Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 97: Jasmine Was Taken Away by Cece

Before Elara could speak, Aidan Sommers couldn’t take it anymore and said, "Enough! What happens to my future is my own business, what does it have to do with her? What relationship does she have with me? Why should she sacrifice for me? Even if she were my real sister, there would be no reason for her to go this far, Mom, can you do something sensible? Having you as a mom in this life, I’ve really had enough!"

Yvette Sommers looked at him in disbelief, "What do you mean by having me as a mom? What have I done to you? I... I did everything for you!"

Aidan Sommers’ eyes were slightly red, not wanting to say another word to her. With a stern face, he turned and walked away. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Sometimes he really resented, why his mom had to be like this! Growing up, how much he wished his mom could be like other mothers, speaking softly and kindly, understanding respect. But his mother was like an unreasonable shrew, sharp-tongued, harsh, and trying to control his life.

He really had enough!

Yvette Sommers watched his back with hurt, a mixture of heartache and grievance surged through, while clenching her teeth in hatred, "Debt collector! I gave birth to a debt collector!"

Elara and Zion Fitzwilliam had no interest in watching this drama unfold, they got into the car and quickly left.

Yvette Sommers stood downstairs for a while, wiping away her tears, then turned to go upstairs. After entering the room, she found David Hales seated in the bedroom with a notebook in his hands, dazed and lost in thought. Her anger flared up instantly, as she walked over and taunted cynically,

"Oh, reminiscing again? That bitch has been dead for three years, you really can’t forget her, why bother me? Do you think I relish serving you? I’ve worked tirelessly for you, yet you won’t even help me with such a small matter. If you had advised your daughter a bit, she wouldn’t have dared act so arrogant towards me!"

David Hales turned to look at her, expression cold and blunt, "If you can give up the fifteen thousand Elara gives you every month, you can leave. If it weren’t for worrying about Elara, do you think I would want to live with you?"

Yvette Sommers placed her hands on her hips, cursing angrily, "You old undying dog, saying this now, you’ve got no conscience! When I was wiping your ass and serving you, why didn’t you tell me to leave? You are indeed a shameless dog! Your whole family is a bunch of shameless, vile bastards! Useless cowards!"

Whenever she cursed, she never answered directly, as if she could gather the world’s most venomous, disgusting words to vent. David Hales listened to her shrill voice, as usual, silent in response.

Finished cursing, Yvette Sommers kicked over a chair and returned to her room, the loud bang indicating she hadn’t yet vented her anger.

David Hales lowered his head to look at the notebook, a page contained only a number, left by his long-time friend when they last met, three years ago; they’ve never dared to contact each other.

That matter was like a nightmare, hanging over both of them. Yvette Sommers was right about one thing: he was indeed a shameless scoundrel and useless coward.

Lately, his anxiety grew, he didn’t know why even after all these years, he felt like things weren’t over, like danger could erupt at any time.

Besides Elara, he had no other ties in this world. Elara couldn’t be harmed, he couldn’t bear such consequences.

After much hesitation, he took his phone and dialed the number from the notebook.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered, and a cautious yet disbelieving voice came from the other end, "Old... Old Hale?"

David Hales’ voice quivered, "Old Brother Churchill, it’s me!"

Old Brother Churchill choked up, "You... We agreed not to contact each other ever again in this lifetime, what are you... You fool!"

David Hales closed his eyes, a murky tear fell, "Old Brother Churchill, lately I’ve had a bad omen. Is everything okay on your side?"

Old Brother Churchill sighed, "Everything is fine on my end. It was clear from the start that you were exposed; if not, it wouldn’t have brought such a disaster. I’ve hidden away early, how could there be any trouble."

What David Hales feared most was Old Brother Churchill being targeted, that the matter would resurface. Hearing Old Brother Churchill’s words now, he sighed with relief, "As long as there’s no trouble."

Old Brother Churchill advised him, "You worry too much, what’s done is done, I know your conscience has been troubled these years, but at least we’re still alive. Focus on being with your daughter and don’t cling to past events!"

