The Age of Blossom

Elsie Curry's parents died in a plane crash, leaving her an orphan.

It was her uncle, John Hardy, who wasn't related by blood, who raised her.

As she grew older, Elsie realized her feelings for him were more than just familial affection.

Her young heart couldn't hold back, and on her eighteenth birthday, she confessed her love to him.

Naturally, she was met with rejection.

But Elsie grew bolder, and on her twentieth birthday, she dared to climb into John's bed.

He grabbed her by the neck and demanded, "When did I ever teach you to behave like this?"

1

Today was Elsie's twentieth birthday party.

The grand event showcased her status, but everyone knew she was an orphan.

John, in a perfectly tailored suit, exuded the aura of a man in power. His presence made everything around him seem like mere background.

However, the woman clinging to his arm was an eyesore.

Elsie swirled her wine glass, her gaze, like that of the other women present, frequently landing on John.

But she had the advantage of proximity; after all, he was her uncle.

Watching John finish his drink, Elsie walked over in her high heels.

"Uncle John, you haven't wished me a happy birthday yet, " she said, her voice soft and playful, dimples appearing on her cheeks.

The woman beside John, Anna Andrews, interjected. She raised her glass to Elsie with poise and grace.

"Happy twentieth birthday, Elsie. May you always stay young and pretty forever."

Elsie had chosen a form-fitting mermaid gown to highlight her maturing figure, a traditional symbol of maturity and elegance, but standing next to Anna's confident poise, she felt overshadowed.

Anna's blessing somehow stung, and Elsie instinctively straightened her posture, her words turning sharp.

"I was asking Uncle John, not you."

"Elsie, " John reprimanded coldly, "don't be rude."

Elsie tightened her grip on her wine glass.

John had never scolded her before, and now he was doing so in front of another woman.

But she needed to stick to the plan. She swallowed her bitterness, offering John a drink with a smile. "I'm sorry, Uncle John. It's just been so long since I've seen you. I really hoped for your blessing on my birthday."

Indeed, it had been a long time since Elsie had seen John. She had to pester him for three months to get him to attend her birthday.

Ever since Elsie confessed her feelings on her eighteenth birthday, he had been distancing her, surrounded by various women.

She had driven them away one by one, only to be met with increasing indifference from John, who even arranged for her to live at school's dormitory.

Just as things settled, Anna appeared.

Her age and status made her a perfect match for John, and their growing closeness alarmed Elsie.

She couldn't let anyone take John away from her.

John accepted the drink from Elsie, offering a curt "Happy birthday" before taking a sip, his brow furrowing slightly. "Don't drink too much."

Elsie stuck out her tongue playfully. "It's alright. After all, you're here, Uncle John."

Anna teased John, "Elsie is really close to you, isn't she?"

Elsie watched Anna move closer to John, struggling to maintain her smile.

What infuriated her more was John's nod of acknowledgment, a stark contrast to his usual cold demeanor towards her.

"Uncle John, my classmates are over there. I'll go find them, " Elsie said, needing an excuse to leave before her facade cracked.

Elsie retreated to the second floor, watching John finish the drink she had given him, her hands trembling with excitement.

After tonight, she would no longer be a child.

As the party ended, everything went according to Elsie's plan.

The familiar scent of sandalwood mixed with a hint of tobacco surrounded her as she lay against John's firm chest.

His furrowed brow suggested discomfort, his reddened ears softening his usual authoritative presence.

The quiet hotel room echoed with Elsie's frantic heartbeat, her palms sweating with nerves.

She had prepared herself mentally and pressed her lips to John's tightly closed ones.

The faint taste of tobacco and wine was intoxicating. and her first kiss carried their flavor.

Holding his face, Elsie's heart burst with joy, like a burst of joy illuminating her heart.

Emboldened, she grew more daring.

"Elsie?"

John's voice startled her, and she looked up into his eyes, fear of being caught making her want to cry.

She instinctively recoiled and said. "I'm sorry, Uncle John... I... "

But in the next moment, John pulled her in for a kiss.

Elsie froze, then wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss.

If only he would treat her like this when he was sober.

Elsie clutched the bedsheet, tears slipping into her hair, the pain of first night keeping her mind sharp.

She watched John's usually stern face soften with desire, her heart swelling with love.

Anna's face flashed in her mind, and she couldn't resist a mischievous thought. "Uncle John, you love me.

you love Elsie, " she murmured, coaxing him to say her name.

2

Elsie held John's head, sighing contentedly as passion clouded her mind, pushing aside all his past coldness.

This was her happiest birthday since losing her parents.

When she was twelve, her parents' plane crash made international news, and every channel broadcasted live updates.

At the airport, she refused to believe it, stubbornly waiting for three days until the nanny forced her home. The search team eventually delivered her parents' belongings, and upon seeing the damaged items, she fainted and developed a high fever.

