fool

Chapter 21 

As these words were uttered, everyone exchanged uneasy glances. 

Ella was always like this–arrogant and bold, like a brightly colored rose with thorns. 

“You… you dared to kick me, you bitch!” Simon wiped the cream off his face, shaking with fury. 

He didn’t care about the disgrace of hitting a woman; all that mattered was that she had humiliated him, and he couldn’t let that go. He swung his fist, aiming a vicious blow at her. 

Ella tried to dodge, but someone was quicker. She suddenly found herself pulled into a strong embrace, surrounded by a faint scent of mint. 

“Ah–ouch, that hurts…” Simon screamed in pain. 

Ella focused and saw that Jaden had grabbed the attacker’s hand, twisting it hard. 

“You can hit me, but not her!” he stated, emphatically pausing between each word. 

“You fool, let go of me!” Simon was beside himself with anger. 

But Jaden didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his grip, and Simon let out a scream that sounded like a pig being slaughtered. 

Finally, Harry intervened. “Mr. Simon is my guest, invited by me. Could you show some respect, for my sake?” 

Harry attempted to play the peacemaker, but Jaden interrupted him before he could finish. “Your sake? Can I eat it?” 

This remark sent the entire room into peals of laughter. Harry’s face flushed with embarrassment. 

Ella’s eyes lit up, thinking, “The fool has really nailed it! They say children speak candidly; apparently, so do fools, and no one can have said it better than Jaden. 

Harry, the bastard who had ascended to power without properly mourning Garrett and Willard, was now hastily throwing a grand party. He had no standing to demand respect. And people weren’t here for his sake. They were cautious of the Rhys Group, an empire built by his predecessors. 

“Ella, can’t you just make him understand?” Harry snapped at her. 

“What’s wrong with him? After all, I am Simon’s sister–in–law. You all saw it–he was drunk, tugging at me and tarnishing my reputation right in front of Jaden. What’s wrong with me teaching him a lesson?” 

“This is the first party I’ve hosted; do you have to embarrass me?” Harry hissed, his eyes ablaze with anger. “Do you really hate me that much?” 

“Please! Don’t talk like that, Harry. I have no feelings for you, neither love nor hate. I don’t care if this is your first party. I’m just addressing the situation. His indecent behavior towards me and his disrespectful words to Jaden deserve correction!” 

“You… I never realized before just how venomous you could be.” 

Ella heard this but wasn’t offended. Instead, she flashed a bright smile, revealing her white teeth. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me!” 

Ella had put him in his place, but she knew not to push too far. After all, Simon was destined to inherit Watson Group. She signaled for Jaden to let 

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He reluctantly released his grip, his face showing a flicker of annoyance. Clearly, he was not pleased. 

She took his hand and gently traced circles on his palm, softly soothing him, “Let’s not stoop to their level. Let’s just enjoy our meal.” 

Harry watched their intimate interaction, remembering how Ella had once spoken to him in that same tender tone, and felt a twinge of pain. “How could you change your heart so quickly?” 

His red–eyed, accusing demeanor might make an outsider think Ella had been unfaithful, as if she had deeply wronged him. Ella thought, ‘How can you play the victim so well? It is nauseating!‘ 

“Harry, would you like me to broadcast your ‘great achievements‘ at your party? If not, then please leave!” Ella said. 

Harry stiffened and left in a huff. 

Ella, feeling cheerful, continued to eat and drink with Jaden. Just then, a waiter carrying a tray full of drinks accidentally tripped. 

“Be careful,” a gentle but firm voice said near her ear. 

He protected her well, and only a bit of red wine splashed onto her shoes. However, Jaden’s back was completely stained; his white outfit now looked quite comical. 

The waiter was panic–stricken, apologizing profusely, almost ready to beg for forgiveness. Ella didn’t want to make a fuss; she knew his job wasn’t 

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4:03 PM 

Chapter 21 

easy. 

“Clean it up and go on,” she said quickly, concerned he might be punished. 

“Thank you, thank you…” the waiter stammered, thanking her repeatedly. 

Jaden watched her quietly. This gentle demeanor was in stark contrast to her assertive behavior just moments earlier. 

His suit was white and now ruined. She immediately called her secretary to bring another set. 

( 

They headed upstairs to the VIP rest area. On the staircase, they ran into Grace, who had a bruise on her face. Upon seeing Ella, she quickly covered it with her hand, turned away, and didn’t dare to meet her gaze. Ella paused for a moment but then continued walking upstairs. 

Soon, the secretary delivered clean clothes. As Ella opened the door to receive them, she noticed Grace hesitating at the doorstep, her eyes darting about, looking like she was struggling to speak. 

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Just as Ella was about to shut the door, Grace rushed forward, wedging herself in the doorway. Caught off guard, Ella accidentally pinched Grace’s hand in the door, eliciting a cry of pain. 

“What are you doing?” Ella asked coldly. 

“Ella, wait, can you help me?” Grace asked. 

“Why should I help you?” 

“I know it was my fault!” Grace suddenly cried profusely. 

Ella remained unmoved. 

Grace continued, “Harry is heartless. He promised to marry me, but once he took over the company, he looked down on me. He and Lucy decided to make me their goddaughter as a way to placate me! 

“Previously, in a moment of pride, I quarreled with you and bought lots of things. None of those purchases were for myself. He scolded me for squandering money, and I was even pregnant then–he… he actually hit me!” 

Grace’s crying intensified as she revealed the bruises on her face and more under her sleeves. 

Ella’s expression remained cold, torn between feeling sympathy for Grace and finding her misfortune deserved. But one thing was crystal clear- Harry had reached a new low. 

“Now I truly regret it. To have fallen out with you over such a man, I was blind!” 

In her agony, Grace began to slap her own face, each hit leaving her cheeks quickly swollen and bloodied at the corners of her mouth. 

Ella couldn’t stand to watch any longer and stepped in. 

“Things have already come to this; there’s no turning back. What are you hoping to achieve by telling me all this? Do you think we can return to how things were? It’s impossible, give up that notion.” 

Grace responded, “I… I never dared hope we could go back to how things were, I know I deserve my fate. But the child in my belly is innocent. All I want now is to escape from the Rhys family and return to my hometown to raise my child properly. 

“Please, consider the loyalty my parents showed to the Willow family all their lives! Consider Devin’s honor! The child… the child is innocent!” 

Ella felt a stir of emotion. Indeed, the child was innocent. Even someone as reprehensible as Grace, upon becoming a mother, might show a shred of decency for her child. 

“What do you expect me to do?” Ella asked. 

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