Chapter 11: Everyone for Me, Me for Everyone?

Chase still had gauze on his forehead, but it didn't detract his handsomeness. He looked over and found no emotion on Eliana's face. Eliana dropped the reins and ran over to him. "What are you doing here?" "For business," Chase said, walking back with her side by side. Eliana saw nothing as she looked at his stern expression. "What business?" In fact, she wanted to say, "What business does someone like you, who's into boxing, have here? We're not even in the same circle." "A big boss wanted me to fake boxing, but I refused. Just came out and saw you playing the hero. Didn't know you had this hobby." Chase's voice was indifferent, but there was a hint of mockery. "What hobby?" Eliana frowned. Chase snorted. "Liking women." Eliana chuckled. "Nonsense, am I crazy?" "In that case, you are. Otherwise, why risk your life to save a stranger? Or is it because you have a great sense of altruism, 'everyone for me, me for everyone'?" Chase glanced at her, a hint of chill in his gaze. Eliana was stunned, feeling intimidated by his gaze. Was he... angry because of her reckless behavior? Seeing her silent, Chase quickened his pace. Eliana caught up and explained, "You don't understand. I had a favor to ask of her, and I was confident I could save her." Anger flashed in Chase's eyes, and his tone became more emotional. "Your confidence got you kicked by that crazy horse?" That was true. If he hadn't appeared in time and diverted the horse, she might be lying flat on the ground now. Eliana was still stung by his words, and her temper flared up instantly. "Who asked you to save me? Even if I got kicked, it has nothing to do with you." "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just worried that you won't have money to pay my salary." Chase's expression was even more unpleasant than before as he walked away. Maybe he was the crazy one. Otherwise, why would he run to save this woman who drive him nuts everyday? Eliana huffed at his back, "You can rest assured, I've got money that could cover the rest of your life." He was truly angry, not even turning his head, and walking faster. Who spoiled his bad temper? Eliana felt a bit like a child who had done something wrong. No, wasn't he just a fake husband? He took himself too seriously! After changing back into her clothes in the dressing room, Eliana returned to the company with Colin. On the way, Colin learned about the situation, and his expression changed. "OMG! Lena, you were too reckless. What if something happened to you? How can I explain to your deceased mother?" "I knew my mother would bless me from above, so I went to save someone! Alright, stop talking about this. Let me take a break," Eliana said, thinking of Chase's expression, feeling like something was weighing on her heart. "He's not wrong about this. You're just too stubborn," Colin sighed. When his sister took over the company, he was still studying abroad and couldn't help. After Randall seized control of the family's resources, Eliana always wanted to reclaim what belonged to her mom. So she was more determined than anyone else, even surpassing him, her uncle. Eliana didn't speak. Colin changed the subject. "That person said they wanted to sign a contract with you. Why haven't you agreed yet? Isn't that like saving her for nothing?" "If I immediately accept her kindness, for Margret, we're even and she doesn't own me anything. After this cooperation, she might not work with me again. But, if she values my character, we will have more possibilities." Eliana drove the car, speaking with no inflection in her voice. Colin took a deep breath, feeling like he had been taught a lesson. "I always felt you were similar to your mom, but also different. Now I've realized that you're both brave, but your mother wouldn't think too much about human nature." Eliana's eyes darkened slightly. Her mother was indeed an excellent woman, but she was too proud. Relying on the wealth and power of the Maxwell family, she was unwilling to deal with people, which led to no one helping her at critical moments. She didn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps. She wanted to expand her network to the best of her ability and lay the foundation for the future. "You've got some nice plans, but who knows what Margaret is thinking? What if she doesn't come looking for you? Wouldn't that be a loss?" "I can't say for sure about that, but... fortune favors the bold," Eliana smiled, stepping on the gas and driving towards the company. Back in the office, she saw a familiar figure sitting on the sofa. Jeremy held a cigarette between his fingertips, lounging with his legs crossed. When he saw Eliana come in, he casually extinguished the cigarette. "Vanessa's office is on the lower floor," Eliana said without closing the door, walking straight to her chair. Jeremy's face darkened. "I'm here to see you." "Without an appointment with my secretary, I won't meet you," Eliana replied coldly. Jeremy blocked her path, his familiar face carrying unfamiliar looks in eyes. "Lena, if Randall finds out you've lost the contracts with the Wilkinson family, you'll be in trouble. Are you sure you don't want to talk to me?" Ah, so he also knew about the consequence of those lost contracts. He was deliberately putting her in a difficult position, hoping to make her into an obedient dog. Eliana felt like a thousand swords piercing her chest. She sneered at herself. This was the man she had loved for over a decade. Why hadn't she seen through his ugly face before? "I've said it before, there's nothing for us to talk about." Her voice was icy, leaving no room for negotiation. Jeremy was rendered speechless. He hadn't expected Eliana to be so resolute. A surge of anger rose in his chest. "Lena, after all these years, do we have to cut ties just because of a minor disagreement?" A minor disagreement could magnify into an infinite problem. Just because she disagreed with having children immediately after marriage, Jeremy resorted to running away and sleeping with other women to force her to compromise. It showed that in the future, he would also use the same methods to make her submit whenever they encountered conflicts. "Are you done? You can leave now," Eliana stated, her face devoid of any emotion. Jeremy pursed his lips, his gaze turning furious. For a moment, he couldn't find the words to speak. He hadn't anticipated this answer. "Lena, actually, Vanessa and I..." His words were interrupted by footsteps behind him. He turned to see Vanessa walking in. "Jimmy, are you here to invite Lena to be our bridesmaid?" Vanessa reached out and took Jeremy's wrist, looking at Eliana sweetly. "Sister, since you've changed grooms and Jimmy is going to marry me, to avoid gossip from our friends, he suggested you be our bridesmaid. We can still get along like before, and no one will dare to gossip about us! It's good for both you and me. You wouldn't refuse our simple request, would you?"