Chapter 123: Silence is Golden
The others were baffled, wondering what Morty had done to offend Easton. Under the scrutiny of many eyes, Morty casually lifted his glass. “Today’s a good opportunity to apologize. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn, asking you about your rumored divorce from Ellis. Here’s to your freedom from misery!”
Upon hearing this, everyone except Victoria was visibly shocked, then nodded as if it made perfect sense. Why would Easton need Ellis when Victoria is back?
Given Ellis’s unrefined demeanor—always following Easton around more clingily than a band-aid, lacking in sophistication, and certainly not holding a candle to the deep connection Easton and Victoria shared—it was no contest.
After the initial surprise, everyone raised their glasses, voices overlapping with congratulations. “Great to hear, Ellis was such a sore sight; cheers to you dropping that dead weight!” “Ellis wasn’t worthy of you. Congrats on being single again!”
As the congratulations poured in, they gradually noticed Easton’s expression darkening, his eyes filling with icy fury directed at Morty. The mood shifted palpably, and everyone quickly shut up, placing their glasses back down and pretending they hadn’t just congratulated him. In the eerie quiet that followed, a bottle of liquor suddenly hurtled toward Morty.
Caught off guard, everyone froze, wondering if Morty would end up dead at Easton’s hand tonight. In moments of danger, people often tap into unexpected potential. With the bottle about to smash his head, Morty dodged swiftly. A second later, the bottle shattered on the floor, its contents spreading everywhere.
Still in shock, Morty saw Easton rise, towering over him with the demeanor of a ruler passing judgment. “If you want to die, I won’t stop you!” His chilling voice echoed through the booth, leaving everyone in silent horror. What on earth had Morty done to enrage Easton to this extent, to make him wish death upon him? And Easton’s actions showed no regard for their childhood friendship—he was serious.
Victoria, witnessing Easton’s rage for the first time and fearing for herself, didn’t rush to defend Morty. Thus, when Morty looked to her for support, she pretended not to notice.
“Easton, aren’t you…” Morty maintained a composed demeanor, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere.
But Easton cut him off, slowly scanning everyone present before saying coldly, “Forget everything Morty said tonight. No one is to mention whether Ellis and I are divorcing in front of me again! Mention it, and you’ll end up like Morty!”
The group was left wondering whether Easton and Ellis were divorced or not. “And that includes what you all just said!” Easton’s sharp turn of phrase had everyone on edge. “Don’t let me hear it a second time, or I’ll skin you alive!” Everyone felt a chill, cursing under their breath. They had echoed Morty’s words, thinking they were pleasing Easton, but they had instead touched a nerve.
But a lingering question remained. What did this outburst imply about Victoria’s status in Easton’s eyes?
Chapter 123: Silence is Golden
She stood up, speaking softly, “Easton, don’t be mad at Morty. You know him; he meant no harm; he was just happy for you.”
“Happy about what?” Easton’s cold gaze turned to Victoria. “I don’t need others meddling in my affairs, broadcasting them loudly, or spreading rumors that I’m divorced! I am not divorced from Ellis!”
Ellis constantly spoke of divorce as if she couldn’t wait to drag him back to the Civil Affairs Department to dissolve their marriage, a notion he already disliked. Plus, her talks of finding another man to marry while still married irked him deeply. He had managed to keep her quietly at Dynasty Estate, and now Morty’s comments had added insult to injury, making his terrible mood even worse. He hated when others discussed his and her status, especially since he wasn’t the one pushing for divorce, yet everyone was congratulating him on escaping misery.
If anyone was escaping misery, it was Ellis, determined not to be his wife, making him feel like the one being abandoned. His displeasure quickly turned into fierce anger. “Ja…illis abandoning me!” The thought alone is infuriating! Easton pondered.
Seeing Victoria speak for Morty, yet failing to ease Easton’s anger, made everyone wish they could just disappear. Fortunately, the storm of rage passed quickly, as Easton left.
The group immediately surrounded Victoria and Morty, asking, “Easton hasn’t divorced Ellis, so why did you say they did?” “You got Easton fired up, and you scared us too!”