Then came the distant relatives, drawn by the large inheritance left to a little girl, like a treasure trove left unguarded.

They drove away the nanny and housekeeper, hiring lawyers to fight over the inheritance. When that failed, they vied for custody of Elsie.

Awakening to a pack of vultures around her bed in hospital, Elsie cried in fear.

Just as she was being coerced into signing away her parents' estate, John appeared, like a savior.

Children naturally trust attractive adults, and John, with his black suit and a pocket full of White Rabbit candies, a popular sweet treat, won her over.

John organized her parents' funeral.

Afterward, he showed her the contract.

"I'm just managing this for you. You need to be better and worthy of the legacy, so you can take over when you grow up. I am John Hardy. You can call me Uncle John."

Young Elsie, looking at the handsome figure beside her bed, inexplicably trusted John's words.

His comforting presence eased her grief slightly.

Now, John stood by her bed again, just as handsome but filled with anger, surveying the room with a deep frown.

"Elsie, how can you do this?"

Elsie, tears streaming down her face, cowered under the covers.

John's words, nearly shouted through gritted teeth, making her tremble and cry harder.

She had expected John's anger but couldn't help but cry.

Losing patience, John began picking up scattered clothes.

Seeing him dressing to leave, Elsie panicked and called out, "Uncle John... I'm sorry... I was terrified of losing you."

Elsie's voice was choked with sobs, her face half-buried in the blanket, leaving only her tear-filled eyes visible.

"Losing me? When did I ever say I was leaving?" John rubbed his temples, closing his eyes in frustration.

"Are you dating Anna? Are you two going to get married?"

If he got married, would he abandon her?

But she liked him too, and they weren't even related by blood.

She was already twenty; why couldn't he see her as a woman?

"This isn't something you should be concerned about."

John's abrupt response returned to his usual cold and distant demeanor.

Elsie, who had just peeked out from under the covers, retreated back into them.

Did he really like Anna that much?

John fastened his cufflinks, holding his suit jacket in hand, and declared with a deathly coldness, "Elsie, you'll be going abroad for your studies. It's my fault for neglecting the daily education. Only when you've learned to act with more consideration can you come back."

Elsie was stunned. She had expected there would be punishment, but she hadn't thought he'd be so heartless.

Just last night, he had called her name with such tenderness. Did he really not feel anything for her?

Ignoring her appearance, Elsie jumped out of bed and clung to him desperately from behind.

"Please don't! Uncle John, I'm sorry. I don't want to go abroad. You weren't like this last night. I gave you my virginity. You can't treat me like this."

Elsie clung to him desperately, tears and snot flowing uncontrollably.

John's slender fingers pried her grip loose with a slight force, pulling her forward like a chick and forcing her to face him.

Elsie stood on tiptoe, biting her lip, trying to hold back her tears, not daring to meet John's gaze. She realized she was naked and awkwardly covered herself with her hands.

John's sharp gaze felt like a cold blade slicing over every inch of Elsie's skin.

He sneered disdainfully, his words like a slap to her face.

"Elsie, when did I teach you to be so shameless?"

He released her wrist, and Elsie fell back onto the soft bed.

John adjusted his clothes without a trace. He didn't even spare her another glance, leaving her alone to face the mess of the room.

Elsie buried herself in the blankets, her shoulders trembling with bitter laughter, which soon turned into tears.

She didn't regret it. Even if she had to be a bad girl and use tricks, she wanted to stay by John's side.

3.

John's long-standing tolerance for Elsie made her dismiss his threat of sending her abroad.

She thought she could change his mind by acting spoiled and sincerely apologizing.

Until one day, a classmate involved in overseas school admissions teased her, "Elsie, why didn't you tell us you're going to study in U.K?"

"What? I... " Elsie instinctively wanted to deny it, but John's face suddenly flashed in her mind.

Her hand paused on the book, losing all interest in class. She pulled out her phone to call John.

No one answered.

She contacted John's assistant, who informed her that he had canceled his meetings for the day and was resting at home.

Elsie rushed over without delay.

Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She planned to burst into tears and apologize profusely as soon as she saw him.

John had always been so good to her; he would surely soften.

She couldn't go abroad.

Even if John was still angry, as long as she stayed by his side, there was still hope.

She composed herself before ringing the doorbell.

The lock turned gently, and Elsie's heart raced.

She was relieved that finding John wasn't difficult this time, giving her more time to act spoiled and clingy.

But when she saw Anna open the door, her joy instantly vanished.

"Why are you here? Where's my uncle?"

Anna, seeing Elsie, withdrew her hand from the door handle, casually brushing her hair back and standing lazily with her arms crossed.

"Elsie? Why are you here? John is in the shower. You can tell me if you need anything."

Though her words seemed concerned, the mocking smile on her face felt like a provocation to Elsie.

