Chapter 269: Dodging the Drama
Returning to Maya’s place, Ellis was mildly surprised to find Maya home before her. “You actually got off work before me today!”
Maya, sounding utterly drained, responded, “I just came back to pick up some documents I forgot this morning. I’ve got to work late tonight.”
“That’s rough.” Ellis offered a few words of consolation before heading to her room to lie down.
After grabbing her documents, Maya left and didn’t return until late at night. She went straight to Ellis’s room upon arriving.
Ellis, on the brink of sleep, was puzzled by Maya’s hurried entrance without knocking. “Why didn’t you knock? What’s the rush!”
“Guess who contacted me tonight?” Maya wasn’t being mysterious; she revealed the answer immediately. “Easton’s assistant, a woman named Taylor, came to me with a message from her boss!”
Ellis sat up abruptly. “Taylor contacted you?”
It wasn’t the first time Maya had relayed messages to Ellis, but it still felt odd.
Recalling Taylor’s words, Maya relayed, “Yes, Taylor came to me. She said her boss has taken care of Victoria and told you not to worry.”
Easton was off his rocker again! Ellis rolled her eyes dismissively. What could he possibly do to Victoria? He had once sent her a video of Victoria hitting her, claiming he would punish Victoria, but she had seen no such punishment! Victoria was still fine, whereas she had to live in constant fear. That thought deepened her disdain for Easton. He was intimate with Victoria while pestering her about remarriage, not focusing solely on her but shamelessly acting like a scumbag. Truly, he embodied the phrase ‘there’s no one as invincible as the utterly despicable.’
She looked at Maya with genuine regret. “I’m sorry for always dragging you into my mess.”
“There’s no need for apologies between you and me!” Maya, unable to comprehend, sat on Ellis’s bed and gently shook her hand. “Ah, but who would have thought one of my regular duties would be acting as your messenger?”
Maya had never realized her own importance before. People who couldn’t reach Ellis tried going through her, as if passing along messages could change anything.
Ellis felt utterly despondent. “Stonebridge is just not the place for me anymore. I need to find some way to get away for a while, to continue living my quiet, comfortable life.”
“What you need is to get rid of those people, not run from them.”
“How would I do that?”
“Maybe curse them with bad luck so they’re too busy dealing with their own problems to bother with you?” Maya pondered. “Or find a powerful, influential boyfriend to overshadow them.”
Looking around Stonebridge, or even the entire country, there aren’t many who are wealthier or more influential than Easton. And even if they are, they’re not necessarily as handsome as him. Ellis massaged her temples, which were beginning to ache. She had never considered finding another man to solve her current predicaments, especially since Easton’s overall package was quite compelling: finding someone with his looks was a challenge on its own.
“If all else fails, maybe you should talk to Morty about handling Victoria?” Maya saw how cautious Ellis was, constantly on edge as if someone might snatch her up any moment, making her life exhausting.
“What would I owe him in return?” Ellis asked seriously.
Setting aside whether Morty would handle Victoria, the debt of gratitude was not easy to repay. She didn’t want to owe Morty, giving him the wrong impression and potentially making her life even more complicated. Besides, she was confused about Morty’s intentions. Is he just playing around, or does he want a real relationship? Be that as it wasn’t the point; she wasn’t interested in getting entangled with Morty. Morty wasn’t her type, and dealing with Victoria by forcing herself to interact with someone she disliked could make her sick to her stomach.
Running out of ideas, Maya half-jokingly suggested, “If nothing else works, should I cling to a really wealthy and powerful tycoon to solve your problems?”
Knowing Maya was joking, Ellis laughed along. “Sure, you’re the best friend ever. I’ll be waiting!”
“Deal! When I make it big, I’ll treat you to the good life!” Maya teased, tickling Ellis.
Unable to resist Maya’s sudden attack, Ellis tickled her back. Soon, they were both engulfed in laughter, playfully roughhousing.
Meanwhile, at the Hudson residence, a man sat by a table near the wine wall, his expression slightly troubled. It was Easton, who had sought out Ellis earlier that evening. His heart was heavy, feeling like he was suspended midair, neither able to rise nor fall.