Chapter 8 Placed Under House Arrest

Jaxson usually was nowhere to be found during the day, but today he unexpectedly returned home in the afternoon. A few minutes after entering his study, he erupted in fury, smashing everything in the room. Margaret had some idea of what transpired earlier in the morning. Witnessing Jaxson's sudden outburst, a shiver of dread ran through her. Fearfully, she hurried to Elinor's room. Elinor had just awoken from her afternoon nap. Seeing Margaret's pallid face, a similar feeling of dread flashed through her mind. Her voice quivering, she asked, "He's angry, isn't he?" "Ma’am, did you see something? Mr. Adams is furious. The last person who messed with his computer..." Margaret left her sentence unfinished, but Elinor instantly understood. She knew that anyone who saw what she had seen could potentially be silenced forever. Yet she had still foolishly hoped that Jaxson was someone she could reason with. Now she realized how naive she had been. Frantically, she explained, "I didn't do it intentionally. I accidentally clicked on something, and then I closed it immediately. I didn't see anything, I swear!" In such a brief period, what could she have possibly done? Margaret understood and believed her. However, what good would Margaret's belief do if Jaxson remained unconvinced? Elinor's fate could be even worse than that of the last unfortunate soul. Elinor was trembling all over. Seeing that Margaret looked almost as pale as she felt, Elinor forced a smile in an attempt to comfort herself. "I'll go explain it to him," she declared, not wanting to involve Margaret any further. Just as Elinor stepped out of her room, she found herself face-to-face with Jaxson. His expression was dark and menacing, his eyes filled with suppressed anger and an insidious intent to harm. For a split second, countless scenarios of her possible demise played out in her mind. "Did you touch something on my computer?" His voice was low, laden with an oppressive force that made Elinor's legs tremble and her voice quiver involuntarily. Jaxson suppressed the seething anger within him. Had it been anyone else, they would already be dead. His manor was his sanctuary, and no one had ever dared to tamper with his belongings. Did she really think being his wife gave her that liberty? Even as his wife, she needed to know her boundaries! His question clearly indicated he already knew she had touched his computer. Denial was not an option. Elinor had no intention of denying it anyway. Hastily nodding, she stammered, "I'm sorry! I was only sending a file and clicked something by mistake. I was so nervous and scared that I don't remember seeing anything." No matter what Elinor said now, Jaxson saw it as nothing more than an excuse. Unable to contain his disgust any longer, Jaxson snapped, "Enough! I don't want to hear any more lies from you. Go back to your room. I don't want to see you again until we're divorced." In other words, he intended to confine her to her room until the day of their divorce. Elinor's words froze on her lips as she heard Jaxson's outburst, her heart sinking to new depths. She understood that Jaxson despised her, and her protests would fall on deaf ears. So, she decided not to anger him further at this time. With hardly a word of complaint, Elinor retreated to her room. As she closed the door behind her, Jaxson's voice filled the air, seething with anger, "Nobody should concern themselves with her, understand?!" Even Margaret, who wanted to help, froze upon hearing this. Being the heir to the Adams family, his word was the law of the house. … Upon leaving the hospital, Stella eagerly made her way to the manor. Ever since Jaxson had fallen into a coma, she had been waiting for a miracle, and finally, it arrived. In the manor, Stella felt elated to see her son sitting in a wheelchair, "How have you been feeling these past few days? The doctors say you're recovering well. Keep up with the rehabilitation, and you'll be on your feet in no time." "By the way, I've been here for quite a while, where is Elinor?" Glancing around, Stella noted that the manor seemed unusually quiet, attended only by a few servants. Apart from Margaret and a bodyguard, no one else was around as they spoke. "Elinor is a fine young woman. Otherwise, I wouldn't have specifically chosen her as your wife. You haven't chased her away, have you?" Stella knew her son too well, the absence of Elinor made her suspect that she had been ousted. Jaxson frowned, slightly agitated. He had wanted to discuss this matter, but Stella had preempted him. It seemed Stella held his wife in high regard, making divorce a complicated issue. "She hasn't been chased away. She's in her room," he finally said. Hearing this, Stella's face changed instantly, and she hurriedly walked towards Elinor's room. The moment she opened the door and saw Elinor huddled in a corner, Stella's eyes filled with concern. Elinor heard the sound and initially thought she was hallucinating. When she turned her head and saw Stella, it felt surreal. "Elinor!" Stella knew her son could be reckless, but she hadn't expected Jaxson to treat his wife so harshly. She shuddered to think what would have happened to Elinor if she had not appeared today. Stella approached Elinor cautiously, extending a hand but hesitating to touch her. Confined to her room for two days, Elinor had neither eaten nor drank. Her face was pale, her eyes devoid of light. Stella's heart ached even more as she took Elinor's hand, "This is my fault, isn't it? Did that scoundrel Jaxson mistreat you?" It was an undeniable truth. Elinor opened her mouth, but no words came out, and tears silently flowed down her cheeks. Margaret seized the moment to bring in some warm water, "Ma’am, Madam Stella is here. Don't be afraid and have some water first." "What's happening here? Is Jaxson trying to kill someone?" Stella was livid. Although the Adams family was far from unblemished, Elinor was, after all, Jaxson's wife in name, and treating her this way was unforgivable. "Margaret, please take good care of Elinor." After issuing the order, Stella hastily returned to the living room. Jaxson remained unfazed the entire time as if he was not the person responsible for the unfolding drama.