Elsie glared at Anna, noticing she was wearing John's shirt.

John was a clean freak; he would never let someone else wear his clothes.

Ignoring Anna, Elsie tried to push her way inside.

Anna, having dealt with Elsie's unreasonable behavior before, wasn't about to argue with a child.

But she was also fed up with Elsie's lack of manners.

Anna blocked the door with her arm, still smiling, "Elsie, wait a moment. Let me tidy up inside before you come in."

Elsie felt her anger rising.

Did Anna really think she was the lady of the house now?

Pampered and naive, Elsie didn't understand these subtleties and walked right into the trap.

She pretended not to hear and squeezed her way in.

The sight in the living room hit Elsie like a shockwave.

Clothes were strewn over the sofa, and the lace trim peeking out revealed they were women's garments.

John's watch lay on the table, and the trash bin was filled with crumpled tissues.

Elsie wasn't stupid. Seeing this, she understood everything.

And with Anna wearing John's shirt and the sound of water from the bathroom, John was indeed showering.

"Oh dear, Elsie, I told you the place was a mess, " Anna said, still smiling, but to Elsie, it was a taunting grin.

"Despicable." Elsie clenched her fists at her sides.

"What?"

"You despicable bitch! Don't think you can take my uncle away from me!"

"What makes you think that, Elsie?" Anna feigned surprise, covering her mouth, then laughed maliciously, "After all, it's John that invited me over."

Elsie's clenched fists trembled. Seeing Anna's smug face, she wanted to pull her hair out.

Just then, John's voice came from the bathroom, "Who's here?"

"Uncle!"

"It's Elsie, " Anna and Elsie replied simultaneously.

Anna withdrew her gaze from Elsie and walked to the bathroom like this was her house.

She soon returned, addressing Elsie, who was still standing there, "John wants to see you."

Elsie raised her eyebrows and went in, like she had won a battle.

Her expression said, "See, he still cares more about me."

But she soon came out, tears still in her eyes as she ran past Anna, giving her a sharp look.

Elsie left in anger.

Outside, the sky was overcast.

Elsie ran, wiping her tears fiercely, John's words from behind the bathroom door echoing in her ears.

"The plans for you of going abroad are set. Don't come looking for me unless necessary."

Her visit to John felt so meaningless, like she was begging for humiliation.

Memories of John's past kindness flashed through her mind, each one stabbing at her heart.

4.

Elsie took a cab home, curling up like an abandoned kitten, feeling wronged.

She didn't know how long she stayed like that, but night fell, and her tears dried up.

The frustration in her chest still wouldn't dissipate.

She got up and went out.

Elsie found the liveliest place at night.

She leaned on the bar, not knowing how many drinks she'd had.

The deafening music only made John's face clearer in her mind.

Frustrated, she ordered a drink she remembered well, one John often had.

Elsie took a big gulp of the drink.

The sharpness of the alcohol was hard to swallow. She frowned, looking at the amber liquid in her glass, and slammed it down on the table in annoyance.

"Are you alone?" a man's voice sounded beside her.

The man whispered to the bartender and sat next to Elsie, ordering her a new drink.

When it arrived, the man, Hank Norris, pushed it towards her, "Try this. It's smoother and has a lower alcohol content."

Elsie sipped some water to ease the discomfort in her mouth, ignoring the man beside her.

She'd lost count of how many had tried to hit on her.

She just wanted to drink away her heartbreak, not be bothered.

Hank didn't seem bothered by being ignored. He ordered another drink and pushed it towards Elsie. "This one's made with coconut milk and has a sweet, refreshing taste. You should try it."

Elsie, annoyed by the interruption, glanced at him impatiently. "I don't need a bartender trying to upsell me."

Her eyes met a face that was disarmingly handsome, a friendly and approachable look that put her at ease.

For a moment, she was taken aback by his good looks.

Hank's features were strikingly handsome and refined. He squinted and smiled at her words, spreading his hands. "You've misunderstood me. This one's on my tab."

Elsie felt her face heat up, unsure if it was from the alcohol or embarrassment, or being watched by such an attractive man.

Hank's appearance was the complete opposite of John's. His charming smile seemed evil this time.

Elsie averted her gaze, trying to appear calm as she took a small sip from the drink in front of her.

Hank continued the conversation, "Are you here alone? Going through a breakup?"

"No."

"Come on, it's just a breakup. It's no big deal."

"I said no."

"Fine. But drinking alone isn't a good option, you know."

Elsie frowned, any favorable impression she had of Hank quickly dissipating.

Why couldn't he see she didn't want to talk?

She turned to find Hank still looking at her.

"I got dumped. She said I was too clingy and immature, so she found someone richer and more mature. Do you think people always change? She used to cling to me and say she liked me when we were kids.

Sorry, am I troubling you?"

