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“A grown woman has just disappeared like this? What use are you worthless idiots? Keep searching!“}]
“We’re on it, but Miss Fernandez has deliberately erased all traces of herself. And there must be someone backing her, arranging everything so thoroughly. Under these circumstances, it will be very difficult to find her in a short time.”
“If you can’t find her, bring me her head!” Dawson thundered.
“Yes, yes!” The subordinates fled in panic.}
At Dawson’s home, every single surveillance camera inside and outside the house mysteriously had gone offline overnight.”
Even the night guard on duty vanished without a trace.]
The longtime butler who had served the Patterson family for years was gone too.”
Most likely, by now they were lounging comfortably on some remote island overseas, soaking up the sun with the fortune Maxine had given them–enough to keep them and their families happy for the rest of their lives.
Compared to Dawson’s growing frustration, anger, and anxiety, Elise was thrilled.
After all, Maxine had voluntarily disappeared and handed her the position.
Though those humiliating videos exposing her shame and scandal had gone viral, what did that matter?}
She was about to become the official wife of Dawson and the legitimate lady of the Patterson family!”
For that title, she was willing to sacrifice everything!}]
So
Elise put on a false show of concern and comforted Dawson.})
“Dawson, I’ve seen Maxine cozying up with some rich older man before, but I kept quiet so as not to hurt your feelings.“}
“Don’t waste your tears on a woman like that. You still have me and Elijah.“}
Dawson slapped her hard across the face. “Nonsense! Maxine would never cheat or betray me!“}
“She’s not that kind of gold–digger!“}]
Elise clutched her cheek in disbelief. “You…you hit me because of her?“}
Dawson’s parents walked in right then.
Jenna seemed to expect his reaction; she gently took Elise’s hand and placed it in Dawson’s.
“How can you be so blind? That woman abandoned you, which means she never loved you.“}
“Our Elise left her husband for you–doesn’t that prove how much she loves you? You’ve always liked her, haven’t you? Now’s your chance!“} “Your father and I want more grandchildren. We’re the proud Patterson family–how can you not have more heirs to carry on your legacy? You and Elise are still young; work hard and have three kids in five years,” she added.§
Michael stroked his beard thoughtfully. “We’ve watched Elise grow up–well–mannered and beautiful. She’s a perfect match for you. Your mother and I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Go get married tomorrow; don’t drag this out and give people time to gossip!”
“Exactly, Elise has been waiting eagerly for you to marry her!“}
With her family backing her, Elise coquettishly smiled. “Well, it depends on what Dawson wants…”
Dawson held Elise’s hand, but it felt like gripping a burning coal.
Squinting his eyes, he questioned his parents. “There’s just been a huge mess, and you want me to arrange a wedding now?“}]
Elise’s watery eyes looked at him with fake innocence. “Now that Elijah is officially back in the Patterson family, no longer an adopted son, it’s the perfect time to hold the wedding in front of Mom and Dad.”
“Dawson, we’ve always been on the same page. If my parents hadn’t forced me to go abroad, we would have been together long ago. I’ve only ever loved you, and that woman was always a third party.”
The words “third party” made Dawson frown deeply.”
Elise ignored the warning signs and continued, “You kindly adopted Elijah, gave her the chance to be a mother, even held a big adoption ceremony, but look what she did–she humiliated us all in public!”
“She never thought about how much pain she caused you. How can such a selfish woman be your wife and Elijah’s mother? Dawson, give her up–we’ll be a happy family of three!”
In the past, Dawson would have believed her wholeheartedly,
He adored Elise, so anything she said was unquestioned. One frown from her, and he wanted to give her the world.
But now, looking at her still–pretty face and hearing her insult Maxine, he suddenly realized Elise wasn’t the innocent, gentle girl he once believed her to be.
His gaze fell to the trash can, where a blue glimmer caught his eye.!! He slowly walked over and picked it up–recognizing it immediately.”
It was the gift he had given Maxine, which was originally from Elise.
Looking back at Elise’s expensive dress in the videos, the diamond headpiece alone was worth millions, and the entire outfit was worth tens of millions.
The luxury cars, the castle… billions had been spent.
And what hart he niven Mavine?\{
1:15 PM J
Looking back at Elise’s expensive dress in the videos, the diamond headpiece alone was worth millions, and the entire outfit was worth tens of millions.
The luxury cars, the castle… billions had been spent.
And what had he given Maxine?}
Nothing but discarded trash.}
His heart twisted painfully, full of regret and hatred.”
Meanwhile, his parents and Elise were still complacent, arrogantly criticizing and insulting Maxine–didn’t they know the kind of life Maxine had endured?!
His hand clenched so hard the shattered necklace cut into his palm, blood pouring out, but he barely felt the pain.
Maxine’s heart was shattered a thousand times more than this!!
He looked coldly at Elise. “I told you, my wife is only Maxine. She’s not a third party–she’s my one and only love. And as for you, I only tolerated you because you’re Elijah’s mother.“}
“Now, it’s over between us, Elise. I will never marry you, nor let you stay here.“}]
“If Maxine ever comes back and sees you here, she’ll be heartbroken and leave me again!“}
His parents‘ faces changed.}
Michael snapped. “You ingrate! Has Maxine messed up your brain?“}
Jenna anxiously grabbed Dawson’s hand. “Elijah can’t be without a mother!“}
Elise turned pale, her legs trembling. “Dawson, you’re kicking me out? I love you more than Maxine ever could–a million times more! You’ll never find anyone who loves you like I do!“}
Dawson pried his mother’s hand off him, pushed away Elise, who tried to cling to him. “I’ll hire a nanny for Elijah. As for you, Elise, don’t ever set foot in this house again. I’ll give you enough money to live comfortably abroad–now get out!“>
“You’re such an ingrate!“}
Dawson yelled without holding back. “If you keep pushing me, I’ll make sure you never see your grandchild again!“}
Stunned, Elise collapsed to the floor, tears streaming as she crawled to Jenna. “Mom, please say something for me!“>
