Chapter 15: I Owe You One

I hadn’t said a word, but Jeremiah and Jack were already eager to label me unfaithful. This was a rare moment of unity between them. Before I could speak, Eric chuckled coldly and voiced my thoughts exactly: “When Jane was pushed down the stairs, you all failed to notice and care for her. I simply reached out to steady her, yet you’re so eager to throw accusations around. Anyone would think she’s your enemy, judging by your behavior.”

“It must be tough on her to be family with people as blind and heartless as you all are,” Eric said, glancing at me with sympathetic eyes.

I chuckled softly. His sharp tongue never disappointed. Sure enough, his words silenced the others. Elsa’s expression turned especially sour. She forced a smile and hastily explained, “I didn’t mean to push Jane. I just lost my footing; it was an accident.”

She could barely finish a sentence before her eyes reddened. She looked pitifully wronged.

Jeremiah and Jack hurried to comfort her. Once she was pacified, Jeremiah turned to glare at Eric. “What are you doing here this late at night?” he demanded.

Before Eric could answer, I walked over and leaned into his arms. “What else could a man and woman be doing alone at night?”

The room fell into a suffocating silence. Eric stiffened, staring down at me in shock. I gave him a wink and silently begged him to cooperate.

Since Jeremiah and Jack were here and my earlier plan to expose Elsa had failed, I figured I’d put on a different show. If they were so keen on believing I had an unusual relationship with Eric, I’d let them be. Jeremiah wanted to accuse me of what I had never done, so I’d make sure to disgust him.

Eric quickly caught on. He wrapped an arm around my waist and smiled knowingly. “That’s right. What else would we be doing alone at night?”

Jeremiah’s veins bulged with fury. He clenched his teeth and spat, “Jane, how dare you cheat on me? You shameless witch!”

He charged toward me as if he’d lost all rationality. It seemed as if he might become violent. Eric moved swiftly to shield me behind him. His expression darkened, and his gaze was icy. “Try touching her.”

The chilling look in his eyes froze Jeremiah in his tracks. I stepped out from behind Eric with a smirk and retorted, “Right back at you. I’ve never said a word about all your scandals. At least I haven’t done anything to embarrass you in public.”

Most of Jeremiah’s scandals were tied to Elsa. It was clear to everyone whom I was referring to.

Jeremiah’s expression turned ugly. Jack opened his mouth to defend Jeremiah and Elsa, but I cut him off. “It’s late, and I need to rest. Get out, all of you, or I’ll call the police for trespassing.”

I had no interest in prolonging things. Just looking at their faces made my stomach churn in disgust.

I called security to escort all three of them out, along with the items Elsa had brought. Once the door was shut, I finally had peace.

Eric sat on the couch and looked at me in amusement. “Closing the door at this hour isn’t a great look. Now that it’s just the two of us, people might get the wrong idea.”

I stumbled slightly and almost lost my balance. I sat across from him, glaring. “Can’t you be serious for once?”

Eric had many good qualities, but his sharp tongue could offend anyone. Of course, he had the privilege of not caring, being a Flint.

With a sigh, I said seriously, “Still, thank you for what you did earlier. Sorry for dragging you into this mess and tarnishing your reputation. I owe you one.”