Elsie's urge to leave suddenly subsided. Her mind replayed memories of her as a child. She clung to John's neck, asking if he liked her.

She looked at Hank's profile, opened her mouth but said nothing, only responding with a soft hum.

"I didn't mean to disturb you. I have a sister about your age, but she passed away when she was very young."

Hank lowered his head slightly, his hair falling over his forehead, adding a touch of melancholy.

He caught a glimpse of the question in Elsie's eyes and took a sip of his drink before continuing, "It was a plane crash, the one that made headlines worldwide eight years ago."

Elsie's hand trembled, spilling her drink onto her jeans.

Eight years ago, her parents died in a plane crash, the same one that shocked the world.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Hank hurriedly grabbed a napkin to wipe the spilled drink on the table. "Did my boring words disturb you?"

Elsie snapped back to reality, watching Hank fuss over the mess. She numbly accepted the napkin he handed her.

For some reason, her previously dry eyes began to well up with tears again.

"Why are you crying? I am sorry. I won't say anymore, " Hank said, suddenly at a loss.

Elsie sobbed, her shoulders shaking, and downed the drink in front of her with blurred vision.

It was the one Hank had ordered for her, not as harsh as others.

Ignoring Hank's attempts to stop her, she continued drinking one glass after another until she was slumped over the table, unconscious.

The bartender gave Hank a look of admiration.

Hank ignored it, focusing on Elsie. "Are you okay?"

Silence was his only answer.

Hank looked at the drunken Elsie, sighed, and took out his phone. "Where do you live? I'll take you home."

Unexpectedly, Elsie suddenly sat up, her eyes unfocused. "I don't want to go home! I can drink more."

Hank steadied her as she nearly fell, ignoring the curious glances from those around them. "Next time, I'll drink with you whenever you want. Just tell me your address so I can call a cab."

Elsie squinted, finally catching a moment of clarity in her haze, and met Hank's gaze.

From an outsider's perspective, the atmosphere between them seemed to heat up, but Elsie suddenly turned and vomited.

Afterward, she buried her face in Hank's chest, wiping the mess from her chin onto his shirt.

Hank's smile cracked for a moment.

5

A muffled voice came from his chest. 'I don't want to go home. I don't have a home anymore."

Hank patted Elsie's back, his tone softening. "How can that be? What about your family?"

"I only have an uncle, but he doesn't like me. He wants to send me abroad to fend for myself."

"That's so unfair. I could report him for abandonment."

Elsie punched Hank lightly and lifted her head. "I'm not a child anymore. My uncle is very powerful. Reporting won't work."

"What's your uncle's name? I didn't know there was someone so powerful in Texas."

"John Hardy, from the Cosmic Cooperation."

"So you're Elsie Curry? The wealthy heiress raised by John?"

Elsie's pride faltered, and she pushed Hank away, the indescribable frustration stopping her from speaking further.

"What's wrong? I didn't mean anything by it. Why are you upset?"

Hank was puzzled by Elsie's sudden change in mood.

"Don't be mad. I'll drink with you. Or I could treat you to something delicious?"

Seeing Elsie unmoved, Hank put away his smile and spoke seriously.

"Then I'll tell you a secret.

I'm investigating the plane crash from back then.

You might not believe it, but from what I've found, the crash wasn't an accident."

Elsie looked up sharply. "What did you say?"

The alcohol-induced fog in her mind cleared a bit.

Hank met her shocked eyes and repeated, "The plane crash was caused by someone."

Elsie quickly gathered her bag from the floor and stumbled towards the exit, bumping into others along the way.

Hank was baffled by her sudden anger following her shock.

He hurried to catch up and apologize to those she bumped into.

Outside, Elsie shook off Hank's support and faced him coldly.

"What do you want exactly? You knew who I am from the start, didn't you? You approached me on purpose. And now you're saying the crash was deliberate. Did you get me drunk to scam me? How much do you want? I'll just pay you off."

Hank was amused and exasperated by her outburst. "Can you not change your mood so quickly?"

He tried to approach Elsie to calm her down.

But every step he took forward, she took one back, even raising her designer handbag as a weapon.

It was clear she was ready to hit him with her designer handbag if he got any closer.

"I won't get close, okay?

Can we talk somewhere else?"

Elsie refused, insisting on talking right there at the bar entrance.

There were plenty of people and security cameras.

Hank couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they ended up sitting on the ground under the bar's awning.

"I'll admit, I did approach you on purpose at first."

Elsie's disdain grew, and she subtly moved further away from him.

"But what I'm saying is true!" Hank quickly continued. "I suspect the crash is connected to John."

"Liar." Elsie swung her bag at Hank, regretting trusting him again and wasting her time listening to him.

"If you're so brave, tell me your name. I'll have my uncle deal with you."

