Chapter 5

"Mark," Cornelius spoke as he entered, his voice carrying unmistakable authority. "Go find it out."

"Yes, sir." Mark Wright, his assistant, nodded.

The elevator fell silent enough to hear a pin drop, everyone waiting for his next words. But he didn't continue, leaving his request a mystery to the others.

While the passengers kept their eyes down in confusion, Mark bowed his head respectfully. "I'll look into it immediately."

He understood perfectly: Look into why Elizabeth was here, mingling with these people. And Aaron.

When they reached the fifth floor, both men stepped out.

Cornelius paused, glancing back at the ascending elevator. "Never mind. If this is what she wants, let her be."

Mark hesitated but didn't question further. "Yes, sir."

The elevator continued upward in awkward silence until reaching the seventh floor.

Aaron pushed open the door to a private room already filled with guests, immediately apologizing for their late arrival with exaggerated deference.

All eyes turned toward them, with someone joking that Aaron's new assistant looked like a movie star.

Aaron preened at the comment while the men's gazes lingered on Elizabeth, their scrutiny almost tangible.

"Go pour Mr. Thomas a drink," Aaron hissed with a warning glare. "Can't you read the room?"

Elizabeth approached James Thomas with a practiced smile. "Mr. Thomas, I'd like to toast you."

"Delighted," James replied, his eyes briefly dropping to her chest. His hand moved toward her, but she managed to step back slightly as she drank, avoiding his touch without being obvious.

His face darkened, saying nothing more.

After retreating to Aaron's side and resuming her compliant demeanor, Elizabeth endured as the alcohol flowed and business talk gave way to industry gossip.

"Did you see Mr. Habsburg earlier? So young yet so powerful. I heard he's completely taken control of the Habsburg family. Nobody can stand against him."

"That woman with him was gorgeous too. She's clearly his favorite. One of my colleagues was rejected by Mr. Habsburg, but just a few words from her, he immediately granted another chance..."

"I think her name is Angelina Sullivan. Everyone knows how Mr. Habsburg dotes on her."

"What about his wife? Has anyone met her?"

The room hummed with speculation and whispered secrets until someone said, "I heard she was responsible for the death of Mr. Habsburg's childhood friend. Do you think he had her quietly eliminated?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Ms. Whitaker might know something about that, right, Ms. Whitaker?"

Elizabeth froze as curious eyes turned to her. She replied flatly, "You must be joking, Mr. Wright. I'm hardly important enough to know such things."

The room erupted in laughter, especially James, who commented on her wit.

Aaron's lips curled into a half-smile as he raised his glass. "Come on, Ms. Whitaker, let's drink."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and downed the burning liquid in one go. The alcohol scorched a path from her throat to her empty stomach, triggering sharp, twisting pain.

Fighting rising nausea, Elizabeth excused herself to the restroom, escaping the suffocating atmosphere.

She hunched over the sink, dry heaving and producing nothing but cold alcohol. Tears blurred her vision as she splashed cold water on her face repeatedly, trying to regain composure.

She kept telling herself things would get better, or she feared she might collapse.

Just then, a tall, imposing figure entered her field of vision.

Cornelius.

He cast a contemptuous glance at her tear-streaked face. "Seems like your life without me has certainly become more interesting, Elizabeth.

"Being mocked by those nobodies while you smile and pour their drinks—is this what you wanted?"

He knew exactly where to strike.

Elizabeth's body trembled violently before she steadied herself. She raised her head defiantly, meeting his icy gaze.

"Yes! They're laughing at me. So what? Cornelius, no matter how pathetic I am, how much they mock me—at least I'm earning my own way."

She paused before raising her voice, "Better than being a ghost at your side, living like the walking dead!"

Cornelius's expression darkened dangerously as he stepped forward, his presence overwhelming. "Earning your way? By laughing at Aaron's jokes and pouring drinks? Elizabeth, you've certainly found your calling.

"You think leaving the Habsburg family means you'll soar? Don't crash too hard when you fall."

"Don't concern yourself with me, Mr. Habsburg!" Elizabeth straightened her spine. "Even if I crash and burn, it has nothing to do with you anymore."

"Let's hope so." He let out a cold laugh, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Remember what you said today."

He turned without another glance, leaving her with only the rigid line of his back.

Elizabeth leaned against the wall, emotionally drained. It took several minutes to compose herself before she could return to the private room with her smile firmly back in place.

She discovered her seat had been moved next to James.

Aaron shot her a meaningful look, feigning anger. "Elizabeth, Mr. Thomas has been waiting for you for several minutes. What took you so long? Hurry and apologize."

Elizabeth swallowed another wave of nausea and forced a timid smile. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Thomas. Perhaps I can make it up to you with dinner sometime?"

Her submissive approach visibly softened James's expression.

Taking advantage of this opening, Elizabeth poured him more drinks and joined him in several toasts.

Her apparent enthusiasm lifted his mood dramatically. He not only agreed to the partnership but even offered to be her "big brother" in the industry.

Aaron seized the opportunity, producing a contract for James to sign.

Elizabeth hesitated, unsure of her role, but James spared her the awkwardness by taking the contract himself and signing it.

Before leaving, James handed Elizabeth his business card with a smile. "Beth, call me if you need anything. Young people need experience to grow."

Elizabeth brightened, appearing honored. "Thank you, James."

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and five or six people emerged, surrounding a tall, commanding figure. His cold presence seemed to fill the entire hall.

It was Cornelius.