David Hales said, "I know, I know. Old Brother Churchill, let’s pretend this call never happened, just like how we’ve been these past three years, let’s stay that way."

He hung up the phone, staring blankly at the family photo of three on the table, closing his eyes heavily.

On the other side, Elara and Zion Fitzwilliam returned home when Zion suddenly asked her, "Actually, this isn’t so bad, don’t you think?"

Elara paused, "Huh? What isn’t so bad?"

Zion coughed, hung his blazer at the entrance, unbuttoned his shirt cuffs, rolled them up a few times, letting her sit down, then methodically said, "Look, both our families worry about us being alone, aging with no one to care for us. But I will never realistically get married with a woman, and you’ve been through such hardships that you may never date again. We actually don’t need short-term solutions, why not live like this long-term, what do you think?"

Elara didn’t expect him to say this, even more, she was alarmed to realize he made a lot of sense, but for some reason, something felt off. She struggled a bit, "But we agreed initially..."

Zion chuckled, "I understand how you feel, you still want to return to living alone eventually, but look at the situation now, your dad worries about you. If we divorce later, his worries won’t lessen, and after you adopt a child, a stable relationship will also benefit her greatly."

Elara felt slightly swayed. She knew what he said was true, but... Is this really proper?

Zion studied her expression, then dealt a decisive blow, "How about this, starting next month, I’ll give you my salary after fixed expenses, we can manage ourselves like a real family. When your adopted child arrives, I’ll fulfill fatherly duties too, not to mention, without a dad, children get looked down on by classmates."

Elara opened her mouth, feeling something was amiss but couldn’t pinpoint it, not right now. Zion saw her silence, grinned, extended a hand, "So is it settled?"

Elara instinctively reached out to shake his, realizing what he meant, she was about to speak when Zion said, "I’ll head to my room for rest."

Elara could only temporarily swallow back her words. She didn’t know what to say now, it was just repetitive, it was better to ponder it properly first.

Zion calmly returned to his room, closed the door.

Then he couldn’t resist clenching his fists, exclaiming cheerfully, "Yes!"

As Elara finished her shower, she finally realized what felt wrong.

Everything Zion said seemed to benefit her: handing her his salary, giving her the house, promising to be a father to her adopted child. Maintaining the marriage, what advantage does he receive? Why was he so proactive about it?

Could it solely be to reassure Grandma Fitzwilliam? That sacrifice is too much.

Yet, knowing his kindness, it sort of made sense: he’s naturally not materialistic, and being kind and filial, such decisions shouldn’t surprise.

But she still needed to talk to him another day. A fake marriage is not a real marriage; there’s no need to hand over all the salary to her. If they are to live together, just contributing a portion to cover household expenses would be fine.

Elara lay in bed, pondering over these things, and slowly fell asleep.

Early the next morning, she went to the welfare home with Zara. They had agreed with Mrs. Langley yesterday to pick up Jasmine today.

On the way, she brought up Zion Fitzwilliam’s proposal with Zara and asked, "Do you think I should agree?"

Zara felt a chill down his spine. Elara might not understand what this meant, but he did. It indicated the Fitzwilliam Family wanted to treat her as their real daughter-in-law, for life.

Previously, he and Esther Carter helped Grandma Fitzwilliam, thinking they’d divorce eventually, fooling the old lady a bit and earning some pocket money. Moreover, Elara needed the Fitzwilliam Family’s support against the Jacobs Family. It was a win-win situation, so why not?

But now, it was obvious the Fitzwilliam Family was serious.

He dared not give random suggestions, "So, what do you think?"

Elara hesitated, "I actually think it’s quite good, saving a lot of trouble, but it’s unfair to Zion."

Zara was shocked by this answer. He glanced at her, "If, and I’m just saying if, Zion Fitzwilliam didn’t like men and liked women instead, would you still consider his proposal?"

