After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 26: You’re Capable, You’re Awesome

"..."

Eliza Sutton felt like swearing. ’Don’t think I can’t see what you’re doing, Shane Lockwood. You’re just redirecting their animosity.’

"I understand, I understand." The portly man said with an obsequious smile. He then walked over to Sherry, violently grabbed her by the hair, and dragged her over, shoving her in front of Eliza Sutton.

Eliza Sutton’s expression darkened instantly. "What are you doing?"

"Apologize! My goddaughter here has no sense and offended Mrs. Lockwood. I’ll make her apologize right now!"

With that, he kicked Sherry, trying to force her to her knees!

"That’s enough!" Eliza Sutton couldn’t watch anymore. She walked over and pulled Sherry up. "You can go."

Sherry’s eyes were red as she glared at Eliza Sutton, filled with deep-seated hatred.

"I don’t need your pity!"

Saying this, she shoved Eliza Sutton away and ran off.

The portly man apologized profusely from the side. "Madam Lockwood, I’m so sorry. My goddaughter is young and foolish. Please don’t lower yourself to her level."

"She’s young and foolish because you failed to teach her properly, isn’t she?" Eliza Sutton said bluntly. "What’s the deal with always pushing a girl forward to take the fall?"

The portly man looked awkward. He hadn’t expected Eliza Sutton to be so blunt, and a flash of anger crossed his face.

But Eliza Sutton ignored him, turning to sit beside Shane Lockwood and linking her arm with his. "Honey, I want to eat shrimp."

A plate of hibiscus shrimp on the table was immediately brought before Shane Lockwood. He picked one up and placed it on Eliza Sutton’s plate.

"Can you peel it for me~" Eliza Sutton cooed. "My hands hurt."

Shane Lockwood raised his eyes to look at her.

Everyone else present also looked at her.

They stared at her as if she were some kind of gladiator.

’Just as expected of someone from a minor family. She really thinks that just because President Lockwood showed her a little courtesy, she can walk all over him.’

’Daring to order President Lockwood to peel shrimp for her.’

’She must have a death wish!’

And then, Shane Lockwood moved. He picked up a shrimp and began to peel it for Eliza Sutton.

His long, slender fingers moved nimbly, and soon, a peeled shrimp was placed on the plate in front of Eliza Sutton.

Eliza Sutton popped it into her mouth and flattered him with a smile. "Shrimp peeled by my husband just tastes better."

Then, without the slightest hesitation, she directed Shane Lockwood to serve her tea, pour her water, and fetch her food.

The expressions of the others gradually shifted from shock to numbness.

If it weren’t for the fact that his face was the same, they would have suspected that President Lockwood had been replaced by an impostor.

At first, Walter Ellington had been watching it all as if it were a joke. But then, his expression turned solemn. He knew that even during the years when Vivian Forrest was at her most intimate with Shane Lockwood, having borne him a son, Shane had never served her like this!

After a few rounds of drinks, Shane Lockwood wheeled himself to the restroom, with Walter Ellington following close behind.

"Lockwood, are you for real?"

"For real about what?"

"About that good-luck bride of yours," Walter Ellington said. "You’re spoiling her too much. If Vivian finds out, she’ll be unhappy."

"So what? Eliza Sutton is the real Mrs. Lockwood."

Walter Ellington was stunned. "No way. You really plan on being with that good-luck bride for real?"

KNOCK KNOCK—

A knock sounded on the restroom door, followed by a pleasant female voice.

"Pardon the intrusion. I just wanted to ask, Shane Lockwood, are you done?"

Shane Lockwood turned his head and saw Eliza Sutton standing at the restroom entrance. His brow furrowed. "Why are you here?"

"I was worried about you, so I came to check." Eliza Sutton walked in, a smile on her face.

Walter Ellington never expected Eliza Sutton to just walk into the men’s restroom. He was so startled he nearly wet himself.

He couldn’t help but curse, "What the fuck?" and quickly zipped up his pants, irritated. "What is wrong with you, woman? Who said you could just walk in here?"

