Free Web NovelChapter 48: Jealousy (1)
"I am fine mother so please don’t cry. You’ll worry your friends and then father will be upset. It doesn’t hurt. See," Victor smiled to show that he was fine.
"Still," Layla looked at her hand. "I have never laid a hand on you before. That was wrong of me and it can’t happen again. That boy is bringing out another side of me," she sighed, blaming her actions on Ian.
No one in this world should ever lay a hand on Victor. Not even Layla but hearing about Ian had caused her to hit her beloved son.
Layla went back to fixing Victor’s hair as it was now out of place. "We must get him out of town soon rather than invite him for dinner. It won’t be long before he is remembered for being a bastard so don’t get too close to him. You have plenty of friends to spend time with. Understood?"
Victor nodded his head though he didn’t agree with his mother. While being with his friends was fun it didn’t compare to being around a sibling.
"I need to get him away from Scarlet so you can get close to her. She upsets me with how she takes his side and it seems like the divorce is greatly affecting her head but she is still useful. I’m sure that the bastard is getting close to her to use her wealth. You must seduce her before then. Forget about the other women you were introduced to," said Layla.
If Victor married Scarlet then there was no way he would lose to Ian. Not that there was ever a chance he would lose.
"I will find a way to set up a sit down with the Collins so you must do your best to get close to her. Despite everything, you will succeed," Layla said, her heart sure of it.
Layla saw a future where Victor would be healthy inheriting everything that once belonged to Hank. Victor would be married with a family of his own and one day he would thank her for everything that she did for him.
"We must join your father now. If you start to feel like you can’t stand by yourself, hold my hand and I shall come up with an excuse for us to leave. However, you can’t run away too many times so you must stomach the pain. Walk with me," Layla said, holding onto Victor’s arm.
As he walked with his mother beside him, Victor looked around to see where Ian had wandered off to. He hoped that Ian would stay by Scarlet’s side throughout the party so Scarlet wouldn’t be approached by his mother to be told lies. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Away from where most of the guests gathered, Scarlet sat with Ian on a bench.
"Did you get the reaction you were looking for?" Scarlet questioned, referring to Ian seeing his family.
"I did but there is still more I want to see from them. Are you hot?" Ian asked, looking up to the sky. It was starting to become cloudy as if the rain wanted to join the party.
"No. It’s a surprisingly windy day. Coming here I remember why I had not accepted the invitation. This is the kind of party where everyone you want to avoid may gather. Still, it is good to be away from home," said Scarlet, seeing the bright side.
"Because you should have fun more often?"
"No," Scarlet shook her head. "It makes me realise how much better it is to be at home. No one bothers me there. It is my safe space in this town. That and the home my parents own."
"You surprised me once more, Scarlet. Though you may wish to go back home right away, I am taking you elsewhere you will enjoy. There are plenty of places in town to be your safe space outside of your estate. Tell me honestly, do you not feel lonely to be there with just your servants?" Ian asked.
"There are moments," Scarlet admitted. She lived in a large estate by herself so there were many times she felt lonely. The exciting days were when her relatives came to visit. "But then I focus on work and it goes away. There are times I enjoy being alone. It is confusing."
"Well, now you have a handsome man you can call upon to be around when you feel lonely. I enjoy the bed that I have at home, but I am willing to make an exception for the one you have in your estate," Ian said, enjoying how Scarlet rolled her eyes.
"I am not giving that room to you," Scarlet replied, thinking of the room he pointed out as his.
"Oh, Scarlet. You have your moments of not understanding what I mean. Princess, I meant your bed. Scarlet, your shoe," Ian winced from the pain of her shoe pressing down on his. He didn’t know whether mentioning her bed or calling her princess had angered her. Maybe both.
"I’m sorry," Scarlet apologised.
"You say that but you aren’t moving your shoe. Is this your way of showing you love me? I’ve travelled all over the kingdom and some think hurting someone means you like them but you have trouble saying it. I’m touched." freewebnovёl.ƈom
Scarlet moved her shoe from hurting Ian. "That’s ridiculous. It is as foolish as saying a boy bullying you means that he likes you. I won’t take you away from your precious bed so don’t make any plans. Why are you so touchy?" She asked, watching as Ian played with her hair.
Scarlet didn’t try to stop him as it wasn’t bothering her.
"Only with you," Ian answered.
"Lucky me," Scarlet muttered. "I hope with this all the gifts to my home will stop. Gossip should soon spread out of this party that I am with you. My parents," Scarlet sighed as she knew a visit from her mother would be coming. "If my father ever visits you, you must take his threats seriously. He’s a bit more protective when it comes to my relationships now."
"And for that I like him. I’m not concerned about your father’s visit. I look forward to your mother’s visit as I am certain that I can charm her. Friends of yours?" Ian asked, looking in the distance at a couple staring their way.
He was enjoying the quiet moment with Scarlet but of course, there would be someone looking to ruin it.
Scarlet looked around for whom Ian spoke of and felt the party become draining once more when she realised who was watching her. "Relatives."
"Ones that you would want to bury or ones that I should charm to get on your good side?" Ian asked.
"Bury. I told you this is a party where people you wish to avoid may gather. They are Naomi and Preston Collins. Two of the relatives after my estate and businesses," Scarlet introduced the pair.
"Well, the good news is that they are not coming your way, but they are staring as though they want your attention. Hmm." Ian smiled as the pair walked over to where Jack and Beth were surrounded by other guests.
It was obvious the pair were trying to make a mockery of Scarlet by going to her ex-husband and his lover. If they were good relatives they would not be so friendly with the man who cheated on Scarlet.
"I will get you another drink and something to eat. Excuse me for a moment," Ian said, standing up from the bench to find a servant.
While his main focus had always been on his family, Ian suddenly felt the need to humble a few Collins.
