Chapter 10
“Why would Nora suddenly agree to take you out?” Addison pressed on.
“No idea,” Ellie replied.
“Whatever suits her.”
“You don’t usually mix with the Sunny City families. Why did you come today? Suddenly feeling social?”
“Just browsing.” Ellie’s tone was flat.
“Might find a target.”
“Huh? Are you… okay?” Addison blinked in shock.
“Ellie! Come over and meet everyone!” Nora called from the centre of the crowd.
Ellie obediently walked over.
“This is my sister, Ellie Ward.” Nora smiled, hooking her arm through hers.
“She’s gentle by nature and tends to be rather reserved.”
A murmur of low gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.
“Wow! Isn’t that the stunning bridesmaid from Nora’s wedding?”
“So she’s the Ward family’s second daughter!”
“How come we’ve never seen Miss Ellie before?”
“Nora! Your family keeps such a low profile!”
“Is she your real sister?”
“Yes.” Nora nodded, her smile unbroken.
“She’s my real sister.”
This was their official story.
The Wards never publicly acknowledged Ellie’s biological father.
Claiming Ellie was adopted might have been simpler, but Lily firmly refused, arguing that
“her status as a biological daughter made discipline easier.”
Behind this stance lay an unspoken warning to Dennis.
⸻
Outside, by the water feature, Tyler’s gaze pierced through the glass, locking onto the figure inside.
He raised his hand, gesturing behind him.
Patrick immediately stepped forward, leaning in close.
“It’s her.” Tyler tapped lightly on the glass with his fingertip.
Patrick followed the direction of his gaze, his eyes widening in astonishment.
My God!
She’s truly breathtaking!
No wonder Tyler couldn’t stop thinking about her after just one meeting.
“Understood!” Patrick nodded.
Tyler adjusted his posture, leaning forward slightly. He observed Ellie with keen interest.
She seemed gentle and reserved in the crowd.
Such a good actress.
Patrick turned toward the corner and patted Peter on the shoulder.
“I’ve got a task for you.”
“What is it?” Peter asked eagerly.
“See that woman in the white dress?” Patrick gestured toward the room.
“Find out who she is.”
“Leave it to me!” Peter replied.
He returned at a trot shortly after.
“Who is she?” Tyler asked.
“Ellie Ward—the second daughter of the Ward family!” Peter answered.
“Spell it.” Patrick promptly handed him paper and pen.
Peter quickly wrote the name.
“Ellie…” Tyler glanced at the paper.
“Nice name.”
“Yeah, it’s a lovely name,” Peter nodded.
“Tell me the specifics,” Tyler pressed.
“She’s the youngest daughter of the current head of the Ward family,” Peter reported.
“But she’s not particularly favoured.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty-two.”
“She seems so docile.” Tyler’s gaze remained fixed on Ellie.
“Has she always been this way?”
Peter nodded.
“Yes. She’s good-natured and a model ‘good girl.’”
“She hardly ever attends social events and has stayed home for over twenty years.”
“What a ‘good girl.’” Tyler chuckled softly.
Puzzled, Peter looked at Patrick.
“She does appear very proper.” Patrick raised a brow.
“Could it be that she’s never even set foot in a bar?”
“She definitely doesn’t touch alcohol!” Peter said eagerly.
“Her sister said this is Ellie’s first formal outing into society. With her submissive nature, she’s perfect for a business marriage!”
Tyler’s lips curved faintly.
“Bring her over,” he whispered.
Ellie was surrounded by chattering crowds in the ballroom.
A barrage of questions came at her from all sides, slowly grating on her nerves.
“Behave yourself.” Nora leaned closer, her voice low.
“Don’t forget your current position.”
“If you bring shame upon the Ward family, my parents won’t let you off lightly.”
“Shut up.” Ellie’s lips curved in a sneer.
“The most foolish person in our family is you, Nora Ward.”
“You!” Nora’s anger flared instantly.
“Behave yourself,” Ellie continued coolly.
“Bringing shame upon the family earns punishment.”
“And I’ll take great pleasure in watching you suffer.”
She reached out and smoothed Nora’s skirt, her touch deliberate.
Nora fell silent, staring at her in fury.
Peter approached with a glass in hand.
“Would you like to join me for a drink, Miss Ellie?” he asked with a smile.
“My sister doesn’t usually drink, Peter,” Nora cut in at once, already judging him unworthy.
“How about a glass of juice instead?” Peter adjusted smoothly.
“Yes, thank you.” Ellie nodded.
“Get me a fruit punch!” Addison chimed in, raising her hand.
“My pleasure.” Peter turned to fetch the drinks.
Nora shot Ellie a fierce glare.
Ignoring her, Ellie rose calmly and headed toward the restroom.
As she emerged, she bumped into Stella and Dylan.
“I’m heading back.” Stella smiled gently.
“I have a project to follow up on early tomorrow.”
“Have a great time, Ellie.”
Dylan remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on Ellie.
“Feeling a bit stifled in here, Ellie?” he asked softly.
“Would you like to step out onto the terrace for some fresh air?”
Just then, Peter returned with the drinks.
“The terrace?” Peter brightened.
“I know the way. Shall I walk Ellie over?”
“That’d be great.” Dylan nodded.
“I’ll take Stella home first and come back later.”
“See you, Ellie.” Stella’s smile was strained.
Peter handed Ellie a glass of clear juice and gestured toward the glass doors.
“Go this way. The terrace has a great view, and it’s very quiet.”
Ellie took the glass and followed him.
He pushed open the heavy door for her.
Before her stretched a rooftop garden, city lights glittering in the distance.
“Hardly anyone comes up here.” Peter smiled.
“You can finally relax.”
“Thank you, Peter.”
“You’re welcome.”
He stepped back, grasped the door handle, and locked it from the outside.
Ellie lifted her eyes, staring straight at him.
Peter’s heart skipped under her sharp gaze.
Patrick approached.
“Patrick!” Peter leaned in nervously.
“Did you see the look in her eyes just now?”
“Yeah. I saw it,” Patrick replied flatly.
“She looked like she wanted to kill me!” Peter whispered, still shaken.
“Yeah,” Patrick agreed calmly.
“That’s exactly what she was thinking.”
“God! What happened to the docile, quiet girl?”
“Relax.” Patrick chuckled.
“She won’t actually do anything.”
Tyler wouldn’t be interested in a girl who was merely “docile.”
