Selena stayed behind at the restaurant for nearly ten minutes before she descended the stairs. Of course, she drove herself there earlier. To avoid any awkward scenes, she had to wait till Jared’s car left before she came down.
In the meantime, that sports car was moving along a busy road. Ellen was momentarily at a loss for words, so the atmosphere inside the car felt rather tense.
“I can tell your cousin isn’t nice to you at all.” Jared broke the silence. “How?” Ellen asked curiously.
“She wasn’t even there to meet her friend for dinner. I reckon she followed us to the restaurant. As your cousin, she didn’t even care about your feelings and continuously neglected you while she bombarded me with topics.”
She blinked in amazement. I can’t believe he noticed that. Then, she forced a smile. “My cousin’s family is the wealthiest among our extended family. She had a better childhood than mine.”
“That’s not a reason for her to belittle you.” He shot her a deep look. Even as an outsider, he could not stand Selena’s behavior toward her. “I’m used to that.” Ellen smiled.
As they arrived at her home, Jared frowned. upon seeing the dilapidated building she lived in. “Are you still allowed to stay here?”
“Of course. I have until the end of this month,” she replied with a smile. At least she would get to save on another month’s worth of rental fees.
“Let me tell you something. The resettlement project here is under me,” he confessed. She could not help exclaiming in shock, “Is your company in charge of the resettlement project. in this area?”
“Yes.” He nodded. She was delighted to hear that. “That’s such a coincidence.” “Go home. Give me a call if you need any help at all.”
“Drive safely.” Ellen waved at him and watched as he drove off into the distance before entering her house and switching on the lights. Although this place was run down, to her, it was the most comfortable home ever.
A short while after Jared left, a shabby SUV arrived at her doorstep. Garrett came out of the car and knocked on her door without saying a word as he glanced at the lit-up house..
The loud banging gave Ellen a huge fright, and she immediately rushed over to the door and asked, “Who’s there?”
“It’s me. Hurry up and open the door.” His drunken voice rang from outside. It was obvious that he had been drinking.
Feeling her heart skip a bit, Ellen began to feel terror. She immediately thought of seeking help. as she yelled at the door, “Garrett, it’s late now. I’m about to go to bed. You should go home.”
“You brat! Open the door right now and hand me the money. I’ll leave after you do that. If you don’t, I’ll stay right here banging on your door.” Garrett was a rogue and hollered back at her.
Faced with such circumstances, Ellen grabbed her phone and intended to call her uncle over for help. However, as she dialed his number, he did not answer the call despite the call being put through. On the other side of the door, Garrett continued to bash persistently.
She felt her heart tighten and suddenly recalled Jared, who had left not long ago. Can I seek help from him?
“Hurry up and open the door, you brat! Or else, I’ll kick it down. I’ll be able to get you even if you hide inside.” He continued his drunken rage outside.
Frightened, Ellen could not seem to contain her tears. Finally, she shut her eyes and dialed Jared’s number. “Hello, he answered the call.
‘President Presgrave, could you head back to my house? M-My uncle’s drunk, and he won’t stop banging on my door. I’m scared.” Her voice broke due to fear.
“Hang tight. I’ll come over right now.” He comforted her before hanging up.
Bombarded with the noises outside, Ellen clutched her phone, and her heart thudded frantically in fear. She could not imagine what Garrett would do to her if she opened the door, she had a feeling that he would hit her.
Though she was usually a stoic person, she was close to breaking down at that moment. She did not expect everyone in her extended family to threaten her this way, all because of money.
Fifteen minutes later, Jared’s sports car rushed in from the junction and halted in front of her house. He saw Garrett slamming the door while cursing under the streetlight. “You brat! Open the door! I’ll kick the door down right now!”