Hank caught the bag and grabbed Elsie's arm as she tried to leave.

Elsie instinctively struggled against his grip.

Hank was surprised by the strength of the seemingly delicate girl when drunk.

He pulled Elsie closer.

"My name is Hank Norris." Hank looked into her eyes seriously. "I have evidence. I can show you everything I've found."

"And then what? Are you suggesting I've been raised the wrong person all along?" Elsie scoffed. No matter what, she wouldn't believe a stranger who approached her with ulterior motives.

Hank knew she wouldn't believe him, so he pulled out his phone to show her the evidence.

The documents laid out in front of her were interconnected.

"You think you can fool me with this? What does any of this have to do with my uncle?" Elsie knocked Hank's phone away.

As the wind blew, making Elsie's head spin even more.

Elsie felt overwhelmed by the dense text. She felt queasy.

Swallowing hard to suppress the urge to vomit, she suspected that Hank was playing a trick on her. Standing on tiptoe, she reached out to grab his hair.

Hank wanted to explain, but was frantically trying to save his phone first amidst the chaos.

The scene turned chaotic.

In the end, Hank lost his balance, and both of them, along with the phone, tumbled to the ground.

"Ugh... "

The sensation of falling made Elsie feel like the world was spinning. She leaned over Hank and vomited.

Hank felt a sudden warmth on his chest, the sour smell mixed with alcohol hitting his nose.

She soaked half of Hank's side and then, as if he were a human pillow, fell into a deep, oblivious sleep.

Hank, at a loss, sighed deeply, wondering what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into.

She vomited on half of Hank's body, and after she finished, she slumped over him like a human mattress, unconscious.

Hank couldn't possibly sleep on the street with her. He needed to clean up.

Carrying her, he wandered around nearby hotels, but the closest ones were fully booked.

The ride-hailing app on his phone showed a wait time of half an hour.

"The smell is so awful, " Elsie mumbled as she woke up, turning her head to rest on Hank's other shoulder. As her body slid down due to gravity, she wriggled to find a more comfortable position.

"It's all your doing, " Hank said, adjusting her so she could find a comfortable position. "Are you drunk or not? If you don't tell me where you live, I'm taking you to a hotel."

6

Elsie stared at the veins on Hank's neck, lost in thought.

She wasn't drunk.

In fact, she was gambling.

As soon as she arrived at the bar, she used the card John had given her, knowing he would receive a notification.

She didn't believe a word of Hank's claims or evidence. She stood firmly by John's side, but thoughts of her parents crept into her mind.

The last time she saw her parents, they promised a family trip to the snowy mountains upon their return.

If what Hank said was true, wouldn't everything she had done be a joke?

Thinking of her parents' faces, John's recent coldness, and Anna's ever-mocking smile, Elsie couldn't hold back her tears.

Listening to Hank's heavy breathing and strong heartbeat, she couldn't hold back her silent tears.

Feeling the irregular warmth of her breath on his back, Hank, who was about to speak, stopped. He glanced at his phone's navigation and continued walking.

After a long while, when Hank's breathing became unsteady, thinking Elsie had fallen asleep again, he heard her say in a heavy nasal voice, "I don't want to go abroad."

"Studying abroad is a great opportunity. Why don't you want to go?"

"The education here is good enough."

"Are you afraid of flying?"

"No, " Elsie denied instinctively, not wanting to lose her face.

Hank sensed her hesitation and promised with a smile, "When you go abroad, I'll sail you there."

Elsie paused, imagining Hank's carefree demeanor and sunny smile.

But how could she discuss her personal matters with someone she barely knew?

Sniffling, she said, "Forget it. You wouldn't understand."

The gentle swaying gave Elsie a rare sense of security. Despite the darkness and chaos around her, she couldn't resist the drowsiness and fell asleep on his back.

Hank looked down at her dangling legs and couldn't help but smile.

This young lady reminded him so much of his sister.

The two of them walking down the bar street looked like a boyfriend carrying his drunk girlfriend, a harmonious scene.

Until someone stood in front of Hank, stopping him in his tracks.

It was John.

"Elsie, come here."

"She's asleep. Don't wake her, " Hank replied. Sensing Hank's hostility, John was enraged.

Elsie had come to drink and badmouth him?

John didn't even know Hank.

John's assistant broke the tension, stepping forward to help Elsie down.

Hank stretched his neck and wrists, refusing to back down. "She said she doesn't want to go abroad. As the great CEO, you should respect her wishes."

John picked Elsie up with one arm, not sparing Hank a glance. "It's none of your business."

"The mighty CEO sure knows how to throw his weight around, " Hank mocked.

The assistant took Elsie's bag from around Hank's neck, thanked him, and returned to John's side.

"How much do you want?" John asked, but he had already instructed the assistant to transfer money to Hank.