Elara immediately said, "How could that work? If he liked women, we couldn’t have had this arrangement from the start."

Zara sighed. He knew it.

He really didn’t know how to remind her: the man beside her was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, plotting against her, plotting against her.

Elara, however, was lost in other thoughts. If Zion Fitzwilliam wasn’t gay... if he wasn’t gay, he would probably be very popular among girls.

He’s handsome and capable at work. Though not extremely wealthy, he has a car, a house, and no worries about food and clothing. Above all, he’s kind, and his family is good too.

If she hadn’t encountered that incident with Mason Jacobs, such a man could make her heart flutter.

With a sigh for a moment, they arrived at the welfare home. As soon as the car stopped, Mrs. Langley rushed over with red eyes, "Hale, I’m so sorry to you!"

Elara felt a pang in her heart, quickly asking, "What happened?"

Mrs. Langley wiped her tears, "Just moments ago, Jasmine was taken away by someone. They came with documents. I checked, and the documents are legitimate and proper. Elara, Jasmine has been adopted."

Elara and Zara’s expressions changed simultaneously.

Before arriving, the atmosphere in the car had been cheerful as they imagined raising Jasmine, planning where she would study abroad; Zara suggested taking her shopping for new clothes first...

But now, she was gone?

Elara took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then asked Mrs. Langley, "Do you know who took Jasmine?"

Mrs. Langley frowned, "It was a woman. Before leaving, she did leave a message for you, saying her name was Cecilia Quincy."

Anger flared up in Elara’s heart. Wasn’t Cecilia about to get married? What good would taking Jasmine do for her? Could she really bring an adopted child into the Jacobs Family?

Meddling in adoption, without understanding that her casual action could affect Jasmine’s entire future?

"Mrs. Langley," Elara bit her lip and asked, "Did Jasmine leave willingly?"

Mrs. Langley quickly shook her head, "No, Jasmine didn’t say much, but it was obvious she didn’t leave willingly. She’s too sensible, so sensible it’s heartbreaking."

Elara felt the same pain. Jasmine must have been eagerly waiting for her to come, only to be taken away by the scheming Cecilia. Cecilia didn’t know what trouble she’d cause for Jasmine out of spite for Elara.

She turned to Zara and said, "Let’s go back. I need to find Cecilia Quincy!"

Zara hesitated, "Don’t you remember today is Mason Jacobs and Cecilia Quincy’s wedding day."

Elara had indeed forgotten. Hearing this, she paused and then coldly replied, "That doesn’t mean she can just take my child away for no reason!"

Seeing that she was prepared mentally, Zara felt relieved, "Then let’s go, we shouldn’t delay. I know where they’re having the wedding. I’ll take you there."

Before leaving, Mrs. Langley seemed to have remembered something, stopping them, "By the way, when Jasmine left, she took Joanne with her. She said she wanted to show her good friend the world outside the mountains and would bring her back by evening. If you see Joanne, please ask her to return early. She has never been far from home; I’m worried."

Elara agreed, and Zara started the car.

The journey back wasn’t as light-hearted as the journey there. Both Elara and Zara were silent, and their mood was gloomy.

Finally, Zara broke the silence, asking, "When you find them, what are you planning to do? If Cecilia Quincy could take Jasmine, it means her documents are legitimate. We’re already a step behind, and even if we find them, we can’t take Jasmine back."

Elara was, however, determined, "She’ll give Jasmine back to me."

Today is her big day marrying into the Jacobs Family. If Elara brings this matter before the Jacobs Family, forget Mason Jacobs, even Kylie Dalton wouldn’t allow Cecilia Quincy to adopt a child right after entering the family.

She knew the Jacobs Family too well. They only wanted biological grandchildren to carry on the family line.

Cecilia already had one in her belly; how could Kylie allow the adoption of a child, making the Jacobs Family a subject of ridicule among the wealthy?

She was willing to bet that Cecilia Quincy adopted Jasmine without the Jacobs Family’s consent.

This woman is vicious and utterly overconfident.