Esther giggled, "But I handled it real good. The Mo siblings are powerful but at the end of the day, they can be easily fooled in the name of love."
Ricky sighed in relief, "Wait... How did your family suddenly get caught up in the scandal then? Is that also because of Ella..." He trailed off when Esther’s face darkened.
In the deepest corner of her heart, she had a name...
But would he... go to this extent for Ella? No!
Why would he? Playing around with her is fine, but there was no way Adrian would hamper the reputation of a prestigious family like theirs just because of Ella’s whims.
Just the thought of that man sent a pang in Esther’s chest. She had sent a recording of Ella to Adrian from a new number back in the Imperial University.
Yet, he blocked her. Again.
Esther’s fingers curled tighter around the wine glass.
’’Our food is here," Ricky put on a robe and walked to the door.
The wine glass in Esther’s hand flipped over and the red liquid splashed her face, by the impact of the sound.
The door was kicked open by Mo Jun who stepped inside, followed by Mo Lia.
Esther paled as she draped the sheet around her, "Ah Jun..."
"So... Ella was not lying, huh?" Mo Jun’s gaze trailed to Ricky’s glasses before landing on Esther.
"It’s not what it seems like..." freew\ebno\vel..(c)om
Esther clutched her swelling cheek, looking at Mo Lia in disbelief.
"What? You think I wronged you?" Mo Lia retracted her hand as she retracted a small camera from a nearby vase, "Are you still going to deny how filthy you are?"
"Lia, you actually plotted against me..."
"I had doubted it since the day I saw her heels in your flat but I had been naive to believe that you would love me. I could overlook the heels, but then there was her hair in your shirt... her lipstick on your neck... even the perfume I gifted her on your body... You..." Mo Lia closed her eyes, her voice trembling, "I had loved you since the day my brother pitied you and took you in so I let myself be blinded by your lies."
From the beginning to the end, Mo Jun did not say a word.
He simply looked at Esther, the rims of his eyes red.
In one swift move, Mo Jun shoved the man’s face into the wall.
Mo Lia grabbed his hand, tears welling up in her eyes as she shook her head.
Mo Jun froze for a moment before he yanked Ricky off to the floor.
Grabbing Mo Lia’s hand, he turned to leave.
"Ah Jun..." Esther called out softly, with tears in her eyes.
Mo Jun halted in his tracks.
Glee flashed across Esther’s eyes. As expected—
Esther’s face blanched, "Ah Jun... You can’t leave me... Mo Jun, wait!"
Esther scrambled off the bed to chase the man, only to trip over the long sheets and drop to her knees on the floor.
"Esther!" Ricky grabbed her.
"Go away!" Esther pushed him away in disgust, "Mo Jun!" Her eyes turned a color of crimson.
"He-He said he was leaving tonight... Why would he be here..." Esther tugged her hair.
Suddenly, she froze, "Ella... It has to be Ella..." A vicious glint flickered in her eyes as her nails dug into the satin sheets.
"Second Master, it was successful," Ji Yan circled the study table as he approached the man who sat in the center, "The Mo siblings picked up on the hints we dropped and went there... The Director who sold the private records of the Yu Family’s business also left the country..."
Adrian sat on the swivel chair, his brows tugged together.
In his hand, he held a paper.
From the corner of his eyes, Ji Yan caught a glimpse of some sketch on it, "Second Master, shall I have them wind the fire?"
Adrian glanced at the sketch in his hand, gazing at the little girl in the picture, his eyes took in the sight of the magnolia plant she was planting, "No."
Ji Yan was startled. "Y-Yes, Second Master."
Usually, the Second Master would raze the entire Yu Family to the ground. But, now, he is actually letting them off after barely causing any disaster?!
"Second Master... Second Master...!"
The sound of urgent footsteps were followed by Bertha’s panicking voice.
Adrian lifted his head.
"Something is happening to Miss Yu," Bertha cried, "She is not responding... S-She wouldn’t wake up no matter what we do!"
A young Ella stood in front of her parents, "Mom, Dad, I have topped in the entire school. The professor said that my marks this time are one of the bestest of the past few years..."
"Baby, you have scored a 80 in Mathematics?" Mrs. Yu pulled a teenage Esther towards her, eyes sparkling.
"Little princess sure is smart," Mr. Yu smiled, "Tell me what you want?"
Esther hugged her father, "Daddy, how about a princess-themed birthday for me? I want to invite all my new friends this year..."
"That’s all?" Mr. Yu looked like she had asked for too little.
"And I want you both to come over to my parents teachers’ meeting tomorrow... Also, I want you to meet my friends..." Esther trailed off suddenly, her face dropping.
"What happened, baby?" Esther glanced at Ella, "Isn’t it her birthday tomorrow? How can you come along..." She pouted, tears welling up in her eyes.
"We can surely join you. The meeting is important," Mr. Yu said.
Mrs. Yu nodded, "Your sister doesn’t like to celebrate her birthday anyways. We can get her the gifts that she wants. Isn’t that right, Ella?"
Ella put down the marksheet in her hand as she nodded, "R-Right." She paused for a moment before opening her mouth again, ’’Tomorrow, it’s my parents teachers’ meeting too..."
Ella trailed off when she realized that her parents were talking to Esther, no longer paying attention to her.
"Mrs. King... Mrs. King?" A voice sounded in the distance.
But when the young Ella looked around, she did not see anyone.