Hank laughed in disbelief. These two were really cut from the same cloth. "Money solves everything, huh? Is this how you handled things eight years ago too?"

John glanced at him, uninterested in responding. After checking on Elsie, he carried her to the car.

Ignored, Hank wanted to confront John further, but the assistant stopped him.

The assistant professionally explained the process, informing Hank how much money he could receive and what processes were required afterward, as well as the consequences of non-compliance.

The car door closed, cutting off Hank's view.

Several tall bodyguards stood menacingly between Hank and the car.

Frustrated, Hank threw his jacket to the ground, abandoning the idea of confronting John directly.

After finding Elsie, the assistant withdrew the search team and arranged for a private doctor. Driving, he felt nervous under John's intense presence.

John looked at Elsie, who was snuggling into him, her eyes still wet, the car filled with an unfamiliar sour and alcoholic smell.

Since taking Elsie under his wing, she had never been in such a state.

As if guided by an unseen force, John pinched Elsie's flushed cheek.

Even grown up, she was still a handful, only looking peaceful when asleep, like when she was a child.

Elsie, disturbed by the pinch, clutched John's shirt and frowned, trying to find a more comfortable position.

The familiar scent surrounded her. Was she resting on a leg? It felt hard and uncomfortable.

Confused, she opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was John's chiseled jawline.

7

Elsie sobered up significantly and suddenly sat upright.

"Elsie Curry, " John called, his voice stern.

Elsie, not fully aware of the situation, lowered her head like a scolded child. John only used her full name when he was angry.

"Running off to drink with a guy? Where's your self-respect?"

Self-respect.

That word again.

Elsie suddenly remembered John's disdainful and cold words from that morning, her fingers turning pale as they trembled uncontrollably.

Elsie, who had planned to quietly endure the storm, erupted like a small, fierce animal.

She was unwilling to hear that word from John again.

"And what about you?" she shouted.

"Haven't you brought enough women home these past two years? If you've already decided to send me abroad, why are you still interfering in my personal affairs?"

John rested his hand on his leg, turning the ring on his thumb, watching Elsie's outburst with indifference.

"You're not a child anymore. You should take responsibility for your actions."

She understood. He was referring to her climbing into his bed.

"I know what I'm doing."

"Clearly, you don't."

"So what are you going to do this time?" Elsie felt on the verge of breaking down. "You've been so annoying since Anna showed up."

John lowered his gaze, continuing to turn his ring. "Who was that guy?"

"What?"

"The man carrying you." John lifted his eyes, scrutinizing Elsie.

Elsie realized he was asking about Hank. She paused, unsure of what John had seen.

A strange thrill spread through her heart.

So it was this easy to make John care about her?

"Boyfriend, " she lied without blinking.

John's probing gaze made Elsie uneasy. She knew he was trying to discern the truth.

"Break up with him, " he ordered, leaving no room for argument.

In the past, Elsie would have complied without question.

"No. Why don't you break up with Anna?"

Elsie wanted to see John's reaction, to see if he would show more concern.

The car stopped, interrupting Elsie's gaze. She glanced out the window. They were home.

John had raised her since she was young, and they had lived in this house for years.

Ever since Elsie confessed her feelings to him at eighteen, John had rarely returned.

Each time Elsie came back, she couldn't help but reminisce about the past, so she decided to move to an apartment closer to the school.

Elsie stayed in the car, waiting for John's response, wondering if he would stay the night.

"No matter who he is, just leave him, " John commanded, tapping on the partition. His assistant got out to open the car door for Elsie.

The hope that had risen in her heart was dashed once again. Elsie always found it hard to control her emotions in front of John.

"Are you rushing back to Anna's side?" she asked, recalling the mess in his living room when she went to find him.

"I'm not a child anymore, " she protested.

"What's wrong with me dating? You never care about my thoughts, always dictating my life.

He's kinder, more considerate, and understands what I need better than you do!" she added.

John's demeanor grew more stern. He had been patient enough to talk to her, but she had been yelling at him and constantly criticizing him throughout the journey.

John opened the car door and, like picking up a rag doll, carried Elsie back into the house.

He flicked on the light, and the sudden brightness made Elsie squint uncomfortably.

John lost the composure he had maintained in the car.

"Elsie, I've always thought I wasn't good enough to you, so I agreed to whatever you asked. I didn't expect you'd become so unreasonable. That guy tried to take you to a hotel when you were drunk. Do you know what could have happened if I hadn't found you? "It's okay to date, but you got so drunk that you couldn't even stand and were about to go to a hotel with someone. So, I want to know how long you've known him.

John rarely spoke so much to Elsie in one go.

Though his words were harsh, they made him seem like a concerned father to an observer.

"I don't want to go abroad, " Elsie tried to negotiate.

"No, " John rejected her outright. "No bargaining. My patience has limits."

