Andrew narrowed his eyes, unsure how to deal with it. He thought about a thousand reasons to delay this call or stop it from happening altogether.
Not only because he was blocked but also because if Elara said anything about divorce, his grandfather would entirely put it in a way that it would seem like it all happened because of Beatrice when it wasn't the case.
Elara was leaving him because he never gave her the attention she needed, which was quite superficial according to him.
Heather looked at his son's troubled expression and sighed. Something was indeed the matter. And he would ask him about it when they would be alone for sure.
"Dad, calm down. It's getting late. What if she is busy or has gone to bed already?" Heather asked.
William scoffed.
"Bullshit. My granddaughter-in-law always has time for me. It's okay. If you can't call her, I will. I have a phone too," William said.
Andrew's expression changed, but he controlled his panic from appearing on his face.
William looked at Andrew with his eyes narrowed when the girl didn't pick up immediately.
Andrew's heartbeat quickened. He took a deep breath. Maybe it was better to tell his grandpa everything rather than having him hear about it from someone else.
Andrew was about to speak when the sound of the phone being picked up appeared from the other side.
"Hello?" William put the phone on speaker so if Elara was troubled, everyone would hear it, and they wouldn't say he was making up things because he favored the girl.
"Hello, Grandpa. I am sorry it took me so long to pick up. I was cooking in the kitchen," Elara said.
As soon as Elara mentioned cooking, Andrew immediately remembered how she used to love preparing food for him and ensuring that he would have proper meals at home.
She only left for one day, and he hadn't eaten anything proper since morning. The thought made him furrow his brows.
Well, he didn't eat because he didn't have the time. Now he could work more easily since no one would be pestering him about petty things. Andrew told himself, knowing all too well Elara was just pulling a stunt to catch his attention.
She would surely come back before this thirty-day time period would be over. There was no way the person who loved him so much would leave him overnight just like that.
"I miss your cooking. How can you not come and visit me? Andrew came alone today. I was wondering where my favorite family member was. Actually, he came with that woman I don't like. Is everything alright?" William openly showed his disdain towards Beatrice, and the girl smiled awkwardly.
Andrew looked at Beatrice apologetically, but the girl shook her hand in dismissal before saying it was okay.
"Is that so? What did Andrew tell you?" Elara asked.
"He said you are visiting a friend," William grumbled, and Elara chuckled.
"He is right. You must've heard about her. It's Candice Stewart. We were classmates during college, and she recently returned. And that woman, she is his secretary, Grandpa. Don't worry. Everything is alright," Elara said.
To say Andrew was surprised would be an understatement. He knew she cared about his family but hadn't expected to go along with the lie he cooked up. After all, this was the perfect opportunity for her to put him in trouble.
Hadn't she used this tactic many times previously to make things work between them?
"The heir of the Stewart Tech. Ltd.?" William asked.
"Hmm. Enough about me. Did you take your medicines on time? You have to stay healthy for a long long time. You promised me that, remember?" Elara asked.
William chuckled, the genuine joy on his face as his eyes crinkled, making everyone smile at the old man.
Though they didn't particularly like Elara, everyone having mixed thoughts about her, it wasn't wrong to say she was one person who could make their grandpa laugh like this.
"I will definitely live a long, long life, Elara. I am yet to see my great-grandson too. Then I'll have to ensure he grows to become a good man and respects his mother and then marry him to someone like you," William blasted.
Andrew's smile faltered when he heard his grandfather's wishes, while Beatrice clenched her fists to hide her anger.
"What's the noise about? Who are you guys talking to?" Carla, who had been gone, returned and looked at everyone.
"It's Elara. She is—" Heather started to speak when Carla rushed to her grandpa and snatched the phone from his hand.
"Elara, you have crossed a line today. Did you really think I wouldn't tell my grandpa anything and you could pretend to be the saint? Grandpa, this woman slapped me in public because I asked for some suggestions for the song! This bitch—" Carla started, but before she could finish her sentence, William snatched the phone back from her.
"You! How dare you speak to your sister-in-law in that tone? Do you want a beating from me?" William asked.
Carla raised her brows.
"Grandpa, didn't you hear me at all? She slapped me and—"
"You must've done something to deserve it. Leave it. I don't even want to hear about it. Just get lost from my sight," William said and walked some distance.
"But Grandpa—" Carla was about to follow William when Sophia held her hand to stop her.
If she wanted her daughter to have her name in the company's business and shares, rather than Elara, it was a must to stop her from disrespecting the elder.
He took a deep breath under everyone's scrutinizing gaze.
"Is everything really alright, Elara?" He asked.
Elara didn't say anything for some time. She did not want to lie to that one person in the family who always stood by her and trusted her.
She was about to open her mouth when William exhaled sharply.
"It's okay. Don't speak. Your silence speaks volumes. At this point I can't even defend my family. Just know whatever you have decided, I am with you on that," William said, his gaze turning sad and pitiful.
"I have seen you suffer alone because of my grandson's nonchalance, and it's about time I stop defending him. He has brought this woman home, and it's clear where things are headed. Will you at least come to my birthday? You are still his wife," William said, afraid she would drift too far away too quickly.
Elara hummed.
"I will be there, not as your grandson's wife but as Elara Frost," Elara subtly hinted at what was going on inside her head about the marriage, and William looked at Andrew with a pitiful expression.
This rare diamond sought him out, but it was his grandson's fault, who couldn't appreciate it. He tried his best to keep things better between them, but he couldn't do it anymore. He was growing old. The last thing he wanted to see was a girl unhappy because of his choices.
"Very well. If you have time, visit me as Elara Frost. I miss your cookies," William said, and Elara smiled before agreeing to bring cookies at his birthday.
She ended the call shortly, her body freezing when she felt someone's presence behind her.
Her hand reached for the dagger on her waist, and she quickly turned around like a warrior, ready to fight whoever it was.
When her gaze met with blue, cold eyes, to say she was surprised would be an understatement.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.