Eliza Sutton gave him an apologetic smile. "My apologies, Master Ellington. I was just so worried about my husband. But you don’t have to worry, I won’t laugh at you for being... ’limp.’"

Walter Ellington: "!!!!"

Walter Ellington exploded. "Who’s limp? Who’s limp? I’m the most potent man there is! Lockwood can prove it!"

"Oh?" Eliza Sutton’s gaze shifted back and forth between them, her eyes full of gossip.

Walter Ellington said with self-righteous indignation, "When Lockwood beats us up, I’m the only one of the guys who can last the whole night! I’m tough as hell!"

Eliza Sutton: "..."

’Wait, he’s proud of being able to get beaten up all night?’

Eliza Sutton did her best to play along, clapping her hands. "Master Ellington, you’re so capable. You’re amazing."

After placating Walter Ellington with a few perfunctory words, she turned back to Shane Lockwood.

"Can we go now?"

Shane Lockwood gave a slight nod. "Let’s go."

Walter Ellington didn’t react until the two of them had been gone for a while. Then he said, annoyed, "What did she mean, ’You’re so capable. You’re amazing’? Is she talking to a child? I’m so pissed!"

What pissed him off even more was that the woman had already wheeled Shane Lockwood away!

Eliza Sutton helped Shane Lockwood into the car, then got in after him.

Inside the black Bugatti Veyron, Eliza Sutton sat by the window, leaving enough space for another person between herself and Shane Lockwood.

It was quiet in the car; even the low hum of the engine was clearly audible.

"Are you angry?" Shane Lockwood suddenly asked.

"..."

"Eliza Sutton!"

Hearing Shane Lockwood say her name, Eliza Sutton finally turned her head, somewhat in disbelief. "Are you talking to me?"

"Is there anyone else here besides you?"

The driver in the front seat felt a silent pang in his heart. ’That’s right, I’m just a tool. Tools don’t count as people.’

"I’m just surprised, that’s all." Eliza Sutton smiled. "You’re overthinking it, President Lockwood. I’m not angry. In this marriage, you promised me three months. For me to just act as a shield for a bit... I’d say I’m the one getting the better end of the deal."

Shane Lockwood hadn’t expected Eliza Sutton to state his motive so directly. He turned to look at her and saw that her expression was calm and placid, without a trace of anger at being used.

Suddenly, Shane Lockwood felt he couldn’t quite figure Eliza Sutton out anymore.

At the very least, a girl with a mind like hers could never be the mediocre, cowardly, and even somewhat incompetent criminal and cast-off daughter of the Sutton Family described in her file.

As Shane Lockwood sized her up, Eliza Sutton remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she was a little nervous, afraid that this man would see through her and cause unnecessary complications.

After a long moment, Shane Lockwood said, "I won’t let someone who is sensible and well-behaved get the short end of the stick."

Eliza Sutton smiled. "Then thank you, President Lockwood."

Shane Lockwood dropped her off at the Lockwood Family estate and then left. Eliza Sutton had the large bed all to herself and slept like the dead.

She slept soundly, oblivious to the fact that news of Shane Lockwood defending her at The Imperial Feast had already spread like wildfire.

「The next day.」

A phone was ringing, loud and persistent.

Eliza Sutton forced her eyes open and answered the call. "Hello, Eve."

As soon as the call connected, Eva Monroe’s megaphone-like voice blasted from the other end.

"Isla Sutton, you’ve really done it now! You’ve made it big!"

Eliza Sutton’s ears ached from the shouting. She held the phone a little further away and waited for Eva Monroe to calm down before speaking. "What do you mean I’ve done it? Made it big? What are you talking about?"

"I’m saying you’ve only been married a few days and you’ve already tamed Yama Lockwood! Isla Sutton, have I ever told you how awesome you are? You’re truly my sister."

From Eva Monroe’s rambling words, Eliza Sutton figured it out: the story of what happened last night at The Imperial Feast had spread, and now everyone thought she was some kind of master strategist.

Some people even thought that for the past five years, while the Sutton Family had publicly sent her to prison, they had secretly been training her in the art of seducing men. And sure enough, the moment she got out, she had Shane Lockwood wrapped around her finger.