His tone was non-negotiable. Seeing that soft tactics wouldn't work, Elsie decided to provoke him.

"Then he'll go abroad with me. That still meets your requirements, doesn't it?"

John narrowed his eyes dangerously. "What have you done in this stupid relationship?"

Frightened by John's demeanor, Elsie instinctively took a step back, secretly pleased that her tactic seemed to work.

She stammered, "Everything that couples do, we did it all."

John advanced, his shoes tapping on the floor, each step echoing in Elsie's heart, making it race -not with excitement, but with panic.

John twisted Elsie's arms behind her back and silently dragged her upstairs.

Elsie realized she might have gone too far this time.

Was he going to throw her off the balcony?

Before she could plead for forgiveness, John tossed her into the bathroom and turned the shower on her.

The cold water washed away the last traces of her drunkenness.

Elsie couldn't open her eyes, shielding them from the water with her hands.

Before she could get up, she saw through blurred vision that John was unbuttoning his shirt.

"You used to like me the most, didn't you?"

"Uncle John, " Elsie's mind went blank, calling out to him for the first time that night, hoping to awaken some sense of reason in John.

John picked her up, her wet clothes clinging to every inch of her skin.

He not-so-gently stripped off her wet clothes, and Elsie resisted frantically.

"Didn't you used to cling to me, asking me to help you bathe back then?"

Her protests were in vain; John's hands didn't stop.

Elsie hugged herself, shaking her head vigorously, trying to retreat but unable to escape his grip.

"That's different, " she argued.

Back then, she didn't understand as a child, only seeing the warm scenes of children bathing with family on TV.

Having accepted John as family, Elsie naturally made such an outrageous request.

John had responded by finding several teachers to educate her on the differences between the sexes.

John lathered her hair with shampoo, his gaze steady, making Elsie ashamed of her own impure thoughts.

John would never do such a thing.

After rinsing off the soap, John wrapped Elsie in a thick, large towel.

When they emerged, Elsie realized they were in John's room.

The minimalist, monochrome style was only decorated with a childhood drawing she had made, fearing John might have nightmares too.

"Why are you shaking? Are you cold?" John placed Elsie on the meticulously made bed.

"No, I'm not cold. Uncle John, I should go back to my room, " Elsie said, clutching the towel and retreating. He loomed over her, making her heart pound.

John's wet trousers clung to his muscular thighs, and Elsie sensed danger in his eyes.

She tried to escape, but he caught her ankle.

"Why run? Didn't you like me the most?"

"No, John, calm down, " Elsie pleaded, kicking at him, only for him to catch her other foot.

"Now that you have a boyfriend, so you don't like me anymore?" he asked, pulling her closer with a gentle smile, so different from his usual calm demeanor.

Elsie couldn't escape, tears welling up in her eyes. "John, don't do this. You scared me."

Her pleas went unanswered, met only with John's unyielding actions.

He must be insane, she thought.

Elsie turned her back on John, refusing to acknowledge him.

What was this-fighting fire with fire?

After nearly an hour of forced intimacy, John dressed in clean clothes from the wardrobe, his earlier aggression vanished without a trace.

"I'll arrange for a tutor to come and prepare you for going abroad. Stay home and focus on that, " he instructed.

Elsie remained silent for a while, gradually realizing that all her resistance was futile.

John found her rare silence and tense expression somewhat unusual.

"Break up with that boyfriend too. I won't say it again, " John added.

A dull pain throbbed in Elsie's heart, making her chest feel tight.

She hadn't anticipated this kind of relationship with John, especially when he had been with Anna during the day.

Her face still flushed, Elsie said, "John, you make me sick."

John paused, then quickly regained his composure, reaching out to touch Elsie's face.

She turned away. "Leave."

John stared at her for a moment, then withdrew his hand, casually adjusting his clothes.

With that, John left the room.

Silence returned, and Elsie's discomfort magnified, her mind replaying everything that had just happened.

By the time dawn was approaching, Elsie finally fell asleep.

When she awoke again, the tutor John had arranged was already waiting in the living room, having consumed two pots of tea served by the housekeeper.

Elsie lifted her eyelids and stood expressionless at the top of the spiral staircase, looking down at the tutor.

The tutor, eager to please, immediately stood up to introduce himself.

Naturally, Elsie ignored him and turned back to her room, only to receive a call from John the next second.

"If you don't attend your lessons properly, I'll come over after work tonight."

Furious, Elsie slammed her phone down, but eventually returned to the living room, defeated.

The lessons dragged on for two months, and as they progressed, the tutor's teachings became increasingly useless. It dawned on Elsie that these lessons were merely an excuse to keep an eye on her.

Initially, Elsie counted the days, calculating how much longer she could stay at home.

She silently criticized John's declining efficiency and worried if she would be confined forever.

