister-in-law’s wounds are treated, then we’ll go together."
Ella was also a witness, so she had to give a statement. Once Rachel was imprisoned, she could forget about ever getting out.
Henry didn’t object. It was the first time he felt so at ease with Eric, and yet, he had no regrets.
This time, it was his own choice.
It seemed like fate. Grace owed Eric a lot, and Henry was the one repaying that debt.
By the time they finished giving their statements, it was already 10 p.m. Eric dropped Henry off at the Nelson family’s estate before slowly turning his car around.
"Brother... if you have time, go visit Dad. He’s leaving everything to you. I don’t hate you, but he truly regrets it."
Henry suddenly spoke.
Eric’s cold eyes were like a bottomless abyss. He let out a mocking laugh, "That’s between him and me. Besides, he’s already announced that he’s cut ties with me. I won’t call him ’Dad’ again!"
Eric’s car drove off.
Henry stood there, lost in thought. How could the tangled grudges ever be fully explained? But in the end, Eric was still James’ biological son.
When Ella got home, she seemed down and listless.
"What’s wrong?" Eric asked when he saw her weakly sipping the soup Mrs. Harris had made.
Ella silently looked up at Eric, her heart heavy. "Henry ended up like that because of me... I don’t want to owe him anything, and I wish we had no connection at all. But seeing his face makes me so sad."
Eric’s cold eyes narrowed, "It was an accident. It’s not your fault."
"If I hadn’t treated Rachel that way..."
"You didn’t go after her? If you hadn’t, she would’ve ended up in my bed, sleeping with your man? Ella, when did you become so generous, so spineless?" Eric sneered coldly. "Am I really so unimportant to you?"
Seeing him angry, Ella immediately realized her mistake. She stood up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and quickly tried to soothe him. "That’s not what I meant. You’re right. Rachel brought this on herself! She threw acid on me, and that was her being too extreme, too irrational. She ruined her own future."
Eric snorted, his face still cold, and said nothing more.
Ella smiled apologetically and nudged his arm. "Honey, I was wrong..."
Eric turned his head away, refusing to look at her.
Ella sighed softly, then reached out to turn his face back to hers and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Honey, don’t be mad. I was just speaking in the heat of the moment. Those people are scum. If you don’t deal with them, they’ll come for you, bite you, and won’t stop until there’s nothing left. You’re mine, and no matter how many women come for you, they won’t stand a chance against me!"
Eric’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Now that’s what I like to hear. Come on, drink more of the soup—it’s good for your skin."
Ella obediently opened her mouth, and Eric gently brought the spoon to her lips.
The exchange between them was filled with warmth and tenderness. Mrs. Harris, watching from nearby, couldn’t help but smile at the sweet scene.
The next evening, Ella and Chloe went to L Beauty Salon for some facial treatments. Eric had given Ella a membership card long ago, which covered all the services for free. The luxurious purple card was a symbol of the highest-tier membership at L Beauty Salon.
Eric had earned those cards after teaming up with Commissioner Taylor to bring down Donald. As a gesture of gratitude, Commissioner Taylor gave him two cards, which Eric promptly passed on to Ella. She decided to bring Chloe along for a spa day.
Even though Ella was only 20 years old, she knew it was important to start caring for her skin. Some girls start as young as 16 or 17, a sign of how much wealthy women invest in their skincare.
With her natural beauty, even the salon’s beauticians couldn’t help but compliment Ella’s flawless skin. As a result, she opted for the lightest treatment available.
After finishing her facial, Ella headed to the restroom.
L Beauty Salon stood out for its unique offerings—even the restrooms were stocked with hand soap, face wash, makeup remover, and more. The space itself was elegant, large, impeccably clean, and free of any unpleasant odors.
While in the restroom, Ella received a text from Lauren and quickly replied.
Suddenly, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed outside.
"Sis, when’s your wedding with Mr. Scott?" a voice asked.
"Yeah, you’ve been friends for over ten years, and now you’re suddenly with him? Didn’t you used to say you liked Eric?" another unfamiliar voice added.
Ella frowned, feeling like her day had just taken a bad turn. She had once again run into people she didn’t like.
"We haven’t decided yet. We’re just dating for now," Bella’s arrogant laugh echoed as the group of women entered the restroom.
"Mr. Scott is the heir to one of Country W’s biggest families. Bella, you’re so lucky!"
"Yeah, we’re so envious. But speaking of Mr. Nelson’s wife, what’s her deal? Why is she so full of herself?"
"I know, right? I don’t like her at all. Sure, Old Mr. Carter messed up, but why would Mr. Nelson go for someone so arrogant?"
"She ruined my dream man!"
Bella’s voice dripped with sarcasm. "Maybe she’s got some special skills that keep Mr. Nelson hooked."
"Probably amazing in bed! Some women act all proper in public but are total seductresses behind closed doors!"
"Exactly! How else could Mr. Nelson stay with her for over two years without getting bored?"
"And I heard they’re married, too!"
"That can’t be real. Quinn, you’re way better. Why don’t you make a move on Mr. Nelson?"
Ella couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she adjusted her clothes, a cold smile creeping across her face. Just last night, she had told Eric that no woman could ever take him away from her, no matter how many tried.
What a jinx! These women were beyond shameless. She and Eric were married, and Eric had publicly acknowledged her as his wife in front of the media. Yet, these women still had the audacity to dream about getting into Eric’s bed and becoming the next Mrs. Nelson? Ridiculous!