Honey, You're a Billionaire?

In that fleeting moment of panic, many noticed Lizzie's reaction, including Cyrus.

"Lizz, you and him..." Cyrus tried to resist the influence of Clover's words but couldn't help wanting a clear answer.

"Cyrus-" Lizzie had already prepared her explanation, but Clover didn't give her the chance to voice it.

With a faint, mocking smile, Clover said, "If I were her, even if there was something shady going on, I'd still say there wasn't."

He was obviously implying that Lizzie's words couldn't be trusted.

Cyrus' brow furrowed deeply, an unmistakable crease forming as he felt an unsettling agreement with Clover's suspicion. He looked down at Carl, who was kneeling on the floor.

In his mind, Carl was just a bodyguard from the Azure Clan, yet the man seemed to be everywhere.

Suddenly, a feeling of dread welled up in Cyrus' chest, and he didn't dare to ask further. Just as he wavered, Carl broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Mr. Finch."

Cyrus stiffened. "What is Carl apologizing for? What could he possibly feel sorry about?" he wondered.

With a darkened expression, he listened as Carl continued, "I like Lizzie... no, I love her. I love her even more than you do, but why..."

Carl's tone dripped with bitterness as if he had suffered a great, irreparable blow.

"Carl!" Lizzie could no longer contain herself. She glared viciously at Carl. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

This was utter madness! If he exposed their relationship now, the consequences would be disastrous.

Before she could even process the possible fallout, Carl let out a bitter laugh. "Nonsense? Lizz, you know how much I love you. I've done everything for you, and anything you asked..." But what was he in her eyes?

"Carl!" Lizzie gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as her facade of composure crumbled.

Her greatest worry now was Cyrus' reaction. She instinctively turned to look at him, only to see his face his face darken with anger. Panic seized her. "Cyrus, don't listen to him! There's nothing between us, nothing at all!" Carl cut in. "Hah... Lizzie, it seems like you do care about Mr. Finch, after all. But you told me you didn't love him... that you were just forced into this..."

A cold shiver ran through Lizzie's entire body. She felt like Carl was about to reveal something even more humiliating at any moment.

Sure enough, driven by his unwillingness, Carl wanted to drag Lizzie down with him. "There's a red birthmark on Lizzie's lower back..."

"Enough!" Cyrus interrupted him.

The revelation of a red birthmark that nestled right on Lizzie's lower back was an intimate detail that spoke volumes of an undeniable connection between Carl and Lizzie.

"Cyrus..." Lizzie began, but Cyrus coldly brushed off her hand. His emotions were in turmoil at the moment.

The shame of being so publicly wronged, of having his love and trust betrayed without even realizing when the facade began, burned hot within him.

Though he wanted to get to the bottom of their affair, the presence of others held him back.

Cyrus forced himself to look at Elijah and the others. "Mr. Xanth, I apologize for the unpleasantness tonight. I'll be sure to address this matter with Rose. However, some things... are better kept private." Being cuckolded was a family scandal. How could he make it public?

Elijah understood what he was getting at. "It's getting late, and I trust the Finch family will handle this well. We'll wait for the outcome. We'll take our leave now."

He shot a look at Clover. Though Clover yearned to watch the drama unfold, he knew better than to disobey his uncle's unspoken command. Reluctantly, he followed suit.

Miles also took his leave, guiding Harriette out of the hall.

As they stepped outside, they crossed paths with Jonathan and Rose, who were heading inside. The sight of Jonathan and Rose's clasped hands caught everyone's attention. Clover couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Despite his best efforts, he had failed to steal Rose away from Jonathan's side.

In a smooth yet assertive tone, he stated, "I'm just a phone call away if you need anything. I can be here within half an hour."

The sway of his confident silhouette was the last they saw as he became the first to depart through the manor's gate. Miles glanced at Rose before giving Jonathan a simple instruction. "Take care of her." He then left without another word. Elijah looked at Rose with a doting gaze. "I'll pick you up for work first thing in the morning." With that, he left too.

Rose blinked, watching as they each left with such nonchalance, leaving her behind without a second thought. She couldn't help but think that was a bit inconsiderate of them. Just as she was about to speak up, intending to go with them, the hand holding hers tightened slightly. Jonathan pulled her closer, his arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders.

A hint of jealousy underscored his words as he murmured, "The Finch family has an important matter to attend to tonight, and you must be present. His tone left no room for argument. Rose looked up and was slightly dazed by his handsome profile. "Why?"

She had a rough idea of what the important matter entailed, but the notion that she must be present sounded somewhat strange.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

A glimmer of amusement danced in Jonathan's eyes. Bending down slightly, his lips met hers in a brief, gentle kiss.

Caught off guard, Rose froze.

His deep voice resonated in her ear. "You're my wife. Whatever happens in this family, you should be here by my side, never absent... unless..."

His breath brushed against her ear, sending a tingling sensation through her.

Rose swallowed. "Unless what?"

"Unless we're both absent together."

...

As Rose and Jonathan entered the hall hand in hand, an unsettling silence enveloped the room. The atmosphere was thick with tension as though even the air itself had taken on a stifling weight.

Rose quickly took in the scene. Apart from Ezra and Finley, whose expressions appeared unperturbed, Eleanor, Cyrus, Lizzie, and even Yara, who was seated quietly in a corner, all looked tense. A man knelt on the floor, his face bruised and swollen...

"Rosie, are you alright? Come, sit next to me," Eleanor greeted her warmly, her previous cold demeanor replaced with a smile full of affection.

Unused to this sudden display of affection, Rose found herself speechless. Before she could respond, Jonathan gently pulled her closer.

"She'll sit with me." With that, he declined Eleanor's invitation.

Eleanor's smile faltered briefly. But, gracious as ever, she replied, "Very well, you can sit by Jonathan's side too."

In truth, Eleanor was pleased to

witness the growing bond between

Rose and Jonathan, knowing it

would strengthen the alliance between the Finch and Xanth families. However, there was still pressing business to attend to.

Her icy gaze turned to Lizzie, but her words were directed at Cyrus "See this? This is the woman you insisted on marrying, Cyrus. She's brought quite a surprise upon the Finch family, hasn't she?" A shameful affair with a bodyguard. Eleanor's eyes were laden with contempt.

Lizzie's face flushed, but not from

Eleanor's seathing remarks or the humiliation of her affair being exposed. No, what truly stung was the glint of mockery that flickered in

over

Jonathan's gaze as it sin

her.

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