Fortunately, John appeared with a stack of documents. He had even purchased a house near her school, complete with floor plans and photos for her to see.

Elsie scrutinized John, who maintained his usual inscrutable demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

She was determined to see a different emotion on his face, so she dropped a bombshell: "I'm pregnant."

Elsie was bluffing. She had only noticed her period was two months late, with no other symptoms, assuming it was just irregular.

Additionally, she maliciously called Anna first to share the news.

9

Anna was baffled, questioning why Elsie was telling her about the pregnancy, as she wasn't Elsie's parent.

It wasn't until Elsie mentioned it was John's child that Anna fell silent and hung up.

Elsie was in high spirits, imagining Anna's furious reaction.

She hoped that Anna would have a huge fight with John, that she would point fingers at him and curse at him, which would lead to a falling out between them.

Surely, John was here because of this matter, Elsie thought, eagerly anticipating his reaction.

"Okay, I see, " John said, unfazed, as he laid out the documents in front of Elsie.

She was taken aback; this wasn't the reaction she had expected. She pressed on, "I told Anna."

At this, John finally looked up.

"She told me.

Check these. If everything's fine, we can finalize them.

The house has been decorated to your liking. If you want any changes, just call me when you're there, and I'll arrange it."

Elsie's face twisted as if she had bitten into a lemon. She had been waiting for John to lose his composure.

"I told Anna it was yours. She doesn't mind?

Don't assume everyone is as childish as you."

The soft lighting on John's face did nothing to comfort Elsie. She was the one who felt her defenses crumble.

Was she the one who didn't understand the real world?

Accepting that her boyfriend would have a child with another woman wasn't childish?

John's eyes were cold, devoid of any emotion. He lifted her chin with his hand, "This joke isn't funny. There's a limit to lying."

Elsie was forced to meet his gaze, feeling extremely uncomfortable under his scrutinizing look.

After the last incident, John had exposed Elsie's lie with his actions, and now he clearly didn't believe in such coincidences.

"My period hasn't come for two months. If you don't believe me, take me to the hospital for a check-up."

John studied Elsie's face for a moment, "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Elsie raised an eyebrow, determined to provoke him.

John wasn't angry; instead, he found it somewhat amusing. Since she was so stubborn, he decided to play along, treating it as a health check-up.

John personally accompanied Elsie to the hospital.

The test results confirmed she was eight weeks pregnant, exactly two months.

Elsie was shocked, snatching the report from John's hand to examine it closely.

The black and gray blur on the report was the child forming inside her.

A line below informed her that the baby already had a heartbeat and a fetal pole.

Elsie was bewildered, clutching the report and grabbing the doctor's coat, asking, "Isn't this a mistake? I just have a delayed period. I haven't had any morning sickness."

The doctor smiled, explaining that not all pregnant women experience morning sickness.

Elsie followed John out of the examination room in a daze, her hand unconsciously resting on her still-flat stomach.

Had she really stumbled into having a little life inside her?

Still reeling from the revelation, Elsie had just settled into the car when John poured cold water on her.

"I've thought about it. You still need to go abroad."

Elsie was stunned. Did he dislike her so much that even after she was pregnant, she had to go to a place where she knew no one?

John turned off his phone screen, his expression serious. "I just discussed it with Anna. You'll continue your studies abroad. Once the child is born, I'll bring them back and take care of them myself. Don't worry."

Elsie's eyes widened. How could he say something so heartless? Did he really think he was being considerate?

"Have you lost your mind?" Elsie couldn't hold back any longer, abandoning all pretense as she shouted at John. "This is my child. How can you expect them to be taken away from their mother at birth? Do you even have conscience?"

John's face darkened.

"You can't even take care of yourself. How can I trust the child with you?

Anna has accepted the child. You don't need to worry."

Elsie was so infuriated by John's presumptuous attitude that her stomach hurt. "Why should I allow it? Anna was just a stranger to me!"

John frowned, displeased with Elsie's shouting.

"I'm getting engaged to her in a month. She'll be your step-aunt.

This is also my child. She'll treat them as her own."

Elsie felt like she was hearing things. Was John even speaking with sanity?

"You're saying that I'm pregnant, and you want to marry Anna? And have her raise my child?"

John corrected her, "Anna and I will raise the child together."

Elsie's eyes reddened with anger. She never imagined John could be so cold and heartless. She pointed to the hospital, "I think you should get checked out, see if your brain is just for show."

She should have known, right?

John not only didn't like her, but he also despised her.

It was impressive how his money-focused mind came up with such a way to torment her.

John's patience ran out, and he was about to reprimand Elsie for her insults when she interrupted with a sneer, "Why are you so full of yourself? Do you really think the child I'm carrying is yours?"

John froze, the weight of her words hitting him like a cold wave.

Elsie added with a mocking tone, "John, you really do like taking care of someone else's kids, don't you?"