Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



The room fell into a stunned silence.

This included the Bradfords, the big shots, and even Tarquin.

Everyone's eyes were on Elysia, scanning her from head to toe, each with a different expression.

No one spoke; clearly, they didn't believe her words!

Even Tarquin thought she was just saying this to get him out of a tight spot.

He quickly got up and made his way to her, his face unable to hide his adoration.

Seeing her seemed to melt away the icy demeanor he had just moments ago, transforming him into a completely different person.

He took a few steps to reach her, took her hand gently in front of everyone, and asked with a soft tone, "What brings you here all of a sudden, worried about me?"

Elysia: I'm worried about the money!

She scanned the room, recognizing only a few Bradfords. The rest were strangers to her.

She thought they were all Bradfords, all Tarquin's rivals. Without greeting anyone and looking displeased, she pulled Tarquin aside, lowered her voice, and asked, "Did you give them money?"

"Uh?"

Elysia frowned, "I heard from Elijah that you wanted to include Elliot, Evan, Emmett in the family tree, and they opposed. So you decided to use money to persuade them!"

"Uh... kind of."

He had offered Gideon a 10% share, essentially paying for their acceptance.

Elysia was anxious, "Why are you being so naïve? Instead of spending money on a family tree that I don't care about, you might as well give the money to me! I never said I disliked Elliot, Evan, Emmett. What were you thinking with such a half-baked plan!"

"... It was Gideon's idea. I refused at first, then Elijah.....”

"Enough, has the money been paid out yet?"

"Negotiated, but not yet paid."

"You can't give them a dime! Elliot and Evan are your sons; they naturally belong in your family tree. No one has the right to object!"

Elysia had known this secret for a while, so she could discuss it casually without any surprise or curiosity.

But Tarquin was different!

He was shocked! Curious! Baffled!

"...Elysia, do you even understand what you're saying?"

"Of course, I do! Elliot, Evan... Ah, forget it, I won't explain now. Just don't give them any money. If you do, you'll have me to deal with!"

They were his family; why should they pay?!

"Just let me do the talking," Elysia concluded, dragging Tarquin back.

She looked at Gideon with displeasure, "You really make it interesting. It was your family who proposed the idea, and he agreed to pay. Yet, you're all making obstacles. Are you playing games with us?"

Elysia didn't know Gideon was a self-serving schemer, not truly aligned with the Bradfords.

To her, it was infuriating how the proposal came from them, yet they were the ones creating barriers.

Her words immediately set Gideon off!

The Bradfords turned to Gideon, outraged, "You were the one who suggested this? You told us it was Tarquin who insisted!"

"So, you were using our interests for your own gains! Watching from afar and profiting from our conflict!"

"You sure had it all figured out, not caring about the rest of us one bit!"

Everyone chimed in, turning Gideon's face beet red with embarrassment.

But he couldn't refute; the accusations were too accurate.

Gideon glared at Elysia, intending to take his frustration out on her.

But before he could speak, the cold stares from Tarquin and Elijah came first, a clear warning!

Not to mention Evan, standing protectively by Elysia, ready to defend his mom with a look that said, 'Say a word against my mom, and your dentures are history.'

Gideon, boiling with rage, found himself unable to lash out at Elysia directly.

After all, she might be an ordinary woman, but the people shielding her were far from ordinary.novelbin

Gideon had no choice but to swallow his anger and try to shift the focus back to Elysia, attempting to turn the Bradfords against her.