Chapter 50 I Know My Wifes Temper
The next morning, Gavin entered Alexander's office at Horton Group headquarters.
"Mr. Horton, Old Mr. Horton sent the butler. He insists that you return to the family residence today."
Alexander signed the document in front of him without pausing.
"Book me a flight to Taren tonight."
At noon, Alexander met Serena in a Western restaurant near headquarters.
After the server left, Serena cautiously studied his expression.
His eyes kept drifting toward his phone.
Her fingers tightened around her cutlery.
"Alexander, I was wrong last night. I shouldn't have accepted your wife's invitation to move into your marital home."
Alexander continued cutting his steak.
"Mm."
His noncommittal response embarrassed her.
After holding back for a while, Serena tried again.
"I didn't think carefully enough. The reason you and your wife are fighting this badly is me. No matter what it costs, I'll persuade her to return. I'll go explain everything."
Alexander stopped cutting.
He set down his knife and fork and looked at her.
His voice wasn't loud, but there was no room for argument.
"Serena, if you sincerely don't want my wife and me to divorce, the best thing you can do is maintain distance."
Serena had no answer.
She forced a small smile.
"I'm sorry. I'm not very clever about these things. I didn't realize your wife was deliberately testing us. I won't go to her. Don't be angry."
Then she added softly, "You were outside the country, and she was so forceful. Ethan and I could only do what she told us. I didn't dare make her angry. I suppose I'm too simple. I take people at face value."
Alexander sighed.
"Don't blame yourself. I know my wife's temper."
He continued, "Focus on your health. After summer, I'll help Ethan find a school. You don't need to worry about what happens between Elsa and me."
Serena nodded gratefully.
Under the table, her fingers tightened until the knuckles whitened.
Alexander clearly had no intention of divorcing.
That meant Serena still had to work through Elsa.
She needed Elsa to be the one who left him.
That evening, Alexander finally went to the Horton estate.
Eleanor came toward the door, then stopped and looked behind him.
"Where's Elsa? Why didn't she come with you?"
Alexander answered lightly, "She went abroad to clear her head."
Charles immediately exploded.
"Mrs. Avery's eightieth birthday is in three days. She specifically asked to see Elsa. What kind of time is this for her to go 'clear her head'?"
Alexander looked at his grandfather.
"She was dismissed from the hospital. She's unhappy. I doubt she's in the mood to attend Mrs. Avery's party."
Old Mr. Horton sat in the central seat with his cane, his expression dark.
"Everything I did was for you two. The wife of the president of Horton Group working as a junior hospital assistant—what did that look like?"
Charles snapped, "Call Elsa now. Tell her to return immediately."
Alexander lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Eleanor tried another approach.
"Alexander, Mrs. Avery personally requested Elsa. Ask her to come back for the birthday dinner. Afterward, she can travel wherever she wants."
Social relationships among wealthy families were their own kind of work. A family matriarch or daughter-in-law could influence alliances and reputation in ways outsiders rarely understood.
That was one reason the Horton elders had always preferred Elsa, even as a bankrupt heiress, over Serena from an ordinary background.
Alexander hid his expression.
"I'll discuss it with her later and ask her to come back if possible."
Old Mr. Horton's voice sharpened.
"Not if possible. She must return."
"She gave your entire house to Serena and her son. She's not coming back!"
Violet stormed through the doorway.
Alexander closed his eyes and leaned back against the sofa, already feeling a headache.
Eleanor shot to her feet.
"Violet, what did you just say?"
Before Alexander could stop her, Violet spoke rapidly.
"After Alexander cheated and had a child with Serena, Elsa kept asking for a divorce. Alexander demanded one billion. Elsa sold Aunt Margaret's heirloom jewelry. She even gave their marital house to Serena and Ethan. Elsa didn't go overseas to relax.
My brother and Serena drove her out of the country!"
Alexander stood.
His warning gaze cut toward his sister.
"Violet. Enough."
Violet immediately hid behind Eleanor.
"Last night he went to the Winters home looking for Elsa and they shut him out. I'm not lying!"
Alexander looked upward and took a deep breath.
Charles's face turned livid.
"You idiot. You destroyed your own household over a woman outside your marriage, and you still tried to hide it from us?"
Eleanor dropped onto the sofa and pressed one hand to her chest.
"Alexander, hear me clearly. Even if you divorce Elsa, you will never bring Serena and that child into this family."
Old Mr. Horton, who had remained silent, spoke with open menace.
"Don't forget what you promised me. If Elsa divorces you because of Serena and that child, I will not spare them."
Alexander forced his voice to remain calm.
"Grandpa, Dad, Mom, don't worry. I will not divorce Elsa."
Violet nearly screamed.
"So that's why you've been refusing to divorce her! You're still using Elsa to protect Serena and her son!"
Tears of anger filled her eyes.
"I'm going to tell Elsa. She should never forgive you!"
Violet ran out.
Alexander watched her go, his brow tightly furrowed.
Charles pointed at him.
"Whatever else happens, three days from now you will bring Elsa to Mrs. Avery's birthday dinner."
Eleanor looked between her father-in-law, husband, and son.
"Elsa went alone to a country that far away, and as her husband you didn't immediately go bring her home? If something happens to her, how will you face her parents?"
Alexander stood.
"I booked a flight to Taren tonight. I'll bring her back tomorrow."
He had indulged Elsa too much.
Now she had actually left the country without telling him.
Alexander left the estate and went directly to the airport.
Four hours later, the plane landed at nine-thirty local time in Taren.
A car was waiting and took him to Elsa's staff residence.
Alexander checked his watch.
Just after ten.
She should still be awake.
He checked the address one more time.
Then he raised his hand and knocked.